Here’s what you need to know about the disease before visiting Africa …
The mosquitoes that carry malaria live in large parts of tropical and subtropical Africa.
In this blog post, I discuss where malaria is located within Africa malaria, how the disease spreads, and how you can avoid contracting it.
Note: I’m not a health specialist, so the information I share here should only be used as supplemental reading. Please consult your local clinic or doctor for professional and personalised advice before travelling to a malarial region.
Not all African countries have malaria
Mosquitoes require warm, humid conditions to survive. So the deserts of Africa, like the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa and the Sahara in North Africa, don’t have malaria. Many of the greener parts of South Africa also don’t have malaria, as the climate is too cold at certain times of year. Furthermore, the mountains and highlands of most countries don’t have malaria, again because of the colder temperatures.
Please note that if you’re coming to Africa for a safari, you have the option to travel to amazing wildlife reserves without having to consider malaria. You can learn more in The best malaria-free safari destinations in Africa.
Malaria can be deadly, so you must take precautions
Malaria is a parasitic disease carried by the Anopheles mosquito. Humans contract the disease when bitten by an infected mosquito.
Malaria can be deadly, though it isn’t always so. This is because the disease presents more severely in some people than in others. Those with a serious case of malaria need proper medical attention, or they will die.
While malaria vaccines exist, these are primarily being given to children living in malaria regions, so it’s not a safety precaution that’s really applicable to travellers.
This leaves you, as a tourist, with two options when visiting a malarial destination in Africa: take preventative medication and ensure you don’t get bitten. Each option has its own pros and cons, as discussed below. But please bear in mind that the surest way to not get the disease is to take an antimalarial medication AND avoid being bitten.
Note that small children and the elderly are especially at risk of developing a severe form of malaria. Also, pregnant women pass on the disease to their foetuses.
The pros and cons of anti-malaria medication
There are different types of antimalarial medications on the market, all of which are known as prophylactics. They’re tablets that you either take daily or weekly, depending on the type, both before, during, and after your travels in a malarial zone.
Two of the main prophylactics on the market are doxycycline and mefloquine. You can’t get a prophylactic without a prescription. You usually have to start taking the medication around four to six weeks prior to your trip, so don’t leave this consultation till the last minute.
All antimalarial prophylactics have side effects. This is one of the key reasons why it’s important to consult a healthcare professional to discuss if you should take a prophylactic, and if yes, which one. They will explain the risks of the different medications as well as the risks of not taking any medication in light of your proposed destination and personal medical history.
Note that no antimalarial drug offers 100% protection. They’re roughly 90% effective, according to experts. So even if you decide to take one, you should also try to prevent mosquito bites.
Top tips to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes
The other way to avoid contracting malaria is to protect yourself from mosquitoe bites. It’s not such a reliable measure as medication, which is why you and your doctor might decide against it as the sole strategy for your time in a malarial destination.
Take these measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes in Africa:
- Use a quality insect repellent (those that are DEET-based are the most effective)
- Cover up your skin (from long-sleeved tops to closed shoes)
- Use anti-insect candles when seated around a table
- Sleep under a mosquito net, which you could also spray with insecticide
- Turn on a fan or air-conditioner when possible
As it’s much harder to keep infants and small children from being bitten, I suggest planning a visit to the non-malarial parts of Africa if you want to visit with little kids in tow. You might like to read Best places in Africa to take your kids on safari. Also, check out the suggested Southern African itineraries from African Overland Tours shown below, as these take place in malaria-free regions.
Note: This blog post was created in 2013. It was rewritten by Megan Abigail White in 2026.
