What is the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, and why does it matter on a Welgevonden safari? Laluka explains the UNESCO status behind the malaria-free bush.

If you are landing in Johannesburg and hoping to see the Big Five without another flight, the honest answer is encouraging. You have real options within a morning's drive, and the differences between them matter more than the kilometres. This guide covers every realistic Big Five safari near Johannesburg, how long each takes from Johannesburg or Pretoria, and what kind of safari you actually get when you arrive. We run a small lodge in one of these reserves, so we will tell y

It is one of the first questions people ask once the safari dream turns into a plan, and it deserves a clearer answer than it usually gets: it depends entirely on where in South Africa you go. Some of the country's best Big Five reserves are in malaria areas. Others, including the reserve we call home, have none at all. One note before we start. We are lodge hosts, not doctors. This guide explains where malaria tablets for a South African safari are genuinely needed and wher

Malaria-free, three hours from Johannesburg, with rhinos that still carry their horns — an honest comparison of Welgevonden and Kruger to help you choose your South African safari.

My name is Xolani Mhlongo , though most people know me as Mr X . My full Zulu name can be a challenge to pronounce, so the nickname has followed me throughout my guiding career. I arrived at Laluka Safari Lodge on the 1st of November 2025, and from my very first afternoon, I knew this place was special. On an introductory drive with Stephan, the reserve immediately impressed me with its rolling hills, open plains, and abundant wildlife. As if to welcome me properly, we saw a