September marks the transition from the dry winter months to spring across much of Southern Africa. Temperatures begin to rise, some areas receive their first seasonal rainfall, and mosquito activity can gradually increase.
For travellers, this means malaria awareness becomes particularly important again. While the risk varies considerably between countries and even between individual regions, several popular safari destinations remain malaria areas. The situation in 2026 also deserves extra attention, as increased malaria activity has been reported in parts of Southern Africa, including Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
If you're planning a safari in Kruger National Park or Etosha National Park, a trip to the Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, a holiday in Mozambique or an adventure in Zambia or Malawi, it is worth checking the malaria situation before you travel and discussing prevention with a travel-health professional.
Malaria risk areas in Southern Africa
Malaria transmission is not uniform across Southern Africa. Altitude, temperature, rainfall, standing water and local mosquito populations all influence the risk. The following is a useful September 2026 overview, but travellers should always check destination-specific advice shortly before departure.
South Africa
Malaria risk in South Africa is concentrated in the far north-east of the country.
Important risk areas include:
- Kruger National Park
- Eastern parts of Mpumalanga
- northeastern and northern regions of Limpopo
- Parts of northern KwaZulu-Natal
- Border areas adjoining Mozambique and Zimbabwe
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, the Garden Route, the Eastern Cape and most of the country's southern and western regions are not malaria areas.
September is particularly worth noting because the South African National Department of Health considers September to May the main malaria season and recommends chemoprophylaxis during this period for travellers to relevant risk areas.
For anyone planning a September safari in Kruger National Park, malaria prevention should therefore be taken seriously even if conditions still feel relatively dry.
Mozambique
Mozambique remains one of the region's most important malaria-risk destinations. Malaria transmission occurs throughout the country, including popular coastal and safari destinations.
Risk areas include:
- Maputo and the southern provinces
- Inhambane and Vilanculos
- Bazaruto and other coastal areas
- Beira and central Mozambique
- Gorongosa National Park
- Nampula and northern Mozambique
- Pemba and Cabo Delgado
- Niassa and the country's northern wilderness areas
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends prescription malaria prevention for travellers to Mozambique.
Zimbabwe
Malaria occurs throughout Zimbabwe, although the risk varies with altitude and local conditions.
Particular attention is advisable around:
- Victoria Falls
- Hwange National Park
- Zambezi National Park
- Lake Kariba
- Mana Pools
- Matusadona National Park
- Gonarezhou and the south-eastern Lowveld
- Other low-lying areas along the Zambezi Valley
Zimbabwe experienced unusually high malaria activity in 2026, which is one reason travellers should not rely solely on the traditional seasonal pattern when planning a September trip.
Zambia
Zambia is considered a malaria-risk country throughout the year.
Popular tourist destinations where malaria prevention is particularly relevant include:
- South Luangwa National Park
- Lower Zambezi National Park
- Kafue National Park
- Victoria Falls and Livingstone
- Luangwa Valley
- Zambezi Valley
- Much of northern and eastern Zambia
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists malaria transmission throughout Zambia and recommends prescription chemoprophylaxis for travellers to the country.
Botswana
Malaria risk in Botswana is concentrated in the north and is particularly relevant to safari travellers.
Risk areas include:
- Okavango Delta
- Moremi
- Chobe National Park
- Kasane
- Chobe and Linyanti areas
- Kwando region
- Ngamiland
- Northern Botswana generally
The southern parts of the country have considerably less risk, and Gaborone has no malaria transmission according to current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.
September is an important transition month. Some travel-health guidance considers malaria risk in northern Botswana high from September through May, while other guidelines use October as the start of the high-risk period. This difference highlights why travellers should obtain individual advice based on their exact itinerary rather than relying on a simple month-by-month calendar.
Namibia
Malaria risk in Namibia is mainly concentrated in the north and north-east.
Important areas include:
- Zambezi Region
- Kavango East
- Kavango West
- Northern parts of Kunene
- Ohangwena
- Omusati
- Oshana
- Oshikoto
- Parts of Omaheke and Otjozondjupa
Windhoek, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and much of southern Namibia have little or no malaria risk.
September is significant because malaria risk traditionally increases from September through May in parts of northern Namibia. In addition, Namibia experienced a notable increase in malaria cases in 2026, prompting travel-health authorities to temporarily strengthen prevention recommendations even during the normally lower-risk winter months.
Travellers heading towards the Zambezi Region, Kavango areas, northern safari destinations or Etosha National Park should therefore take malaria prevention seriously. Etosha lies in a transitional zone where risk is generally low but can increase in surrounding regions during wetter periods, so mosquito-bite precautions are still recommended when visiting the park.
eSwatini
Malaria risk in eSwatini is relatively limited compared with neighbouring Mozambique and South Africa.
The main risk area is the eastern and northern Lowveld, particularly areas close to the Mozambique border. This includes parts of Lubombo and the eastern sections of several other districts.
Mbabane and the highveld have little or no malaria risk.
Current UK travel-health guidance describes the main malaria season in eSwatini as November to May, with very low risk elsewhere. September therefore generally represents a lower-risk period, although mosquito-bite avoidance remains sensible in the Lowveld.
Malawi
Malaria is a year-round risk throughout Malawi.
This includes popular destinations such as:
- Lake Malawi
- Liwonde National Park
- Majete Wildlife Reserve
- Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
- Lower Shire Valley
- Blantyre
- Lilongwe
Because malaria transmission occurs throughout Malawi, travellers should discuss chemoprophylaxis as part of their preparation rather than assuming that the dry season eliminates the risk.
Lesotho
Lesotho is malaria-free.
Its high altitude and cooler climate mean that malaria transmission does not occur. Travellers visiting Lesotho therefore do not normally need malaria chemoprophylaxis specifically for their time in the country.
However, this changes if a Lesotho itinerary also includes malaria-risk areas elsewhere in Southern Africa.
Angola
Angola remains a high malaria-risk destination, with transmission throughout the country.
Risk is particularly relevant in lowland and tropical areas, including Luanda and much of northern, central and eastern Angola. Even travellers visiting urban areas should not automatically assume that malaria is not a concern.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends prescription malaria prevention for travellers to Angola.
Why September matters for malaria awareness
September is an important month for malaria awareness because Southern Africa is beginning to move from the cooler, drier winter towards warmer spring conditions.
As temperatures rise, mosquito activity can increase. Early seasonal rainfall can also create new breeding sites, particularly around rivers, floodplains, wetlands and areas where water collects.
At the same time, September is one of the most popular months for wildlife travel. The dry landscape and limited vegetation make wildlife easier to spot, attracting visitors to places such as Kruger National Park, Chobe, the Okavango Delta, Hwange, Victoria Falls and South Luangwa.
This combination of warmer weather, changing rainfall patterns and increased safari travel makes September a good time to review your malaria precautions.
Another important point is that malaria does not always produce obvious symptoms immediately. Fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue can initially resemble flu or another common infection. Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum can progress rapidly and become life-threatening if treatment is delayed.
If you develop a fever during a trip to a malaria-risk area or after returning home, tell the healthcare professional that you have recently travelled to a malaria area. Do not assume that you are safe simply because several weeks have passed since your safari.
Malaria prevention tips for travellers
The good news is that there is a lot travellers can do to reduce their risk.
Before travelling
- Check your itinerary carefully. Malaria risk can change dramatically between neighbouring regions.
- Visit a travel-health professional several weeks before departure, ideally around 4–6 weeks in advance.
- Discuss antimalarial medication if your itinerary includes a malaria-risk area. The appropriate medicine depends on your destination, duration of travel, medical history and other factors.
- Take prescribed medication exactly as directed. Do not stop early simply because you have left the malaria area.
- Pack an effective insect repellent before travelling.
While travelling
- Use an insect repellent containing an effective active ingredient such as DEET, picaridin or IR3535.
- Wear long trousers and long-sleeved clothing, particularly from dusk onwards.
- Stay in accommodation with air conditioning, screened windows or mosquito nets where possible.
- Use an insecticide-treated bed net when one is provided, particularly in safari camps and remote accommodation.
- Keep doors and windows closed or screened during periods of mosquito activity.
- Remember that malaria-carrying Anopheles mosquitoes are primarily active from dusk through the night, so evening and nighttime protection is particularly important.
After your trip
Pay attention to your health after returning home.
A fever following travel to a malaria area should always be taken seriously. Seek medical attention promptly and clearly mention where and when you travelled.
Malaria is preventable and treatable, but early diagnosis is critical.
Final thoughts
September is an excellent month for travelling through Southern Africa, but it is also the point at which malaria awareness becomes increasingly important again.
The risk is not the same everywhere. Lesotho is malaria-free, much of southern Namibia and Botswana has little or no risk, while countries such as Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Angola have much broader transmission. South Africa's malaria risk is concentrated in the north-east, while Namibia, Botswana and eSwatini have more pronounced regional and seasonal differences.
For travellers, the most important rule is simple: don't judge malaria risk by the season alone. Check your exact itinerary and get professional travel-health advice before departure.
With sensible mosquito-bite prevention, appropriate medication when recommended and prompt medical attention if fever develops, malaria does not need to prevent you from enjoying a September safari or Southern African adventure.
Disclaimer: This article provides general travel-health information and should not replace personalised medical advice. Malaria recommendations can vary according to your itinerary, age, medical history, pregnancy status, medication and current local transmission patterns. Always consult a qualified travel-health professional before travelling to a malaria-risk area. Malaria risk information can also change rapidly following changes in rainfall, mosquito populations and local transmission.
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