Cheryl Cole back to Africa - less than 6 months after catching malaria

X Factor judge Cheryl Cole and close pal Derek Hough are off to Cape Town to spend the New Year in a $3,000-a-night luxury villa.

But before leaving the 25-year-old dancer checked that local mosquitoes do not carry malaria.

"He wanted to make sure Cheryl had a good start to 2011 after her worst year ever. Then he just told her to pack a bag as he'd organised a holiday for them," the Sun quoted a source as saying.

Cheryl nearly died earlier this year after getting malaria when the couple holidayed together in Tanzania.

"Friends warned about going back to Africa so soon afterwards. But Derek did his homework and found Cape Town is a malaria-free region," said source.

The couple would have a personal chef and butler on call 24 hours a day at the villa, which has its own pool and Jacuzzi.

The source added: "Cheryl can relax and be pampered which is what she wanted."