Malarone is the only prophylaxis that my airline will allow us to take, so I reckon it is approved for pilots.
During some long discussions about Malaria with a WHO doctor who had been working with malaria for most of his life, I discovered the following:
1. He does not take malaria prophylaxis long term, only when there is an epidemic.
2. At all times between dusk and dawn, limit visits outside, wear light clothing with long sleeves and trousers and apply Deet. Don't forget around your socks and all areas of exposed skin.
3. Malarone is new and does not show as many side effects as other malaria medicines.
4. Malarone an be taken as a "curative dose". I keep some in my bag and if I were to get headaches and a fever I would take it on his advice to help prevent the disease developing more.
5. Drinking Gin and Tonic has no significant effect. Some will tell you it does. The amount of Quinnine in a glass of tonic is minute compared to the amount you would take as a drug.
My airline offers the following advice:
If you stay in an air conditioned room and take precautions as above, the risk of malaria is very small. If you go on safari or out of built up areas, you should take Malarone, especailly if staying the night away from the hotel.
Having said that, one of our Captains did get the serious form of Malaria and nearly died. He followed the advice.
My own feeling is that I follow the advice of the WHO doctor or I would be on tablets almost all the time. Even though Malarone is taken the day before and 7 days after, the long term effects would not be that great. For a trip of your length, I would spray and cover up unless you intend to adventure a bit. That however is my opinion and you take the risks you feel appropriate.
Don't forget when you go to Africa that you can still get Dengue fever from the mossies that fly during the day (I still wear repellant in daylight) and that things like Bilharzia (Liver fluke) are very nasty and can be caught from still water. Don't swim in lakes!