Few experiences rival the thrill of spotting elephants at dawn, followed by sundowners overlooking endless savannah, only to find yourself days later on a private stretch of sun-bleached beach with nothing but the sound of the waves and a good book in hand.
A timeless combination of thrill and chill, safari-beach pairings are a travel classic. But with so many options to choose between, deciding your destinations can feel equally daunting and exciting. Are you after classic safari, roaming Kenya’s baobab-studded national parks in search of the fabled Big Five, or vast Tanzanian savannah host to the world’s largest crater and one of world’s greatest spectacles, the Great Migration. Is your idea of a beach escape a castaway corner of the Seychelles where your only neighbours are giant tortoises, or further off the beaten track on Lake Malawi where shoreside adventure abounds. Have your questions answered in this guide which showcases the most elegant safari and beach pairings, and how to make them happen.
Few experiences rival the thrill of spotting elephants at dawn, followed by sundowners overlooking endless savannah, only to find yourself days later on a private stretch of sun-bleached beach with nothing but the sound of the waves and a good book in hand.
A timeless combination of thrill and chill, safari-beach pairings are a travel classic. But with so many options to choose between, deciding your destinations can feel equally daunting and exciting. Are you after classic safari, roaming Kenya’s baobab-studded national parks in search of the fabled Big Five, or vast Tanzanian savannah host to the world’s largest crater and one of world’s greatest spectacles, the Great Migration. Is your idea of a beach escape a castaway corner of the Seychelles where your only neighbours are giant tortoises, or further off the beaten track on Lake Malawi where shoreside adventure abounds. Have your questions answered in this guide which showcases the most elegant safari and beach pairings, and how to make them happen.
The ultimate ‘bush and beach’ destination, Kenya is as iconic as safari destinations get. Immortalised by Out of Africa and The Lion King, it’s known as much for its landscapes and wildlife as it is for its vibrant and diverse culture. First timers will find themselves drawn to the Masai Mara and the Maasai people who live on its land. Hit its open plains dotted with acacia trees on 4x4s, searching for its resident big cats, buffaloes, giraffes and elephants. Spend nights under stars in elegant yet understated camps such as Mara Plains. Get a taste of Maasai life with local villagers. And, if you time it right (usually late July and August), be witness to the Great Migration.
Kenya’s unique geography means journeys from safari to sea can take just a few hours. No matter which park you visit, Kenya’s coast is always within reach. Diani Beach, for instance, is just a direct (seasonal) flight from the Masai Mara, while Mombasa and Malindi can be reached via a connecting flight in Nairobi. Drawing in honeymooners, families and nature lovers with its surfable waves, kaleidoscopic marine life and palm-fringed beaches, you can snorkel and dive deep into the Indian Ocean and enjoy total privacy at luxury boutique hotels such as Alfajiri Villas, perched atop secluded coral cliffs. If it’s remoteness you’re after, the Lamu archipelago (north of Mombasa) is the perfect spot to go off-grid. Stay in authentic Swahili guesthouses nestled among fragrant frangipani and winding mangrove creeks, and immerse yourself in island life where centuries-old traditions and culture have survived the test of time.
Image by Mara Plains
A True top tip: If you’re bound by budget, opt for the scenic 2-3 hour train from Tsavo (near Amboseli and the Chyulu Hills) to Mombasa. Squeeze in some extra wildlife spotting on the way and soak up the shifting landscapes en route.
Beyond the Masai, Kenya is home to another 27 national reserves and up to 140 private conservancies. Head north of Mount Kenya to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Laikipia. Drop your bags at its eponymous luxury camp, home to a tennis court, pool and over 30 horses. Enjoy sunset rides through the camp, scanning the horizon for the ‘Northern Five’ (gerenuk, beisa oryx, giraffe, ostrich and Grevy’s zebra) and wake to a natural alarm of birdsong before embarking on early morning walking safaris with Samburu guides. South of Nairobi, safaris shift focus to elephants, especially in Ambolesi where thousands of elephants can be spotted roaming its yolk-orange grasslands framed by the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro.
Its name alone conjures images of pearly sand lapped by azure water and brimming with tropical marine life. And nowhere does ocean-side luxury quite like the Seychelles. While getting there from Kenya may involve an overnight stop in Nairobi, the journey is a small trade-off for such an unforgettable destination. At Alphonse, tucked away on its namesake island (the only inhabited isle in the Alphonse Atoll) where giant tortoises roam free, remoteness is its greatest allure. Yet, for a castaway island, it boasts a surprising number of facilities. Whether it’s daily complimentary activities, ‘sand flats lunches’ (where staff set up a barbecue in the middle of the lagoon) or spending time in the tortoise nursery, there’s an activity for every type of traveller.
Image by Alphonse
One of the most iconic combinations of them all: Tanzania and the Zanzibar Archipelago. A land where Africa meets Arabia meets the Indian Ocean, it’s only natural that the country bridges both safari and beach. Start in the Serengeti, Africa’s second largest wildlife park in the country’s northwest, to witness live action Lion King; the annual migration of 1.5 million wildebeest, gazelle and zebra and classic Big Five sightings. Journey to the Ngorongoro Crater, which bubbles with biodiversity and a human history dating back 3.6 million years. And pause in historic and nostalgic guesthouses such as Gibb’s Farm, located halfway between Lake Manyara and the crater in the Great Rift Valley, complete with stone fireplaces and fragrant herb gardens.
Tanzania’s magic lies in its contrast—and the fact that you can move from savannah to sea in just a matter of hours. For beach-bound travellers, flights from Dar es Salaam take just 30 minutes, and ferries, roughly 2 hours. Once in Zanzibar Town it’s just a short private transfer to the tranquil East Coast. For those happy to linger, Stone Town’s maze of narrow streets lined with coral mansions, mosques and markets are well worth a de-tour. Once east, check into The Palms, nestled along the award-winning Bwejuu Beach, where intimacy comes in abundance thanks to its smattering of just 7 sea-facing villas. Whether you’re unwinding in your private plunge pool or mastering the art of climbing a coconut palm with nothing but a rope, this deluxe resort invites you to do as much or as little as you please.
Find something South Africa doesn’t have. Blessed with desert, forest, savannah, multiple mountains, beaches, vibrant cities and game reserves, it is the ultimate all-rounder. For those keen to get straight to the animal action, Sabi Sands, surrounded by the Sable River and Kruger National Park, is the obvious choice. Stay at one of Singita’s lodges and spend days on game drives and guided walking safaris in search of large lion prides and nights marvelling at the star-strewn African sky alongside expert astronomers.
Fly 4 hours east of Kruger and flop on Benguerra Island, just off the coast of Mozambique. Part of the Bazaruto Archipelago (comprising 5 islands), its untouched landscape of pristine shores, swaying palms and gin-clear shores are the ultimate island idyll. The fact the country is off most travellers’ radars means you’ll have the luxury of thinking the island is all yours too. Getting there, however, is surprisingly easy. With 3 weekly flights from Kruger to the mainland hub of Vilanculos, followed by a short 15-minute helicopter transfer, you can be at remote retreats like Azura—home to 18 eco-friendly, thatched villas hand-built by locals along a pristine, dune-backed beach—in relatively no time at all. Sink your teeth into fresh seafood, savour sunsets on traditional dhows and down on the beach, indulge in a ‘Tribal Traditions’ massage.
South Africa safaris are more than elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard, especially if you choose to journey along the garden route to the award-winning Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. Linger in one of its 2 luxury lodges or exclusive-use villas, and head out with expert guides in search of the country’s endemic Marine Big Five (whales, sharks, seals, penguins and dolphins). Or, opt for the ultra-exclusive in Tswalu Kalahari. Welcoming just 28 guests at a time, this incredibly personalised and private safari experience, coupled with sightings of the black-maned Kalahari lion, the ever-endearing meerkat as well as the incredibly rare pangolin, make it a true bucket-list destination.
Layover-phobes, rejoice: 3 weekly, reliable, direct flights from Johannesburg (landing in Mahé just before 9pm) means no need for connections to this tropical archipelago. That said, if you’re heading to one of the Seychelles’ outer islands, a night in Mahé will be necessary. There are worse places to wait though: visit a nearby tea factory, browse Victoria (the world’s smallest capital) and tuck into home-cooked Creole dishes. Extend the adventure beyond your Praslin beach escape too, alternating days on loungers with island-hops to Moyenne (the world’s smallest national park) and hikes along the Copolia Trail through More Seychellois National Park.
Often referred to as ‘real Africa’, Zambia feels like a continuous string of African icons: the Zambezi, Victoria Falls, Ancient Bantu empires and game rich national parks like South Luangwa and Kafue, where wildlife and wilderness remain wonderfully untouched. Start at Victoria Falls, which must be seen from all angles: on Livingstone Island, to swim in the fall’s natural infinity pool forebodingly named Devil’s Pool, and from above, in a microlight to see the falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya (‘The Smoke that Thunders’) in all its glory. If you can’t tear yourself away from the water, opt for safaris along the Zambezi in Lower Zambezi National Park where you can safari by foot, 4×4 and boat.
Though technically landlocked, Malawi has long been a favourite beach escape for travellers journeying between eastern and southern Africa. The reason? Lake Malawi; a vast, 560km-long expanse stretching through the Rift Valley along the Mozambique border. Fringed by palm and baobab trees and dotted with friendly waterside villages, its shores offer a picturesque and unexpectedly idyllic alternative to the coast. The 1-hour flight from Mfuwe (South Luangwa’s airport) to Lilongwe, followed by a 45-minute hop to Club Makokola on the lake’s southern shore, will fly by in a breeze. Or, if you’d rather cut out the connection, charter a private flight. Families will want to head to Pumulani Lodge on the lake’s southern shore, where spacious villas and water-based activities await, while honeymooners and couples will enjoy the seclusion of Kaya Mawa and its exclusive beachfront on Likoma Island.
Image by Tongabezi Lodge
If you’re planning a longer trip, encompassing multiple safari destinations, or aren’t sold on a safari spot yet, let us turn your attention to Botswana and Zimbabwe. Exclusivity is the buzz word in these eastern countries, with untouched high-end being the focus. Whether you’re skimming across the Okavango Delta’s floodwaters or exploring Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest national reserve, home to one of the largest elephant populations in the world, you’ll likely be one of very few humans for miles. The same goes in Namibia, where sun-baked dunes and salt pans dotted with petrified trees stretch endlessly beneath wide, empty skies. Attenborough aficionados will want to make a beeline for Damaraland where desert-adapted elephants and rhinos defy everything we thought we knew about the natural world.
When the late writer Martin Amis visited Mauritius, he remarked that travellers would find themselves “torn between activity (massively available and frenziedly various) and its simpler and nobler opposite, inactivity.” That’s because on arrival in the island country, it’s obvious it’s more than screensaved beaches. That said, if sun and sand are what you’re after, Mont Choisy and Trou aux Biches are among the finest; perfect for water lovers keen to snorkel, cruise and canoe. Reachable by an overnight stay in Johannesburg, you can be cruising in a mokoro on the Okavango Delta one morning and exploring Mauritius’ interior, dotted with mountainous national parks filled with local flora and fauna, the following afternoon.
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