Dotting the coast of East Africa are; Sky blue waters, pearl white sandy beaches, beautiful tropical lodges, moss covered ruins of the magical archipelagos of Zanzibar and Lamu that welcome you with an everyday smell of spices and mesmerizing tropical beauty.Imagine enjoying a romantic evening cruising on an ancient Arab dhow as you watch the sun set on the beautiful blue coral Zanzibar waters.
When it comes to idyllic island beaches, fun-filled Mauritius and the exclusive private islands of the Seychelles immediately spring to mind. But African beaches are as varied as the enormous continent itself and range from the exotic islands of Mozambique’s Bazaruto and Quirimbas Archipelagos to the sandy white shores bordering freshwater Lake Malawi. And did you know that classic safari destinations like Kenya and Tanzania have mile after mile of unspoilt beaches as well as culture-crammed islands?
Family beach holidays and active beach holidays are also well-catered for in Africa (Bazaruto in Mozambique is particularly good for both), and you’ll find family-friendly accommodation, dedicated kids clubs, next-door golf courses, safe swimming and some of the best diving and fishing in the world.
Speak to one of our Safari Experts for more African beach holiday ideas – they can also easily combine a beach vacation with a safari for the ultimate African holiday.
Looking to combine big game viewing with palm-fringed beaches? In Africa, it’s easier than you think.
Our safari and beach holidays take you from iconic game reserves to beautiful sun-warmed islands. Luxury, family-friendly and honeymoon-perfect itineraries are all available. So dig out that sunblock& hat, you’ll need them for both your game drives and beach walks.
Uganda, Rwanda Safari & Beach Holidays:
Combine a Uganda or Rwanda thrilling Gorilla or wild life safari with a private island retreat on Lake Victoria or the beautiful Lake Kivu beach in Rwanda. Alternatively you can widen your horizon by hoping across to Zanzibar to explore Stone Town’s cobbled streets and the island’s powder-white beaches or Mnemba Private Island.
Kenya Safari & Beach Holidays:
Witness the unforgettable spectacle of thousands of wildebeest migrating through the Masai Mara – with opportunistic predators snapping at their hooves all the way. Along with the great migration, other top Kenya safari experiences include walking safaris with red-robed Maasai warriors, flamingo-covered Lake Nakuru and game drives in Amboseli National Park with its classic view of Mount Kilimanjaro. For a post-safari beach break, choose between the got-it-all resorts of the Kenya Coast or hop across to Zanzibar to explore Stone Town’s cobbled streets and the island’s powder-white beaches.
Tanzania & Zanzibar Holidays:
Tanzania is a top choice for classic safaris. Sleep under canvas on the Serengeti Plains and track the wildebeest migration or stay in a safari lodge perched on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater – an ancient volcanic caldera teeming with big game. What better than to round off these phenomenal safari experiences with a few days on the beaches of Zanzibar, the exotic Spice Island lying just off Tanzania’s coast. For a more exclusive sand-between-your-toes experience, stay on Pemba Island or private Mnemba Island – one of the worlds top diving destinations.
Botswana & Mozambique Holidays:
Landlocked Botswana is one of Southern Africa’s most exciting safari destinations but all you need to get to Mozambique’s postcard-perfect Indian Ocean islands is take an easy flight via Johannesburg. Go on safari in the wetlands of the Okavango Delta and see the enormous elephant herds in the Chobe National Park before jetting off to Bazaruto or the Quirimbas Archipelagos – both famous for their excellent scuba diving, big game fishing and right-on-the-beach lodges.
Kruger & Mozambique Islands:
South Africa’s flagship reserve, the Kruger Park and its exclusive private reserves are well known for their luxurious lodges and abundant wildlife. In fact, we’d go so far as to say that the Kruger’s Sabi Sands Private Reserve has the best Big 5 game viewing in Africa. And after filling your camera’s memory card with wildlife sightings, it’s just a couple of short flights to Mozambique’s reef-ringed Bazaruto Archipelago or the more remote private islands of the Quirimbas Archipelago.
Mauritius Holidays:
If you’re looking for a fun, active beach holiday then the island of Mauritius is hard to beat. Just a 4-hour flight from South Africa, Mauritius has a choice of resorts offering any watersport you can think of – water skiing, wind surfing, kayaking, deep sea fishing – let alone fantastic spa facilities and championship golf courses.
Boasting kids clubs and baby sitters, most Mauritius resorts are family-friendly so if you’re bringing the kids we can recommend a beach and safari break that includes one of South Africa’s malaria-free reserves.
Make sure you’re well-prepared for your trip by reading through our safari and beach holiday advice. Additional information and advice on specific destinations is available simply by clicking through to whichever country or regional destination you have in mind for holiday in Africa.
Pack light: it’s important to remember that if you’re catching light plane charters your luggage weight might be restricted to as little as 10kg (20 pounds) per person. It’s also advisable to use soft bags that can fit into the small overhead compartments.
Mind the Mosquitoes: many of our safari destinations lie within Africa’s malarial belt and although the risk is often minimal or seasonal, you are strongly advised to work with your medical practitioner or doctor to identify the severity of the risk plus what steps and what medication to take to avoid contracting the disease.
Don’t forget the sunblock: despite often mild daytime temperatures, the sun can be harsh and sun protection is essential – especially in summer!