Where to Go for a Safari & Beach Holiday

In Africa, it's easier than you might think to combine big game viewing with barefoot luxury on palm-fringed beaches. By pairing the right destinations together, you'll enjoy the best of both worlds – a safari and beach holiday that seamlessly takes you from iconic wildlife reserves to sun-kissed tropical islands.

Below are our top destination combinations that can be added to any type of itinerary, from luxury getaways and family-friendly trips to romantic honeymoons and even solo travels. We've also included a selection of our most popular safari and beach holidays which, thanks to our tried-and-tested logistics, means you'll spend less time at airports and more time exploring.

So, dig out that sunblock, you'll need it for both your game drives and beach walks. And if it's a romantic retreat you're after, take a look at our safari and beach honeymoon recommendations.

Kruger & Mozambique Islands

South Africa's flagship reserve, the Kruger National 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.

Tanzania & Zanzibar Holidays

Tanzania is a top choice for classic luxury 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 island, 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 world's top diving destinations.

Kenya Safari & Beach Holidays

Kenya offers both safari and beach accommodation, with its vast landscape encompassing untouched wilderness brimming with wildlife as well as a pristine lengthy coastline. 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.

South Africa Safari & Beach Holidays

South Africa is an incredibly diverse country: in a matter of hours, you can drive from a Big 5 game reserve to a beautiful stretch of beach. Our top choice for a South Africa safari and beach holiday takes you from the welcoming beaches of the Garden Route to the conveniently close and malaria-free Big 5 reserves of the Eastern Cape – great for families! For something a bit more adventurous, try the province of KwaZulu-Natal where classic big game viewing, wild sandy beaches and colourful coral reefs all lie within easy reach of each other.

South Africa & 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 watersports you can think of – water skiing, windsurfing, kayaking, deep sea fishing – let alone fantastic spa facilities and championship golf courses. Boasting kids' clubs and babysitters, 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.

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 to 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.

Ready to Plan Your African Safari & Beach Getaway?

Our Africa Safari Experts have a wealth of first-hand experience and knowledge of the continent's top destinations. Get in touch and start planning a tailor-made safari and beach holiday that meets all your requirements: