Safari & Beach: Luxury Safari And Beach Holidays All-inclusive
A safari and beach holiday is a completely personal experience that combines luxury with adventure and escapism. Immerse yourself in ethically conscious journeys for a more authentic experience in Africa.
An African safari combined with a beach holiday presents the finest experiences that Africa offers: distinctive wildlife and unparalleled beaches.
Falling asleep amid the sounds of jackals and rising before dawn to stalk elephants and buffalo, and potentially observe a lion kill, is an unparalleled experience. Nevertheless, early mornings and rigorous focus during safari can be taxing. What more fitting conclusion to your bush expedition than to unwind on a tropical African beach with a deserved, umbrella-adorned beverage.
We have curated the finest combinations of safari and beach holidays, featuring iconic safari locations such as Kruger National Park and Botswana’s Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, alongside pristine Indian Ocean locales including the Quirimbas and Bazaruto archipelagos, as well as the premier beach destination, the Seychelles.
Integrating various destinations is more feasible than one may assume; contemporary air travel and efficient logistics may transport you from the wilderness to the beach within the same day—awakening to the sounds of hippos and elephants and retiring to the soothing sounds of lapping waves and rustling palms.
If you seek a honeymoon that combines safari and beach experiences, see our experts‘ selections of the most romantic African retreats that offer the best of both worlds.
How to choose your beach extension after an African safari
Uncertain about which coastal destination to pair with your African safari? Sharon from Kabira Safaris assists you in selecting the most suitable beach extension for your safari.
Determining the destination for your beach extension can be a challenging option. Several criteria should assist you in refining your options: specifically, the area of your safari, the time of year you are visiting, and your budget. Generally, if you are heading to East Africa, your primary selections should be Zanzibar or the Kenyan Coast; conversely, if you are visiting Southern Africa, Mauritius, Mozambique, and the Seychelles should be your foremost options. Nonetheless, each itinerary is unique, and it is advisable to discuss your preferences with your safari professional.
I will now delineate each beach spot to provide you with additional insights regarding what to anticipate from the locale. In each sector, I also examine all safari spots that can be integrated with the coastal region.
Experience African Safari & Beach Holidays
Kruger & Mozambique Islands
Kruger National Park, South Africa’s premier reserve, along with its exclusive private reserves, is renowned for its opulent lodges and diverse animals. We assert that the Kruger’s Sabi Sands Private Reserve offers the premier Big 5 game viewing in Africa. Upon saturating your camera’s memory card with wildlife observations, it is but a few brief flights to Mozambique’s reef-encircled Bazaruto Archipelago or the more secluded private islands of the Quirimbas Archipelago.
Tanzania And Zanzibar Holidays
Tanzania is a premier destination for traditional luxury safaris. Camp beneath canvas on the Serengeti Plains to observe the wildebeest migration, or reside at a safari resort situated on the edge of Ngorongoro Crater — an ancient volcanic caldera abundant with large wildlife. What could be more ideal than concluding these extraordinary safari experiences with several days on the beaches of Zanzibar Island, the unique Spice Island situated just off the coast of Tanzania?
Kenya And Zanzibar Honeymoon
A Kenya and Zanzibar honeymoon combines a thrilling safari in Kenya’s Masai Mara with a relaxing beach vacation on the island of Zanzibar. This popular combination includes activities like game drives and hot air balloon rides in Kenya, followed by time to unwind on white-sand beaches, explore Stone Town, and enjoy water sports. Travel can be customized based on your budget and preferences. A Kenya safari and Zanzibar honeymoon combines the thrill of wildlife viewing in places like the Mara.
Kenya Safari & Beach Holidays
Kenya has both safari and beach lodging, including an expansive terrain filled with unspoiled nature teeming with wildlife, alongside a pristine, extensive coastline. Observe the remarkable phenomenon of millions of wildebeest migrating through the Masai Mara, accompanied by opportunistic carnivores pursuing them relentlessly. In addition to the great migration, premier safari experiences in Kenya encompass walking safaris with red-robed Maasai warriors, the flamingo-populated Lake Nakuru, and game drives in Amboseli National Park.
South Africa Safari & Beach Holidays
South Africa is an exceptionally diverse nation; within hours, one can go from a Big 5 game reserve to a stunning coastline. Our premier selection for a South African safari and beach vacation encompasses the inviting shores of the Garden Route and the easily accessible, malaria-free Big 5 reserves of the Eastern Cape, ideal for families. For a more adventurous experience, consider the province of KwaZulu-Natal, where traditional big game viewing, pristine sandy beaches, and vibrant coral reefs are all conveniently accessible.
Masai Mara Safari And Zanzibar
A trip combining a Masai Mara safari with a Zanzibar beach holiday is a classic East African adventure, offering exhilarating wildlife viewing in Kenya followed by relaxation on the pristine beaches of Tanzania. You can experience the world-famous Masai Mara for incredible game drives and see the “Big Five,” then fly to Zanzibar for a combination of relaxation on white-sand beaches and cultural exploration in Stone Town. The fastest way to travel between the two is by flying, while driving and bus are cheaper but take significantly longer.
South Africa & Mauritius Holidays
If you seek an enjoyable, dynamic beach vacation, the island of Mauritius is unparalleled. Located a mere four-hour flight from South Africa, Mauritius boasts a selection of resorts that provide an array of water sports, including water skiing, windsurfing, kayaking, and deep-sea fishing, in addition to exceptional spa amenities and championship golf courses. Featuring children’s clubs and childcare services, the majority of resorts in Mauritius are suitable for families.
Botswana & Mozambique Holidays
Botswana, a landlocked nation, is among Southern Africa’s premier safari locales; but, reaching Mozambique’s idyllic Indian Ocean islands requires merely a straightforward trip through Johannesburg. Embark on a safari in the Okavango Delta’s wetlands to observe the vast elephant herds in Chobe National Park, followed by a journey to Bazaruto or the Quirimbas Archipelagos, renowned for exceptional scuba diving, big game fishing, and beachfront resorts.
Masai Mara, Serengeti And Zanzibar
Masai Mara, Serengeti, and Zanzibar are three distinct but often combined travel destinations in East Africa, famous for wildlife safaris and beach relaxation. The Masai Mara National Reserve is in Kenya, while the Serengeti National Park is in neighboring Tanzania; they form a single ecosystem and are famous for the annual wildebeest migration. Zanzibar is a Tanzanian archipelago in the Indian Ocean known for its beaches and historic Stone Town.
Uganda And Zanzibar Holiday
A holiday combining Uganda and Zanzibar offers a diverse experience of tracking gorillas and other wildlife in Uganda, followed by relaxation on Zanzibar’s beaches. Popular itineraries include gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park to see tree-climbing lions, and a flight to Zanzibar for activities like snorkeling, exploring Stone Town, and enjoying white-sand beaches. Flights between Entebbe (Uganda) and Zanzibar are direct and take about two hours.
Zambia, Tanzania And Zanzibar
A combined itinerary for Zambia, Tanzania, and Zanzibar typically involves a safari in Tanzania’s Northern Circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, or Lake Manyara) followed by a flight to Zanzibar for a beach and cultural experience, and a separate trip to one of Zambia’s parks like Lower Zambezi. A sample 10-14 day itinerary could start with a Tanzania safari, fly to Zanzibar for a few days of relaxation and exploration, and then travel to Zambia for a safari, or vice versa. It’s often more practical to choose between a Zambia or Tanzania safari, as combining both may require a longer trip.
Serengeti Safari And Zanzibar Beach
A Serengeti safari followed by a Zanzibar beach holiday is a popular combination for experiencing Tanzania’s diverse attractions. The adventure typically involves flying from a local airstrip in the Serengeti to Zanzibar, where you can relax on white-sand beaches after game drives in the national park. Many package tours bundle these experiences together, often including other mainland parks like Ngorongoro Crater as part of the safari portion.
Nyerere And Zanzibar Honeymoon
A Nyerere Safari and Zanzibar honeymoon is a popular combination that pairs the adventure of wildlife viewing in Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) with relaxing beach time on the island of Zanzibar. A typical itinerary includes flying from Zanzibar to Nyerere for a multi-day safari featuring game drives and boat safaris on the Rufiji River, followed by a flight back to Zanzibar for relaxation and cultural exploration. This combination offers a perfect blend of thrilling wildlife and romantic, tropical beach experiences.
Kenya Safari And Diani Beach
A 7-day Kenya safari and Diani Beach trip typically combines a short wildlife safari, often in the Masai Mara, with several days of relaxation on Diani’s white-sand beaches. Itineraries usually involve game drives in a safari vehicle, followed by a flight to the coast for activities like snorkeling, swimming, and water sports, before a final departure or return to Nairobi. A Kenya safari and beach vacation combines wildlife viewing in parks like Masai Mara or Amboseli with relaxation on the Indian Ocean coast, such as Diani Beach
Masai Mara And Diani Beach
A trip to both the Masai Mara and Diani Beach is a popular Kenyan combination offering a “safari and beach” experience, with the Masai Mara providing thrilling wildlife viewing and Diani Beach offering relaxation on white-sand beaches. This adventure typically involves game drives in the Masai Mara to see the Big Five and the Great Migration, followed by travel to the coast for activities like swimming, snorkeling, diving, and fishing. The best time for the migration is July to October, while December to March is ideal for beach weather.
Masai Mara And Mombasa Beach
A trip combining the Masai Mara and Mombasa is a popular Kenyan holiday that offers a mix of a thrilling wildlife safari in the Masai Mara with a relaxing beach experience along the coast of Mombasa. You can spend several days on game drives in the Masai Mara, seeing iconic animals like lions, elephants, and wildebeest, followed by flying to Mombasa for sunbathing on white sandy beaches, water sports, and exploring Swahili culture.
Kenya And Seychelles Honeymoon
A Kenya and Seychelles honeymoon combines thrilling safari adventures with tropical beach relaxation. You can experience iconic wildlife viewing in Kenya’s Maasai Mara or Samburu Game Reserve, followed by a flight to Seychelles for relaxing on stunning beaches, snorkeling, and enjoying luxury resorts. This popular combination offers both exhilarating wildlife encounters and romantic, idyllic scenery for a balanced honeymoon.
Tanzania And Seychelles
Tanzania is a country in East Africa known for its wildlife safaris in locations like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, while the Seychelles is an island nation in the Indian Ocean that offers tropical beaches and marine life. The two countries are often combined in travel itineraries, pairing the adventure of a Tanzanian safari with a relaxing beach vacation in the Seychelles, often after flying between the mainland and the archipelago.
South Africa And Seychelles
South Africa and the Seychelles are two African countries that are often combined in travel itineraries to create a “bush and beach” experience, pairing South Africa’s safaris and vibrant cities with the Seychelles’ tropical islands. South Africa offers diverse landscapes, from the urban energy of Cape Town to the wildlife-rich savannas of the Kruger National Park, while the Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean known for its beautiful beaches, unique rock formations, and relaxed atmosphere.
Cape Town, Kruger And Seychelles
Cape Town, Kruger, and Seychelles is a popular vacation package that combines the cultural city life of Cape Town, the Big 5 safari experience of Kruger National Park, and the tropical beach relaxation of the Seychelles. This trip offers a “bush and beach” adventure with activities like exploring Table Mountain, game drives, wine tasting, and water activities like snorkeling in the Seychelles. Flights are required between locations, typically with direct flights from Cape Town to Kruger and then to the Seychelles, or connecting flights through Johannesburg.
Serengeti And Seychelles
A trip to both the Serengeti and Seychelles is a popular combination, pairing the thrill of a Tanzanian wildlife safari with relaxation on the beaches of the Indian Ocean islands. The best time for a Serengeti safari is during the dry seasons (June-October, January-February) for optimal wildlife viewing, while the Seychelles can be visited year-round. Travel between the two typically involves driving to a local airstrip and taking a flight, with the total cost for a combined trip varying widely depending on luxury levels and length.
The African Safari & Beach Holiday Destinations
In Africa, merging big game watching with barefoot luxury on palm-fringed beaches is more feasible than one might assume. By strategically combining suitable destinations, you will experience the optimal blend of a safari and beach vacation, transitioning effortlessly from renowned wildlife reserves to sun-drenched tropical islands.
Presented below are our premier destination combinations suitable for incorporation into any itinerary, encompassing luxury retreats, family-oriented excursions, romantic honeymoons, and solo journeys. We have incorporated a selection of our most sought-after safari and beach holidays, which, because to our proven logistics, allows you to minimise airport time and maximise exploration.
Retrieve the sunscreen; it will be necessary for both your game drives and beach strolls. If you seek a romantic getaway, consider our ideas for safari and beach honeymoons.
Tips for Booking An African Safari and Beach Holiday
1. Should You Do Bush or Beach First
An optimal safari and beach vacation commences with an excursion to the wilderness and concludes with cocktails at an immaculate beach. There is no correct or incorrect method to do this; nonetheless, shifting from the hustle of a safari to the serenity of a secluded island provides an ideal equilibrium to your schedule. For nearly two decades, we have been crafting excellent wilderness and beach holidays, customizing your experience to meet your specific needs.
2. Time Your Safari and Beach Getaway Just Right
While most wilderness and coastal areas remain accessible throughout the year, certain periods are more advantageous for visitation than others. Safaris are most enjoyable during the dry season, as game viewing reaches its zenith due to sparse vegetation and animals congregating at the limited waterholes. The optimal period for visiting East Africa is from June to October, whilst the ideal season for a break in Southern Africa is from May to September.
Combining your safari trip with an island or beach retreat will be significantly simpler, since most areas provide consistently mild weather throughout the year, and the optimal visiting periods coincide seamlessly with those of the safari destinations.
3. Consider Logistics When Planning
Africa is a vast continent with several destinations necessitating domestic or international flights or transfers for travel between them. Allocate sufficient time to meticulously organize a safari and beach vacation that optimizes logistical efficiency. For example, coordinating a safari in the Serengeti with a coastal holiday in Cape Town would be challenging to arrange, necessitating considerable travel. A journey to the Serengeti complements Zanzibar seamlessly, as it requires only a single domestic flight. The same holds true for the Masai Mara and Diani Beach, Kruger National Park and Cape Town, or any Southern African safari site paired with Mozambique’s lush beaches.
4. Choose Your Accommodation Carefully
The plethora of safari hotels and camps available in East and Southern Africa presents an abundance of options. Offering a range of luxury and pricing, accommodations cater to every traveler, from all-inclusive luxury camps and eco-lodges to more economical options and mobile camps for the adventurous.
Selecting a beach resort will be simplified, as barefoot luxury at five-star establishments with ocean views is standard, whether one is visiting the Seychelles or the Bazaruto Archipelago.
5. Get the Necessary Documents and Vaccinations
To guarantee a seamless and enjoyable journey, verify the visa prerequisites and suggested immunizations for your African safari and beach holiday destinations, particularly if you are visiting numerous nations. Malaria is common in numerous safari and coastal areas; therefore, it is strongly recommended that you seek medical advice regarding antimalarial drugs and bring insect repellent.
6. Book with a Reputable Africa Safari Travel Agency
Regardless of whether it is your inaugural visit to Africa or your tenth, securing your safari and beach holiday through a reliable safari tour provider is advisable. Engaging a travel agent with direct experience and expertise in traversing Africa is essential for optimizing the travel experience.
A qualified travel agency can suggest destinations, accommodations, and activities that align with your preferences, creating a customized itinerary that fulfils all your requirements. It also enhances safety and peace of mind—our Africa Safari Experts will assist you throughout the entire process, from visa applications and flights to ground transfers, and will provide 24/7 assistance during your travels.
7. Pack for the Occasion
During the initial segment of your journey, it is imperative to ensure that you bring all necessary safari items. This encompasses neutral-hued apparel (khaki, beige, olive) and lightweight layers that may be readily removed as the day shifts from cool mornings to sweltering noon heat. Additionally, it is essential to include a robust pair of shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, camera equipment, and binoculars for seeing distant wildlife.
Transitioning from savannah plains to vast expanses of golden sand and crystalline blue waters necessitates a wardrobe adjustment. For the beach segment of your journey, it is advisable to bring lightweight, breathable attire, swimwear, a sarong, sandals, and a hat. Primarily, ensure that your selected sunscreen is reef-safe, as numerous coastal locations priorities the preservation of marine ecosystems.
