Safari Beach Holidays
The Best of Both Worlds
Southern Africa is rightly recognised as the premier safari destination. Perhaps less well known is the fact that the continent offers many world class beaches. Safari beach holidays combines these two elements into a holiday of delightful contrasts - the dawn starts and high intensity of the big game safari is followed by a chance to relax and unwind on a sunkissed beach.
The Safari Beach Experience
The appeal of safari beach lies not simply in being able to enjoy two contrasting styles of holiday rolled into one.
A safari beach holiday has the added advantage that it is ideal for couples, or groups, with disparate holiday needs. One can opt for an authentic safari experience staying under canvas in a remote safari camp, or alternatively one can stay in a luxury safari lodge with hotel style facilities, including swimming pool, spa and treatment centre.
Equally, the beach element of the holiday could my mean languid days sunbathing with occasional dips in the ocean, but equally it could involve a host of activities from sailing and windsurfing to snorkelling and scuba diving.
A safari beach holiday really can be tailored to whatever level of activity, or inactivity, you desire.
Travelling Between Destinations
When planning a safari beach holiday, it’s important to take account of the practicalities and time involved in travelling between the two destinations for the holiday.
Choosing to restrict one’s holiday to a single country, or neighbouring regions of adjacent countries, can help ensure that the transfer does not unduly interrupt the flow of one’s holiday.
However, the abundance of internal flights means that it is possible to cast one’s net wider, combining, for example, a safari in Botswana with a beach holiday in the Mozambique Islands, with perhaps a short city break in between to break the journey.
Single Country Safari Beach Holidays
The Indian Ocean coast of Southern Africa boasts fine beaches along its length, with both Kenya and South Africa popular destinations for safari beach holidays. A safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, followed by a beach holiday on the coast near Mombasa, or on romantic Lamu Island, would be a perfect introduction to the safari beach experience.
Malawi has no coastline and so may appear an unlikely safari beach destination, but Lake Malawi is more of an inland ocean than a lake, offering excellent beaches both on its shore and numerous small islands. Lake Malawi offers a wide choice of accommodation, from inexpensive beachfront lodges to luxury island camps, such as Kaya Mawa and Kayak Africa.
For those with a spirit of adventure, Mozambique is re-emerging as a safari beach destination after its troubled times. Following one’s safari, there is a choice between staying on the mainland at one of the resorts on the coast around Pemba, or making the short hop over to the Mozambique Islands, which boast some of the finest lodges and beaches to be found anywhere in the Indian Ocean Islands.
Two Country Safari Beach Holidays
Broaden your horizons to encompass more than one country and the possibilities for on a safari beach holiday become even more exotic. In essence, you can combine any safari destination with a beach holiday either on the African coast or in the Indian Ocean Islands. Some safari beach combinations require an overnight stay in Nairobi, Cape Town or Pemba to accomplish the transfer, but most are relatively easy despite the distances involved.
For the safari element of your holiday, there is a great choice of destinations, types of safari and styles of accommodation:
- A Fly-in Safari in Botswana
- Safari Under Canvas in Tanzania
- Experience the Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti
- Enjoy a Walking Safari in Zambia
- Stay at a Luxury Safari Lodge in South Africa
After your safari, head for the coast or one of the Indian Ocean Islands for a relaxing beach holiday staying at a luxury hotel, exclusive lodge or private island resort.
A Safari Beach Wedding and Honeymoon
Combining safari and beach works really well for a wedding and honeymoon - get married at a luxury safari camp in Botswana, Kenya or South Africa and then escape to a private island paradise in the Indian Ocean for an idyllic beach honeymoon. Alternatively, you could opt for a beach wedding in South Africa, Kenya or on the shores of Lake Malawi, then honeymoon at a private game reserve in Botswana or Zambia, where you'll experience exceptional game viewing in the most luxurious of surroundings.
For advice, consultations and bookings, contact Close Encounters Africa on 0844 415 0155 or email us
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