Combine a traditional safari with a barefoot holiday for the perfect African adventure
The traditional combination of a bush and beach holiday is one of the most popular approaches to any trip to Africa – for good reason. Spending time on safari is undoubtedly the perfect balm for the soul. Yet the early mornings and exciting activities of a frenetic safari are best complemented by a few days of relaxing on one of Africa’s magnificent beaches.
But how to choose the best locations? Have a look at our list of the best bush and beach combos.
Check out our safari ideas for your next bush and beach African safari. We have many African safaris and experiences to choose from, or ask us to build one just for you.
Greater Kruger, South Africa & the beaches of Mozambique
The Greater Kruger, South Africa’s premier safari destination, offers some of the best safari experiences on the continent, especially when it comes to seeing the Big 5. With a couple of spectacular sightings under one’s belt, the renowned beaches and azure waters of Mozambique are just a short flight away, offering the perfect Mozambique beach holiday
Here, visitors can recline on white sands (cocktail in hand) or take to the waters to enjoy the cornucopia of oceanic creatures in the Mozambique Channel. The beaches of Ponta Mamoli remain one of Mozambique’s best-kept secrets, despite their proximity to the South African border, while further afield, the islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park protect some of the country’s rare marine mammals.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
KwaZulu-Natal province is one of South Africa’s most diverse regions, home to myriad habitats and animal life.
KZN offers many wild opportunities for experiencing the bushveld and wild animals, from verdant forests and wetlands to rolling savannas and grasslands. A number of wildlife reserves – including Big 5 parks such as Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and Manyoni Private Game Reserve – offer a plethora of wildlife experiences. As an added bonus, its long stretch of coastline is lined by characterful and picturesque beaches with stunning year-round weather. The beaches of iSimangaliso Wetland Park are as wild and private as they come, neighbouring Mkuze Game Reserve offers ample wildlife viewing, and just further south, the Dolphin Coast lines the vibrant beach town of Ballito (with magnificent Salt Rock well worth a visit).
South Luangwa, Zambia & Lake Malawi, Malawi
Not so keen on the salty residues of the ocean? How better to wash away the dust and ease tired feet at the end of an invigorating walking safari in South Luangwa than in the crystalline waters of a freshwater lake surrounded by palm-tree fringed beaches?
Walking safaris in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park offer the opportunity to experience enormous herds of elephants and buffaloes, as well as dazzling leopard sightings. After exploring the park, head to the extensive shoreline of Lake Malawi, with its tiny beach villages, resorts and lodges. The lake offers the adventurous tourist a plethora of opportunities to explore the waters – above or below the azure ripples.
Serengeti National Park & Mafia Island
The Serengeti ecosystem, the ‘place where the land runs forever’, is an essential destination for any avid safari-goer.
Not for nothing is this one of Tanzania’s most popular attractions, and electrifying wildlife experiences are all but guaranteed. So, why not dive into the embrace of the Indian Ocean, soak up the resplendent marine scenery and take a few days to reflect on a life-changing vacation in the privacy of intimate Mafia Island? And why not tick an experience with endangered sea turtles off your list while you’re at it?
The Tanzania tour: quieter safari circuits and an island paradise
Serengeti and Ngorongoro are spectacular for wildlife viewing, but they are not Tanzania’s only safari fare. Some of the less well-known national parks are equally exhilarating, and they are quieter and kinder on the pocket.
Think Gombe and Mahale National Parks for chimpanzees, dry-season Katavi National Park, the predator extravaganza of Ruaha National Park or the wildlife smorgasbord in Nyerere National Park (incorporating Selous Game Reserve). From there, a short trip off the mainland will deposit fortunate travellers on the vibrant island of Zanzibar – an eclectic melting pot of cultures offering a beach holiday unlike any other. Try this epic Ruaha / Mafia Island bush and beach combo
Take your pick, Kenya
Ah, Kenya, a country blessed with beauty and wildlife in abundance. Safari options abound in this land of plenty. Take in the iconic scenes framed by Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli National Park, search for black leopards in Laikipia County, or revere the giant red tuskers of arid Tsavo East and West National Parks. As if these wildlife delights were not enough, the Kenyan coastline is equally bestowed with impressive holiday destinations, from lively Watamu and Malindi to the more peaceful and reserved Diani and Lamu.
Maasai Mara, Kenya & Seychelles
No visit to Kenya is complete without a stop to appreciate the rolling vistas of the celebrated Maasai Mara at least once. Pack in over a million wildebeest and zebras trundling their way through during the Great Migration, and the scene is set for unforgettable Kenyan experience. And afterwards, why not travel a little further afield to the glorious islands of the breathtaking tropical paradise of Seychelles?
Greater Kruger and Cape Town, South Africa
Greater Kruger is such an epic and easily accessibly option that we had to name it twice. There are few holiday combinations more iconic than Cape Town and the Greater Kruger. Start at the southern tip of Africa, where the Mother City offers a rich mix of culture, history, fine dining, and dramatic natural beauty. From strolling along the vibrant V&A Waterfront to summiting Table Mountain or exploring the Cape Winelands, Cape Town is an adventure in itself.
Once the city lights fade behind you, fly north to immerse yourself in the untamed wilderness of South Africa’s Greater Kruger. Complementing a ocean meets winelands holiday with sightings of leopards, lions, and elephants makes for a world-class experience. The combination of cosmopolitan Cape Town and the raw bushveld drama of the Kruger makes this one of Africa’s most timeless safari-and-beach pairings.
Addo and Garden Route, South Africa
For a family-friendly bush-and-beach pairing, the Eastern Cape and its iconic reserves such as Addo Elephant National Park, coupled with the Garden Route, deliver in spades. The Garden Route’s dramatic coastline winds past lush forests, lagoons, and golden beaches, making it one of the most scenic drives in the world. Towns such as Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and Wilderness offer plenty of opportunities to relax, hike, or paddle, while whale-watching and marine safaris add a salty twist to the journey.
At the end of the route lies Addo Elephant National Park and a collection of surrounding private reserves, where malaria-free safaris bring visitors face-to-trunk with elephants, lions, and more. This combination is particularly popular with families thanks to its accessibility, variety, and balance of relaxation and adventure – a safari experience wrapped in South Africa’s coastal splendour.
Final thoughts on your bush and beach combo safari
From the thrill of game drives and walking safaris to the restorative calm of palm-fringed shores, bush-and-beach holidays offer travellers a chance to experience Africa in its fullest expression. Whether it’s watching elephants in Greater Kruger before sinking your toes into the sands of Bazaruto, or combining Tanzania’s diverse wildlife with Zanzibar’s vibrant beaches, each pairing brings its own unique rhythm of adventure and relaxation. However you choose to blend the wild with the waves, one thing is certain – Africa’s bush and beach safaris promise a journey you’ll never forget.
Further reading
- The ultimate guide to your African safari bucket list. Here are our choices of 15 top wildlife experiences on the continent
- Bush or beach? There’s no need to choose, with these African safari destinations offering the best of both ocean & wildlife experiences
- The city of Cape Town is one of South Africa’s most popular tourist destinations – for good reason. Here’s our ultimate Cape Town to-do list
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