Bush and Beach Safaris
When planning a combination of safari and beach work on at least one week in the bush and one week at the beach. In general we suggest staying within one or two national parks on the safari section. This maximises time on activities instead of costly transfers.
Kenya and Tanzania's coastal areas are relatively easy to reach as are South Africa's, a maximum 2hr air transfer in most cases. The finest beaches are in Mozambique, the Seychelles and Mauritius. To reach these prime beaches involves international flights and around a day's worth of transferring time which needs to be calculated into the schedule.
A top of the range combination is Botswana with the Bazaruto Archipelago although Zambia also works well with the coastal islands of Tanzania (Mafia, Zanzibar or Pemba) as there is a good air link betwen the two countries.
Back to Types of Safaris
Our Recommended Bush and Beach Safaris
Botswana combinations special
$ 312
Botswana - 8 camps, 1 rate for all, hundreds of possible safari combinations
The Upper Zambezi Basin is a unique and captivating region within Southern Africa and includes South Eastern Angola, North Western Zimbabwe, Western Zambia, Namibia’s Caprivi Strip and Northern Botswana. This special is a unique collection of camps and lodges providing a combination of experiences previously out of reach of most devoted safari enthusiasts.
The 5 Rivers Safari includes the best-known safari areas contained within the Kavango-Upper Zambezi Transfrontier Super-Park and offers unforgettable experiences in the game rich areas existing within this Park.
Vamizi Island
$ 770“Crusoe invented castaway chic, but Vamizi Island Lodge defines it.”
Vamizi Island is located a few miles off the coast of mainland Mozambique in the remote northern Querimbas’ archipelago. Pristine coral reefs, unexplored coastline and amazing wildlife await... The perfect romantic beach escape, Vamizi epitomises exclusive island life with just 10 spacious, ocean-facing beach villas set along one of Africa’s most beautiful, tropical beaches. Price shown is the 'from' price per person per night.
Off the beaten track in Mozambique
$ 1200
Niassa Reserve, Mozambique - 4 days/3 nights
These canoe expeditions are available on set departure dates only and for a minimum of four guests per trip.
A short canoe/walk/drive safari along the magical Lugenda River exploring the little known Niassa Reserve, a massive wilderness in northern Mozambique. This area has particularly good wild dog populations, a highly endangered African mammal. Even the flight into the reserve is exciting with magnificent giant inselbergs, large granite outcrops which are a feature of the region. This is Africa in her raw, beautiful and inspired state where you can walk, paddle and explore the wilderness with complete abandon. Combining this trip with a week on the beach afterwards makes for an ideal bush and beach safari with a difference!
Read more about Off the beaten track in Mozambique ENQUIRE NOW
Malindi Beach Special
$ 1310
Kenyan Coast - 6 nights
Price is per person for a 6 night stay, including return flights from Nairobi.
Set on a beautiful tropical palm fringed beach just south of Malindi on the Kenyan coast, this beach resort has preserved the essence of a traditional Kenyan beach holiday - tranquil, informal, fun and relaxed. The Driftwood Beach Club offers sea view dining, the best pub in town and wonderful fresh seafood. Great for families and couples alike.
Short Tsavo Safari
$ 1530Tsavo East & West, 4 nights / 5 days
Price is per person and includes all arrangements starting and ending in Nairobi. This is a drive-in safari and other arrangements can easily be tagged on, especially a visit to the Kenyan Coast.
This safari offers a quick taster of the twin National Parks of Tsavo East and West, which together form one of Africa’s largest wilderness reserves, over 10 million acres.
Tsavo can easily be reached by road from Nairobi, making it the perfect destination for anyone short on time.
Zanzibar Family Beach Break
$ 1658
Zanzibar beach break - 8 days / 7 nights
The price shown is per person (adult) and includes return flights from Dar es Salaam. Child price from US$ 1396 for under 12s sharing a room. Accommodation is on a half board basis.
The Spice island of Zanzibar and the Tanzanian coastline offers a selection of beach getaways offering pure escapism often in deserted locations, a perfect end to a busy safari or Kilimanjaro-climb.
This is a fantastic affordable option using an intimate, owner run resort on the north east coast of Zanzibar, great for families and honeymooners alike.
Belle Mare Plage
$ 1704
Summer Offer - Long stay 09 - 14 nights/15 days
Long stay offer pay for 7 nights = receive 7 additional nights free with compulsory half board on free nights. Further special discount for bookings made 45 days before travel within the period of 1 May to 20 October.
Situated on one of the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius, there is an extensive array of activites and amenities available. This is an ideal location for golfers with two 18 hole championship courses. The beach itself is 2km long white sandy beach with almost 15 hectares of tropical gardens alongside. The beach is protected by a coral reef making it ideal for swimming, watersports and snorkelling.
Lamu Beach Special
$ 1835
Lamu Island - 6 nights
Price is per person for a 6 night stay, including return flights from Nairobi.
The perfect add on to one of our Kenya safaris, this beach break epitomises 'no news, no shoes'. Set on Lamu Island, Kizingo offers a wonderful secluded and tranquil escape. This small, laid back resort is owner run and great for couples and honeymooners.
Southern Malawi Classic Safari
$ 3078
Lake Malawi and Liwonde National Park - 7 days/6 nights
A superb safari covering two of the main highlights in Southern Malawi. With big game viewing in Liwonde National Park and a relaxing stay on a pretty island in the south of the lovely lake of stars, Lake Malawi. This safari is suitable for a honeymoon, a family trip or just a wonderful holiday set in this most hospitable of countries.
East and South Madagascar
$ 3768
East and Southern Madagascar - 14 day/13 night
This is a guideline itinerary, price depends on time of the year and availability
Known as the "Red Island" the local Madagascans are an exceptionally welcoming nation and have much to offer the visitor to their large island. The sun shines year round and beautiful white beaches are complimented by the amazing fauna and flora. This 14 day/13 night itinerary covers the highlights through the east and southern parts of Madagascar by road and is packed with activities.
Kenyan Bush and Beach
$ 3795
Masai Mara Reserve and Kenya coast - 16 days/15 nights
Price is a guideline only as the cost changes according to time of year
This safari is designed for a real holiday combining the very best of game viewing in the prime location of the Masai Mara in one of the top safari camps, with a relaxing 10 day break on the Kenyan coast afterwards.
The safari camp has some of the best-known Masai guides in Kenya with superb guiding skills and includes some cultural interaction. On the coast the resort is low key, relaxing, right on the beach and with excellent water sport facilities available including big game fishing.
São Tomé and Príncipe Islands
$ 3940
São Tomé and Príncipe Islands - 8 days/7 nights
This itinerary is priced for a set departure date (ask us for the dates) from Douala, Cameroon to São Tomé on a private charter return flights to keep the cost of getting to and from the islands down. Exclusive or independent trips are definitely available however the cost is higher due to the connecting flights to São Tomé and the return flight from Príncipé. For a week, you'll discover the secrets of these two little known islands or simply just relax on the pristine beaches.
Spirit of Kenya
$ 4141
Masai Mara and Amboseli National Parks - 5 nights/6 days
This excellent short stay safari combines the two most popular parks in Kenya. You will stay in small bush camps where quality of guiding is the highest priority. These camps are as individual as the different habitats they occupy and while tented, have en-suite bathrooms and all the comforts so necessary in this environment.
Our Amboseli camp is just outside the busy section of the park, at the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro and offers the opportunity to enjoy breakfast in the open air with a view of the mountain right above you. Elephant tracking, stories and interaction is the speciality of this camp although joining in with the local Maasai is also an important activity. Our Mara camp is superb - the best guides in Kenya if not East Africa, 5 star game viewing in the heart of the Mara and wonderful hosting and company at meals. The camp itself has a prime position in the heart of the Masai Mara Game Reserve.
Victoria Falls and Botswana Classic
$ 4245
Victoria Falls Zambian side, Chobe NP and Savute - 10 days/9 nights
Prices are guidelines only, mail us for an exact quotation.
This excellent trip combines three of The Big Ones to visit and is highly recommended by us as one of our choice safaris. Victoria Falls is so well-known and combines very well with the huge elephant herds of Chobe National Park in Botswana. Combine this with the big game herds and predators found in the Savuti area rounding off this excellent traditional safari. The safari includes flights from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls and returning to Johannesburg at the end of the trip.
Read more about Victoria Falls and Botswana Classic ENQUIRE NOW
Selous Safari & Zanzibar
$ 5100
Selous and Zanzibar safari - 8 nights / 9 days
The price is per person for all arrangements starting and ending in Dar es Salaam. This is a fantastic option for honeymooners combining two of our favourite properties in the Selous and Zanzibar, the ideal safari and beach break.
The trip combines a few nights at a luxury lodge in the Selous with a few nights relaxing on one of the most beautiful beaches on Zanzibar. Enjoy river cruising, game driving and walking safaris in the Selous, one of the continents biggest wildlife sanctuaries.
Our recommended Zanzibar resort is smart, slick and chic with an excellent watersports centre.
Best of Namibia Wing Safari
$ 5221
Sossusvlei, Walvis Bay, Damaraland, Etosha Pan - 7 days/6 nights
This is also a set departure trip to keep the costs within reason however if you would like a private departure, we can arrange it for you on any day of the week. These trips depart once a week on a Sunday. Accommodation is in luxury tented camps or lodges throughout and all groups are accompanied by an experienced pilot/guide.
Katavi Mahale Safari
$ 6920
Katavi Mahale Safari - 9 days / 8 nights
The special price shown applies to bookings prior to 31st March 2010. The normal price applies to bookings after this date.
This 9 day trip offers outstanding resident game in the remote and fascinating Katavi National Park and its wide open plains with massive herds of buffalo and elephant. Combine this with the special forests and wild chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the biggest body of fresh water in the world.
Other Options
We've described more "mainstream" bush and beach safaris however there is one country in the world that could claim to have the most unique bush and beach safari and that is Gabon!
Here you find Loango National Park with its extraordinary mammals - surfing hippos, dune grazing buffalo and forest elephant that amble along the long, white beaches.
And finally ... consider an inland lake which has perfect white beaches, the largest collection of fresh water cyclids (fish) in the world, kayaking, catamaran sailing and all the other trappings of a water resort to combine with a safari and read more about at Lake Malawi.
The trees grow right to the edge of the beach and the main forest is home to lowland gorilla and many other primates. Even more special are the red forest hogs and numerous plant species unique to the area.
