The Top 5 Safari & Beach combos in One African Holiday.

As surely as salt goes with pepper, a bush and beach safari is a natural combination. And in Africa, you don’t need to plan your safari in one country and the beach holiday in another; this continent has all you need in not one but five different countries, each offering their take on a bush and beach safari. Wildlife, sunsets, sandy beaches and a choice of warm or cold water – here’s where to go.

1. SOUTH AFRICA: BIG FIVE SAFARIS, CAPE TOWN BEACHES

The combination of Cape Town’s beaches and the Kruger National Park is such a good one that there are direct flights between the two destinations. The Kruger – and more particularly its private reserves such as the Sabi Sands – offers some of the best wildlife watching in Africa with an emphasis on the Big Five (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo). And to remove the risk of malaria completely from your safari, South Africa also has Big Five safaris in both the Kalahari and the Eastern Cape – malaria-free and ideal for young families.

Beaches in South Africa follow the same pattern of diversity: Cape Town’s beaches sit with stunning scenery and are full of buzzy-activity in summer but the ocean water is cold enough to make you whistle. Move along the coast onto the visitor-friendly Garden Route and the water temperature climbs; by the time you reach the beaches of KwaZulu Natal, the ocean is sub-tropical and you’re scuba-diving on reefs and watching turtles.

2. KENYA: CLASSIC SAFARI, TROPICAL BEACH RESORTS

The equator runs through Kenya so you can expect beach destinations here to be warm and the water tropical in colour and temperature. The safari part of Kenya is easy: this country is home to the classic ‘Out of Africa’ experience and famous for the wildebeest migration that passes through the Masai Mara and its highly recommended private conservancies. Kenya augments its safari experience with other wildlife destinations such as Amboseli (best views of Mount Kilimanjaro) and Shaba (Big Five plus semi-desert animals).

Kenya’s beaches are divided into two types: those on the mainland – long sandy beaches, larger resorts, lots of activity and nightlife – and those on Kenya’s Indian Ocean islands. The atmosphere on the islands is both relaxed and romantic: Lamu Island is a World Heritage Site and centre of Swahili culture; Manda Island can only be accessed by sailing dhow and offers high-end eco lodges and secluded beaches. But you don’t have to stay in one country; from here you can visit Zanzibar or even the Seychelles Islands.

3. MALAWI: WILDLIFE GENESIS & THE LAKE OF STARS

It’s over a hundred miles between the Indian Ocean and the nearest part of Malawi, but this land-locked country is home to golden sand beaches, gently lapping blue water and nodding palm trees – it’s the land of Lake Malawi.

Malawi has the beach part of the deal well covered; the water of Lake Malawi is fresh but as warm, blue and transparent as in the tropics – perfect for water sports, swimming and even diving. At night the lake sparkles as it reflects both the cosmos above and the lights of the night-time fishing boats – it’s a great destination for friends, families and couples.

The safari part of Malawi was until recently what would have kept this country off this list: there were no animals. That’s why most travelers will combine a Zambian safari with Lake Malawi. But a determined drive by conservationists has re-stocked Malawi’s wildlife reserves to the point where the country’s Majete and Liwonde National Parks are up-and-coming and now recognised Big Five destinations. If you’ve already been to the more obvious Safari destinations and are interested to try something off the beaten track, then this is your next place to visit.

4. TANZANIA: SERENGETI & ZANZIBAR ISLAND

Two of Africa’s most evocative names combine in Tanzania: the Serengeti – home to the wildebeest migration – and Zanzibar, the Spice Island of romance and intrigue. Tanzania is, of course, home to more than just the Serengeti and it divides its safari offering into two regions: the much favoured and reliably excellent Northen Circuit, and the far wilder and more diverse Southern Circuit where you can trek for chimpanzees as well as look for big game.

Besides the Serengeti, the Northern Circuit is where you’ll find other classic safari destinations such as the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara but it is actually easier – and often cheaper – to access Tanzania’s beach holiday destinations via the Southern Circuit which uses coastal Dar es Salaam as its travel hub. Zanzibar is the focus of the Indian Ocean experience but there are mainland resorts as well as smaller islands – Pemba, Mafia and Mnemba – where the atmosphere is more laid-back and private. If you’d prefer a beach setting but still have access to the wildlife, then Mahale Mountains National Park is your choice; where the chimps romp in the forest behind you.

5. MOZAMBIQUE: NEW FRONTIERS & LUXURY ISLANDS

Like Malawi, the country of Mozambique has worked hard to re-establish itself as a safari destination. The beach part has never been in question: Mozambique is home to well-established, high-end accommodation on both the Bazaruto and Quirimbas Archipelagos while recent years have seen beach lodges opening on the Vilanculos coast, giving travellers an alternative to the more exclusive island archipelagos. It’s sub-tropical here – balmy temperatures and warm ocean waters – but you’ll need to be mindful of cyclone season and malaria. Most first time Safari goers will start in The Kruger National Park, South Africa and end on a beach in Mozambique.

And now the wildlife part is back. Again, through hard conservation work and local buy-in, the Gorongosa National Park is earning itself a reputation as the ‘Serengeti of the South’ as its animals thrive – much to the advantage of the park’s lions, hyenas and African wild dogs. And by combining rainforest, wetland and savannah, Gorongosa is an effortless birding paradise with over 400 recorded species. Mozambique isn’t for beginners but it certainly rewards the adventurous. Much like Malawi, if you have done many a Safari trip and you’re looking to add more to your next one; then the conservation story of Mozambique is a fitting choice.