Safari experts & storytellers. Since 1991
Bush & Beach holidays - barefoot luxury
A Bush and Beach holiday combines a classic safari with time on Africa’s coast or islands. This 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 wildlife safari are best complemented by a few days of relaxing on one of Africa’s magnificent beaches.
The long African coastline and numerous islands are lined with beaches - from wide, sandy playgrounds to secluded, tropical alcoves. And then there are the many inland beaches on her vast lakes. Along with the impressive selection come activities to suit everyone - from surfing, kayaking and windsurfing to snorkelling and scuba diving. Or chill under your umbrella with a book and your favourite beverage in hand ...
Is there a better way to end your Africa Geographic safari?
Our favourite Bush & Beach safari ideas
Why book with us?
Tailor-made experiential safaris - with love
"Travel in Africa is about knowing what, when and where to go - a few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the Greatest Show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Our crew of passionate safari experts have lived and worked in Africa for most of their lives. Trust us to find you the rarest animals, the most spectacular wildlife events, the remotest landscapes and deeply meaningful cultural encounters!"
Simon Espley - CEO, Africa Geographic
All you need to know about Bush & Beach safaris
Where to find the best Bush & Beach safari combos
There are many Bush & Beach combo options, so here are a few that we craft regularly for our guests:
South Africa's Greater Kruger private reserves such as MalaMala and Sabi Sand and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) reserves such as Phinda can be combined with Mozambique beaches such as Bazaruto and Ponta Mamoli via convenient flight links. KZN and Eastern Cape reserves are easily paired with nearby beaches.
Kenya: Parks such as Maasai Mara, Tsavo, Laikipia and Amboseli make excellent itinerary companions for the coastal beaches of Diani, Watamu, Malindi and Lamu and, further away the paradise island of Seychelles.
Tanzania: Parks such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Selous (Nyerere), Katavi and Ruaha are easily combined with the islands of Zanzibar and Mafia.
Zambia: The Luangwa Valley can be combined with time on the shores of Malawi's Lake Malawi via short flight links or road transfers.
Beach accommodation types
Africa’s beach accommodation ranges from barefoot simplicity to ultra-luxury private-island exclusivity, including:
Private island retreats on exclusive islands. Expect limited guest numbers, butler-style service and custom dining and activities.
Small, characterful properties. These are often thatched bandas or chalets with an emphasis on sustainability and local materials.
Medium-sized boutique beach hotels & lodges. These are stylish properties with thoughtful décor and a strong personality. They feature large suites or villas, private decks and plunge pools, spas and fine dining.
Medium-to-large urban beach hotels. These are beachfront properties near towns or historic/cultural hubs, providing easy access to restaurants and markets.
Large classic beach resorts offering facilities, activities, and convenience. Expect multiple restaurants and bars, pools, kids’ clubs and scheduled water sports.
Beach activities
Your beach holiday will be designed to help you relax and recharge your batteries. The activities available to you depend on where and when your beach vacation is:
You could enjoy candlelit beach dinners, sunset boat cruises and cocktails. Active holidaymakers could include snorkelling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, island excursions, ocean safaris, hiking, sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, community tours, dhow sailing, and mangrove explorations.
And, for the wildlife lovers, look out for iconic species such as whale sharks, dugongs and manta rays.
Or, of course, you could spend your beach holiday in a hammock with a book and your favourite beverage in hand.
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African Geographic planned a perfect safari for my family. From the very beginning, with Stef planning our safari. Lodges and camps were outstanding. The beach holiday was a perfect ending. Our guide Thomas was fantastic.
Nadia - our personal travel agent from AG - compiled a superb mixture of bush and beach for us. It was a magical trip, including a homestay at a lovely Zulu family. We highly recommend Nadia's service!
We have booked with this company for 3 years now ... Tanzania - Ngorongoro Crater and Zanzibar ... You can trust that you will have a great holiday if you book with Africa Geographic.
Frequently asked questions
Bush and beach safaris combine wildlife adventures with coastal relaxation.
Safari first, beach second maximises relaxation after exhilarating but tiring early-morning game drives.
Popular combinations include South Africa's Greater Kruger with Mozambique (Bazaruto, Ponta Mamoli), Kenya's Maasai Mara with Diani or Seychelles, Tanzania's Serengeti with Zanzibar, and Zambia's Luangwa with Lake Malawi.
The Best timing is May to October in Southern Africa and June to October in East Africa, when dry-season wildlife viewing coincides with ideal beach weather.
Most itineraries involve short flights (1–2 hours) between bush and beach.
The best Bush & Beach combos combine the prime months for wildlife viewing with beach-friendly weather along the coast or islands. This dynamic differs based on location, so here are a few guidelines:
Southern Africa: The best time is during the dry season, from May to October, when wildlife viewing is enhanced by the thin vegetation and the wildlife's predictable dependence on scarce groundwater sources. The coastal areas at this time enjoy warm, clear days ideal for water activities. The mild temperatures of winter and spring make this period exceptionally comfortable, avoiding the extreme summer heat and humidity.
East Africa: The dry bushveld season runs from June to October, again a great period for wildlife viewing, while coastal areas and associated islands enjoy dry, calm weather, which is again ideal for water activities.
The best way to make the most of a Bush & Beach combo safari is to first spend time on a bushveld wildlife safari, followed by the beach holiday.
Our guests always enjoy the relaxed, toes-in-the-sand time of a beach holiday to 'recover' from the early mornings, game drives and excitement of a wildlife safari.
Most safaris we craft for our guests range from 7 to 10 days, depending on the target experiences and budget. Read more about safari durations.
If guests want to include a beach option, we would advise an additional 3-4 days. The ideal minimum duration would be at least 7 days on safari and an additional 3 days on a beach.
Usually, the logistics of getting from the wildlife safari to the beach involve either a road transfer or one or two short flights.
South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Cape Town all have beaches near the wildlife parks, and a road transfer will do the trick.
For beaches in Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique, you would take either one or two short flights. For example, getting from Kenya's Maasai Mara to Malindi on the coast would take a 1h00 flight from a Maasai Mara airstrip to Wilson Airport in Nairobi, followed by a 1h30 flight from Wilson Airport to Malindi.
Our team of safari experts and logistics concierges take care of all of these arrangements, leaving you to relax and have the time of your life.
Bush and Beach safaris typically cost from US$700 per person, per night, depending on the accommodation comfort level and activities. This price usually includes accommodation, all meals, game drives, experienced guides, airport transfers, and 24/7 support from our team.
You only make your first payment when you book your holiday. Your second (last) payment is about 90 days before you travel.
Peak season bookings require 12–18 months of advance planning. Trips outside of peak season can be arranged 6–9 months ahead, with better rates and availability.
Click here to schedule a no-obligation call with one of our Safari Experts or fill in our 2-minute form with your questions. Our team of experts are here to help! Whether you’re curious about the best time to travel, want to hear first-hand about an experience or need help planning your safari.
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Why choose us to craft your safari?
Handcrafted experiential safaris since 1991.
Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
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