7 Amazing African Safari and Beach Holidays

The ultimate beach and bush combination comes to life on a northern safari circuit in Tanzania and a beach escape in Zanzibar. On our Best of Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar Beach tour, you can visit four of Tanzania’s top safari parks. Each will offer a unique perspective on game viewing, with enough time to experience wildlife at its best.

Marvel at the Ngorongoro Crater, be captivated by the whoosh of pink from the flamingos on Lake Manyara, and stare for miles across the savannas of the Serengeti. Be whisked away as you step onto Zanzibar’s glorious beaches to indulge in a few days of peace at a property perfectly positioned on Tanzania’s east coastline.

Length: 13 Days

Places Visited: Zanzibar, Arusha, Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park, Olduvai Gorge, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Paje Beach in Zanzibar

Why we recommend this sample itinerary: This itinerary offers the best of both worlds - a wildlife bush adventure combined with an idyllic beach getaway. Various safari parks are covered and the perfect amount of downtime is positioned at the end.

Learn more: Tanzania Safaris & Vacations • Tanzania Safari Guide • Zanzibar Vacation Packages

Magical Kenya begs to be explored, with a classic safari experience in the Maasai Mara complimented with time to unwind in Kenya’s oldest city, Mombasa. Our Best of Bush Safari and Beach Getaway: Masai Mara, Mombasa, Malindi tour offers the chance to experience one of Africa’s timeless and popular game reserves.

The vast savanna offers a wilderness expanse where herds or solo heroes stand proudly, and plains turn into rocky outcrops and forests. Meet the Maasai people and learn about their culture through the many stories they love to share. Round your journey off by exploring Kenya’s blue and white city on the east coast, taking in its history and time at a popular beach resort.

Length: 14 Days

Places Visited: Nairobi, Masai Mara National Reserve, Mombassa

Why we recommend this sample itinerary: This itinerary offers a classic safari and beach experience, focused on a full exploration of one main reserve and ending with a short connection to a beach stay within the same country, requiring only one visa for the entire journey.

Learn more: Kenya Safaris & Tours • Kenya Safari Guide

This fine combination, found in South Africa and Seychelles Honeymoon: African Journey to Cherish, offers a four-part luxury experience. With an introduction to one of the most incredible coastal cities in the world and nearby wine country, followed by a Big Five safari experience in a top private game reserve, this sample trip rounds off with the ultimate in a luxury beach getaway.

Cape Town is spectacular and offers views, culture, and cuisine that entice, while the quaint town of Franschhoek sits quietly amongst some of South Africa’s popular wine farms. Sabi Sands is home to some of the finest safari guides and exceptional game viewing. Head to North Island for some relaxation on the fine, white-sand beaches the Seychelles is known for.

Length: 13 Days

Places Visited: Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, North Island in Seychelles

Why we recommend this sample itinerary: This could be called the ultimate Southern Africa luxury escape. Connected with ease and style, this sample trip ensures every sense is touched.

Learn more: South Africa Safaris with Seychelles • South Africa Travel Guide

For a study of bush and beach, the Botswana Safari and Beach Island Paradise for Couples has it all. Begin with the dramatically beautiful country of Botswana. With waterways, salt pans, and sandy bushlands, you can enjoy a fantastic array of wildlife experiences. Take a mokoro, a dugout canoe, in the Okavango Delta and marvel at the expanse of the dry Kalahari and captivating salt pans. The safari circuit is vast and experiencing game from boat and open vehicle is enriching for every traveler.

Move on to the shores of Mozambique that teem with fishers and sunbathers, while the outer islands draw visitors from far and wide. Some ships choose the Mozambican islands as their day-excursion havens, while others are intentionally remote, so just getting there is an adventure.

Length: 14 Days

Places Visited: Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi Salt Pan, Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique

Why we recommend this sample itinerary: Enjoy these two vastly different countries and experiences, both with a focus on water activities and tranquil surroundings. Their proximity to each other creates the perfect combo for adventure and leisure seekers.

Learn more: Botswana Safari Tours & Vacations • Botswana Safari Guide

For travelers looking to go off the beaten path, Essential Zambia and Malawi: The Idyllic Safari Getaway offers something unexpected. Wildlife-rich Zambia boasts several top safari parks and game experiences in a quietly proud nation. Game drives are quality and traversing the open plains to discover hidden gems throughout the country is an adventure. Adrenaline-filled activities in Livingstone and the thrill of the mighty Zambezi add a dramatic touch to a magical experience.

Travel onwards to little-known Lake Malawi as it brims with color, with numerous schools of fish thriving to create a spectacle. It is popular with kayakers and swimmers, and holds some key accommodations for an island-style escape.

Length: 15 Days

Places Visited: Livingstone, Victoria Falls, Zambezi River, Sindabezi Island, Lower Zambezi National Park, South Luangwa National Park, Lilongwe, Lake Malawi, Likoma Island

Why we recommend this sample itinerary: In two extraordinarily beautiful countries, both slightly off the well-known and regular safari circuits, you can enjoy prime game viewing in a variety of parks and the tranquility of Lake Malawi.

Learn more: Zambia Safaris

For another unexpected combination, consider the sample itinerary Romantic East Africa Safari: Gorillas, Serengeti and Zanzibar Luxury Escape. Begin in Rwanda, a country steeped in history and culture, as well as scenery and wildlife experiences of a different kind. This small, landlocked country is often called the land of a thousand hills, and its forests and volcano landscapes are testament to this. A visit to Kigali is intriguing and the highlight of any visit to this part of Africa is to witness gorillas interacting in remote parts of the forest, a life-changing experience.

Combine Rwanda with nearby Tanzania and explore the spice island of Zanzibar, taking in Stone Town and a beach break, as well as a memorable safari in the Serengeti National Park, for an all-round East African adventure.

Length: 14 Days

Places Visited: Zanzibar, Stone Town, Serengeti National Park, Kigali, Volcanoes National Park

Why we recommend this sample itinerary: Combine a chance to see gorillas and the Big Five in the famous Serengeti National Park, then relax on an east African beach in Zanzibar. This is an all-round, inclusive vacation that brings vast experiences.

Learn more: Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Safaris • Tanzania Safaris & Vacations • Tanzania Safari Guide

One does not need to visit multiple countries to experience the best of Africa’s beaches and bush. South Africa has it all, with one of the world’s top private reserves just a short transfer from coastal Cape Town. Your wilderness discoveries can begin with our 11-Day Highlights of South Africa: City to Beach around the Cape Peninsula, where colonies of penguins gather on soft sands, before you are whisked away to the heart of the Kruger National Park for epic Big-Five game drives.

The pleasures of Africa’s bush and beach extend from Kruger to the shores of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a nature preserve teeming with wildlife right on the bend of the KwaZulu-Natal coastline. Search for hippo pods on St. Lucia cruises and scuba dive to see the rare marine life as you absorb the best of this African safari and beach holiday vacation.

Length: 11 days

Places Visited: Cape Town, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Johannesburg, iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Why we recommend this sample itinerary: This sample trip showcases the best of Southern Africa’s bush and beach without you having to leave South Africa’s shores. Offering Big-Five game drives, city sightseeing, and scuba diving all within one country, there are plenty of opportunities for active adventures, with one or two days to unwind.

Learn more: South Africa Safaris • South Africa Travel Guide

You may find yourself vacillating between an African safari or relaxing on an idyllic beach for your next vacation, so why not consider creating a custom-designed combination package that offers it all with our African Safari & Beach Vacation Packages.

You can discover the best of an incredible wildlife adventure and a beach escape by experiencing two remarkable destinations or all of it in one country on an itinerary created just for you. For more ideas see our African Safari Travel Guide.