The Ultimate Guide to African Safari and Beach Holidays - Top 7 Destinations
From the wildlife-rich savannahs of the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya to the white sand beaches of Zanzibar, an African safari and beach holiday is a must-try. The continent is home to over 150 national parks and game reserves, the great wildebeest migration, Mt Kilimanjaro, the gushing Victoria falls, and other awe-inspiring natural wonders.
An African safari and beach vacation allows you to spot all members of the big 5 in their natural habitat, the big cats, and over 2,355 avian species. Africa is also home to some of the most endangered wildlife species in the world and fauna and flora that you can’t find anywhere else.
For the African safari beach holidays seekers, the continent has over 30,500 kilometers (8,850 miles) of coastline lined with spectacular beaches.
Book the Best Safari and Beach Holidays in Kenya with Us
Our seasoned team of safari guides has written this detailed article to give you all the information you need to plan beach holidays and safari trips in Africa. But first, here is how you can book the best safari and beach holidays in Kenya. You can adapt the packages below as they are and have a memorable safari trip, or have them customized.
Reach us at james@ajkenyasafaris.com or safarioffers@ajkenyasafaris.com to get started. We are also available via WhatsApp and phone at +254-748-258-880.
Our Most Booked, Best Value Safari and Beach Holidays to Kenya
2025 MEGA PACKAGES & MORE | SAFARI PRICE STARTING | THE ITINERARY |
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3 Days Masai Mara Safari | From USD 905 | |
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4 Days L. Naivasha & Masai Mara Tour | From USD 1362 | |
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7 Places to Go for the Best Safari in Africa | AjKenyaSafaris.com
Gorgeousness is a trait all 54 African countries seem to share. Each African country is breathtakingly beautiful. These few countries take the cake for memorable African safari packages.
Next, we look at Africa’s top 7 safari and beach holidays destinations:
Popular Family Safari and Beach Holidays Destination - Kenya
Lying on the southwestern side of the Indian Ocean and the eastern side of Africa, Kenya is the best country for first-time African wildlife safaris and beach holidays. The strings of awards the country has earned over the years prove its beauty and undeniable charm.
The long list of must-see safari destinations during an African safari in Kenya includes:
- Masai Mara National Reserve – Popular for the annual wildebeest migration in Africa. It has the highest wildlife density of all African national parks and game reserves.
- Mt. Kenya – It is the second-highest mountain in Africa after Mt. Kilimanjaro.
- David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage – You get to see the effect of monster poaching. The Trust rescues orphaned baby elephants, natures them back to health, and, once stable and mature, re-integrates them back into the wild.
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy – The conservancy hosts the last two remaining northern white rhinos in the world. It is home to all the big 5.
- Amboseli National Park – Kenya safaris to this park gives you a chance to film large herds of elephants against a background of the mighty Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Kenya has been repeatedly voted as the world’s best safari destination. Diani Beach, located along the Kenyan Indian Ocean, has been voted as Africa’s leading beach destination.
Other top destinations for a beach safari while in Kenya include Chale Island, Wasini Island, Tiwi Beach, and more. The best time for a safari trip in Kenya is during the dry months between July and October and January to April.
If you want to witness the great migration in Africa, plan your safari to Masai Mara National Reserve between July and October. You can access Kenya through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Moi InternationalAirportt in Mombasa.
Best African Safari and Beach Destination - Tanzania
Tanzania is an East African country lying north of Uganda, east of the Comoro Islands, and northeast of Kenya. Like Kenya, the country is all glitz when it comes to its tourist attractions and destinations.
Its beaches are a fascination beyond words. Popular sites like Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti National Park are to wow you speechless during your safari and beach vacation in Tanzania. The Mafia Island, Off Pemba, and Zanzibar are only a scratch to the surface regarding the Tanzanian water wonders.
Other popular attractions within the country include the Ngorongoro conservation area, Olduvai gorge, the Tarangire, Lake Manyara National Park, and Stone Town. Its greatest accessory, however, is how effortlessly beautiful its culture and people are.
A Tanzania safari introduces you to this beauty, showcasing the Swahili culture in its rawest, purest form. The best time to visit Tanzania is June to October. The country is accessible through the Julius Nyerere, Serengeti, and Kilimanjaro International Airports.
South Africa Safari and Beach Holiday Destination - South Africa
As the name suggests, South Africa is the southernmost part of Africa. The country’s beauty is dumbfounding. We are talking about perfect beaches surrounded by two surreal oceans, starlit desert skies, large varieties of wildlife, and striking gorges.
Also gracing its lands are thousands of luxurious lodges, reserves, and parks, which makes the country a perfect spot for big five safaris. During your holiday, you can never go wrong with game drives at the Kruger and Kalahari Parks.
With scenery like this, you can be guaranteed oblivion regarding outdoor adventures. The country offers everything from bungee jumping at the Bloukrans Bridge to rock climbing at the Cederberg.
May to September dry months are the best time for a South Africa safari. Wildlife is easier to spot then, and the weather is at an all-year best. And who wants to snorkel on the Eastern Cape coast when it is -6.1º outside?
South Africa has a total of 90 airports, both international and domestic. The international airports include Lanseria, O.R. Tambo, and Cape Town.
Luxury Safari and Beach Holidays Destination - Botswana
Located southwest of Africa, Botswana is a country of astounding diversity. There’s nothing as captivating as a lion safari out in the Kalahari Game reserve or as satisfying as sailing down the Okavango Delta.
The Kalahari is a canvas painted with one of the most dramatic scenery there is in the world. In it lies a rich variety of wildlife featuring the oryx, hyena, Kalahari lion, wildebeests, hartebeests, and elands.
For cultural aesthetics, seek out the Sans community and for the unbelievably beautiful backdrops of Chobe National Park. The Louvre of the Desert is there for the trip down to the stone Age, and the Nxai Pan for the playful giraffe dates.
Botswana experiences moderate temperatures from May to September, which is probably the best time for a Botswana Safari. Wildlife viewing is good all year round in some parks. The Okavango, for example, is flooded from June until October.
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is the main entryway into the country. The country has an additional 16 airports, both local and international.
Top African Safari and Beach Holiday Destination - Zimbabwe
On the southern side of Africa, and in the North-west of South Africa, lies a country blessed with a marvel known as Victoria Falls. The falls only do so much to prepare you for the wonder of its landscape and topography.
Ornaments to her land are the highly attractive high velds, boulders, rivers, and lush mountains. There is the Big Five to discover in its parks, and in its World-heritage approved archaeological sites, there is the history of humanity to mule over.
Other attractions in Zimbabwe include; the Hwange, Chimanimani, Matobo, Mana Pools, Gonarezhou National Parks, Bulawayo, and the Great Zimbabwe National Monument.
The month of May to September brings the best out of Victoria falls and the Zimbabwe wildlife. The weather is excellent, heightening your experience and increasing your wildlife viewing chances.
Though 21 airports service the country, only three host commercially on scheduled airlines, the country is serviced by above-average all-weather roads.
Leading African Safari and Beach Vacation Destination - Uganda
On the east of Africa and west of Kenya lies a magical wonderland jeweled with a tapestry of sceneries, wide wildlife variety, and excellent ambiance. Even in its smallness, there thrives, in Uganda, the Rwenzori mountain ranges, Africa’s tallest, and the River Nile, the world’s longest.
Part of Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria, also calls Uganda home. Cruising through the Nile, Mountain Gorilla Trekking, and tracing the Big Five are a few of the thrilling activities to engage in here.
With scenery as captivating as hers, site seeing is also a welcome activity in the country. To honor her timeless beauty, Uganda has been graced with awards such as the INDABA tourism awards both in 2016 and 2019.
Safari tours to Uganda are best between the dry months of June to August and December to February. Uganda is serviced by 12 airports, including the Entebbe International Airport. The all-weather roads in Uganda are also an excellent way to access the country.
African Safari Beach Package Holidays Destination - Namibia
The most striking feature of this southern African country is the Namib desert. Few, if any, countries in Africa can match the beauty of this desert. The desert, which is the oldest in the world, features the tallest dunes. Also to see are the dead vlei (dead marshlands)
The Fish River Canyons, moon landscapes, cheetah rescues, skeleton coast, and the Etosha National Park are other must-sees. With the Etosha National Park, you are promised sightings of lions, rhinos, giraffes, elephants, and many other wild animals.
Namibia accounts for 20% of the world’s cheetah population. This is the largest number in the world. The cheetah rescue promises an intimate, fun-filled interaction with the deadly felines.
Tours to Namibia are best from June to October, the country’s dry season. Wildlife viewing is excellent, and the weather is favorable. There are 29 airports in Namibia, the main one being Hosea Kutako International Airport. Good all-weather roads also service Namibia.