Beach and Bush
Cookies and cream, gin and tonic, brunch and Sundays, beer and biltong.. some things are just better when paired with something else. The same can be said of the bush and the beach. The warm waters of the Indian ocean, teeming with life and opportunity, or the mighty Atlantic with its wild coastline coupled with the seclusion and sanctuary of the bush is a wonderful package that is not as far fetched as it sounds. To spend a few days on safari and then unwind in the shade of a palm tree, cocktail in hand, is as revitalising as it gets. Africa's great lakes are equally magnetic and could easily pass for a scene straight out of the Caribbean complete with white sand and colourful fish. So why not combine both for the holiday of a lifetime!
A few of our favourite 'Beach and Bush' experiences...
Kruger and Capetown
The best of wildlife and coast
One of the more popular safari combinations in Africa, and for good reason. Combining the wildlife-rich areas of the Greater Kruger National Park with the beautiful beaches, history and culture-rich environs of Cape Town. Africa is not only about lions and leopards so this is the perfect way to see all of what South Africa is about. Get your high-octane fix in places like the famous Sabi Sands, where all of Africa’s most magnificent animals can be found almost regularly and sometimes only a few feet from your jeep! Then, for some rest and recuperation, you travel to the beaches of the Cape and the megalithic mountains towering above them. Enjoy whale watching, historic tours, wine tasting in some of the world’s most picturesque vineyards, hiking, horse riding, local nightlife and cuisine, or experiencing the southernmost tip of Africa and where the Indian and Atlantic ocean meets.
Kenya and coast
Premier wildlife viewing and sandy beaches
From the great plains of the Mara, the dry Amboseli lake bed and her famous elephants overlooking Mount Kilimanjaro, to the red sands of Tsavo, the purple rolling hills of the Laikipia Plateaux and the rocky and leopard-filled Samburu mountains, Kenya has an undisputed reputation for wildlife viewing. But Kenya’s coast is a jewel that seems to only be known by kitesurfers and fly-fishers. The Indian Ocean gently laps at an endless coastline of soft white sand. It’s waters are a myriad of turquoise hues and deeper shades of blue. Palm trees and coconuts, synonymous with any tropical paradise, abound. The beaches are home to sea-turtles as are the waters to whale sharks. In the north, the beautiful island and coastal town of Lamu will take you back in time; the only means of transport are carts pulled by donkeys or your own two legs. Lamu is a place marked by the crossing of worlds; a total blend of Arabic heritage and east African tradition. The Kenyan coast and it’s incredible marine biodiversity, has many pristine and hidden secrets to offer!
Incredible Gabon
Where mystical forests meet endless beaches
No destination completely envelops the imagination quite like Gabon. It is a perfect blend of heavily forested coastal plains (through which one can trek for habituated lowland gorilla, mandrills and chimpanzees), misty mountains and golden savannah. Gabons’ cultural heritage will leave you enthralled as will its beaches. In the dry season (June – November), outstanding sightings of humpback whales and dolphins migrating towards warmer waters can be observed. From November to April, sea-turtles come to lay eggs on the beaches of Pongara, with hatching occurring around mid season onwards. But what makes Gabon truly unique is the opportunity to see red forest buffalo and elephants meandering down the beach while hippos bask in the surf. Gabon will never cease to enchant you, bringing something a little different everywhere you look.
Malawi and Zambia
The warm heart of Africa
We can vouch for the friendliness of the people, the natural beauty and the wildlife opportunities presented by these two neighbouring countries. Zambia is home to several world renowned game parks. Perhaps the most notable is the South Luangwa National Park with its impressive and unique habitat. The ancient trees of this wondrous area are home to a multitude of species including one of Africa’s densest leopard populations. It’s no secret that the Luangwa has an enduring and well-earned reputation for game viewing. The Kafue National Park, where it is not uncommon to see some of Africa’s biggest sable antelope, offers a more ‘off the beaten track’ and adventurous atmosphere. It’s vast and varied landscapes can be explored by land or by the majestic river itself. Bush walks, night drives, leopard and wild dog tracking, inspiring conservation work, abundant plains and wetlands, shoebill storks and other rare species in Zambia are an excellent prelude to what Malawi has to offer. Lake Malawi and its emerald green, crocodile free waters come complete with shoals of multicoloured fish, beautiful lush islands fringed with magnificent fig trees and granite boulders. It is the perfect place to recuperate and wash off the dust of safari. Explore uninhabited and pristine islands, and watch the Lake ring true to its nickname as night falls, when it becomes the Lake of Stars. Lake Malawi remains off the radar for many of Africa’s visitors but therein lies much of its appeal, total and utter exclusivity and seclusion. Making a huge comeback from its poaching history, Malawi is now home to the big five, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, numerous antelope including kudu and sable, not to mention a wealth of bird species that will make any budding bird watcher weak at the knees. The Land of Smiles will most definitely leave you grinning from ear to ear.
Madagascar's wildlife and beaches
Lemurs, interesting reptiles and baobab avenues
Madagascar, an island 300 miles off the coast of Africa, is home to over 100 species of lemurs, brightly coloured chameleons, fascinating insects, exquisite orchids and avenues of towering baobab trees. The wildlife and cultural experience on Madagascar is truly something special. Visitors can trek the forest in search of habituated lemurs and interesting reptiles, or walk through and photograph the famous baobab avenues of Madagascar, or go on history tours to learn of its dark past or simply relax in the shallows of some of the most beautiful and pristine coastline in the world.
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