A safari beach holiday combo is the quintessential African holiday experience. Combine extraordinary wildlife viewing across endless plains with the white sand beaches and crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. This ultimate combo means you get to savor the best of both worlds  — all in a single holiday. Visit iconic national parks and reserve and spend time under starlit skies in the African bush, then head on to the relaxing seashores where you get to lounge on palm-fringed beaches and dive into exquisitely turquoise waters. 

You can definitely look forward to an exciting holiday filled with diverse land and water experiences, unforgettable adventures, and idyllic relaxation. Ready to nail your perfect safari and beach combi adventure? Here’s some things to consider: 

Safari or Beach First?

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The ideal itinerary revolves around doing the safari part of your holiday first and ending your trip chilling by the blue waters of the ocean. This is because it provides a real sense of balance to your overall African travel experience, blending unforgettable adventures with some much needed R&R. Spending time in the wild can be tiring, especially since many of the most thrilling safari activities like game drives and hot-air balloon rides tend to start in the wee hours of the morning. Of course, you wouldn't want to miss any of these activities but it makes more sense to do them first so you can spend the second part of your holiday swimming with dolphins, among other things. 

When to Go

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Many safari and beach destinations are open year-round, so the question of when to go usually depends on your budget and if you are looking to witness spectacular events that occur at specific times of the year. For instance, if you’re planning your trip to coincide with the Great Migration in Kenya or Tanzania, then you’ll want to book at a time when the herd will be in your location. If you are looking to travel at a time when there are fewer crowds at the parks and beaches or you have a somewhat tight budget, then consider arriving during the off-peak season. Everything is generally cheaper (flights, accommodation, entry fees, local transport, etc), plus the thrill of enjoying the place to yourself. 

What to Pack

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If you’ve been to a beach before, then you probably already know what to pack. If you have the luggage space, you can bring in your own beach supplies, but rest assured you’ll find everything you need there. What about what to pack for your time in the wild? Well, in this case, you should keep in mind that the temperature in Africa can vary a lot depending on your time of visit, so you’ll want to pack some jackets and light layers that you can double should the temperature drop. This is usually at the crack of dawn when you’re heading out into the wild on game drives and hot-air balloons. Is your itinerary limited to game drives alone? Then you’ll just need some comfy shoes and flip-flops. However, if you will be participating in nature walks and mountain hikes, then be sure to bring a pair of hiking boots. The other necessities are pretty standard -- hats, insect repellents, sunglasses, long earth-toned clothing, and swimming gear.

Bring Some Cash Along

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You may be able to use your credit card in major cities, but not so much when you start exploring national parks and beach resorts. That’s why it’s best to just have some cash on hand, especially since you never really know when you might need it. For example, you could come across some awesome souvenirs along the way that you’d like to buy or maybe you want to tip your guide/driver for the day. The good news is that the US Dollar is widely accepted in many safari and beach destinations so you don't even have to convert it to the local currency.

Booking Through a Safari Tour Operator

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Traveling independently is a great way to ramp up the African holiday experience but on a trip like this, it might be more ideal to have someone else sweat the small stuff (domestic travel, local transfers, accommodation, tour guides, etc). This way, you get to fully immerse yourself into the adventure that you came for. Not only will a tour operator help you design the perfect itinerary to suit your tastes and budget, but they’ll also provide any other special assistance as needed. 

All in all, it’s not hard to nail a safari and beach holiday combo. So what are you waiting for? Contact us and plan your ultimate safari and beach holiday today!