The pull of safari is one thing but to be able to combine a bit of beach time, technically getting two holidays in one, then wouldn’t you want to do it? The safari is of course the focus on an escape to the African continent. With its varied landscapes and stunningly diverse eco-systems, it’s a no brainer for a once in a lifetime trip away. Then, your trip can continue with a choice of wonderful beach escapes. You can either begin your trip with a relaxing, decompressing 5 nights, few days or week on the beach, to really switch off, then once fully recuperated, hop on a plane and onwards to enjoy your safari. Or, once you have had your mind blown by your safari, hop on a plane and jet off to a beach destination to absorb what you have just seen on safari and then return home, post your time on the beach, fully relaxed with memories to enjoy for a lifetime. Either option is perfect! We thought we would take you through some of our favourite beach destinations and the locations, depending on where you choose to safari, are the best as well.

If you’re choosing to safari in South Africa, then Mozambique, Mauritius or the Seychelles are the perfect beach destinations to enjoy. All relatively easy to reach, their will have to be an overnight stay in a boutique hotel in Johannesburg, as flights do not work with returning from safari. In Mozambique, there are numerous stays, all as good as the last. Firstly, we will start with Santorini; this wonderful beach hotel, small and boutique, located on mainland Mozambique, just a 30-minute drive from Vilanculos. The interior throughout Santorini is perfect, with stunning views of the Mozambique channel. Delicious food to spoil you throughout and wonderful activities to enjoy such as excursions to the islands in the Mozambique channel, snorkelling, scuba diving opportunities, dhow cruises and trips to experience the local Mozambique culture.

If you want to escape the mainland, then head to Benguerra Island. Here there are two incredible places to stay: Azurra Benguerra and Kisawa Sanctuary. Azura Benguerra is luxurious and enticing in its décour and furnishings, using rich colours and fabrics to draw one into the lodge. Benguerra has numerous reefs at its shores, fishing and dhow sailing are also highlights. If this isn’t enough, then snorkelling, castaway picnics, Land Rover trips, bird watching, island walks, sea kayaking, catamaran cruises and horse riding can also be enjoyed. Kisawa Sanctuary is an extremely elegant beach lodge located on one of the most beautiful parts of Benguerra Island. Located on the Southern tip, it is a feast of stunning white beaches, large sand dunes with views over the Mozambique channel and immersed within a 300-hectare sanctuary forest. Combining modern innovation with tradition, there is a relaxing symbiosis that oozes throughout Kisawa Sanctuary, ensuring you will feel utterly relaxed from the moment you step foot there.

If Mozambique isn’t for you, then we would recommend Mauritius as your alternative beach destination. There are endless choices here! We will start with one of our favourites The One and Only Le Saint Geran. This is legendary in Mauritius, for its style, service, and excellency throughout. No expense has been spared, and everything is lavish and enticing. All the Villas at Le Saint Geran have a private butler, satellite TV (to lull you back to reality slightly before you head back home) and the fully staffed villa can sleep 6 people, perfect for a family or group of friends. The One and Only Le Saint Geran can offer sensuous beauty treatments as well as golf, tennis and a huge variety of professionally managed water sports.

Lux le Morne is one of our go-to places to stay in Mauritius. You cannot fault it. Lux le Morne is a welcoming and friendly hotel, intimate and personal on a relatively deserted part of Mauritius. Located in a historic location, with a dramatic backdrop of mountains and jungle, it is surrounded by white sand and crystal-clear waters off the beach. Bliss.

Zilwa Attitude is another special of ours, very relaxed and welcoming, you will feel immediately at home. The 214 rooms and suites are geared towards anyone and everyone, so there is always something to suit. The views are of five islands off the coast which are dramatic and beautiful and amazing to explore as well. The lagoon itself offers everything from stand-up paddle boarding, and the for the adventurous few kitesurfing is very popular in this area. The spa at Zilwa also offers wonderful open-air massages as well as other wonderful treatments too.

Next week we will continue with stays in the stunning Seychelles and following this we will focus on other beach stays further north in Africa. Mauritius, Mozambique and the Seychelles is not only perfect for South Africa safaris, but the same for Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia.