African Beaches

If strolling along a deserted beach is your idea of a perfect holiday, there are many options open to you in South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania and the Seychelles ...

South Africa

In South Africa, the beaches stretch from the Cape to the Mozambique border. The waters of the Indian Ocean are warm, and the climate north of Durban is sub-tropical. Rocktail Bay is famous for its Loggerhead Turtles, which lay their eggs on the beach during November, December and January. Take a walk along a 7 km deserted beach for some sea fishing, or simply swim in a warm sea before driving back to the lodge through the unique dune forests. Excellent snorkelling around the rocks offshore at low tide let you get really close to a world of sea anemones and clown fish. It makes a pleasant change from the bush, and can easily be combined with a visit to Ndumo Lodge in Kwa Zulu Natal, which has excellent game viewing and bird watching.

Why not escape the worst of our British winters and travel down the coast to Port Elizabeth, the start of the Garden Route. Luxurious hotels and guest houses abound, all with excellent restaurants, along the coast in sleepy seaside towns. Great golf is available, as well as hiking in the temperate rain forests that hug the shore. One of the best known walks is the Otter Trail.

The weather in Cape Town is near perfect during the winter. The sea may be chilly, but don't let that concern you, as many of the hotels have swimming pools. Cape Town enjoys a Mediterranean climate and in January, February and March the skies are blue and the temperatures range between the high 20's and low 30's degrees C. The best time to see the renowned Cape wild flowers is in early August. Specific tours can be arranged to visit some of the great gardens of southern Africa.

Mozambique

The coastal areas are a tropical paradise. The Bazaruto Archipelago is a chain of islands just off the coast, now designated as a Marine National Park. On one of the islands is Benguella Lodge. Set amidst the milkwood trees on the edge of the bay, the lodge is encircled by white, sandy beaches, turquoise seas and coral reefs. You can enjoy snorkelling, scuba diving, or a sunset sail on a dhow. Try your hand at marlin fishing, or simply wander along deserted beaches and the shores of fresh water lakes. Transport to the lodge is via light aircraft.

The Seychelles and Mauritius

For the dedicated beach addict, a short flight from southern Africa will take you to the islands of the Seychelles or Mauritius. They have distinct and very different characters and are the unspoilt pearls of the Indian Ocean. The warm seas and sandy beaches are legendary, and offer a tranquil alternative to the safari. For the perfect holiday, combine a week's safari with a lazy stay on a beach, and if you are still looking for a challenge you might try scuba diving or deep sea fishing. The climate here is kind at any time of the year.

Kenya

From Lamu Island in the north to Mombasa in the south, the Kenyan coast offers a range of accommodation, from small intimate island hideaways to larger sports orienatated hotels. For those wishing to get away from it all, you can choose between Funzi Keys and Kiwayu. Both offer a retreat for those discriminating people who are tired of superficial sophistication and wish for a return to a natural lifestyle. There are few places in our world that can boast such total seclusion, while for the more active and family orientated, the famous Hemingways gives you the opportunity to sail, surf, scuba, snorkel or try your hand at marlin fishing.

Tanzania

Today, Zanzibar and the islands are still bathed in the rich heady aromas of cloves and cinnamon. Memories of its extraordinary past of sultans and slaves float on the warm breezes through ancient ruins and cool, shady cloisters. The islands bask in the sun, protected by a crescent of coral reefs ... an untouched island paradise. For total luxury, stay on your own private island called Mnemba, which offers a privacy and exclusivity unparalled on the African coastline.

For the young at heart or for families, we suggest Breezes Beach Club, a beautiful five-star resort offering a wide variety of facilities, including sailing, scuba, snorkeling, and tennis.

No visit to Zanzibar is complete without a visit to Stone Town, where you can walk through narrow streets that haven't changed for two thousand years, listening to the sights and sounds of this unique island capital.