Kruger Safari & Mozambique Beach: The Ultimate Bush & Beach

Today you thrill to the wildlife of the Greater Kruger on twice-daily game drives. Before dawn you set out in an open vehicle with expert rangers and trackers, seeking lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhino in the golden early light, along with cheetah, giraffe, zebra and abundant plains game and birdlife. You return for a hearty brunch and relax through the heat of the day, perhaps watching wildlife at a waterhole from the lodge, before heading out again in the afternoon, ending with sundowners in the bush as the sky blazes. Your rangers bring the bush vividly to life, reading tracks and sharing their deep knowledge. The wildlife and expertise are exceptional. This evening, savour dinner beneath the stars. Rest well amid the wilds of the Greater Kruger, ready for more game viewing tomorrow.

Today you enjoy another full day of superb game viewing and bush experiences in the Greater Kruger. On dawn and afternoon game drives with your rangers you seek out the wildlife you have yet to see and return to favourite sightings, thrilling to the Big Five and the endless drama of the bush, from hunting predators to breeding herds and vivid birdlife. You might also enjoy a guided bush walk with an armed ranger for a closer connection to the smaller wonders of the wilderness, or simply relax at the lodge between drives, watching wildlife come to drink. Each drive brings new thrills and discoveries. As the day ends, you gather for sundowners as the sky turns crimson. This evening, savour a final dinner beneath the stars of the Kruger. Rest well amid the wilds, ready to cross to Mozambique tomorrow.

Today you leave the bush and travel to Mozambique's lively capital, Maputo, crossing from safari to the Indian Ocean. After a final morning game drive, you transfer and fly, via Johannesburg, to Maputo, where you are met and transferred to your hotel in the cosmopolitan city. Maputo is one of the most atmospheric capitals in Africa, a relaxed place of jacaranda-lined avenues, faded Portuguese architecture and warm energy beside the sea, and the change from bush to city is delightful. Spend the afternoon settling in and relaxing, perhaps taking a first stroll along the seafront Marginal. This evening, a welcome dinner introduces you to Maputo's legendary seafood, grilled prawns, lobster and peri-peri. As you settle in, the warmth of Mozambique works its magic. Rest well, ready to explore cosmopolitan Maputo tomorrow.

Today you explore cosmopolitan Maputo. On a guided city tour you take in its Portuguese-African landmarks, the striking iron railway station attributed to the Eiffel workshop, the Art Deco and colonial buildings of the old town, the cathedral, the fort and the botanical gardens. You wander its bustling markets, the colourful craft market and the lively central market, soaking up the sights, sounds and aromas of the city, and pause for coffee and Portuguese pastries at a cafe. For lunch and dinner you feast on Maputo's legendary seafood, giant grilled prawns, fresh fish and famous peri-peri chicken. The blend of African warmth and Portuguese flavour is captivating. As evening falls, you return to your hotel, perhaps for a sundowner on the Marginal. Rest well, for tomorrow you fly north to the turquoise dune islands of Bazaruto.

Today you fly north up the coast to Vilanculos, the relaxed beach town that is the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago. After a transfer to the airport and a scenic flight over the Indian Ocean coastline, you arrive in Vilanculos, a laid-back town of sandy streets, palm-lined beaches and colourful markets, from where dhows and boats set out to the dune islands offshore. You settle into your beachfront accommodation and spend the afternoon relaxing, swimming in the warm sea, strolling the long beach, exploring the lively local market, or watching the dhows come and go against a backdrop of turquoise water. The pace slows and the island beauty begins after the bush and the city. As the day ends, you enjoy a relaxed seafood dinner beside the ocean. Rest well, for tomorrow you sail into the magical Bazaruto Archipelago.

Today you sail into the magical Bazaruto Archipelago aboard a traditional dhow. From Vilanculos you cross impossibly turquoise, translucent water within the protected marine national park to the golden dune islands offshore. You snorkel over vivid coral gardens alive with tropical fish, wade across shimmering sandbanks revealed at low tide, climb towering island dunes for sweeping views, and keep watch for dolphins, turtles and the rare dugongs that graze these rich waters. A fresh seafood lunch is served on a beach or sandbank. The colour of the sea and the grace of the dhows are unforgettable after the drama of the bush. As the day ends, you transfer to your lodge on Bazaruto Island itself. This evening, savour fresh seafood beneath the stars. Rest well amid the beauty of the archipelago.

Today you enjoy the beauty of Bazaruto Island at a blissful pace. Settled at your island lodge amid the golden dunes, you might snorkel or dive the vivid reefs offshore, sail a dhow across the flats, climb the great dunes for spectacular panoramas over the archipelago, walk to hidden inland lakes with their birdlife, or head out to look for dolphins and dugongs. Equally, you may simply relax on the long empty beach, swim in the warm turquoise sea, and soak up the peace of your island home. The space, beauty and warmth are restorative after the safari and the city. As the day ends, you gather on the dunes or beach for a spectacular sunset over the water. This evening, savour fresh seafood beneath the stars. Rest well amid the beauty of Bazaruto Island.

Today you head out across the archipelago in search of its rare and magnificent marine life. By boat you cruise the turquoise waters of the marine national park, which protect one of the last significant populations of the gentle dugong in the western Indian Ocean, keeping watch for dugongs, playful dolphins, turtles and rays, and snorkelling over further vivid reefs. In season, migrating humpback whales may appear. The abundant birdlife and shifting turquoise flats add to the beauty, and every sighting is a thrill in these rich, protected waters. As the day ends, you return to your lodge to relax on the beach. This evening, savour fresh seafood as the sun sets over the archipelago. Rest well amid the beauty of Bazaruto Island, deep in your island escape.

Today you enjoy a flexible day on beautiful Bazaruto Island at your own pace. You might snorkel or dive the reefs, sail a dhow at sunrise, try the archipelago's famous fishing, take a guided nature walk to the dunes and lakes, or head out on another marine safari. Equally, you may choose simply to relax, swimming in the warm turquoise sea, lazing beneath the palms, walking the long empty beach, and soaking up the peace and beauty of the island. This flexible day lets you savour the contrast to the bush and reflect on the wildlife you have seen. As the day ends, you gather for another spectacular sunset over the archipelago. This evening, savour fresh seafood beneath a canopy of stars. Rest well amid the beauty of Bazaruto Island.

Today you make the most of the turquoise beauty of the Bazaruto Archipelago. You might take a last dhow safari across the shimmering flats to distant sandbanks and reefs, snorkel or dive vivid coral gardens alive with tropical fish and turtles, or head out in the hope of more dolphins and dugongs. Between the water you relax on empty beaches, swim in the warm, clear sea, and soak up the island peace. Keen anglers can try the world-class fishing. The beauty and variety are wonderful after the safari. As the day ends, you gather on the beach for a spectacular sunset over the archipelago. This evening, savour a seafood feast beneath the stars, reflecting on the bush and the beach. Rest well amid the beauty of Bazaruto Island, savouring your final full days in Mozambique.

Today you enjoy a final, blissful beach day on Bazaruto Island, savouring the end of your bush-and-beach journey. There is time for a last snorkel or dive, a final dhow sail, a walk along the empty beach, or simply relaxing on the soft white sand and swimming in the warm turquoise sea. You reflect on the remarkable journey you have made, from tracking lions and leopards in the Greater Kruger to sailing dhows across the turquoise Bazaruto Archipelago, the ultimate contrast of wild Africa and idyllic islands. This flexible day lets you savour every last moment. As the day ends, you gather on the dunes or beach for a final spectacular sunset over the archipelago. This evening, savour a farewell seafood dinner beneath the stars, reflecting on safari and sea. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow, full of memories.

After a final morning on beautiful Bazaruto Island, perhaps a last swim or a stroll along the empty beach, you sail by boat back across the turquoise water to Vilanculos, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg and your onward international departure. You leave having experienced the ultimate African bush-and-beach, a Big Five safari in the Greater Kruger with its lions, leopards and elephants, cosmopolitan Maputo with its architecture, markets and seafood, and the turquoise dune islands, dhows, reefs and dugongs of the Bazaruto Archipelago, all warmed by legendary hospitality. The images stay vivid long after you land, the leopard in the golden light, the elegance of Maputo, the billowing dhow sail and the shimmering turquoise sea. Southern Africa offers thrilling wildlife and idyllic islands in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to this most complete and beautiful of journeys.