The beaches and exotic islands found along Africa’s glorious Indian Ocean coast are among the best in the world and offer everything from five star luxury to barefoot escapism.
Photo : Maldives, One&Only Reethi Rah
Beach Holidays
The beaches and exotic islands found along Africa’s glorious Indian Ocean coast are among the best in the world and offer everything from five star luxury to bare foot escapism.
Photo : Kaya Mawa, Lake Malawi
Beach Holidays
The beaches and exotic islands found along Africa’s glorious Indian Ocean coast are among the best in the world and offer everything from five star luxury to bare foot escapism.
Photo : Belle Mere Plage, Mauritius
Beach Holidays
Beach Holidays
Barefoot escapism and a water lovers’ paradise
Explore Africa’s massive Indian Ocean and Atlantic coastline from São Tomé and Príncipe and South Africa, through to Mozambique, Tanzania, and on to Lamu in Kenya. The Indian Ocean’s beaches and exotic islands are among the best in the world, while the Namibia coast offers something wild and spectacular. They provide barefoot escapism to five-star luxury and pure relaxation, with activities and adventures to entertain the adrenaline seeker.
The Seychelles, Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Zanzibar are probably the best known for sophisticated luxury, with elegant lodges sitting alongside glamorous private island retreats. Explore marine parks with guides, learn to dive, join a kitesurfing course for a week, or island hop in the Seychelles for the ultimate tailored holiday.
Experience the tranquillity of a private island in this video of Denis Island, Seychelles perfect for honeymoon beach holidays.
A few days on the beach complement a safari perfectly. It’s a nice way to prepare for, or recover from, the early morning safari starts.
Many African beach destinations work well as a standalone holiday too, not simply as a safari add-on.
The enormous variety in accommodation style along the African coastline – from Robinson Crusoe hideaways to resort-style hotels – means there really is something to suit everyone.
Activities are not limited to watersports; there is mountain biking, horse riding, cultural visits and plenty more.
The Indian Ocean can be visited year-round making it the perfect destination for some winter sun or relaxing after a summer safari.
Take the opportunity to enjoy some wonderful snorkelling and diving, an African underwater safari is just as exciting as the land based version.
Some of our Beach Holidays Highlights Click on an image to find out more
We have just returned from a wonderful safari at Ol Pejeta and from the moment we booked our trip to arriving in the bush Aardvark Safaris were always on hand if we needed them; everything was seemless. We enjoyed an extraordinary safari to Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy, expertly arranged by Aardvark Safaris. The wildlife encounters were simply breathtaking, from magnificent rhinos and lions to cheetahs, elephants and spectacular birdlife. Our luxurious tented accommodation offered stunning views, exceptional hospitality and thoughtful touches that made every moment special. From hot water bottles on early morning game drives to beautifully prepared meals and impeccable service, no detail was overlooked. The exclusivity, tranquillity and opportunity to observe wildlife without crowds made this a truly remarkable experience. A perfect blend of adventure, comfort and understated luxury. Unforgettable from start to finish. Highly recommended!
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10/29/2026
Adam Dunton
An exceptional safari experience, from planning to the final game drive!
My family and I took a nine-day safari through Tanzania in October 2026, visiting Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti. After researching more than 68 safari operators, I can confidently say that choosing Aardvark Safaris was one of the best decisions we made.
Expert advice that makes a difference
Planning a safari can be overwhelming. After two years of research, I still struggled to understand how destinations, camps, guides, and itineraries would translate into an actual experience. Jo and Christine patiently answered our questions, revised our itinerary, and helped us make informed decisions based on our family's priorities rather than simply selling us a package.
Jo helped us determine that Tanzania was the right destination and recommended Tarangire, a park we knew relatively little about. It ultimately became our favorite! We loved its quieter atmosphere and had numerous leopard sightings. Without her advice, we might have missed one of the highlights of our trip.
Jo also thoughtfully explained the trade-offs between larger lodges and smaller, more intimate camps. Her recommendations on itinerary length and pacing proved spot-on: our nine days provided plenty of wildlife encounters, flexibility to relax, and no feeling of being rushed.
Exceptional service and problem-solving
Jo and Christine were professional, responsive, and attentive throughout the planning process. They answered our many detailed questions, communicated important travel requirements proactively, and remembered our preferences.
When Qatar Airways changed flights we'd booked independently, Jo helped coordinate alternative internal flights with two different Tanzanian airlines. Without that assistance, we risked disrupting the four-day vacation we had planned after our safari. She genuinely looked out for our interests, even when the issue involved flights Aardvark hadn't booked.
An unforgettable safari
Our guide, Sammy of Nomad Tanzania, was outstanding. His wildlife knowledge, spotting ability, enthusiasm, and skill at positioning our vehicle transformed our game drives. He adapted to our interests and explained animal behavior rather than simply pointing out wildlife.
One unforgettable highlight was watching a lioness hunt near zebras, including a young zebra, while a gazelle appeared to interfere. Sammy narrated the unfolding behavior for about an hour and a half, keeping us fascinated even after the initial hunt was disrupted. This was exactly what we hoped for: witnessing wildlife in its natural environment while learning from an expert.
Seeing rhinos was another personal highlight, given their endangered status. We also enjoyed incredible encounters with leopards, elephants, lions, hippos, and many other animals. We saw the Big Five and returned with memories we'll be discussing for years.
Would we book again? Absolutely!
I recommend Aardvark to first-time safari travelers, families, and anyone who wants an itinerary thoughtfully tailored to their interests. Their pricing was competitive among the operators we seriously considered, and their expertise helped us understand where our money would be best spent.
The person who referred me to Aardvark had booked two safaris with them. Now I understand why! Our family is already discussing another safari together, and we'd happily work with Jo and Christine again.
If you're overwhelmed by the many safari destinations, operators, and camps available, I strongly recommend speaking with Aardvark Safaris. Their expertise, patience, attention to detail, and commitment to understanding your priorities made an extraordinary difference to our trip.
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10/28/2026
Victoria Withers
We truly had the most spectacular honeymoon in Kenya. Sosian felt like a home away from home, the staff were amazing, every detail was thought about, with so many activities & personalised touches that truly made for a magical stay. Some of the memories we have made we will savour forever here & are desperate to try and return at some point. Cantering alongside zebras & giraffes on gorgeous open savanna, looking out over Mount Kenya, was certainly a life highlight. A big thank you also to Lucinda & the Ardvark team for planning such a brilliant trip for us, the whole thing was absolutely seamless from start to finish. Thank you, Vic & Sam x
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10/28/2026
Peter Wilson
After reading lots of reviews we chose Aardvark Safaris for our recent Kenya holiday and Jo put together for us an amazing two centre holiday, we flew into Niarobi, were met at the airport and then the first four days we flew out and stayed in the Olare Conservancy in the Masai Mara and the wonderful Kitcheche Bush Camp. The superb large tent we had right in the bush was superb, the food was fantastic and staff and guides you could not better. Staying in the conservancy we saw so many animals, so close and quiet with out all the large number of vehicles you so often get on the main reserve. We then flew to Lewa and into the foothills of Mount Kenya to stay at the beautiful and stunning Borland Lodge, another brilliantly run conservancy where we stayed in a gorgeous thatched stone cottage, again the staff and guides were so wonderful with amazing views and so many animals, this time including Rhino which was the only animal we had not seen in the Mara. Whilst here we rode horses daily from their nearby stables where again the people were lovely with really nice horses. To ride in such and amazing place with great guides, with such amazing views, among the animals created fantastic memories that we will never forget. A truly amazing holiday so cleverly put together by Jo at Aardvark after listening to our wish list. Superb accommodation, amazing lovely people, fantastic food, unbelievable wild life and every flight, driver, guide was there to meet you, the holiday ran like clockwork and as i said earlier has made the most unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime time. Aardvark Safaries were totally superb in everyway and created for us the most amazing holiday experience with so many memories that will truly last a life time.
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10/27/2026
Dr Bee
Aardvark Safaris created an exceptional journey for us. Every part of the holiday felt carefully considered, with a real respect for wildlife, local communities and the landscapes we were travelling through. We were particularly impressed by the environmental awareness of the camps and lodges chosen for us, where sustainability was clearly part of everyday practice rather than an afterthought.
The attention to detail throughout was outstanding. Lucinda Crawford, in particular, supported us at every stage with patience, warmth and remarkable efficiency. Every transfer, camp and experience seemed to fit together effortlessly, which allowed us simply to enjoy the adventure.
Most importantly, the whole trip felt rooted in a genuine respect for the natural world. We returned with extraordinary memories of wildlife, wild places and people, and would highly recommend Aardvark Safaris without any hesitation whatsoever.
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10/21/2026
Iain Dun
My first safari, spoke to Lucinda at Badminton 2 years ago & signed up for a 6 night hosted trip in the Mara. What an amazing adventure we had, well worth the wait! Organisation was impeccable, flights, an initial night in Nairobi before our flight into the Mara the following morning. What a fantastic group of 13 we were, all with a story to tell, or sing. My bucket list of baby elephants & cantering with giraffes was ticked on that first afternoon, as well as seeing lions en route to camp! And it just got better & better! Simon our guide was brilliant, Nettie our Masai spotter was incredible, how he saw the leopard snoozing up the tree was unbelievable. They truly went the extra mile to show us the very best of Kenya’s wildlife. We were perfectly matched up to our horses, no one requested a change, they were fit & so sure footed across wide & varied terrain. The camp did completely pack up & move with us, from riverbank to escarpment, four camps, all incredible! The food was absolutely delicious, amazing what was produced from a charcoal oven & a BBQ. The staff were brilliant, little touches like hot water bottles in our camp beds every night, coffee or tea brought to your tent in the mornings, ,our boots cleaned every night or extra bucket of hot water for your shower. Sundowners by campfire, under the stars, with elephants close by , hippos in the river & lions not that far away! It was a true adventure, my bucket list well & truly ticked, until the next time!
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10/20/2026
Anna Layfield
The most amazing trip! Thank you Lucinda for organising so professionally. Fast track through the arrivals and private transfers to hotels was certainly a great way to get the trip started even quicker! The most friendly team and 6 nights riding through the Mara seeing so many animals was a once in a lifetime experience with a lovely group! We were well looked after with delicious food and drink throughout our week! I’d not hesitate to book through Aardvark Safaris again! Thank you
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10/20/2026
Diana Hill
Just returned from trip to Kenya and Victoria Falls in Zambia organised for us by Robyn at Aardvark- we couldn’t have had a better time! All the advice in the planning and booking of this trip of a lifetime was invaluable and Aardark’s partners on the ground handled the transfers smoothly even when flight connections tight. We loved the intimacy of the Kicheche tented camps we selected in Kenya with Robyn’s help - exactly what I’d hoped for and the wildlife guiding and viewing was amazing. Waterberry Lodge in Zambia peaceful location and so lovely to hear the hippos close by. Robyn very good at accommodating our last minute request to experience the Devil’s pools at Victoria falls - spectacular! Would happily recommend Aardvark to anyone considering booking a safari.
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10/13/2026
Kate Thomson
Robyn organised our honeymoon to Kenya, visiting Ol Seki in the Naboisho Conservancy followed by rest and relaxation at Chale Island near Diani. Our safari was simply amazing, the camp was beautiful and the wildlife was spectacular, a truly special experience. All the logistics were organised seamlessly with fantastic and friendly on-the-ground service from Bush and Beyond. Thank you Robyn and the Aardvark team!
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10/12/2026
Helena Hurley
4 of us joined a group last week on a trip to Kenya with Aardvark safaris on a horse riding holiday in the Masai Mara. This did NOT disappoint in any way! Lucinda was our planner and she brought her A game for sure. This was our 4th safari with Aardvark and you think things couldn’t possibly get better but you’d be wrong. It totally can and it was exceptional, the horses were foot perfect, the camps, the guides just everything all together made for an awesome weeks entertainment and, oh, the food was also fantastic!! What these guys can produce out of a tent is pretty spectacular. So if you’re reading this far just stop and book the holiday you won’t be disappointed!!
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10/08/2026
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