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Africa has some of the most beautiful and diverse coastlines and beach holiday destinations in the world. As such, it is a popular destination with sun, sand and adventure seekers alike. If you are looking to lounge around a tropical beach or take part in ocean-based activities while experiencing life in a vibrant coastal city, there are many options on offer.
From the serene shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda, the bustling seaside towns of Kenya and Tanzania, to the tropical islands dotted along the coastline of Rwanda and Mozambique, Africa has a beach holiday to suit you.
3 days Ssese Islands On Lake Victoria’s northwestern corner are the 84 Ssese archipelago islands,
5 DAYS EASTERN LOWLAND GORILLA TREK & NYIRAGONGO CLIMB The Tour Overview Beginning from and
The Tour Overview This package comprises tracking chimpanzees in the Nyungwe Forest National Park and
This comprehensive 12-day Tanzania safari offers participants a journey through Tanzania’s renowned wildlife areas and
The Ssese Islands, a chain of 84 islands located in the north-west of Lake Victoria, presents a chilled and unspoilt beach holiday in Uganda. Buggala Island is the biggest of the Ssese. It has some deserted beaches and rough-and-ready lodges that offer a completely fly-under-the-radar kind of trip. The Ssese Islands allow visitors to swim in the clear waters of Lake Victoria, get stoned on the beaches and interact with the traditional fishing villages.
Swimming, sunbathing, hiking, birdwatching and fishing are the most popular Ssese activities. Additionally, excursions to the neighbouring islands, like the nearby Banda island surrounded by beaches and natural trails, are appealing. Another good opportunity for fun are trips to the local fishing villages where the Basese, the original population of the islands (impaled on poles), demonstrate their traditional way of living.
Situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe is a popular stop for beach holidays by travellers visiting Uganda. This beachside town is known for its laid-back island ambience, beautiful gardens, and well-preserved colonial architecture. Among the various family-friendly attractions, potential for watersports, and charming eateries and cafes, Aero Beach – located near Entebbe International Airport – is best known for its sweeping sandy coastline that offers a perfect place to take a dip or lie back and soak up some sunshine.
Besides swimming and sunbathing, visitors can also visit the centre’s nearby attractions such as the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre – a rescue centre for rescued and rehabilitated birds, animals [chimpanzees, lions, rhinos and more] and Uganda’s biggest zoo. The Entebbe Botanical Gardens, a 40-hectare well-maintained park established in 1898, are near the centre. Situated within the park is the grand Borassus Palm with a circumference exceeding 28ft and an estimated age of more than 400 years, as well as 15 species of woody plants and more than 90 trees. Many bird enthusiasts visit this park for bird watching as 372 species have been recorded here; 27 types of bat also live here. For culture enthusiasts, an intriguing place to see and learn how people protect the endangered primates is a short boat ride away from Entebbe – the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Diani Beach is one of the most beautiful destinations of the Indian Ocean east coast of Kenya, between Ukunda and Chale. White sand and turquoise waters make it a perfect location for a relaxing and luxurious beach holiday.The stretch of the beach is more than 10 kilometres long and it is lined up by the presence of luxurious, boutique hotels and beach houses, numerous and with different prices and quality.Hotels, restaurants and clubs have a certain amount of continuity in their availability, as Diani Beach offers places for entertainment and some fun after the sunset, thanks to the pleasant weather that often remains sunny and warm after the sunset.
At Diani there is an opportunity for swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling, while some travellers also engage in kitesurfing or beach volleyball. Boat trips to small islands such as Wasini Island (with a gorgeous coral reef and a good spot for dolphin watching) and dance nights at Blue Club (a local cultural restaurant) are two other tourist attractions. Wildlife lovers can visit the nature park, Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest, site of a traditional Mijikenda sacred forest which offers guided tours, nature walks as well as wild bush food. For golf lovers, there are several world-class golf courses within proximity to the beach, including the one at Leisure Lodge Beach and Golf Resort.
If you had one oceanfront break: Just north of Mombasa is Watamu, the most relaxed and least touristy beach holiday destination in Kenya. White sand, turquoise waters and coral gardens make Watamu a paradise for snorkelling and diving, as well as several other nautical pursuits. It is also home to Watamu Marine National Park, where one can spot sea turtles, dolphins and more than 500 species of fish.
Activities include swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling, diving, fishing and boat trips to the nearby islands Turtle Bay, known for its sandy beaches and clear waters, or further afield to the Lamu archipelago. For the culturally inclined, the 12th-century Gede Ruins can be found just a few kilometres down the road – an interesting archaeological site where it is possible to see, touch and appreciate the remains of an important city from the ancient Swahili kingdom. Given its vast area of mangroves and tidal creeks, its beaches and swampland, it is no surprise that Watamu is an ideal place for birdwatching; more than 100 species of birds have been recorded in the area, including the Sokoke scops owl and the Clarke’s weaver.
Zanzibar, a group of islands off the coast of Tanzania, is one of the most popular beach holiday destinations in Africa, a tropical paradise where visitors can enjoy Africa’s history and culture with a bit of relaxation. The main island, Unguja, hosts a plethora of beautiful beaches of all kinds, including Nungwi and Kendwa, as well as budget accommodation, luxury resorts and pristine beaches like Paje. Zanzibar, known as ‘Spice Island’, is full of colonial-era buildings, and its capital city, Stone Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its beautiful architecture.
In Zanzibar, visitors can swim, sunbathe and snorkel or dive, take boat trips to nearby islands including the charming Prison Island, populated by giant tortoises and a gorgeous white sandy beach with a large coral reef, or head to Stone Town to wander through its beautiful narrow streets and historic buildings, and visit the local spice markets. Almost every restaurant serves a version of the island’s outstanding cuisine, a mixture of African, Arab and Indian with its spicy seafood curries, grilled shellfish and a unique pizza, known simply as Zanzibar pizza.
A few hundred miles east of Africa, the little known yet spectacularly beautiful island of Mafia, off the southern coast of Tanzania, is a natural eco-tourism destination away from the usual tourist trail which offers the most perfect of beach holidays. Mafia Island hosts the spectacular Mafia Island Marine Park, one of the most important natural marine habitats in the world. The area is famous for its rich marine flora and fauna and some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world. Mafia also has one of the most exciting sport fishing destinations in the Indian Ocean. Mafia Island’s rich waters boast a profusion of the world’s most sought-after game fish: marlin, tuna and sailfish.
Traditional activities on Mafia Island include swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling and diving and fishing. Other activities can include boat trips to other nearby islands. For instance, sites such as Chole Island, a near neighbour to Mafia, has beautiful mangrove forests and the ruins from a past Arab settlement. All are easily accessible by boat from Mafia: the island was the scene of historic battles with Portuguese forces, and had been an ancient hub for the spice trade in Persian and Arab networks. Besides the birding that has been mentioned, another popular activity is visiting the local villages and observing the traditional rural way of life of the Swahili people who settled in the area centuries ago. Mafia Island now has over 120 species of birds recorded, including the near-endemic Pemba green pigeon (Treron pembaensis), and the near-endemic Mafia sunbird (Nectariniaowiegummi), both distinguished by wonderful green and yellow combinations and as such can be an idealic addition to any bird check-list. There are many other species too of course.
One of the few beaches in Rwanda, the eastern shore of Lake Kivu, which forms part of the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, offers a little-visited alternative to the safari-based tourist routes. The lake is one of the African-Great lakes, and its sandy beaches, sapphire water and backdrop of high peaks and volcanoes mean that it couldn’t be more picturesque. Lodges, resorts and campsites around the southern end of the lake, particularly down near the town of Cyangugu, provide excellent bases for exploring the area.
Other activities on Lake Kivu include swimming, sunbathing, kayaking and boat trips to other islands on the lake such as Nkombo Island and Nyamunini Island. Roughly an hour from Kivu is the Nyungwe National Park, a strikingly beautiful montane rainforest that is home to more than 300 bird species and 13 primate species including chimpanzees and Rwenzori colobus monkeys. Some ancient caves in the area near Congo’s border, such as the one where the Portuguese explorer Diogo Cão and his teammates were attacked and murdered by Mwaamutonga, have become a pilgrimage site for the Bakongo people. Cyangugu and Gisenyi, the nearby towns, are well worth a visit too for their local markets, restaurants and some historically important sites such as the Nyamyumba Hot Springs and the Nossa Senhora da Sorte cave where many slaves were once imprisoned.
The Bazaruto Archipelago comprising of six islands in the Indian Ocean off the coast of southern Mozambique is a beach holiday destination that promises luxury and adventure. The archipelago forms part of the Bazaruto National Park which is world-renowned for its white beaches, clear waters and biodiversity, with experiences including encounters with dugongs, dolphins and more than 2,000 species of fish. The islands boast a range of luxury resorts, lodges and beach villas to use as a base.
Facilities in the Archipelago include swimming, sun-bathing, snorkelling, diving and fishing. Boat trips to neighbouring islands (Benguerra Island or Magaruque Island) at night provide excellent opportunities to see sea turtles, while fires to attract crabs to the beach at night are also an intriguing experience. There are good beaches and good snorkelling and diving around nearby islands, and a strong cultural component for visitors. Some lodges will arrange visits to local fishing villages, where you can experience the more traditional lifestyles of the local Tsonga people, who have inhabited the region since the 17th century. The area provides a rich opportunity for birdwatching, with over 180 species of birds recorded, and with species such as the rare olive-headed weaver and the green tinkerbird, which are not found elsewhere on the Mozambican coast.
For those who fancy themselves an ‘off-grid, escape-to-the-back-of-beyond, adventure-and-eco-tourism’ type, the Quirimbas Archipelago – a chain of 32 islands 400 kilometres off the north coast of Mozambique – fits the bill. Part of the Quirimbas National Park, this Indian Ocean idyll comprises white-sand beaches, coralline islets, and azure seas replete with whale sharks, manta rays and some 350 species of fish. Villagers sustain traditional whaling and fishing cultures, and a scattering of eco-lodges, beach camps and private residences provide comfortable bases for explorations.
On offer is swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling, diving, fishing, taking boat trips to neighbouring islands – such as Ibo Island with its striking colonial mansions and year-round sailing regattas – and visiting local villages where the Kimwani, the original inhabitants of the archipelago, reside. Adventurous travellers can venture to the islands by kayak or sailing boat, as calm waters and the breathtaking scenery make this place a true paradise for water sports.
To anyone wanting a beach holiday, from beautiful sand and clear water to café culture and sea views, the suburb of Camps Bay, just a little way outside of Cape Town offers it all. Camps Bay has a stunning white fine sand beach that meets the cerulean waters of Camps Bay. Beautiful views of the Twelve Apostles mountain range spanning the Atlantic Ocean and towards Cape Town CBD complement the suburb. Situated in Camps Bay is a broad array of upmarket restaurants, cafés and boutiques that provide an exciting ambience for the urban monkeys. Camps Bay’s waters are calm year round, making for excellent swimming, surfing and paddling.
Camps Bay offers activities such as swimming, sunbathing, surfing and beach volleyball. Besides relaxing on the beach and taking photographs, visitors can drive the scenic drive of Chapman’s Peak Drive and admire the view of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding mountains. Maghreb Holiday Homes is located along Chapman’s Peak Drive in Cape Town. Travelers out to experience Camps Bay’s shopping can also take a few minutes drive and visit some of the museums, galleries and live music at the nearby V&A Waterfront. Alternatively, one could skip the long queues to the V&A Waterfront and board a cable car to the top of Table Mountain for a spectacular view of the city and the ocean. Camps Bay is also a haven for food and wine tasting experiences with its line of restaurants and bars, offering anything from local dishes to continental fare with complementary selection of quality wines from the nearby Cape Winelands region.
Umhlanga Rocks, a beach resort town north of Durban, is a gem for lovers of a beach getaway with an accent on activity. With its golden sand beach, the Indian Ocean waters are warm and the sand is soft, as is the subtropical vegetation. There are a variety of hotels, resorts and self-catering apartments to suit almost every taste and wallet. Umhlanga Rocks is a haven for water sports, its sheltered waters and gentle swell encouraging not only swimming but also surfing and kiteboarding alike.
The following activities are popular at Umhlanga Rocks: swimming, sunbathing, surfing and beach volleyball. Travelers also enjoy walking along the Umhlanga Promenade, which is along the beach and offers beautiful views of the ocean and the area, or the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve, which is located nearby and is home to many bird and plant species. Another cultural offer for tourists is visiting the nearby Gateway Theatre of Shopping where one can enjoy many entertainment options: cinemas, a wide range of restaurants and live music venues. Finally, a popular day tour from Umhlanga Rocks is visiting the nearby Valley of a Thousand Hills, a beautiful and humble destination with traditional Zulu and other cultures that practice subsistence living. It is an interesting example of well-maintained natural spaces filled with traditional South African wildlife. The extensive nature of many of the core activities of Umhlanga Rocks caters for all-year-round tourism from both domestic and international markets. This includes various types of golf enthusiasts due to its several world-class golf courses that are located around Umhlanga Rocks.
Mahé Island, the main and most inhabited island of the Seychelles, is an ideal destination for tourists looking for a mix of natural beauty and luxury during their beach holiday. With its extremely beautiful and clean white sand beaches, transparent crystal waters, and thick vegetation of tropical origin, Mahé Island is dotted by different kinds of grand resorts, picturesque hotels and breathtaking private villas that are the ideal homebase for those who want to explore the different areas of this pristine island. Mahé Island is also an ideal spot for sports lovers, being the perfect location to dive, snorkel and kayak thanks to its calm water and the abundance of colourful coral reefs.
Other activities include swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling, diving and fishing, as well as a scenic coastal drive along the ocean and mountain ranges surrounding the island or visiting the nearby Morne Seychellois National Park, whose flora and fauna exhibit the most significant species endemic to the Seychelles, making it an ideal place for hiking and nature exploration. The Seychelles’ oldest city, Victoria, is also located on Mahé Island and is known for the numerous museums, markets and historic sites on offer, including the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens and the Seychelles Natural History Museum, as well as a wide array of restaurants and cafés with a diverse range of menus, from local and international courses to fresh seafood specialities and tropical fruits, savoured with Creole seasonings.
La Digue is a small, relaxed island to the east of Mahé where you can get away from it all for a summery beach break. Explored by Intrepid in this short film, the island features pink granite boulders, white sand beaches and turquoise waters, with guesthouses, self-catering apartments and eco-lodges providing a basic and authentic feel to your stay on the tropical paradise. It’s a nature lover’s hideaway, as you can hike through the dense forests that cover the island and spot a wide variety of bird species, tropical fruits, ferns and even fruit bats, or cayman.
On La Digue Island, travellers can go swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling and cycling, and also enjoy a scenic bike ride around the island or through the nearby Veuve Nature Reserve which is home to the endemic, rare and critically endangered Seychelles paradise flycatcher. Another activity dedicated to the island’s local culture is visiting the main village on the island, La Passe, where travellers can also find a range of shops, restaurants and historic sites such as L’Union Estate and the Old Plantation House. La Digue Island is also famous for its granite boulders and beaches, which have delivered numerous beautiful landscape and seascape shots for photographers.
Flis Flac (Flic en Flac) is a quiet beach resort town on the west coast of Mauritius. This town is a beautiful beach holiday place with white powder like sand beach, clear water and colourful coral reefs. There are plenty of hotels, resorts and self-catering apartments are available in Flic en Flac. According to individual budget and like tourist can stay in these places. It is a best destination for ordered water sports too due to its calm water and gentle waves. So that anyone can go swimming, snorkelling and kited surfing.
Flic en Flac provides for some swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling and diving, or beach volleyball. Along with fruit and spice farms and tea plantations, one of the main attractions here is a drive through the nearby Black River Gorges National Park, providing great bird’s-eye views of the lush interior of the island and its varied fauna and flora, or alternatively the Casela Nature Parks, a selection of adventure activities.
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Wild Whispers Africa Safaris
Uganda, East Africa
Mob: +256753299565
Tel: +256 312107945
Plot 19 Bukoto Road , Kampala Uganda
Email: info [at] wildwhispersafrica.com
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