An African safari will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting holidays of your life. Watching a herd of elephant at a waterhole or tracking a pride of lion, and maybe even witnessing a kill, is an experience like no other.

But after crack-of-dawn game drives and late nights under the stars, we wouldn’t blame you for wanting a lazy lie in or three. And where better to do that, than overlooking a tropical beach and the impossible blue of the Indian Ocean.

A fantastic safari and beach combination is South Africa’s Kruger Park and the sandy shores of neighbouring Mozambique. Which is why Giltedge senior travel consultant Desiree Fredericks recently visited three Kruger lodges followed by White Pearl Beach Resort. These are her reviews:

Camp Jabulani: Meet the Jabulani Elephants

“My first stop was Camp Jabulani. Getting to the lodge is easy, as it lies a short drive from Hoedspruit Airport. This Relais & Chateaux property has just six suites, each tucked into the bush to allow for plenty of privacy. The suites are massive and really luxurious: sliding doors open onto a deck with a plunge pool, and the bathroom has a deep stone bathtub and glass-enclosed “outdoor” shower. Bliss!

 

“Safari lodges tend to follow a set schedule, but not Camp Jabulani. The staff are really accommodating, so if you can skip the usual 5 am wake-up call and catch up with the wildlife later. Also, the chef is wonderful! He came to our table to talk through the menu, and the dishes he produced were delicious with every bite as good as the last.

“As for the safari experience, within five minutes of our game drive, we’d seen elephant and giraffe. Staying at Camp Jabulani we also had the opportunity to meet their resident elephant herd, which was awesome! And we went on a tour of the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, where we got close to animals like cheetah, wild dog, rhino and vultures.”

White Pearl Resorts: Mozambique Beach Escape

“White Pearl Resorts lies tucked away in a sheltered bay on the southern coast of Mozambique. This laid-back beach resort has 21 luxurious suites, each carefully positioned to make the most of the magnificent views extending out over a wide stretch of sand to the sparkling blue of the Indian Ocean. The perfect post-safari seaside escape!

“Staying at White Pearl Resorts gives you access to a good choice of activities – from horse riding to diving and ocean safaris – although really this is the ideal place for doing very little at all. Stretch out on one of the comfortable sun loungers on your private deck, wander down to the shaded beach cabanas, take a dip in the warm Indian Ocean or settle in at the Ibiza-styled beach bar for cocktails and tasty tapas – there’s even a second swim-up bar at the lodge’s main rim flow pool.

“And don’t be put off by the word “resort”. White Pearl is more of a boutique beach hotel where you’ll be greeted by name by the welcoming staff, stay in a seaside chic suite with its own plunge pool, and in the evenings sit down to a candlelit dinner of ocean-fresh seafood and decadent desserts.”

Plan Your Beach & Safari Break

To start planning your own incredible Kruger and Mozambique holiday, get in touch with one of our travel experts.