African Island Hopping
Ready for sun, sand and safari?
Enjoy dazzling blue waters, lush forests and a new wildlife encounter around every corner on our favourite African islands.
Castaway in Bliss (Benguerra Island, Mozambique)
Set in the wonderfully warm and vibrant Bazaruto Archipelago National Park in the Indian Ocean, Benguerra Island is an idyllic paradise where time stands still and wildlife can prosper. As it forms part of the marine reserve, just off the coast of Mozambique, the island is home to pristine coral reefs, unique wildlife, pure beaches, majestic dunes and lively freshwater lakes.
As an off-the-beaten-track destination, Benguerra offers guests the opportunity to enjoy a low-profile visit with minimal crowds, but plenty of adventure. Take to the ocean and dive, fish, surf, take a boat cruise, or paddle board. Then spend the next couple of days horse riding, discovering freshwater crocodiles in the lakes, hiking the dunes, and birding in the beautiful mangrove swamps.
A Luxury Barefoot Adventure (Miavana, Madagascar)
Journey to one of the islands of Nosy Ankao, one of Madagascar’s archipelago islands, to find Miavana. Miavana was previously a secret hideaway for pirates, and the staff at the luxury resort today make each and every one of their guests feel as if they’ve found a treasure island of luxury beach villas.
With an unparalleled mixture of endemic wildlife and plant species home to this greatly biodiverse region, guests have access to ample activities to get lost in. From exploring the lemur inhabiting jungle, investigating the colourful coral reefs and getting their blood pumping with the myriad ocean-based activities to discovering unique historical oddities, lounging on secluded beaches and going on a helicopter excursion, Miavana brings together exclusivity and adventure by having it all.
An Exclusive Exotic Escape (Mnemba Island, Zanzibar)
An intimate island of just 1.5 km, Mnemba Island, fringing the northeastern tip of Zanzibar off Tanzania, is an exclusive island paradise. Delight in dreamy days of relaxation and soul soothing as wildlife such as humpback whales, dolphins, and coral reef fish roam just offshore.
This tropical palm tree-covered, green turtle-filled island is just a short boat ride from the larger island, and is the perfect location for travellers who enjoy both indulging in tropical island activities and water sports, and exploring culture and tradition.
A Blissful, Bountiful, Beach-lined Eden (Praslin Island, Seychelles)
Unsurprisingly known as one of Seychelles’ most popular destinations, Praslin (Île de Palme) is the perfect place to soak up the sun in style.
Satiate your beach desires at the award-winning beaches of Anse Lazio, Anse Georgette or Anse Volbert, and dive in from the shore to explore coral reefs and discover a bluer beauty under the waterline.
Further inland, guests can discover Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site waiting to be explored. Hike through the ancient forest and find rare, indigenous and endemic plants and birds. One such plant is the Coco de Mer tree, which bears enormous, torso-resembling fruit weighing around 18 kg!
Where Bush and Beach Meet (Lamu Archipelago, Kenya)
Nestled in the Lamu Archipelago just off the north Kenyan coast, Manda Island is a remote and idyllic destination. With endless soft beaches in the foreground and thick vegetation with striking, safari-worthy wildlife, Manda is a nature lover’s paradise.
Excellent for sport fishing, snorkelling and water sports, as well as fascinating wildlife safaris, the opportunities to delve into nature are unlimited. Moreover, the area is filled with sites of archaeological and historical interest as Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa and is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site – perfect for walking tours… All away from the crowds that haunt other beach holiday destinations.
A Fresh Water Island Getaway (Rubondo Island, Lake Victoria)
Rubondo Island is a remote island with a unique and pristine ecosystem filled with roaming elephants and chimpanzees. Overlooking Lake Victoria, this area is as peaceful as it is exciting, housing only a single camp but resplendent in natural wonder.
Named one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World, Rubondo Island Camp offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be one of a handful of humans on an island refuge for endangered chimpanzees and other animals.
Forgotten Islands (São Tomé, Principé)
São Tomé is located squarely on the Equator, in the dreamy Atlantic Ocean. With lush tropical rainforests filled with many rare and endemic species, as well as remnants of Portuguese rule in the cocoa production and sugar plantations, São Tomé is brimming with opportunities for exploration and adventure.
Devour the Creole culture, with 500 years of Roman Catholic influence, and the various traditional African practices that coexist to make São Tomé truly unique. The many African traditional elements also include cooking, customs, and beliefs, perfect for travellers with an eye for adventure and a taste for vibrant and delicious foods.
A Deserted Tropical Paradise (Mumbo Island, Lake Malawi)
Floating and unspoiled, Mumbo Island on the waters of the Lake Malawi National Park may just be 1 km in diameter, but offers a rich array of life within its evergreen and pristine ecosystem. Without a history of being populated, the small island offers guests the opportunity to feel like explorers discovering a new land, without barriers to the nature that surrounds them.
Kayak Africa runs Mumbo Island Camp, entirely off the grid and as sustainably as possible so as to not impact the area. Located in an exclusive concession area, guests can enjoy the best freshwater snorkelling and SCUBA diving in the world – amongst other water and nature based activities – in complete privacy.
A Little Known Gem (La Reunion)
Home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes (Piton de la Fournaise), varied terrain and a tropical climate, Reunion island is often referred to as an ‘intense island’. However, along with the adrenaline-rushing activities on offer on the island, guests can also enjoy complete relaxation on the 17 miles of warm and welcoming beaches that hug the island.
From hiking Reunion’s unique “cirques” and canyoning the island’s many waterfalls to scuba diving or surfing in the clear waters, guests can get lost in the beauty of nature during their stay. Add to this the discovery of interesting architecture, beautiful art and finger-licking Creole food in the tourist mecca, St Denis – where the dominant French, African, Indian, and Chinese cultures show off their varied influences.
Land of Mango and Clove (Pemba, Zanzibar)
Lush with fruit and spice trees, undulating hills and deep valleys, Pemba Island is a greatly fertile and densely vegetated utopia. A mosaic of forests, swamps, mangroves and lagoons littered around the island and a coastline with a scattering of traditional dhows, Pemba is brimming with a road-less-travelled kind of adventure.
Explore the ruins of the oldest known Muslim settlement in Africa, visit the local community, lounge on the beach, taste the freshest fruits, and explore the offshore coral islands and nesting turtles, all on Pemba Island.
