UK based safari specialist Real Africa has launched new beach escapes to complement their tailormade safaris and bush and beach product and to highlight the quality and accessibility of beach retreats in Africa.

Offering idyllic islands like Mauritius and the Seychelles, you'll also find the good value and easy to access Indian Ocean mainland coast of Tanzania and Kenya, as well as remote and exclusive destinations like the Bazuruto or Quirimbas Archipelegos in Mozambique or the quiet sands of Mnemba, Mafia and Pemba, all islands in Tanzania.  

These destinations offer a variety of accommodation from feet-in-the-sand rustic beach lodges to five star resorts and beautiful barefoot retreats.  Real Africa believes beach escapes in Africa are under-rated even though they compare favourably with the Maldives, Caribbean or South East Asian destinations like Bali and Thailand favoured by honeymooners.

Time Change

The lack of time change makes Africa's beach retreats instantly appealing. Who wants to go away for a week and then need a fortnight to recover because of jetlag?  Kenya and Tanzania have just a 3 hour time difference, the Seychelles and Mauritius a four hour difference.  Compare this to the Maldives which is GMT+5, Thailand GMT+7, Bali GMT+8 and Antigua which is GMT-4.

Accessibility

With direct flights to Mauritius with British Airways taking around 11 1/2 hours, and beach resorts within an easy drive of the gateway airport, you can be enjoying yourself and maximising your holiday time within a relatively short period.  A range of other carriers from Emirates to KLM offer good value, reliable routes, with regional as well as London departures, to the gateway cities of Dar es Salaam (for Tanzania), Johannesburg (for Mozambique), Mahe (for the Seychelles) and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (Mauritius).

Such routings also invite attractive pairings – add a couple of nights on safari in the Greater Kruger, or in the vibrant city of Cape Town,  to your time on the beach in Mozambique; safari in Selous before time exploring on Mafia Island, Tanzania; island hop in the Seychelles.

Wildlife - Marine Safari

For wildlife lovers, all the African destinations offer incredible wildlife encounters. From whales, turtles and manta rays to beautiful birdlife, there is incredible diversity. Take Mafia Island, Tanzania, surrounded by a marine reserve home to five species of turtle, 50 of coral and 400 of fish. A coral reef runs the length of the island attracting divers and snorkellers while whale sharks sightings peak between September and February time.

• 7 nights full-board at Pole Pole, Mafia Island, Tanzania, 1 night in Dar es Salaam, including flights and all transfers from £2,595 per person.
• 7 nights bed & breakfast at Sugar Beach, Mauritius, including flights and all transfers from £1,265 per person.

Barefoot

Africa is the epitome of the barefoot beach lodge. Fundu Lagoon on Pemba Island, Tanzania is a perfect example of this. Fundu, the winner of the 2016 Travel Awards for Best Marine Safari Experience and a place aptly described by Hip Hotels as the place to be “Crusoe and Cousteau on the same day,” offers 18 rustic Makuti thatched bandas, some on the beach and some on the hillside, all have private sun terraces and glorious ocean views. Pemba is only accessible via Zanzibar by boat and you'll find wooden walkways, sandy paths and freshly caught seafood for supper on the beach beneath the stars. If you truly want to get away from it all, this Africa is a great choice.

• 7 nights all-inclusive at Fundu Lagoon, Pemba, Tanzania, 1 night in Dar es Salaam, including flights from the UK and all transfers from £2,645 per person.
• 7 nights bed & breakfast at Protea Amani, Tanzania Swahili Coast, including flights from the UK and all transfers from £1,575 per person.

Ultimate Luxury

If you prefer not to be parted from your hair straighteners, and like spas, golf, watersports and all the facilities that go hand in hand with a top class resort then Mauritius is the perfect pick, catering effortlessly for a range of tastes and budgets. Beautifully manicured properties offer sophisticated beach breaks perfect for sun and relaxation, at surprisingly good prices. Many resorts offer full or half board making your holiday even better value.

• 7 nights full board at Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel in Mauritius, including flights from the UK and all transfers  from £1,535 per person.

For further information about beach destinations in Africa go to realafrica.co.uk