Desert + Delta Savute Safari Lodge
More Travelers Than Ever Are Capping Off Their African Safaris at Blissful Luxury Coastal Retreats along the Indian Ocean
You wake up in the middle of the Serengeti, the honks of rutting wildebeest acting as a natural alarm clock. It’s time to choose your own adventure. Continue searching for the Big Five and sipping G&Ts around the campfire or shed your well-worn khakis and trade them for a swimsuit as you jet off to a boulder-strewn coastline along the Indian Ocean.
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island
More travelers than ever are opting for the latter, splitting their time between the bush and beach in Tanzania, Mauritius and beyond. According to one report from Go2Africa, there’s been a 20 percent rise in interest in surf and turf trips, as well as growing demand for dreamy islands like the Seychelles.
The winning combination isn’t untested; honeymooners desperate for post-wedding R&R have been capping off extravagant stays at tented camps and remote lodges with blissful beach escapes for decades. “They’re interested in going on safari but also want downtime and the romance of magnificent ocean views,” says Tamsyn Fricker, director of Travel Artistry Africa.
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island
So why are people falling under the spell of the hypnotic blue Indian Ocean now? Air connectivity continues to dramatically improve with carriers such as Qatar Airways, Air Seychelles and Turkish Airlines increasing their flight frequencies, and new and resumed direct connections from cities like Zurich, Rome, Doha, Frankfurt and Riyadh. The expansions of Seychelles International Airport on Mahé Island and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Mauritius also play a role.
Still, experts warn that traveling around the continent itself remains tricky. “When there is no budget, I suggest you do a private charter,” says Fricker. “Sometimes it’s easy, but regional airlines [in Africa] tend to change schedules so you’re beholden to their whim.”
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island
Thankfully, brands with properties in multiple destinations near the Indian Ocean, such as the Four Seasons Safari & Islands Collection, are stepping up to make the journey seamless with specially tailored packages featuring air and ground transportation and a dedicated Residence Host or Private Butler. In September 2025, the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti began offering private charters on a new Pilatus PC24 that flies directly from Seronera (the primary airstrip in Serengeti National Park) to the Seychelles. The luxurious, three hour-plus transfer, bookable through the Four Seasons Serengeti reservations team or Safari Plus, beats previous commercial options by a cool 20 hours, including layover time.
Flexibility is also having an impact on the trend. As vacations become longer and pricier, giving travelers the time and budget to go off the grid, more people are opting to visit far-flung islands. As a result, Zanzibar, a historically popular choice for sun seekers and one of the easiest archipelagos to reach from the mainland, is beginning to lose its shine. Closer often doesn’t mean better, after all.
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
“It’s a tough destination when you’re coming from the US and expect Caribbean beaches,” says Elizabeth Gordon, CEO of Extraordinary Journeys. “We also have been really pretty successful in suggesting some alternatives, like Mozambique and Madagascar.”
Meanwhile, Fricker has seen a shift in the type of experience travelers request, as they choose to focus on the ocean rather than the beach itself. “We’re being asked by clients who have been on safari multiple times to add a marine safari element. There are a lot of cool experiences out on the atolls, whether it’s diving with turtles or conservation programs. That way the trip becomes more bush safari meets water safari.”
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
How to Pull Off a Surf and Turf Vacation
Traveling to the Seychelles and Mauritius is becoming easier, but don’t mistake it for a weekend in the Bahamas. Here’s what the experts say you should consider.
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Do you prefer to spend time or money?
“You lose a full day getting out to some of these islands,” says Gordon. “You need to have time and the willingness to suck up flight cancellations and schedule changes—or you need to have money and fly private.” Most experts agree that at least four nights in each country makes the journey worth the cost.
Plan for delays
If you decide to fly commercial, build a buffer into your itinerary to allow for delays; one day in your connecting city is ideal. “I’m not going to assume everything will go according to plan and you will have that two-hour window to make it straight into the bush,” says Fricker.
Order matters
While many travelers are tempted to jump right into safari, Fricker and Gordon both suggest starting at the beach if possible. “That way you decompress at the beginning and are ready for early mornings in the bush,” says Gordon.
Consider an alternative to the beach
When flying out to palm-fringed islands is just too inconvenient, choose a less traditional waterside destination such as Lake Malawi. “It has that feeling of being on a beach,” says Gordon. “You can actually go snorkeling and kitesurfing.” Fricker favors a road trip along the Cape coastline in South Africa. “Sometimes my clients really do want a beach or marine safari—and sometimes they just want a day or two to catch their breath and shake off the safari dust before they travel home.”
Where to Go
Kisawa Sanctuary
“Mauritius is a playground for families with incredible resorts like the Four Seasons and One&Only,” says Fricker. “The Seychelles has a cachet and glamor to it. It’s that far-flung, blue water island experience. Mozambique still has a distinctly African flair if you want something a bit more adventurous.” Here are a few of the top properties in each spot.
Seychelles
One&Only Le Saint Geran, Mauritius
Jet off to Four Seasons Resort Seychelles on Mahé Island where villas stacked along the hilltop overlook Petit Anse Bay. Epic views of the Indian Ocean are best enjoyed at sunset from your pool-sized sunken bathtub, glass of bubbly in hand. Transfer by plane to the hotel’s sister property Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island, where you can indulge in a posher version of the Robinson Crusoe life (it’s the only resort on the 933-acre island) alongside charismatic Aldabra giant tortoises.
Match it with a Tanzania Safari: Watch the Great Migration pass by your balcony and elephants drink from the poolside watering hole at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti.
Mauritius
KUKAYA
The property that launched the One&Only brand, One&Only Le Saint Géran received a facelift in 2017 and new additions last year, including a Guerlain spa and AC Milan Junior Camp for Kids. Once the favorite of Nelson Mandela and Catherine Deneuve, the resort remains a classic.
Match it with a Botswana Safari: Visit ancient San rock paintings and gawk at the second-largest summer zebra migration in Africa at Desert + Delta Savute Safari Lodge.
Mozambique
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island
Located on a stunning island in the pristine Bazaruto Archipelago, the eight-suite Kisawa Sanctuary introduced a new level of luxury to Mozambique while maintaining a homegrown spirit through beach-chic, handmade decor and local, eco-conscious activities like kayaking through mangroves and scientist-led dives.
Match it with a Zambia Safari: Fully embrace the sights and sounds of a bush at the birthplace of the walking safari in South Luangwa National Park with The Bushcamp Company.
One&Only Le Saint Geran, Mauritius