Exclusive Safari and Luxury Island Adventure
Seasonal Information
Get to know Africa in true style on this once-in-a-lifetime safari and island adventure, especially suited to groups or families. Set the pace as you explore the Phinda Private Game Reserve with your own private guide and trackers, and relax in a sumptuous private villa. Catch sight of the Big Five and journey through rare protected ecosystems. Then touch down on the powdery white sand of your own private island for a voyage into paradise. Dive among precious coral reefs and feel relaxation take over.
- Incredible wildlife encounters
- Diving among pristine coral reefs
- Meeting the Big Five with a private guide
- Interpretative nature walks in the bush
- Turtle nesting
- Romantic picnics among the sand dunes
- Kayaking and snorkelling in the Indian Ocean
The first half of your unforgettable adventure unfolds in the dramatic surroundings of andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve. Home to seven distinct habitats, this reserve offers exceptional encounters with the bush’s biggest characters, including the elusive cheetah.
With your dedicated tracker team and private vehicle, this safari is tailored entirely to you. Our experienced local guides will guarantee a trip to remember and will help you get the most from your surroundings with walking expeditions or even black rhino tracking.
andBeyond Phinda homestead offers an exclusive oasis of luxury, with four spacious suites that are distanced from each other for privacy. Spend time with your private chef in the interactive kitchen, learning how to cook traditional African dishes or sitting back as he prepares your favourite meals. There is also a fully equipped gym and spa to allow guests to get the most from their downtime.
Next, you’ll spend a night at the exquisite Intercontinental at O.R. Tambo International Airport, just a minute’s walk from the terminal. Take in the hotel’s renowned dining options, unwind at the health spa or burn some energy at the gym. Then it’s on to andBeyond Vamizi Island for a taste of life on the beach.
Situated within a marine conservation area in the Quirimbas Archipelago, Vamizi Island is your very own slice of paradise. Home to some of Mozambique’s most precious and breath-taking wildlife, including green turtles, this is an adventure for even the most avid ocean explorers. Dive among hundreds of fish species in protected coral reefs or welcome the seasonal arrival of baby turtles nesting on the beaches.
Try your hand at deep-sea fishing, dive into water sports like sea kayaking, or indulge in a secluded castaway picnic amid towering sand dunes. Explore the island on a nature walk or hunt down the ancient Portuguese settler church. Your stay will be completed in one of six private villas steeped in luxury, and with your own private butler. Feel the sand between your toes and reawaken your soul. Cap off a perfect day with a sunset dhow cruise.
Arrive at O.R. Tambo international airport to a warm welcome from a member of the andBeyond team. From there, you will fly to the Phinda airstrip to begin your safari adventure, getting into game drives and nature walks straight away. Your luxury accommodation for the following three nights will be andBeyond Phinda Homestead.
Continue your immersion in the stunning surroundings on game drives dictated by you, with excellent chances to get close to cheetahs. Explorers can take off on a bushwalking adventure with seasoned guides and get to know the local flora and fauna. There is also the opportunity to get to know andBeyond’s conservation work tracking black rhinos. Between safaris unwind in the rim-flow pool, head to the gym, or relax at the spacious villa and enjoy the chef’s mouth-watering creations.
Additional Recommended Activities (at extra cost):
- Black rhino tracking on foot
- A night under the stars
- Bespoke luxury massages
After a sumptuous breakfast, you will be flown to O.R. Tambo International Airport, where you will settle into the Intercontinental to prepare for your morning transfer to Vamizi Island. Take advantage of your hotel’s proximity to the terminal and recharge your batteries at one of its numerous leisure facilities. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Quill’s, comes highly recommended for superb South African cuisine. Your stay is in a Deluxe Room with an ensuite bathroom.
After breakfast, check in for your flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport to Pemba International Airport. From here, you will be flown by light aircraft to andBeyond Vamizi Island to begin the island portion of your adventure. Gaze out over the azure waters and white sands that form the backdrop to your island stay.
With the gorgeous ocean at your fingertips, you won’t be short of adventure on Vamizi Island. Some of the healthiest coral reefs in the world teeming with life, waiting to be explored on scuba dives. Hobie cat, sea kayaking, dinghy sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, whale watching and deep-sea fishing all offer ways to make the most of the glimmering waters.
Enjoy an afternoon spent snorkelling, or venture inland and explore the tropical flora and fauna of the island with borrowed bicycles. Depending on the time of year, you can watch turtles nesting and hatching, whose protected home on the island is one of Vamizi’s most stunning features. A delicious castaway picnic and an evening dhow cruise allow you to soak up the tranquillity of your surroundings in style. Birding and nature walks are also possible.
Additional Recommended Activities (at extra cost):
- Fishing
- Scuba diving
- Whale watching
- Bespoke luxury massages
Following a delicious breakfast, the andBeyond team will bid you a fond farewell as you board a light aircraft to Pemba International Airport. Savour each moment of your departure flight over the pristine waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago marine sanctuary. From Pemba International Airport, board your connection to O.R. Tambo International Airport for your onward travel arrangements.
Dates are flexible so please make an enquiry and tell us a range of dates you are considering so we can check availability.
andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve
As well as being known for cheetah and black rhino sightings, the Phinda Game Reserve is also home to 436 bird species and the Big Five. Its seven distinct environments comprise woodland, wetland, grassland and forest interspersed with mountain ranges, rivers, marshes and pans. It’s also home to 1,000 hectares of rare dry sand forest and lies close to the coral reefs of the Indian Ocean.
The reserve actively protects cheetah, rhino, and pangolin, and andBeyond have worked to preserve the critically endangered ancient sand forest. The reserve works alongside the Africa Foundation to employ locally and invest in local communities. Sustainability is central to their mission.
Vamizi Island
Vamizi island is home to both green and hawksbill turtles and houses a world class research centre with a dedicated WWF conservation team. Prepare for an incredible sight if you come during hatching season (December-July)! The reefs around Vamizi are in excellent, healthy condition and depending on the season, divers can meet humpback dolphins, whale sharks and even humpback whales. Turtles and a plethora of fish can be found, including Napoleon wrasse, barracuda and giant potato cod. Consider taking some time on the island on a tour of a local community whose relationship with the wildlife plays an important role in its preservation.
- Fully inclusive accommodation at andBeyond Phinda Homestead and andBeyond Vamizi island, with three meals daily and local brands of drinks
- Private butler, ranger and tracker
- Safari activities
- Activities: castaway picnics, sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling, birding, guided nature walks, small dhow sailing, hobie cat, dinghy sailing and use of bicycles
- Laundry
- Scheduled flights:
– O.R. Tambo International Airport/Phinda Airstrip
– Phinda Airstrip/O.R. Tambo International Airport
– O.R. Tambo International Airport/Pemba International Airport
– Pemba International Airport/O.R. Tambo International Airport - Private charter flights:
– Pemba International Airport/andBeyond Vamizi Island/Pemba International Airport - Park fees:
– Munyawana conservancy fee
– Vamizi island conservancy fee - Emergency medical evacuation insurance
- Administration fee
- All external flights
- Visa costs
- Vaccinations
- Health insurance
- Travel insurance
- Additional travel requirements outside of included transfers
- Gratuities
- Additional activities
- Carbon offset through Climate Care
Particularly suited to:
- Wildlife and ocean lovers
- Groups of friends or families
- Beach lovers
- Explorers seeking a personal, tailored experience
Suitable for ages 8 to 65
Some activities may require adult supervision