Rethinking Africa Travel

When most travelers imagine Africa, the word safari almost always comes first. Big Five game drives, dusty Land Cruisers, and the thrill of spotting a lion at sunrise have long defined the continent’s tourism image. And while safaris are indeed magical, my husband and I wanted something different for our honeymoon — a journey that would go beyond safari packages, blending luxury with authentic cultural experiences, island serenity, and moments of pure surprise.

Our trip took us across Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, staying with &Beyond properties. It was a mosaic of contrasts: helicopter rides over turquoise waters, dune walks past flamingo lakes, mokoro canoe rides in the Okavango, and private sandbar picnics in the Indian Ocean.

This wasn’t just about wildlife; it was about discovering a deeper rhythm of Africa — where hospitality, food, design, and small gestures became just as memorable as spotting elephants or leopards.

Here’s the story of how we explored Africa in a way that redefined the very idea of a honeymoon.

Benguerra Island: A Helicopter Arrival into Paradise

Why Benguerra Belongs on Your Itinerary

Mozambique rarely tops the “must-visit” lists of African destinations, but it should. After flying into Vilanculos, we boarded a helicopter that whisked us across the glittering ocean. With six of us onboard, two were dropped at neighboring resorts like Anantara — but our stop, Benguerra Island, immediately felt like something out of a dream.

The aerial arrival set the tone: sweeping lagoons, powdery beaches, and reefs teeming with life.

Accommodation: Cabanas vs. Casinhas

We stayed in a Cabana, though our travel agent had originally booked a Casinha. Honestly, both are wonderful options — the true luxury isn’t the plunge pool (which we barely touched) but the direct access to the ocean and the outdoor deck with its impossibly comfortable furniture. Hours slipped by with us simply lounging, listening to the waves, and sipping South African rosé.

Service that Defines Hospitality

Enter Helder, our butler — a man who turned excellent service into an art form. Thoughtful, funny, and intuitive, he elevated our stay in ways that can’t be quantified. From arranging surprise dining spots (beachside, poolside, private deck) to teaching us Mbao, a traditional wooden board game, he embodied the warmth of Mozambique.

We loved the game so much, we bought two carved boards to bring home — one of many souvenirs that felt more like memories than purchases.

Activities That Go Beyond the Beach

• Island Tour & Dune Walk: Trekking across Benguerra’s massive dune revealed a freshwater lake dotted with flamingos — and yes, even crocodiles. The view from the top? Worth every sandy step.

• Snorkeling: My Australian husband declared it the best snorkeling of his life, outshining his Pacific adventures.

• Horseback Swimming: Walking alongside horses on the beach was magical, but the real thrill comes in the longer version, where you actually swim with them.

• Castaway Picnic: Imagine a 25-minute boat ride to a deserted sandbar, greeted by a beautifully laid three-course lunch, paired with wines we’d casually mentioned earlier in the week. That was our afternoon. Just us, the ocean, and a tiny island.

• Massage by Irene: If there’s a 15/10 scale, Irene broke it. It was not just a massage — it was a reawakening.

Dining: African Flavors with a Personal Touch

Every meal was an experience. Helder would ask where we wanted to eat and make it happen. Poolside breakfasts, barefoot beach lunches, starlit dinners on the deck — each setting felt curated just for us. The food was familiar but refined, never overcomplicated, always perfect. And the wine list? Exclusively African, but diverse enough to please any palate.

Takeaway: Benguerra shows that Africa isn’t just about safari — it’s about immersion, relaxation, and redefining luxury in barefoot simplicity.

Nxabega Tented Camp: Into the Okavango Delta

From Mozambique, we hopped over to Botswana for a complete shift of scenery: from white-sand beaches to wetlands buzzing with life.

The Arrival: New Friends on the Journey

The 30-minute flight from Maun to Nxabega felt like the start of an adventure movie. When we landed, we were paired with another couple who became fast friends. This detail mattered because &Beyond typically groups guests who arrive together for game drives. By luck — or design — our new friends became our safari companions, enriching the experience with shared laughter and stories.

Accommodation: Safari Chic with Heart

The tented suites at Nxabega blend wilderness charm with just enough comfort. Each evening, returning to a hot water bottle tucked into the bed felt like the kind of thoughtful touch that defines true hospitality. Yes, some interiors could use a refresh, but they are warm, inviting, and perfectly in tune with their setting.

Guides Who Make the Wild Come Alive

Our guide LK and tracker Ellie were the perfect team: knowledgeable, witty, and endlessly patient with our questions. They turned every drive into a story. One moment, we were gliding silently in a mokoro canoe; the next, we were nervously eyeing a young bull elephant determined to show off.

When we returned to camp that evening, we found a pop-up gin bar waiting for us — stocked with six varieties, knowing our love for G&Ts. That kind of personalization is what sets &Beyond apart.

Food: A Mixed Bag with Memorable Moments

Lunches were consistently excellent, with fresh, flavorful dishes. Dinners, however, were hit or miss. One evening’s communal cookout was vibrant but lukewarm in temperature. Another evening, a private poolside meal for just the four of us — while the food wasn’t stellar, the atmosphere and company made it unforgettable.

Takeaway: At Nxabega, it’s less about polished luxury and more about connection — with guides, with fellow travelers, and with the Delta itself.

Sandibe Safari Lodge: Where Design Meets Wilderness

If Nxabega was about tented authenticity, Sandibe Safari Lodge was about architectural awe. Shaped like a pangolin, the lodge merges eco-friendly design with luxury in the heart of the Okavango.

First Impressions

Arriving here felt like stepping into a glossy travel magazine spread — yet without losing the grounded, earthy atmosphere that makes Botswana special. Each day, we watched as more water flowed into the Delta, changing the landscape before our eyes.

Accommodation: Luxe but Grounded

The suites were sleek, spacious, and serene — though I personally missed the tented camp intimacy of Nxabega. Still, Sandibe offered a different kind of immersion, one that balanced comfort with jaw-dropping views.

Game Drives: A New Perspective

The longer transfer from the airstrip (about 40 minutes) meant more wildlife encounters right off the bat. While we didn’t see a pangolin to match the lodge’s design inspiration, the diversity of sightings made up for it.

Final Stop, Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Namibia

Our journey concluded in Namibia, where red dunes stretch into infinity. Though brief, the stay at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge gave us one last chance to marvel at Africa’s contrasts — stargazing from the desert, unwinding in the Presidential Suite, and realizing just how many faces this continent wears.

Practical Tips for Travelers

• Pack Less: These lodges are barefoot casual. Fancy outfits are unnecessary; comfort rules.

• Health: Mozambique is low-risk for malaria, but don’t skip your meds. Bug spray is provided.

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi is surprisingly strong at most lodges.

• Engage with Staff: The more you share your preferences, the more tailored your experience becomes.

• Sustainability: These lodges invest heavily in conservation and community projects — a meaningful layer to your stay.

Why Africa Beyond Safari Packages Matters

Too often, Africa is boxed into a single narrative: game drives and wildlife checklists. But our journey showed us there’s more — much more.

Africa is islands where butlers teach you local games, gin bars that appear in the bush, horseback swims in the ocean, and private sandbars turned into fine dining spots.

Choosing Africa beyond safari packages means opening yourself up to these stories, surprises, and connections. It’s not about replacing safari; it’s about enriching it.

 Our Promise to Return

Five nights on Benguerra could have easily stretched into forever. The Delta will always call us back. The desert’s silence still echoes.

Africa gave us not just a honeymoon, but a reminder: luxury isn’t about chandeliers and champagne; it’s about the people, the places, and the unplanned magic that fills the spaces in between.

We’ve already decided — this won’t be our last trip.