Sussurro – the Ocean Sets the Pace

Some destinations arrive with energy. Others ask for it. Sussurro does neither. Instead, it quietly alters your pace before you have time to question it, easing you into a rhythm shaped less by itinerary than by wind, tide, and light.

Set along the mainland coast opposite the Bazaruto Archipelago, Sussurro occupies that rare space where landscape feels elemental rather than decorative. Sand, sea, dune grass, and sky do most of the work here. The result is not dramatic in an obvious way, but deeply absorbing. You begin to notice small shifts: the angle of morning light, the changing colour of the water, the wind moving differently through the grass as the day settles and then opens again.

That sense of natural rhythm extends into the way the lodge itself has been imagined. The villas are open, understated, and beautifully spare, using canvas, timber, texture, and airflow rather than excess to create comfort. Nothing feels overdesigned. Luxury is present, certainly, but it has been softened, stripped back, and allowed to breathe. It feels as though the architecture has stepped aside just enough to let the setting remain the main event.

Days here unfold with a kind of deliberate looseness. You might begin with coffee and an uninterrupted horizon, then drift into a dhow excursion through clear, shallow water. Sandbanks emerge and vanish with the tide. Islands appear less like destinations than temporary invitations. Further out, the sea deepens into richer blues, and the sheer space of it begins to alter the scale of your thoughts.

Snorkelling adds another layer. Beneath the surface, reefs pulse with detail and colour, creating a vivid contrast to the minimalist calm above the waterline. But even these experiences never feel compulsory. Sussurro is not a place that overwhelms you with options. Its real gift is permission: permission to move slowly, to leave gaps in the day, to sit still long enough for the landscape to become something more than a backdrop.


Meals, too, feel in step with that same philosophy: fresh, generous, unhurried, and shaped by place rather than performance.

And that is ultimately what makes it memorable. The quiet here is not empty. It is textured, changing, alive. You hear wind in canvas, distant water against sand, the subtle sounds of a place continuing perfectly well without performance.

Sussurro is not trying to impress you. It is doing something more difficult than that. It is allowing you to settle fully into a coastal world where very little is forced, and almost everything feels true.

Once that shift happens, leaving feels strangely unnatural, as though you are stepping out of a rhythm you had only just begun to understand.

Beach after Bush

An authentic African safari is one of the most thrilling experiences you can ever have.

Those whom the bug has bitten find themselves returning time and time again to revisit that sense of excitement, the tranquility of an Okavango sunrise, the thrill of a lion stalk or the sheer rawness of nature as ten thousand wildebeest come pouring over the Mara River in their desperate need to reach the other shore.
Safari can also simply be about getting in touch with yourself and family once more. No receiving message on drive, no police sirens in the distance, just you and the peace of the bush; birdsong, the soft trilling of cicadas and the whisper of the wind in the golden grass.

Yet in order to take full advantage of the environment and prime viewing conditions, early wake-ups are the norm, with a pre-dawn coffee on deck the order of the day as you wipe the sleep from your eyes and prepare to head out into the gloom, just before the sun peeks over the horizon.
A good few days of these early mornings, combined with some late nights around the fire and some excellent bottles of South Africa’s finest red wine, and you may well find yourself needing a holiday after your holiday. And that is where the beach comes in.

There are literally thousands of kilometres of pristine coastline from Cape Town up to Kenya, with golden sands, whales breaching, turtles laying eggs, and often miles and miles of emptiness stretching before you, with only the warm, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean lapping against your feet.

If its genuine relaxation you are after on your holiday, look no further. The resorts and beach lodges we love will have you wanting for nothing. Pina coladas on call, boat excursions to remote sand bars, and snorkelling in the clearest water imaginable as the warm sun gently tans you.
An Indian Ocean getaway is – at least for us – the perfect ay to wind down after a safari. You won’t have anyone waking you up before it’s light, you make your own schedule, and you can be as indulgent as you like.

Our Top 3 choices for beach destinations would be:

Plettenberg Bay

It’s a no-brainer for us, with “Plett’” as South Africans call it, just having been nominated for World’s Leading Beach Destination.
The shores of this wonderful seaside town can get quite busy during the Christmas period when a lot of SA residents move into their summer homes, but for 90% of the year it is a wonderfully quiet town, with so much to do within such a short distance.
Explore the Robberg Peninsula or go hiking in the Knysna Forest. Take a canoe up the Keurbooms River in search of Knysna Turacos (even leopards have been sighted here) or look for pansy shells on some of the more remote beaches in the area.

Plett has it all, and with a convenient airport nearby (a major one at George or a local one practically in town), access is very easy.

Vilanculos & Surrounds

A short flight from Johannesburg will have you on the beach in Mozambique’s Vilanculos sipping a strawberry daquiri before lunchtime.
Flying in over the extensive sandbars, gazing down through the azure waters, is a landing you won’t be forgetting in a hurry.

Vilanculos is essentially the gateway to a multitude of incredible lodges – some on the mainland and some out on the islands – like Sussurro, Azura and Kisawa. All will leave you speechless at their simple charm and opulence, and all will have you immediately wanting to extend your stay.

The lodges around Vilnaculos are as close to paradise as you can find…

Maputaland, South Africa

One of South Africa’s last great stretches of untouched coastline, made up almost entirely of pristine beaches, and home to a vast array of land based and marine wildlife, Maputaland is the far northern section of South Africa, just south of the Mozambican border.

With a wonderful array of destinations like Black Rock Bay, Tonga Beach Lodge and Mabibi to choose from, as well as being in close proximity to wonderful game viewing areas like Phinda and iSiMangaliso Wetland Reserve, Maputaland is a region packed full of exciting options

If you want to tag on a relaxing beach option to your safari, get hold of us through info@iconciafrica.com com, and let’s see what stretch of coastline tickles your fancy the most…

Sussurro: Indian Ocean Whispers

Few places in the world can offer a true sense of peace.

Yet at Sussuro – Portugese for “whisper” – does just that, with the gentle lap of tiny lagoon ripples on its shoreline, birdsong in the trees around, and the soft creaking of ropes from the dhows moored just offshore all combining into a lovely susurration that fills one with a sense of calm.

The tropical breeze that ensures warm weather pretty much year round means this ocean paradise is a place of swimming costumes and bare feet, with the ever=present option of having a margharita in hand…

Sussurro’s private bungalows provide over a thousand square feet of personal space. Each suite includes indoor and outdoor bathing facilities and generous water front verandahs. Looking out over th lagoon sheltered by the Nhambue peninsula, it is not uncommon to see a school of dolphins moving by close inshore, and one feels completely immersed in nature.

Mozambican architecture weaves a natural canopy above billowing mosquito nets. Large apertures allow the colours of an ever changing landscape to permeate the space.

Rooms are dressed with furniture created and carved onsite and thoughtfully collected artisanal pieces from sub-saharan Africa.

As well as being a place of complete relaxation, where lounging sleepily with a book is the perfect way to pass the time before your next delicious seafood meal, Sussurro is also a place of activities.

Optional dhow trips into the bay or up the Govurha waterways can end in a snorkelling experience on a reef, or a cold Laurentina beer in an isolated cove.
A day trip to Santa Carolina Island in the Bazaruto Archipelago is also a wonderful cutural experience; as well as the thrill of the boat ride, and the natural beauty of the reef systems, one has the opportunity to wander into the Santa Carolina hotel ruin; a throwback to the days of the Portugese colonialists.

Beach picnics under a shaded tent, Stand-up paddleboards, simply lounging by the pool… Sussurro is a place where “urgency” is not part of the vernacular…

Whereas some resorts operate around set mealtimes, time tables and an idea of what they think should happen to make your stay that much better, Sussurro puts the decisions firmly in your hands.
They welcome you in, let you know what’s on offer, and leave it to you to how you want your tropical ocean resort experience play out…

Get hold of us if an idyllic warm-water ocean getaway is what you’re after (inder tip: it’s an amazing way to cap off an African safari…), then get hold of us on info@iconicafrica.com…

 

Beach & Bush: the Perfect Holiday Combo

The East coast of Africa is one of the most amazing coastlines to visit in the world. And it is almost endless.

Starting from Cape Town right on the south-western tip of the continent, moving east past Cape Agulhus (which is technically the southernmost point of Africa) and up the coast towards Durban, one experiences an amazing change in climate; Mediterranean weather (hot dry summers and cool wet winters) gives way to a sub-tropical system (warm all year with rain over the summer months), and the incredible diversity of habitats along the beaches reflects this.

The coastline is so full of life that documentary makers come from all over the world to film the spectacular array of creatures and natural events taking place.
The Academy Award winning feature My Octopus Teacher was filmed in Cape Town, and the annual sardine run off the appropriately named Wild Coast north of East London is one of the greatest marine shows on earth with countless whales, dolphins and all sorts of other marine life flocking in to take advantage of this bounty.

And that’s just in the south.

Golden beaches with bath-warm water await you in Mozambique. The Kenyan coast and its coral fringes have some of the best big game fishing in the world. And offshore you have the jewels of the Seychelles, the Comores and Mauritius awaiting.

The point is you are absolutely spoilt for choice, and the accessibility of so many of these dream destinations is more often than not a short flight from Johannesburg, the flight hub of Southern Africa.

45 minutes in a light aircraft can get you from your safari destination to Johannesburg, and then a connection down to the coast will not be much more than that.

You can be on a game drive in the morning watching a leopard climb a tree and elephants drinking from the waterhole, and by sunset you can be sipping a pina colada under a palm tree, the Indian Ocean lapping the shoreline only a stone’s throw from your verandah whilst a fresh seafood buffet – caught that day – is being prepared for dinner.

And whilst safari can offer the ultimate opulence, with luxurious rooms and Michelin-quality food, amazing service and hospitality, after four or five days of extended game drives, getting up before sunrise for a 5:30 departure, one can feel the need to slow down and unwind a little bit. And that is where the beaches come in!

A few days reclining in a hammock, reading a book whilst reminiscing over your favourite safari sightings, or snorkelling on shallow reefs, marvelling at the myriad tropical species to swim in front of your goggles

Be you a honeymoon couple, a family with kids or a group of friends travelling together, there is something for everyone along Africa’s extensive coastline.

Get in touch at info@iconicafrica.com, and let’s start planning your beach and bush combination holiday…

South Africa: The Ultimate Travel Destination

South Africa literally has it all.

Well. Almost.

It can’t quite compete with the Alps or the Rocky Mountains as a skiing destination, but for the rest, you name it, it’s got it!
Beaches, mountains, forests, deserts, bustling cities, cultural heritage sites, fascinating history, amazing food and wine… the list is seemingly endless.
From the rugged yet stunning west coast through the dry interior to the high peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains, and down the other side to the turtle-strewn beaches of Kwazulu/Natal, if you can’t find something here that absolutely blows you away, you’re doing something wrong…

The sheer diversity of experiences on offer is simply staggering, and the fact that the country is linked together by incredibly efficient modern airports in the major city centres, smaller regional hubs, and a road network that runs through the major tourist areas, and you have the perfect recipe for travel.

You could spend a month in the Mother City (Cape Town) and not do it all, and once you get your safari fix for the first time, you’ll be spending the next year planning your return trip, so addictive does it become.
The eastern Lowveld towards Mozambique is the traditional area to safari, and the Garden Route along the south coast offers quaint and magical little escapes where one can luncheon on oysters and champagne then go mountain biking in the forest, but to be honest, there is no corner of South Africa that doesn’t contain its own special offering.

The main tourist areas are just that for a reason – they feature incredibly high densities of amazing things to do – but from the farthest flung desert to the chilliest mountain peak, the country is strewn with thousands off hamlets, homesteads and adventure activities that are just waiting to be discovered. And heading off the beaten track often ensures lower costs and fewer people…

South Africa is about SO much more than just safari. It truly is one of the low-hanging fruit of travel destinations in the world. You will love it. That much we guarantee,

Get in touch with us through info@iconicafrica.com if you want to experience some of what this remarkable country has to offer…

 

 

Iconic Africa’s Favourite Escapes #2

As a continuation of the Bucket List series we began last month, Iconic Africa Sales Consultant Danni Mcfarlane gives us a list of some of her top destinations for a trip to Africa, as well as a few little extra gems that rank highly in her books…

La Petite Ferme

As someone who appreciates good wine and food, I can wholeheartedly say that La Petite Ferme holds a special place in my heart. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with warm, smiling faces. The food overall was stunning, the cake of the day was to die for, and the wine was superb.

The estate is set on a vineyard with stunning views, offering an authentic experience of Franschhoek. They also harvest a variety of grapes, which produce a great selection of wines.

This is the perfect place to unwind after a long flight to South Africa snd before commencing your safari, or to finish up your trip after the early morning game drive wake-ups have you requiring some proper down-time…

Cape Grace

I believe that Cape Grace has one of the best locations in the Waterfront. It also offers a range of accommodation options to accommodate most budgets, and all their rooms are luxurious. The hotel also has a boutique feel which I love.

I wanted to include a Cape Town experience in my itinerary, and the Cape Grace was my top choice for the area. It is right in the beating heart of South Africa’s Mother City, and is the perfect place from which to launch adventures of the greater area…

Saseka Tented Camp

This is a camp I have visited on numerous occasions, and a place I will visit at the drop of a hat again.

Not only have I experienced some of my best sightings at Saseka, but the rooms are unique and absolutely stunning, and the cuisine is out of this world.

Without questions, this is my best property in the Greater Kruger…

Azura Benguerra Island

Last but not lease, Azura.

I have so many beautiful memories of Mozambique from my childhood. We spent most of our Christmas holidays in Mozambique, soaking up the sun and eating some of the best seafood I have ever tasted.

A holiday to Southern Africa is not complete without a few days of relaxation on the beaches of Mozambique. Warm water, white sand and sea life everywhere… this is true tropical island paradise…

To add, the three additional properties that I would like to include are available below:

Lion Sands Tinga Lodge

I chose this lodge for one of the most epic sightings I have ever experienced in the Kruger. This is where I witnessed one massive crocodile take down a ‘dagga boy’ (an old buffalo bull). This memory will stay with me for a long time to come, and the deciding factor for adding this to my top three destinations…

Wilderness Jao

I have included Wilderness Jao as this camp is on my bucket list for Botswana! Stunning lodge design meets superb game viewing in the heart of the Okavango Delta…

Dulini Leadwood

I love the boutique feel of Dulini, especially Leadwood. I have chosen this camp for its beautiful and intimate setting, the design of the camp, and attention to detail in every aspect of what they do. Plus it sits in leopard heaven…!

White Pearl: an Idyllic Mozambique Beach Getaway

While it’s the more famous Indian Ocean islands like the Seychelles, Maldives and Mauritius that have traditionally stolen the limelight, it is the white sand beaches along Mozambique’s southern coast that are shooting to prominence in the international travel space.
Long revered by South African vacationers as the perfect beach getaway, Mozambique has caught the attention of the overseas market, and offers a bit of something for everyone craving a getaway by the sea.
Whether it’s surfing, scuba diving or simply lounging on the white sand that you’re after, there is something for you, and White Pearl at Ponta Mamoli offers the perfect space in which to immerse yourself into the best of what this magical country has to offer.

Built in 2011, White Pearl is best described as laid-back beachside chic.
Set on stilts and nestled in the lush vegetation of the coastal dunes, the resort is tucked away in a sheltered bay, mere metres from the warm, azure waters of the Indian Ocean.
The beaches here are untouched, and the waters offshore abound with life. Coral reefs play host to a stunning array of tropical marine life, and dolphins are regularly viewed from the deck of the lodge. During the Humpback whale migration from July to November, it is almost impossible to look seawards without seeing at least one of these behemoths of the deep breaching in a spectacular display.

The resort itself features 22 luxurious suites which have been sensitively designed to take advantage of their beautiful natural setting. Subtly blending into their bush surroundings, the chalets all feature magnificent views of the ocean, whose lapping waves serve as a constant background accompaniment.
Your very own plunge cool provides a wonderful place to cool off and rinse the salt of the ocean away before heading down to a sumptuous dinner, much of it delicious seafood, sustainably sourced of course.
Your personal butler will take care of your every need, and if you need to feel even more relaxed than you are pretty much guaranteed to be at White Pearl, massage therapists are standing by to offer massages as well as a variety of other spa treatments.

For those looking for an eco-adventure, the Maputo Special Reserve is only a short distance away, and morning excursions to this magnificent park will give one a broader exposure to and understanding of the unique bush-beach habitat merging to be found in the area. The elephants that populate the park may also put in an appearance, as experienced rangers know the spots they frequent at different times of the year.

Mozambique offers a superb beach holiday option, particularly for those who want to add it to the tail end of a safari. With major safari destinations being so close in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, the beach-bush combo is the perfect getaway for a family, and more particularly a honeymoon couple.

Get in touch to find out more about White Pearl, or other amazing beach holiday getaways…