Beach experiences

Mozambique boasts some of the most wildly beautiful and unspoilt coastlines in Africa, which you'll explore on a stroll along the shore. Joined by a well-seasoned guide, walk across the golden sands, clamber over dunes and inspect the tiniest details left behind by Mozambique's smallest wildlife. Your guide will fill you in on how animals have adapted and thrived in this ever-changing environment, and the fascinating mythology of the area. Stop for refreshments on the beach before heading back to your hotel or extend your morning / afternoon with a stroll around Lake Mamoli with plenty of hippo, butterflies and birdlife.

When you see the dorsal fin silently slice the clear water, you know a Great White Shark has arrived near your boat. Secured in a special steel cage, you then descend below the surface for a little one-on-one with this terrifying, beautiful creature - it's nerve-wrecking, yet extremely rewarding.

Horseriding has deep roots in the island country of Mauritius and you'll have a chance to see its powdery-soft beaches and lush, forested interior from the saddle. In true island style, canter through the gently washing waves and sea breeze on horseback or head inland to ride up mountain trails, through dense rainforest and past the tranquil waterfalls. You could even ride right into the sea for a dip with your four-legged friend. Mauritius is lovely at any time of year (minus hurricane season) but its at its loveliest between May and October when the humidity is low, the temperatures are balmy and the sun is ever-present.

One of the most magical things to see in the wild is watching female turtles emerge from the water, skate across the sand and lay their eggs under the cover of darkness. Between November and February, Ponta do Ouro has some of the richest nesting sites for Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles in Mozambique. Visit the conservation project and gain insight into their program for monitoring, tagging and protecting these hard-shelled ocean creatures. On a walk across the coast's quietest beaches, learn to spot a turtle nest, the whys and hows of choosing a nesting place, and if you're really lucky, you may even witness the tiny newborns scooting their way back to the sea.