Big Five & Maldives Extension — Bush-to-Beach Premier
Big Five Days in the Sabi Sand, Then the Overwater Lagoons of the Maldives
Overview
This is the ultimate bush-and-beach pairing: four nights of Big Five safari in South Africa's Sabi Sand — arguably the finest leopard country on Earth — followed by five barefoot nights in an overwater villa on the lagoons of the Maldives. It links the drama of the African bush with the serenity of the Indian Ocean, and it is the ideal length for a first safari paired with a tropical-island escape.
The Sabi Sand shares an unfenced boundary with the Kruger, and its private lodges offer twice-daily game drives with a ranger-and-tracker team, off-road traversing and some of the most reliable leopard sightings anywhere. Then the Maldives resets the pace entirely — an overwater villa on the North Malé Atoll, house reefs alive with turtles and rays, sandbank picnics and sunset dhoni cruises. Because the Maldives is malaria-free, it is a wonderfully easy beach add-on after the bush.
Who It's For
Made for honeymooners and couples who want a genuine Big Five safari and an overwater-villa escape in a single journey — ten days that deliver both the drama of the bush and the romance of the Indian Ocean.
Package Highlights
Sabi Sand Leopards
The world's best leopard viewing, twice daily with a ranger and tracker
Big Five Country
Lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino across unfenced Kruger wilderness
Overwater Villa
An overwater villa on the North Malé Atoll with the reef off your deck
House-Reef Snorkelling
Turtles, rays and coral gardens a step off the sand
Sunset Dhoni Cruise
A traditional Maldivian sail with dolphins at golden hour
Malaria-Free Beach
An easy, worry-free island finish after your safari
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Connect on a light-aircraft flight into the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. Your lodge's ranger meets you on the airstrip, and the transfer to camp is your first game drive.
🏨 Accommodation: Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
🍽️ Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Your Route
Tap a marker to see each stop on your journey.
Featured Lodges & Accommodation
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
📍 Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, South Africa
A warm, family-friendly five-star lodge deep in the Sabi Sand, with air-conditioned suites, private plunge pools and superb ranger-and-tracker guiding on some of the best leopard traversing in Africa.
From $780 per person per night
Baros Maldives
📍 North Malé Atoll, Maldives
A refined resort island 25 minutes by speedboat from Malé, with overwater and beach villas, a superb house reef straight off the sand, a dive centre and destination dining on the sandbank.
From $640 per person per night
Pricing & Options
All prices per person sharing. Customize any tier to your preferences.
Luxury
(~$861/night)
5-star Sabi Sand lodge fully inclusive and a Maldives overwater villa on bed & breakfast, shared game drives, inter-country transfers, Banana Reef snorkelling and the sunset dhoni cruise
Get QuotePremier
(~$1,200/night)
Leading suites and overwater villa, half-board in the Maldives, private sandbank picnic and a guided reef day
Get QuoteExclusive
(~$1,689/night)
Private guide and vehicle in the Sabi Sand, butler-served overwater pool villa in the Maldives and private transfers throughout
Get QuoteWhat's Included & Excluded
✓ Included
- ✓ 4 nights Sabi Sand luxury lodge, fully inclusive
- ✓ 5 nights Maldives overwater villa (bed & breakfast, dinners as noted)
- ✓ All Sabi Sand game drives in open 4x4 vehicles with a ranger and tracker
- ✓ Light-aircraft flights on and off the Sabi Sand
- ✓ Banana Reef and house-reef snorkelling trips
- ✓ Private sandbank picnic and sunset dhoni cruise
- ✓ All airport, speedboat and resort transfers
- ✓ Park and conservancy fees
- ✓ Laundry at the safari lodge
✗ Excluded
- ✗ International flights to Johannesburg and from the Maldives
- ✗ South Africa visa (if required) and Maldives green tax where not shown
- ✗ Johannesburg–Malé connecting flights
- ✗ Premium wines, champagne and spa treatments
- ✗ Scuba diving courses and certification
- ✗ Travel insurance
- ✗ Gratuities (guidelines provided)
- ✗ Personal expenses
Photo Gallery
Best Time to Travel
The Sabi Sand delivers superb Big Five and leopard viewing all year, with the dry winter (May–October) at its peak. The Maldives beach half follows the northeast monsoon: November to April is driest and clearest, while May to October is greener and better value with the finest manta and whale-shark aggregations. November to April aligns both halves best for a bush-and-beach honeymoon.
Why Choose This Package
The Complete Bush-and-Beach Journey
A genuine Big Five safari and an overwater-villa escape in a single, unforgettable ten-day trip.
World-Class Leopards
The Sabi Sand offers arguably the most reliable leopard viewing on Earth.
Malaria-Free Island Finish
The Maldives is completely malaria-free — a worry-free, easy beach add-on after the bush.
Reef Right off Your Deck
An overwater villa on the North Malé Atoll with turtles, rays and coral gardens a step off the sand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Experience the Big Five & Maldives Extension — Bush-to-Beach Premier?
From $7,750 per person | 10 Days / 9 Nights
⚡ Limited availability for peak season 2026 — book early to secure your dates
