Indian Ocean Islands

The perfect complement to an African safari

Discover the Region

Indian Ocean Islands

The Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and Madagascar are the perfect complement to an African safari — and destinations in their own right.

Mauritius is the classic beach extension after days in the bush: powder-soft sand, coral reefs, fully inclusive resorts and easy flights from Southern and East Africa. It is lively, beautiful and well set up for everyone from honeymooners to families.

Madagascar is something else entirely. The world’s fourth-largest island is a treasure trove of endemic wildlife — lemurs, chameleons and baobabs found nowhere else on Earth — alongside rainforests, limestone tsingy and Indian Ocean beaches of its own.

Whether you want to unwind after safari or explore a world apart, these islands turn a journey through Africa into a complete holiday.

Our destinations

Mauritius

Mauritius is one the most accessible beach and resort islands in Africa. Warm Indian ocean water, excellent infrastructure and short-haul flights make it perfect to combine with a safari in Greater Kruger, Botswana, Zambia or Victoria Falls. It is also easy to couple with Cape Town and the Winelands.

Famous For

Le Morne This World Heritage Site is dominated by a stunning inselberg that towers over the peninsula.
Chamarel Seven different colours of sand make up the incredible dunes here.
Grand Baie A charming seaside town on a protected bay that receives wonderful sunse

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Madagascar

Around 90% of species on Madagascar are endemic, making the world’s fourth largest island a treasure trove for photographers, adventurers and wildlife lovers.

Famous For

Lemurs: The hundred known lemur species are found nowhere else in the world.
Chameleons:Half of all chameleon species live on Madagascar.
Baobabs: Six of the eight species can be seen here.

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Why book with Biggestleaf Travel

We Sell What We Love: We are genuinely passionate about African travel and safaris. Every itinerary we design is shaped by first-hand knowledge, personal experience and a deep respect for the destinations we represent. It is company policy that our consultants experience the destinations and lodges they sell, giving them practical insight into the areas, logistics and overall journey.
Your Financial Security Comes First: We mitigate financial risk by being accredited members of ASATA, SATSA and ATTA, ensuring your funds are handled responsibly and in line with industry best practice. You book with confidence, knowing your investment is protected. For more detail, please visit our Why Book With Us page.
Transparent, Independent Reviews: Our reputation is verified through open, independent reviews on Trustpilot, Google and TripAdvisor — real feedback from real travellers, with nothing hidden. Please visit our Reviews page for more information.

Tailor-Made – Not Template – Trips: No two travellers are the same. Every journey we create is fully personalised and customised, designed around your interests, pace and expectations. This may take longer to organise but it means our clients get an unforgettable experience.
Established, Stable & Experienced: Founded in 2014, we are proud that we still have our first consultants working with us today. This continuity reflects the strength of our team culture, depth of experience and the long-term relationships we build with our staff, clients and safari partners.
Responsible Travel & Carbon Offsetting: We believe in protecting Africa’s wild places for generations to come. As part of our commitment to responsible travel, we offset our travellers’ carbon footprint through bed-night calculations, and fully offset all kilometres driven by our vehicles through verified carbon credits. Every journey therefore contributes to conservation, climate responsibility and the long-term sustainability of the destinations we love. Visit our Sustainable Travel page for more information.

Biggestleaf Travel consultants at their desks