Mahé is the largest island in the Seychelles, home to the diminutive capital, Victoria, and 90% of the country’s population. It’s the quintessential tropical paradise, a sun-drenched landscape of granite mountains, lush jungle and heavenly white sand beaches.

Mombasa is a vibrant and colourful city of contrasts, and the gateway to some of the extraordinary national parks of East Africa, as well as being an appealing beach destination with some beautiful hotels.

The name Zanzibar evokes images of sultans and spice traders, an island of beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise waters criss-crossed by dhows. It’s also a great place for spotting wildlife, including dolphins, antelope and the rare red colobus monkey.

Mayotte is part of the Comoros archipelago, off the east coast of Africa, governed by France as an overseas territory. It’s something of a post-colonial oddity; the white sand beaches and laid back pace are typical of the Indian Ocean, but the cost of living is more reminiscent of mainland France.

Mozambique’s laid back capital is an eclectic mix of elegant Portuguese colonial architecture and concrete blocks that hark back to the days of Soviet influence. Maputo also has an excellent selection of restaurants and a lively nightlife scene, as well as some interesting museums and markets.

Durban is a real melting pot; not only does the city feel more authentically African than Cape Town, it’s also home to a large Indian community that lends the city a distinctly Asian flavour. The lovely waterfront promenade was revamped for the 2010 World Cup, and the beach is a popular destination for domestic tourists.