Best Honeymoon Destinations
Africa. Look no further than this magnificent continent as a honeymoon destination. Whether you’re looking for extraordinary wildlife, fabulous beaches or vibrant cities, Africa has it all. It is a continent of dreams, where every sunrise and sunset are marvelled at and where the copious intergalactic material baffles the brain as one looks up into the night sky. There is nowhere quite as perfect for a honeymoon.
No matter where you decide in Africa, your honeymoon should – and will – be a romantic trip of a lifetime, that will be spoken about for years to come, and remembered forever.
Obviously, the type of honeymoon you want is down to your preferences as a couple. Are you wanting an adventurous honeymoon that takes you hiking through the Rwandan Mountains or are you looking at a more relaxing honeymoon where reaching for your cocktail beside you is the highest level of exertion you wish for, or are you looking for a mixture of both?
Honeymoon Destinations in Africa
Romantic, intimate and personal are the three key points to any honeymoon and a safari in Africa optimises this. Away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, safaris are one of the finest ways to escape reality and immerse yourself in the most excellent of experiences.
One of the first questions when looking at incorporating an African safari into a honeymoon is whether to go to East Africa or Southern Africa. If you are looking at combining a stint at the beach after your safari then East Africa should be the preference. For ease of access then a Kenya or a Tanzania safari couples beautifully with the white sands of Zanzibar. In comparison, although Southern Africa is not blessed with the same quality of beaches, South Africa can be coupled with either Mauritius or the Seychelles and does have some of its own beaches. Landlocked countries such as Botswana aren’t the easiest destinations when combining with the beach because of the logistics of getting in between the destinations, therefore a trip to Victoria Falls and the town of Livingstone is often seen as a romantic and bucket-list fulfilling alternative.
As well as beaches, some of Africa’s cities such as Cape Town are full of culture, vibrant bars and restaurants that are home to the world’s finest cuisine and certainly make for a great addition to a safari if the beach isn’t appealing. Although it certainly doesn’t compare in splendour to Cape Town, Stone Town in Zanzibar is steeped in culture and well worth exploring for a night or two.
Honeymoon Ideas
Once a destination is chosen, there is a plethora of different lodges and hotels to choose from and depending on what type of experience you want will lend itself to different lodges.
In Northern Tanzania a completely unique lodge is Asilia’s The Highlands. The Highlands is made up of unique domed-shaped rooms that have stunning views of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. There is no lodge with architecture quite like this anywhere else in Tanzania. About an hour away from any of the other lodges in the area, the Highlands offers a truly cultural and immersive experience and is the perfect way to begin a Northern circuit honeymoon. The honeymoon suite is extra special with its own private plunge pool and spacious private deck that makes relaxing and sharing a glass of bubbly here an absolute joy. In the Serengeti we think a honeymoon deserves to be the ultimate luxurious experience and nothing showcases this more than &Beyond’s Serengeti Under Canvas. This mobile camp takes ‘glamping’ to a whole new level. Whilst the basics of safari are still apparent like bucket showers, every amenity on could wish for is present, and more!
The South of Tanzania can really lend itself to both ends of the spectrum of rustic authenticity and ultra-luxurious. Lake Manze in Selous provides a beautifully authentic experience where you head back to basics. With rooms only lit by solar lanterns and no Wi-Fi, honeymooning here is certainly an experience you won’t forget. Its location is perfect, by one of the many waterways of the Selous, hippos and elephants are frequently seen around camp providing guests with many thrills. On the other end of the scale is Beho Beho. Ultra-luxurious in every way and with a no under twelve policy, honeymooners can be sure of a private and peaceful stay. Each banda has its own private plunge pool and private bush breakfasts are often on the menu for guests. For that extra-special experience, Beho Beho have a beautiful tree house for an unforgettable sleep-out experience. In Ruaha, Ikuka offers the best views across the National Park and it is brilliant value for money for the luxury you receive. Ikuka is a family owned business and with only a handful of rooms every stay here is private, intimate and personal.
Once your safari in Tanzania is over, whether you choose the South or the North, Zanzibar is very accessible and makes for the perfect place to rest and relax after a busy safari. For the best beach in Zanzibar, Zuri epitomises the typical white sand, turquoise ocean image that Zanzibar is presented as. Although the hotel is made of about fifty-rooms, the service here is impeccable and the facilities are great. For a smaller and more intimate resort, Xanadu comprises of a cluster of extremely luxurious villas that make for the perfect honeymoon destination. Whether you decide to have a dinner on your private balcony or sundowners from your private plunge pool, Xanadu offers one of the most intimate and luxurious experiences in Zanzibar.
Something that can be added on before a Tanzania, Zanzibar combination or chosen as a separate entity is an exploration into Rwanda or Uganda. Both destinations offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities as well as first class gorilla viewing experiences. In Rwanda, Singita’s Kwitonda set in Volcanoes National Park is the lodge to visit. With only eight suites that house indoor and outdoor showers, a heated plunge pool and an in-room massage area, the superfluous luxury that Singita is renowned for is certainly apparent. Couple this with extraordinary gorilla trekking and your honeymoon will, without doubt, be remembered forever.
If Singita and the $1,500 gorilla permit is slightly over budget for your honeymoon, then Uganda is definitely the option to consider. With gorilla permits being half that of Rwanda you can save money straight away. The accommodation options are also beautiful here and do not compromise on luxury. Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge on the side of the Bwindi Forest contains seven cottages that offer a very homely feel in the heart of the Ugandan jungle. With beautiful views across the forested hillsides, each stone cottage feels like a home from home with its separate lounge area and cosy feel. Children under fifteen aren’t permitted on gorilla treks, so generally there won’t be children in the lodges making sure that a sophisticated and calm atmosphere is maintained – perfect for a honeymoon! Choosing either Rwanda or Uganda is a honeymoon for those of you who are adventure seekers. Other activities include hikes, meeting the local Batwa tribe and looking for the elusive shoebills via canoe.
If a rustic and walking honeymoon really appeals to you then the South Luangwa in Zambia should be on your ‘go-to’ list. With exceptional walking safaris and beautiful accommodation, you can’t go wrong. Mchenja is one of our favourites here, with beautiful views and a camp that is luxurious yet still maintains that Bushcamp feel. If you are planning on a safari honeymoon in Zambia, then you cannot forget to visit one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World: Victoria Falls. Classed as the largest waterfall in the world (based on its combined height and width) Victoria Falls is an awesome spectacle to behold. For those feeling adventurous during their honeymoon, bungee jumping, white-water rafting and many more adrenaline fuelled activities can be undertaken here. Whilst staying in the Vicoria Falls vicinity, there are two options that we would certainly recommend for a honeymoon. If you prefer a more safari-style lodge then Tongabezi is the lodge to choose. Situated upriver on the banks of the Zambezi, Tongabezi is slightly pricier than the larger hotels nearer to Victoria Falls, but it does provide a very personal, intimate and unique experience. If you want to be in the thick of the action, then The Royal Livingstone Hotel is perfect. Very stylish and beautifully luxurious, the Royal Livingstone is the perfect place to unwind and relax within walking distance of the falls themselves.
South Africa is arguably one of the most varied countries in the world. Offering first class wildlife viewing, beautiful rolling countryside and vibrant cities, you can’t go wrong with a honeymoon here. On safari, Singita is always going to be the most luxurious destination for you, but this comes at a price. For a lodge that offers equally as good guiding and game viewing, ultra-luxurious rooms and scrumptious cuisine, Dulini Leadwood is perfect for a honeymoon. With only four rooms in the lodge, you can be certain of a private and intimate stay here. &Beyond’s Tengile may not be as small (comprising of nine rooms) but it is a truly stunning lodge. The architecture and design of the lodge is truly unique and every amenity you could wish for is certainly apparent.
Combining safari, Cape Town and the winelands is the perfect way to spend a honeymoon that isn’t too time restricted. Cape Town can offer beautiful bars, restaurants and natural beauty that isn’t rivalled in many other places on Earth. Tintswalo Atlantic at the bottom of Chapman’s Peak Drive is a small, boutique hotel built on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean with views across Hout Bay. Closer to the hustle and bustle on the V&A Waterfront is the One and Only. Far bigger than Tintswalo Atlantic, the One and Only provides a very clean and tidy finish with beautifully furnished rooms. It certainly isn’t as small and intimate as some of the other hotels, but it is perfectly positioned.
For couples wanting to indulge on some of the finest food and drink in South Africa then heading into the winelands is a must. Babylonstoren offers a unique take on an old working farm. With newly built rooms the architecture and furnishings are modern but keep the original atmosphere. Surrounded by vineyards and beautiful fruit and vegetable gardens, any of the stunning cuisine tasted here is picked from the vine.
For a completely unique safari honeymoon then Botswana is the country to visit, but be warned, prices are rather high. After the Angolan floods have filled the Okavango Delta’s many water channels, the veins of water spread across the landscape and provide a backdrop to some of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters on the planet. Vumbura Plains is perfect for a Botswanan honeymoon. It provides the perfect opportunity for both wet and dry safari activities and the lodge itself is stunning. With spacious and lavish rooms that offer 360-degree views of the bush, you feel as though you have your own little house in the wild. If Vumbura Plains is slightly out of budget, then Qorokwe is a small and intimate camp that also provides fantastic game viewing experiences. With magnificent views over a lagoon which attracts a plethora of animals, honeymoons don’t get much more special.
The Average Honeymoon Cost
Honeymoons are a once in a life-time thing for most people, so you can be excused for spending a bit more money than you would normally do on a holiday. The great thing about the different camps we recommend is that there is never a compromise on the standard of service or comfort. As a general rule of thumb, the more you spend, the more luxurious your setting will be, however this is not always the case and differs from country to country. For instance, Botswana prides itself on a low footfall but consequently, it generally carries a higher price tag when compared to neighbouring countries like South Africa.
What is also important is that a honeymoon is not always about the most exuberant and luxurious accommodation, it is about experiencing something you will never forget. There are so many options to choose from that offer fantastic prices for a more adventurous style of accommodation. It is also worth mentioning that some companies do offer special deals for honeymooners. If your honeymoon falls within six months of your wedding date, you can be sure that generally we will be able to secure some great deals for you.
It also goes without saying that generally the longer you spend on your honeymoon, the pricier it will be, but also remember that safari in general is not a cheap holiday. Staying in Zanzibar or Cape Town, per night, is cheaper than being on safari so a mixture of the different aspects can make an African holiday very affordable.
Honeymoon Packages
We don’t have set packages; all of our trips are tailor made and put together by our Africa specialists. This way you get the perfect trip suited to you. We do have some itineraries that we have put together to give you some inspiration though so please have a look through these.
Honeymoon Planner
If you are looking at planning a honeymoon, then there are two options for you:
- Contact us now and you will be put in contact with one of our Africa experts who would be more than happy to help plan your perfect honeymoon.
- Use our brand-new App, Odyssey Explorer to put together your very own unique trip.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
