One holiday you simply have to get right is your honeymoon. But with so many incredible destinations to choose from, how do you decide which country is best for a honeymoon?
While there are many romantic places around the world, very few can offer an unforgettable experience like an Africa honeymoon. With soft-sand beaches, endless savannah teeming with wildlife, and some of the most idyllic scenery on the planet, Africa has all the ingredients for a honeymoon you’ll never forget.
Masai Mara Magic- Kenya
Kenya’s Masai Mara, the destination that inspired Hollywood’s romantic ‘Out of Africa’, is indeed a land of sunlit savannahs, thundering herds of plains game, and the red-cloaked Maasai people.
Embark on a journey of love amidst the untamed beauty of the Masai Mara in Kenya. This iconic destination offers newly weds a unique blend of romance and adventures where intimate moments unfold against the backdrop of sweeping savannahs and awe-inspired wildlife.
Morning and afternoon game drives are the best way to see the Masai Mara’s wildlife, but many lodges offer hot-air balloon safaris too – complete with champagne breakfast – as well as chances to visit a local Maasai community.
Choosing the right time to go on your Africa honeymoon is important if you want to see the Great Wildebeest Migration. The herds usually cross into the Masai Mara from the neighbouring Serengeti from about late-July, and stay there until about November (depending on the rains).
Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango Delta is one of Botswana’s premier safari destinations. The pristine beauty of the rising and falling waters feeds the untamed energy of the floodplains and the daily drama of the wildlife encounter perfect for a distinctive honeymoon. Barking leopards, whooping hyenas, and the bone-rattling roar of lions mix with the tranquil babbling of the rivers provide a powerful soundtrack. Papyrus reeds conceal birds, hippos, and zebras along the watery banks.
But if you want to go when temperatures are cool, there’s virtually no rain, and the risk of malaria is at its lowest, then opt for an Africa honeymoon during the dry winter months of May to October. This is also when animals are concentrated in ever increasing numbers around the dry season’s last remaining water sources, which makes for phenomenal game viewing.
Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique
With six islands to choose from and an easy boat or plane transfer from Vilanculos on the mainland, this setting off the coast of Mozambique is a true romance and honeymoon consideration. The ocean is a swirl of turquoise, and the white sandy beaches are brilliant under the southern hemisphere sun. Luxury resorts create a place of relaxation, pampering, and stillness. Indulge in romantic dinners on the beach or long walks on secluded stretches of the island.
The archipelago is a National Park and bursts with an abundance of ocean life. Sea turtles, butterflyfish, mantas, and dugongs can all be discovered while diving or snorkeling these warm waters. Local cuisine with Portuguese influence adds to the level of excellence you would expect from an idyllic island escape.
Go between May and September when there is barely any rain, and avoid the peak rainy months of January and February.
Western Cape, South Africa
The magnificence of the Cape peninsula lends itself to the ultimate backdrop for romance. Vow renewal, honeymoons, anniversary celebrations or just two people looking to connect in one of the most incredible settings in the world, the Western Cape province is simply perfect.
Consider a romantic getaway that includes sipping cocktails from your private balcony in Camps Bay to an intimate dinner located in the center of a cave-setting wine cellar nestled amongst the vineyards of the Winelands. Travel a little further and add spark to your experience with a night or two submerged in nature, tucked away in a fynbos garden with views of the ocean as far as the eye can see. Luxury, intimacy, and love are guaranteed here.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia
For something slightly different, discover one of the Seven Wonders of the World while lapping up luxury at your hotel or romantic Zambezi houseboat. In all its magnificence, the Falls are spectacular, and taking a romantic walk along the pathways offers many places to stop and stare in wonder. Luxury lodges in both Zimbabwe and Zambia provide a romantic escape in the presence of power.
The “smoke that thunders,” as the spray is referred to, can be seen from some four and five-star lodges while enjoying a local Zambezi beer while gently floating down the river of the same name aboard a boutique boat, your home for a few nights, is somewhat indescribable. For the more adventurous, Livingstone in Zambia offers activities for every thrill-seeker with the chance to sit in the Devil’s Pool at the edge of the Falls, the ultimate romantic location.
Seychelles
Seychelles is a collection of approximately 115 islands in the Indian Ocean off Africa’s east coast, offering pristine beauty and ultimate seclusion for the perfect romantic getaway. Deserted coves and isolated beaches, tropical reefs, and private pools contain a royal ambiance when exploring a single island or hop to several destinations along the famous archipelago. Dive deep into the clear turquoise waters searching for vibrant tropical fish of the Indian Ocean or snorkel along the shimmering coral gardens in the Sainte Anne, Anse Major, Anse Soleil, and Baie Lazare marine parks.
Embrace the Seychellois culture and cuisine whether in the laid-back town of Victoria on Mahe or at your island resort. Romance, indulgence, and luxury combine with the exotic ambiance of tropical archipelago brimming with palm trees and overflowing with glowing sunsets inspiring private candlelit dinners and promising unending royal treatment.
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Egypt’s resort town of Sharm El Sheikh on the Red Sea shines like an oasis against the backdrop of the Sinai Mountains. The jewel along the golden coastline highlights Egypt’s lesser-seen coral reefs and palm-lined coast, serving as a grand setting for an unforgettable honeymoon in Africa. Beach-goers can relax on the golden sands and dip into the waters of Ras Muhammad National Park and embark on some of the most treasured snorkeling and scuba diving destinations the world offers.
Combine the welcoming cultures of Bedouins with dinner underneath the starlight and captivating treasures of contemporary Egypt’s focus on luxurious comfort. Whether hiking to the top of Mount Sinai, snorkeling at Tiran island, or simply lazing at your resort, Sharm El Sheikh represents a different side of Egypt for couples eager to blend ancient riches and immaculate seaside destinations.
Zanzibar, Tanzania
The splendor of Zanzibar off the eastern coast of Tanzania encompasses the treasures of the ocean, the marvels of sandy beaches, and a captivating cocktail of historical cultures. Zanzibar steps away from Sub-Saharan Africa’s stereotypical scenery of parading giraffes and acacia trees. It instead reveals a breathtaking island with access to frolicking dolphin pods, radiant coral gardens, and the antique city center of Stone Town, blending African, Arab, Indian, and European influences.
The island remains one of Africa’s premier serene getaways for couples eager to dip their feet in hot white sands and turquoise waters. Couples may also wander the narrow cobbled alleys of Stone Town, searching for hidden storefronts, lively teahouses, and delicious local cuisine wrapped in a myriad of heritage and spices. Whether relaxing in the sun, watching a brilliant sunset from the deck of a Dhow boat, or wandering to ghost islands appearing only at low tide, Zanzibar has history, natural beauty, and soothing luxury full of wonderful surprises during your Africa honeymoon.
Serengeti, Tanzania
The Serengeti is one of Tanzania’s most famous national parks and when paired with the neighboring Ngorongoro Crater, provides some of the best wildlife viewings anywhere in the world. A honeymoon in the Serengeti reveals the composed and untouched nature of East Africa where lions lounge in the hot sun, wildebeest migrate by the millions at the end of spring and start of summer, and teeming birdlife in the green season paints a picture of color in the bush.
Swahili for “endless plain,” the Serengeti offers endless romance through luxurious accommodations and experiences. Candlelit dinner for two on your private deck or drinks at sunset high on a mountain kopje or a hot air balloon rides at sunrise, the safari destination of Tanzania’s Serengeti remains timeless as a majestic icon of relaxation, exploration, and discovery.
Sabi Sands, South Africa
Bordering the southwest corner of the renowned Kruger National Park is the private reserve of the Sabi Sands. The game reserve reflects how South Africa captures the splendor of the natural world blended with the raw beauty of the “bush.” The absence of fences or borders separating the reserve from the greater grounds of Kruger National Park allows animals to travel across vast stretches of grazing land, easy for discovering any of the captivating wildlife that calls this region home.
The Sabi Sands offers the ultimate honeymoon retreat with close-range game viewing made possible by the habitats’ permanent water sources. Many luxurious accommodations provide a personal touch to every stay with elegance and quality a clear given. Romantic gestures such as private dinners at your luxury tent, a private plunge pool on your deck or a couple’s massage with a view to the wild around you will take your breath away.
