Planning an African Honeymoon?
If there is one travel itinerary to get right, then it’s your honeymoon to Africa. And chances are that you already have certain expectations. Wildlife watching, of course – perhaps a chance to see Africa’s legendary Big Five. But also amazing landscapes, nice weather and – let’s be honest, a good measure of privacy and comfort.
How to create such an experience? Easy: we’ve grouped our best honeymoon destinations by region – Southern Africa and East Africa – which means you can mix and match destinations within each region to build your perfect itinerary. Now you have easier travel logistics and, generally, corresponding climates to avoid any rainy-season surprises. And there is always a honeymoon suite.
SOUTHERN AFRICA
Unbeatable scenery at Namibia’s legendary Sossusvlei sand dunes – champagne at the top?
SOSSUSVLEI – NAMIBIA
Landscapes don’t come much more romantic than a rolling ocean of desert sand, changing colour at sunset, glowing in the moonlight. The Sossusvlei Dunes are the world’s tallest and lie at the centre of a fascinating living desert, home to antelope, rare birds and exotic plants. Honeymoon accommodation takes full advantage of the views and many lodges offer star-beds for a night under the Milky Way. Visit in the dry season – May to October.
Add a leopard to your Big Five honeymoon at the Kruger’s Private Reserves.
KRUGER – SOUTH AFRICA
The Kruger National Park is world-famous for its wildlife but honeymooners will prefer the exclusivity of its private game reserves, most notably the Sabi Sands. The Big Five are seen on an almost daily-basis and the private reserves are noted for their excellent accommodation at different price points, plus top guiding and service. Go between May and August for cooler, dry weather; September and October for hot and dry but reward with great wildlife viewing.
Sunset at magical Victoria Falls – ask us about viewing the rare & lovely lunar rainbow.
VICTORIA FALLS – ZIMBABWE/ZAMBIA
The world’s largest waterfall has long been a honeymoon favourite and lies at the heart of the Southern African safari experience. Easy to access from across the region, Victoria Falls has magnificent honeymoon accommodation (private-island suites are a favourite) and there is a ton of things to do – adrenalin sports, wildlife safaris and scenic flights. Visit from May to September for the best weather and remember that the waterfall is mostly dry from October through early December.
Change down a gear in the Okavango Delta – this place is all about the slow way.
OKAVANGO DELTA – BOTSWANA
It’s funny how an enormous swamp has become a classic honeymoon destination but the Okavango Delta is a clear-running freshwater wetland and is home to some of the greatest concentrations of animals in the region. The landscape is magical – sunny floodplains, grand trees, mirror-glass lagoons – and the sunsets are legendary. Accommodation varies between land and water-based camps; go for a combination to maximise your experience. Visit from June to October for dry weather and water levels suitable for boating.
Image – Walking safari?
SOUTH LUANGWA – ZAMBIA
You may feel that being on foot in big game country is not the wisest honeymoon decision but in the South Luangwa you’ll be with some of the best professional guides in Africa. There are game drives in 4X4s too (plus boat trips in season) but it’s the walking safaris that really set this destination apart from the others. Easy to combine with Victoria Falls, the South Luangwa is best visited between May and August for prime walking conditions; note that September and October are great for wildlife viewing but are extremely hot.
This is why they call Malawi the “Warm Heart of Africa”.
LAKE MALAWI – MALAWI
White-sand beaches, nodding palm trees, gently lapping blue water … an Indian Ocean paradise? No, the ocean is hundreds of miles away: this is Lake Malawi. Once a secret honeymoon destination, Lake Malawi has moved onto the map thanks to its irresistible combination of beach holiday, wildlife safari and natural friendliness. Best booked in tandem with a Zambian safari, the lake can be enjoyed from April to November but we’d advise May to September for the driest and mildest weather.
If you are a scuba-diving couple, head for the coral reefs of Mozambique after your safari.
VILANCULOS & BAZARUTO – MOZAMBIQUE
The coastal town of Vilanculos and the islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago are Southern Africa’s real-deal Indian Ocean destinations. Accommodating honeymooners in luxurious, castaway-style is what these destinations have founded themselves on and you won’t find an easier place to relax and indulge than here. Direct flights from the Kruger Park make Mozambique’s coast easy to access after your safari, and provided you don’t go during the January-February cyclone season, you’ll generally have warm and sunny weather.
EAST AFRICA
Gorilla trekking is popular with honeymoon couples – try Rwanda for the most luxurious trip.
GORILLA TREKKING – UGANDA/RWANDA
Assuming that your honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime event, then this experience is too. Gorilla trekking is – necessarily – expensive as well as hard work. Not for nothing are the best trekking destinations called the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Volcanos National Park! But the encounter with the giant apes is spell-binding and, given there are fewer than a thousand gorillas left, an utterly unique experience. Go during the drier seasons of December through February, and June through September, and we’d recommend Rwanda for the easier and more comfortable gorilla trekking option.
The river crossing season is a classic time for the migration but book as far in advance as you can.
MASAI MARA/SERENGETI – KENYA/TANZANIA
The classic Out-of-Africa scenery of East Africa’s teeming grasslands provides the setting for what can only be described as the Great African Honeymoon. Luxury tented suites overlooking the migrating herds, butler service and views from a hot-air balloon – it’s got the lot. Add some of the best – and most dramatic – wildlife viewing in Africa and you have the perfect safari honeymoon. Visit the Masai Mara from July to October for the wildebeest migration; if seeing the migration in the Serengeti is your first choice, go between November and June. Book well ahead – up to a year – for the best lodges in the best places.
Sunny, quiet, beautiful: the Seychelles was simply made for honeymoons.
SEYCHELLES
How could a list of African honeymoon destinations not feature the Seychelles? A balmy climate, postcard-perfect beaches, safe swimming and diving – who wouldn’t want to go there. With its reputation for private island hideaways, the cyclone-free Seychelles is usually considered the province of the super-rich but there is actually a wide range of accommodation providing much the same experience. Exclusivity, privacy and comfort are the watchwords that mark a Seychelles holiday, no matter where you go. Visit between May and September for the mildest and driest weather.
