Best Honeymoon Destinations in South Africa

Why Honeymoon in South Africa?

South Africa offers one of the most diverse honeymoon destinations in the world: Big Five safaris, boutique wine estates, mountain hideaways with roaring fires, glorious Indian Ocean beaches, and vibrant Cape Town culture:  all within one seamless itinerary, depending on how long you have. Whether you want safari and sea, food and fine wine, or adventure and indulgence, a South Africa honeymoon can be crafted to reflect you:  not some generic idea of romance

Planning Your Honeymoon? Start With Who You Are

“Best honeymoon destinations in South Africa” can be misleading. After all, why should you suddenly enjoy sunbathing for six uninterrupted hours just because you’ve said, “I do”?

If you get restless after an hour on the beach, or if the other secretly dreams of tracking lions at dawn rather than lounging poolside, then your honeymoon should reflect that.

And that’s precisely where South Africa excels!

Unlike many Indian Ocean islands or single-focus safari destinations, South Africa allows you to blend wildlife, mountains, wine, beaches, culture, and food into one beautifully paced honeymoon. Your honeymoon can be as layered as you wish.

Safari & Beach Honeymoons in South Africa

As we’ve mentioned in our honeymoon pages, few countries do ‘’sand and safari” with such ease. Many require a lengthy flight, and sometimes even an overnight in between.

But imagine this rhythm:

• Early morning game drives tracking cheetah in northern KwaZulu Natal
• Champagne sundowners overlooking the bush
• Then barefoot walks along an Indian Ocean beach

Northern KwaZulu Natal offers elegant pairings of bush and beach:  think Phinda Forest Lodge combined with Thonga Beach Lodge.

The Garden Route and Cape coast also offer boutique oceanfront charm – rarer in South Africa than many expect, but all the more special for it. Followed by a malaria-free safari in the Eastern Cape or Sanbona.

Our Favourite Beach Honeymoon Retreats:

• The Twelve Apostles, Cape Town
• The Bay Hotel, Camps Bay, Cape Town,
• The Birkenhead, Hermanus
• Robberg Beach Lodge, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
• The Plettenberg, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
• GweGwe Beach lodge, Wild Coast
• Sala Beach House, Dolphin Coast, KZN
• Oyster Box Hotel, Dolphin Coast, KwaZulu Natal
• Thonga Beach Lodge, KwaZulu Natal

Romantic Safari Lodges in South Africa

Many of South Africa’s finest safari lodges are designed for privacy with standalone suites tucked into the bush, private plunge pools overlooking riverbeds, outdoor showers, and decks where you won’t see another soul.

Each offers intimacy, exceptional guiding, and thoughtful details:  from private plunge pools to candlelit bush dinners.

Best South Africa Africa Honeymoons: Lakes and Mountains

If scenery stirs your soul more than epic surf, South Africa’s mountains are truly magnificent. (And your honeymoon will be less constrained by seasonal factors.)

In the Drakensberg Mountains and Cederberg Mountains, romance often unfolds more quietly:  beside a roaring fire, in a plunge pool overlooking the mountains, or over a long, candlelit dinner featuring locally sourced cuisine.

They deliver:

• Stone cottages with log fires for winter and pools for summer
• Hiking trails through dramatic escarpments
• Crystal-clear rock pools in summer

Properties such as Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse and Hartford House combine refined cuisine with relaxed charm.

Some hotels have risen to the challenge of providing cuisine so delicious that you’ll hike for miles to justify the full course dinner!

In the Cape, the Cederberg Mountains are only 2+ hours from Cape Town and the Winelands.  Cedarberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge offers big skies, romantic rooms, active options galore and superb food. It’s particularly appealing for couples who want space to exhale.

And near Hermanus on the Whale Cost, Grootbos Forest Lodge pairs fynbos wilderness with whale watching and ocean panoramas.

For Food & Wine Lovers: The Cape Winelands

The Cape Winelands are romance distilled. Many Winelands estates offer discreet suites set apart from the main manor house, giving you both privacy and the pleasure of wandering down vine-lined paths for dinner. Evenings often stretch into candlelit dinners beneath ancient oaks.

Stay on a wine estate such as the ultra-stylish Babylonstoren, or choose a boutique guesthouse in Franschhoek such as La Cotte Farm where you can wander to dinner under oak-lined streets.

Days unfold gently:

• Wine tastings with award-winning vintners
• Savouring long lunches under vine-covered terraces
• Mountain walks between tastings
• Perhaps e-biking through the vineyards
• Art galleries, craft studios, and sculpture gardens…

Cape Town lies less than an hour away offering contrast and vibey energy after pastoral calm.

Romantic Cape Town and Winelands Hideaways

• Tintswalo Atlantic, near Hout Bay, Cape Town
• Kensington Place, City Bowl, Cape Town
• Clarendon Fresnaye, Atlantic Coast, Cape Town

• Babylonstoren, close to Franschhoek and Stellenbosch
• Avondrood Guesthouse, Franschhoek, Cape Winelands
• Lanzerac Hotel & Spa near Stellenbosch

Best Honeymoon Destinations in South Africa:  For Mismatched couples

It happens! What is the solution when your needs and expectations are poles apart? One of you wants adrenaline. The other wants art galleries and good coffee.

A South Africa honeymoon handles this beautifully.

The secret is thoughtful pacing and variety: something we’ve been refining for over 30 years.

Combine:

• Cape Town’s culture and coastline
• Botswana’s wildlife intensity
• Victoria Falls’ river adventures

Cape Town, Botswana & Victoria Falls safari. This gives you wildlife and adventure in Botswana, stunning natural scenery, and watery adventure sports at Victoria Falls, as well as the cosmopolitan buzz and charm of Cape Town.

Or choose one lodge with a wide variety of appeal.

• Grootbos Forest Lodge (horses, whales, botany, beaches)
• Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve or Cederberg Ridge (for hiking, biking, and a top-notch spa)
• Fancourt Manor House (golf and indulgence)

South Africa Honeymoons: Looking for something more adventurous?

Adventure doesn’t replace romance – it often deepens it.

Consider:

• Abseiling off Table Mountain (Cape Town)
• Hiking in the Cederberg, Drakensberg, or Garden Route
• Canoeing on the Zambezi River (Lower Zambezi or Mana Pools
• White water rafting at Victoria Falls
• Shark cage diving
• Horseback safaris
• Helicopter flights over Cape Town

Tailor-made Honeymoons in South Africa

No two couples are identical. Why should their honeymoons be?

We can:

• Start from scratch
• Adapt or refine  one of our sample itineraries – see below
• Blend safari, beach, mountains, and wine
• Or head more off the beaten track

If you don’t yet know what you want, that’s often the best starting point. Schedule a chat with one of our team to discuss what holidays you love and what you’ll looking for in terms of an African trip.

Kate’s Tip:
“If you’re travelling in June to August, prioritise safari first while wildlife viewing is at its best. Look at the Kruger or KwaZulu Natal then perhaps end in Cape Town”.

Check out these sample itineraries:

Compare Top Honeymoon Destinations in South Africa

Region	Best For	Ideal Months	Vibe
Kruger: Sabi Sands & Timbavati	Big Five Safari & Intimate Lodges	May to October	Intimate, wildlife-focused
Cape Town	Best City in the World	Year-round, better Sept to May	Nightlife, restaurants yet mountain escape
KwaZulu Natal	Easy Safari & Beach	Year-round, better May to Sept	Warm relaxed
Cape Winelands	Food & Wine romance	Sept to May	Refined, scenic
Garden Route	Oceans, Variety & Adventure	Oct to May	Active, coastal charm
Drakensberg or Cederberg Mountains	Mountains, Adventure & Fireplaces	April to October, & Year-round	Dramatic, scenic & rugged

Frequently Asked Questions: South Africa Honeymoons

1. What is the best time for a honeymoon in South Africa?

South Africa is a year-round destination. May to October is ideal for safari and also KwaZulu Natal; November to March is perfect for Cape Town and beaches. You’ll find that shoulder periods e.g. October to November and mid-March to May can give you a little bit of everything.

2. Can you combine safari and beach in South Africa?

Yes! Especially in KwaZulu-Natal, or in our summer months, looking at the Garden Route with the Eastern Cape. But remember that there are also direct flights from Cape Town and soon the Garden Route to the Kruger

3. How much does a South Africa Honeymoon cost?

This depends on a number of factors including how you travel around and how many nights on safari. But broadly speaking a premier self-drive itinerary plus a safari starts at around $4,000 to $7,500 per person, whereas more premium options perhaps including Botswana or Indian Ocean fly-ins will range from $8,000 to $12,500 and upwards. As the sky is the limit if you go for ultra-deluxe game lodges.   

4. How long should a South Africa honeymoon be?

Ideally 10 to 13 nights to comfortably combine a safari, Cape Town, and 1 or 3 other areas to suit your interests (beaches, mountains, adventure). Longer still would be ideal to explore further.

Also Check out:

South Africa Honeymoons

Safari & Beach Honeymoons

Romantic Country Lodges in South Africa

10 Romantic Hotels in Cape Town & the Winelands

Ready to Plan Your South Africa Honeymoon or Romantic Getaway?

A South Africa honeymoon is rarely defined by a single highlight. It is about how you feel when you remember it: the hush of dawn on safari, the warmth of an outdoor bath beneath mountain skies, or the intimacy of a candlelit dinner after a day of exploration. It is the layering of privacy, adventure and shared discovery that makes it so memorable. Plus the quiet joy of knowing you chose well.

For over 30 years, Cedarberg Africa has quietly shaped some of the most unforgettable honeymoons across Southern Africa. We’d love to design yours.

1. Tell us what energises you — wildlife, wine, hiking, beaches, food
2. We craft a balanced, experience-led itinerary around your preferences.
3. We refine every detail: number of nights in each place, room choice, mode of travel, additional excursions
4. You arrive relaxed, knowing every element has been personally vetted.

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Best Honeymoon Destinations in South Africa – by Kate of Safari Specialists, Cedarberg Africa

Kate co-founded Cedarberg Africa in 1995 with her sister Ginny and has lived in South Africa for over 30 years. She has explored the continent widely, from climbing Kilimanjaro to visiting far-flung destinations. Having personally inspected and selected hundreds of romantic lodges and safari camps, she understands the subtle details that elevate a honeymoon from lovely to unforgettable. When not designing bespoke African safaris, she can usually be found hiking in the mountains.

Cedarberg Africa is a specialist tour operator for Southern and East Africa. We focus on upmarket tailormade safaris for discerning and busy people. We make our money on the difference between our wholesale rates and the rates that are available to you online, so effectively all our expertise and years of experience is at no extra charge.