A safari honeymoon combines extraordinary wildlife, beautiful wilderness camps and the simple pleasure of experiencing it all together. Imagine a private dinner on your deck listening to the animal sounds of the bush all around. Or sleeping out on your private deck under a star-lit sky. Discover our favourite safari honeymoon destinations and ideas across Africa.
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Imagine your first night on honeymoon and on safari...an unbelievable array of stars in an inky sky, sundowner drinks around a crackling campfire, the tempting smell of a delicious meal. And the anticipation of the adventure at dawn the next morning, when you head out into the bush.
And then there is the wildlife itself. Seeing elephants wander past your camp or watching a leopard at close quarters tends to become one of those shared memories you talk about for years afterwards.
Perhaps it’s the sense of being somewhere completely removed from everyday life?
A safari honeymoon won't be everyone’s idea of romance. But if you’d rather share an adventure than spend two weeks beside a swimming pool and beach, it may be exactly right for you. Plus it makes a better story to tell your children and grandchildren.
At one end are some of Africa's most stylish and romantic lodges, with private plunge pools, beautiful suites, superb food and very high levels of service.
But romantic doesn't have to mean ultra-luxury.
Some of our favourite safari camps are smaller, simpler places where the setting, guiding and atmosphere simply ooze character and romance.
For us, the key is finding the right balance between comfort, character, wildlife and setting. And deciding where it is genuinely worth spending more.
There isn't one answer.
The best safari destination for your honeymoon depends on when you're travelling, your budget, how adventurous you want to be and whether the safari is the whole honeymoon or only one part of it.
The private reserves adjoining the Kruger National Park offer excellent Big Five game viewing, beautiful lodges and some wonderfully romantic suites. And they combine easily with Cape Town and the Winelands, or with a beach stay in Mozambique.
South Africa also has excellent malaria-free safari reserves, which appeal to some couples.
Another advantage is choice. There are superb safari lodges at several price levels, so you don't necessarily need an ultra-luxury budget to have a very special honeymoon.
Botswana is hard to beat if your idea of romance is space, wilderness and a sense of being far away from it all.
The Okavango Delta combines superb wildlife with beautiful landscapes and varied activities from game drives to mokoro excursions and boating. Silently glide in a mokoro through the lily-strewn waters of the Okavango Delta. Soak in a deep bath for two, then perhaps sleep under the stars on your private deck.
Or imagine driving a quad bike across the Makgadikgadi salt pans, taking in the horizon stretching endlessly ahead.
Private concessions are particularly attractive for honeymooners, with fewer vehicles and the activities such as night drives, fishing and walking safaris.
Botswana is one of Africa's more expensive safari destinations, so it won't suit every budget. But for couples who want safari to be the main event, it can be extraordinary.
Check out Cape Town, Botswana & Victoria Falls.
We particularly like the Lower Zambezi, where game drives can be combined with boating and canoeing on the river. Think of canoeing gently through the Zambezi’s channels with your loved one. Or enjoying a private starlit dinner on a sandbank by the river.Then head to the South Luangwa, renowned for both its wildlife and walking safaris.
Victoria Falls also combines easily with a Zambia safari. You can keep things relaxed with river cruises and time beside the pool. Or add something rather more energetic – from white-water rafting, to Devil’s Pool to a helicopter flight over the Falls.
Zambia is a favourite honeymoon destination of ours, packed with wildlife, adventure and a romantic charm.
It suite couples who want their honeymoon to feel like a real African adventure rather than simply a luxurious holiday.
The Masai Mara offers excellent wildlife viewing and beautiful safari camps, particularly in the private conservancies surrounding the Reserve.
And there are a few experiences which are undeniably worth considering for a honeymoon. A balloon flight over the Mara at dawn may not necessarily be the best way to see wildlife – but it is certainly a memorable way to start the day.
Kenya also combines particularly well with the coast or the Seychelles if you want to add some beach time.
The Serengeti is the obvious draw, but areas such as Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Highlands add variety and character.
It is also one of the easiest safari destinations to combine with Zanzibar, making Tanzania particularly attractive if you want wildlife followed by an Indian Ocean beach.
It is tempting to put together a honeymoon by choosing several wonderful safari lodges and connecting the dots afterwards. We prefer to do it the other way around.
First we look at season, wildlife, journey times and how much safari you actually want. Then we choose the camps.
A few things make a particular difference:
Safari travel can involve light aircraft and road transfers. A honeymoon usually benefits from a slightly slower pace. At least 3 nights at each camp.
If you stay in two safari areas, we generally prefer them to offer something different rather than simply repeating the same experience twice.
Sometimes an exceptional private reserve is worth the extra cost. Sometimes a charming smaller camp delivers everything you need.
A private vehicle can be wonderful, but it isn't essential for every couple. Small camps, secluded suites and thoughtfully chosen locations can create plenty of privacy without turning every element into an expensive upgrade.
They are there to show you what works well together, rather than as fixed packages.
We can change the camps, routing, duration and level of luxury around your interests, travel dates and budget.
Already have safari lodges or destinations on your wish-list? Send them to us. We'll tell you how well they fit together – and whether we think there are better alternatives.
Whether you've already shortlisted half a dozen safari camps or don't yet know Botswana from the Serengeti, we're happy to help.
Tell us when you want to travel, roughly how long you have and what matters most to you. We'll suggest a safari honeymoon that works beautifully – both on paper and in real life.
For most first-time safari honeymooners, around four to six nights on safari works very well if safari is only one element of a longer African honeymoon. We usually recommend staying at least three nights at one camp so you can truly relax.
If wildlife is the main reason for travelling, seven to ten nights split between two or three contrasting areas can be extremely rewarding.
It depends on your priorities. Your month of travel can also make a significant difference to the answer.
South Africa is particularly versatile and offers a wide choice of lodges and easy combinations with Cape Town and the Winelands.
Botswana is ideal for wilderness, exclusivity and a safari-focused honeymoon.
Zambia and Zimbabwe suits adventurous couples who like remote camps, walking and river activities.
Kenya and Tanzania offer classic East African landscapes and wildlife and combine particularly well with the Indian Ocean.
Not necessarily as it can add considerably to the cost. A private vehicle gives you complete flexibility so it’s great for very keen photographers or birders. But sharing a vehicle with a small number of other guests is the norm and can be very enjoyable. We’d rather spend your budget on some unique experiences or upgrading your accommodation choices.
They can be, but there is a substantial range. South Africa generally offers the widest choice of safari styles and price levels. Botswana and some remote camps in Zambia or East Africa tend to be considerably more expensive, particularly in peak season.
The best approach is to give us a realistic overall budget. We can then advise where it is worth spending more and which destinations will give you the best experience for that budget.
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