Honeymoon Safari

One of our Africa specialists, Elaine Learmonth, spent her honeymoon on safari in South Africa. She enjoyed the combination of Cape Town, a South Africa safari and time on the beach at the end.

“We flew from Cape Town to Durban in the KwaZulu Natal Province, rented a car and set off. We drove to a lovely private game reserve, Nambiti Hills. This is a big 5 reserve (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo) and they run morning and afternoon game drives.  The suites are widely spaced for privacy and have a huge bathtub overlooking the reserve. The lodge has a spa and a massage was a welcome treat. They have a great honeymoon package offering all sorts of complimentary extras. The game viewing in this area is not as concentrated as it is in the more popular areas like Kruger, but we still saw all the Big 5 while we were there. The benefit of going on safari in Kwa Zulu Natal is that the prices are more competitive, and the lodges are more accessible. You can also easily combine it with some time on the beach as the coast is just a five hour drive away.

Thonga Beach Lodge is a very special place. This is African luxury on a wild and beautiful beach. They do romance and celebrations well at Thonga Beach. The honeymoon suite has private deck and plunge pool. They arrange private dinners overlooking the sea, in room spa treatments and amazing bubble baths.  We went kayaking on Lake Sibaya where we watched Fish Eagles fly overhead and hippos and crocodiles relax in the water around us. I remember going snorkelling and coming back to the lodge to a glass of champagne and homemade cakes, I don’t think a day gets better than that!”

Image credit: Thonga Beach Lodge

Of course the iconic Serengeti National Park is included in the top national parks for honeymooners. There are so many reasons why the Serengeti is, in our opinion, one of the most romantic of national parks. The first is the captivating sunsets over the vast savannahs – it’s picture perfect. The second is the size of the national park. You can stay in areas in the Serengeti (like Grumeti and the eastern plains near Namiri) that are more or less untouched, which is a huge attraction for honeymooners. The third is the that the Serengeti homes some of the most romantic and authentic safari camps in all of Africa.

Image credit: Olakira Migration Camp, Asilia

Located in southern Tanzania is a fantastic park called Ruaha National Park. This park is renowned for its dry landscapes, red soil and impressive baobab trees. The park, along with the Selous Game Reserve, is off the beaten track for Tanzania safaris. Where most people visit the northern parks, these southern parks offer an exclusive and romantic safari experience like no other. It is often the case that you can enjoy a whole day of game drives without seeing a single other vehicle. The camps in Ruaha are set in remote locations and offer the ultimate privacy.

Image credit: Jabali Ridge, Asilia

Located in central Kenya, the Samburu National Reserve is a great choice for honeymoon couples looking for fantastic game-viewing and unique accommodation. The reserve itself can get a little busy, especially, like with the Masai Mara, in the peak months of August and September. That said, there are lots of accommodation choices that are located outside the reserve itself and offer remoteness. For example, Saruni Samburu is a luxury lodge located outside the reserve and sits on a rocky kopje overlooking an extensive valley. Similarly, Sasaab Lodge is located north of the reserve and offers honeymoon couples ultimate luxury – private plunge pools overlooking waterholes, spa treatment area and private dinners. These lodges both offer privacy, remoteness but also good accessibility into the park.

Image credit: Sasaab Lodge, Safari Collection