There is no better way to finish your honeymoon safari than with some rest and relaxation on one of Africa’s beautiful beaches. Destinations such as the Seychelles, Zanzibar, Mozambique, Mauritius and even the Maldives (technically in Asia) offer tropical paradises with white sand beaches, turquoise oceans, world-class snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, traditional culture, history and plenty of romance.
Africa Adventure Consultants’ Journey Specialist Angie shares her top picks for the perfect beach honeymoon after your wildlife safari.
Perhaps the best known of Africa’s island countries, Seychelles is in the middle of nowhere and is a beach-lovers dream. Its many granite and coral islands (some private) offer a wide range of scuba, snorkeling and island hopping activities. Direct flights from Nairobi, Johannesburg and Addis Ababa to Seychelles make getting to the beach easy.
Honeymooners will love the Hilltop Ocean View Villa at the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles. This 2,000 square foot room is situated up on a hill, providing privacy and exquisite views of the Indian Ocean. Enjoy an infinity-edge plunge pool, indoor/outdoor showers and deep soaking tub in your room. Or, venture out to take advantage of the private beach, open-air spa, bars and restaurants, water sports and beach yoga. As a bonus, honeymooners receive a complimentary in-villa Mahe Mood Spa Bath, bottle of champagne, honeymoon cake and private half-hour couple’s meditation when you travel within six months of your wedding.
Did you have to delay your wedding, honeymoon or vow renewal due to COVID-19? Consider the special vow renewal or wedding package at the Four Seasons Seychelles. Receive a bottle of champagne, bouquet of local flowers, boutonniere, complimentary pressing of wedding garments, special gift, wedding cake, personal hotel wedding coordinator, romantic beach dinner for two, romantic floral bath setup, wedding arch set-up, renewal of vows certificate and welcome fruit platter and half bottle champagne.
Another wonderful beach honeymoon option in the Seychelles is the Six Senses Zil Pasyon. This all-villa resort has private infinity pools for each villa, breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean and plush vegetation surrounding the resort, a full spa, multiple dining options and a rum tasting bar. Spend your days by the pool or on the beach, hiking, enjoying watersports, bicycling around the island, island hopping by yacht or watching a movie under the stars. Honeymooning couples can also take advantage of Six Senses Zil Pasyon’s honeymoon offer within six months of their wedding: a complimentary hour-long couple’s massage, cake, bottle of champagne, welcome amenities and exclusive sunset experience.
Zanzibar is just 20 minute’s flight from Tanzania’s mainland and offers one of the best combinations of culture, history and beaches in Africa. Zanzibar offers a wide range of accommodations, from simple hotels to five-star resorts and with its white-sand beaches and warm, aqua water, it’s a beautiful place to end an East African safari. And for honeymooners wanting something a little quieter or off-the-beaten path, consider Zanzibar’s nearby neighbor islands of Pemba and Mafia.
I love Xanadu for honeymooners. With just eight villas on private white sand beach, Xanadu is the perfect place for honeymooners to relax and explore Zanzibar. Enjoy sea kayaking, snorkeling, spa services and stand up paddle boarding at the resort. Xanadu is located about an hour’s drive from Stone Town, a city of historical and artistic importance in East Africa. Spend a day walking the cobbled streets, exploring the rich Arabic and European history, multiple UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites and local markets. You can also spend time touring a local spice farm and sampling Swahili cuisine.
Located on a private island just one mile in size, andBeyond Mnemba Island offers the highest level of privacy and is a great way for honeymooners to relax after the stress of planning a wedding. Unwind on your own stretch of beach by swimming, snorkeling or lounging, with food and drinks delivered to your beach chair should you wish. Your private butler will ensure you spend your days how and where you’d like. Honeymooners also save 50% on one partner’s accommodation when they travel within 12 months of the marriage date.
The Maldives is a great beach option after your safari if you are flying Emirates via Dubai. You can even add a stopover in Dubai for a one-of-a-kind bush, beach and desert honeymoon. I recommend a romantic picnic out in the desert during your stopover.
One of my personal favorites in Maldives is Soneva Jani. This luxury resort is made up of private water villas, each offering swimming pools and serviced by a butler and housekeeping service. For honeymooners, I recommend the one-bedroom water retreat which has a personal waterslide into the ocean and retractable roof for star gazing. Leave your villa for the overwater cinema, spa, fishing, astronomy cruise, dolphin safari, guided snorkeling, diving, surfing and other water sports.
Another incredible option in Maldives is One&Only Reethi Rah, an ultra-chic 6-star resort with three pools and 12 beaches. Choose from private beachfront villas, water villas or the Grand Residence – an extravagant and private home directly on the beach. The resort offers many romantic experiences, such as guided dives, chartered yacht cruises, an adults-only pool, couple’s spa treatments and private dining options. To top off your beach honeymoon experience, opt for a romantic seven-course dinner in the Tree House, one of the most spectacular settings to watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean.
Some of the most stunning and gorgeous (and deserted) beaches in Southern Africa are in Mozambique. Beautiful stretches of sand can be found on the mainland and off the coast, such as on the Bazaruto Archipelago in the South or the Quirimbas Archipelago which is comprised of 32 islands along the northern Mozambique coast. The Quirimbas National Park includes 11 of these islands and is home to exotic fish and rare marine species such as sea turtles, humpback whales and dugongs. Snorkeling and diving is a must when visiting this remote and pristine area! Mozambique is a great location for couples who want to combine relaxation and adventure on their honeymoon. Learn more about the culture with a village visit and enjoy activities such as kitesurfing, snorkeling, cruising on a traditional dhow at sunset, fishing and horseback riding.
Nestled into the cliffs, Santorini Mozambique is like a small Greek village in the heart of an African landscape offering a home away from home experience. The staff goes above and beyond to add personal touches to make your honeymoon one-of-a-kind. The resort is a great spot for long walks on the beach, paddle boarding, kite surfing and volleyball. Honeymooning couples will receive half off accommodation for one partner in any of their luxurious suites in the Main Villa or The Chapel.
Another incredible option in Mozambique is andBeyond Benguerra Island. This resort has just 10 casinhas, two cabanas and one three-bedroom house. The casinhas (suites) and cabanas all have private decks, rim-flow pools, lounge chairs and private swinging daybeds. Spend your time relaxing or head out for adventure by snorkeling, enjoying a dhow cruise, riding horses in the sand and sea, scuba diving, fishing, taking a helicopter ride over the island or hiking the nearby sand dunes. And, like its sister resort on Mnemba Island, honeymooners can save 50% on one partner’s accommodation when they travel within 12 months of the marriage date.
Located in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is famous for its beaches, lagoons and reefs. Le Morne Peninsula, located in the south of Mauritius, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area is home to caves, an impressive 1,600 ft high rock formation, rare plants, waterfalls and the Black River Gorges National Park.
This 5-star hotel is located in the southwest of the island and has been completely restyled with a reopening date set for December 2020. Spend your days enjoying the golden sand beach, kite-surfing, golfing, hiking in the nearby Black River Gorges National Park, relaxing at the spa or working out with their FloatFit workout which combines HIIT and Yoga in the water. LUX Le Morne also helps couples plan and craft dream proposals for those not yet engaged, as well as vow renewals and weddings.
Another one of my favorites in Mauritius is the St. Regis Mauritius Resort. Surrounded by a breathtaking turquoise lagoon overlooking the Indian Ocean, this beachfront resort offers couples the chance to enjoy water sports, tennis, fitness club, pool, kite surfing, spa, and fine dining at one of their five on-site restaurants.
For a memorable honeymoon, nothing beats the combination of romance and adventure you’ll find in Africa. Top off your incredible wildlife safari with the perfect luxury African beach getaway.
Photos courtesy of andBeyond, Four Seasons Seychelles, Six Senses Zil Pasyon, AAC Journey Specialist Angie Voigt, Xanadu, Santorini Mozambique, My Mauritius, LUX Le Morne, St Regis Mauritius Resort, Soneva Jani and One&Only Reethi Rah