Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! This time of year has us busy planning romantic journeys and honeymoons, which means we’re thinking of our favorite romantic camps and lodges in Africa and beyond. Here’s our short list – but we have many more ideas up our sleeves! Contact a Journey Specialist to talk about planning your own customized romantic safari.
Located on an enchanting peninsula on Madagascar’s northwest coast, the lodge is surrounded by turquoise seas, colorful landscapes and untouched beaches. Anjajavy embodies Madagascar’s incredible beauty, wild diversity and warm hospitality. Luxurious villas are your base for exploring the impressive tsingys (stone forests) and giant baobabs while searching for brown lemurs and sifakas. Enjoy romantic touches like sunset cruises, private picnics, couples’ massages, a private oasis dinner or a sleep out under the stars.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge offers individual stone chalets with large private sitting rooms complete with a cozy fireplace, overstuffed armchairs and stunning local artwork. The main lodge has soaring ceilings, massive exposed wooden beams and big picture windows with endless views of volcanoes and mountains. You and your special someone will enjoy being pampered by your personal butler, nourished with wonderful food and wine and relaxing at the spa after an exciting day of gorilla trekking.
Ellerman House is a small, privately-owned luxury hotel offers gorgeous Atlantic Ocean views and is walking distance to some of Cape Town’s beautiful beaches. With just 13 rooms and suites, you’ll have your own private city retreat offering incredible food and wine along with the chance to view an incredible private art collection. Enjoy sommelier-led wine tastings where you can sample some of the hotel’s 7500-bottle collection, access to a world-class spa with a wide range of cutting-edge treatments, tailor-made city and coast excursions and more. Best of all, it’s just a few minutes’ drive to all of Cape Town’s highlights.
The six romantic and secluded Island Treehouse Suites at Victoria Falls River Lodge are set among the trees on the banks of the secluded Kandahar Island and offer luxury conveniences, an elegant sitting area, open-plan bathroom and private deck with plunge pool. This lodge is the ultimate in exclusive luxury! Romantic travelers can enjoy river cruises, game walks and drives, bird watching, massages, fine dining and more. Or just stay in your gorgeous suite and watch hippos on the Zambezi River and elephants passing by your room.
Kwitonda Lodge offers stunning views of the Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes while its contemporary suites embrace local design and handcrafted artwork. You can enjoy your luxurious suite with its uninterrupted views of the national park, cozy sitting area and fireplace, in-room stocked pantry, minibar, private dining space, bath and both indoor and outdoor (glass-enclosed) showers. There is also a private terrace with a fireplace and heated plunge pool, and massages are on offer. It’s the perfect base for trekking to see Rwanda’s gorillas and other primates.
Lamai Camp enjoys panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and sits just a few miles from one of the seasonal wildebeest crossing areas on the Mara River. Its stone and thatch open-fronted rooms make the most of the incredible views, and invite lazy afternoons gazing at the landscapes and surrounding wildlife. Lovebirds can enjoy game drives and walks, birdwatching, private dining, lounging by the pool and more. Ask our Journey Specialists for their insider tip on which suite offers the most privacy for romantic travelers, complete with breathtaking views across the Serengeti. It’s the perfect hideaway for a private sunset dinner for two.
Private villas are ringed by porcelain sands and forest and offer tropical luxury at Anantara Maia. You’ll enjoy 24-hour access to your attentive Villa Host for your every need. Soak up some rays at your endless infinity pool, stroll onto the secluded beach, wander through the flowered gardens for tranquil moments or let the gentle breeze wash over you at the spa. If you want to be more active, a variety of exciting activities are on offer including cooking classes, sailing, guided walks, boating, kayaking, scuba diving, scenic helicopter flights and more.
Picture yourself gazing out over the stunning scenery of the Masai Mara – perhaps from your tent’s private hot tub. Consider the thrill of watching the annual migration thunder across the plains along with all the other wildlife East Africa is known for. In addition to safari thrills, you and your loved one will be pampered by your butler and at the award-winning spa and enjoy romantic evenings with fabulous food and fine wines during your stay at Mara Bushtops Camp.
Santorini is a taste of the Mediterranean in Africa! Commanding views echo its namesake, while this boutique hotel’s villas place guests in the lap of luxury with air conditioning, private patios, comfortable lounges, decks with ocean and archipelago views and more. You’ll have a private host available to you and a range of water activates are included. There is an onsite spa for pampering and additional local activities such as horseback riding and helicopter rides.
The Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau is a bespoke dahabiya (traditional Egyptian sailing boat) available for private charter. It is the epitome of luxury and style for your romantic escape and offers you the unique opportunity to customize your Egypt cruise and each day’s sightseeing. The first of its kind on the Nile, the Zein features a beautiful upper deck, an Arabian-themed sun deck and opulent dining area. You and your loved one can bask in the beauty of the surrounding views as you sip your cocktails – this is what sailing on the Nile was meant to be.
The Highlands is carefully positioned for maximum privacy high on the slopes of the Olmoti Crater with sweeping views all the way to the Serengeti. The geodesic domed suites are warm, intimate and contemporary, and are the perfect place to discover the wild Ngorongoro Crater Highlands. Enjoy a romantic evening in front of the flickering fire or in your outdoor hot tub (honeymoon suite) after a day of exploring the surrounding areas on game drives, bush walks and hiking.
The ultimate in outdoor luxury, Tinyeleti Treehouse is a magical place to spend an evening in complete comfort. You’ll have everything you need and nothing you don’t – no wifi, no electric lights – just the romantic flicker of lantern light. A dinner picnic with game viewing from atop your treehouse is the perfect way to wind down the day before snuggling down in a bed to gaze in wonder at the incredible night sky.
Victoria Falls conjures images of romance, and a stay at Tongabezi Lodge is a magical adventure! From romantic candlelit picnics on the beach to the thrill of swimming in the Devil’s Pool atop the Falls, there’s something for every couple. Uniquely designed rooms (ask us about the Dog House or Nut House) have luxurious touches like outdoor baths and plunge pools and your personal valet will take care of your every need.
With your own dedicated guide and vehicle, you can experience Tswalu exactly the way you want to. There are no fixed schedules and during your stay, the Kalahari dunes and grasslands are yours to explore however you want and each wildlife encounter can unfold at its own pace. Walking safaris and nature walks, visiting habituated meerkats, horse riding, dinner at the renowned Klein JAN restaurant and sampling an award-winning wine list are just a few of the things you can do on your romantic safari at Tswalu Motse.
From your Mountain View Suite deck rising above the dunes you can gaze into the vast landscape of one of the least densely populated countries on earth, much of which you will have to yourselves. You can explore the vast, pristine nature reserve by vehicle, on a walk with the Bushmen, from a hot air balloon or scenic airplane flight (additional cost) or on horseback. Spa treatments are available, your suite has a special sleep-out star bed (under some of the darkest skies on the continent!) and your meals will be lavish and memorable.
Photos courtesy of Tinyeleti Treehouse, Anjajevy le Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Ellerman House, Victoria Falls River Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Lamai Camp, Maia, Mara Bushtops, Santorini Mozambique, Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau, The Highlands, Tongabezi Lodge, Tswalu Motse and Wolwedans Mountain View Suite