Nothing beats the combination of romance and adventure you’ll find in Africa – that’s what makes the continent a perfect honeymoon destination. Honeymooners that choose Africa over traditional destinations like Hawaii or the Caribbean are richly rewarded with unique experiences such as trekking endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda, canoeing in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, tasting delicious wines and exquisite food in South Africa’s Cape Winelands, witnessing the Serengeti’s great migration and scuba diving in the ‘Spice Islands’ of the Zanzibar archipelago or faraway Seychelles.
Our honeymoon safaris are fully customized especially for you. You can work closely with us on every detail or give us high level parameters and we’ll take care of the planning so you can focus on the wedding. An Africa safari honeymoon is the adventure of a lifetime – and a beautiful way to kick off your life together!
Here, we share some of our top places to honeymoon in Africa. This list is just a few of our favorites that we have vetted first-hand. When you’re ready to stop dreaming and start planning, contact one of our Journey Specialists to customize your one-of-a-kind honeymoon safari!
For newlyweds interested in visiting South Africa for its myriad attractions including world-class safaris, cosmopolitan cities, incredible dining, beautiful Winelands, beaches and more, we have a wide range of properties that we love. For safari, Dulini Leadwood offers four lavish suites that each boast separate, yet inter-leading, lounge, bedroom and bathroom spaces, with floor-to-ceiling picture windows framing the picturesque the Sand River. Its exclusivity is perfect for honeymooners seeking privacy, pampering and an unforgettable safari experience. Beyond safari, we love Delaire Graff in the Winelands for even more pampering. While staying in one of its 16 sumptuous suites you can enjoy art and design, gourmet foods, award-winning wines and a world class spa.
Botswana offers couples a lot of opportunities for romance in a variety of settings – from the placid waters of the Okavango Delta to the vast salt pans at Makgadigadi. Zarafa Camp – one of only three Relais & Chateaux properties in Botswana – is a favorite for its exclusivity and luxurious accommodations. Just four large suites incorporate lovely elements like copper bathtubs, a copper fireplace and outdoor showers. You can also capture photos of your honeymoon with the professional camera body and zoom lenses that come with your suite for use during your stay!
Victoria Falls and romance are synonymous. The rushing Zambezi River pouring into the world’s largest cascade of water with hippos, antelope and waterbirds around every corner inspire awe, while the beautiful accommodations will make you feel like royalty. Matetsi Victoria Falls is out of the hubbub of town and gives honeymooners exclusive access to nearly 10 miles of private Zambezi River frontage and more than 135,000 acres of the Big 5 Matetsi Private Game Reserve. Even with all of the wildlife, you might not want to leave your gorgeous suite, complete with huge soaking tub, indoor and outdoor showers and outdoor private plunge pool.
If you’re thinking of East Africa for your honeymoon safari, you can’t go wrong choosing Sasakwa Lodge. Its old-world luxury and bespoke décor will give you the quintessential East African safari and your one-bedroom cottage will grant you total privacy. Al fresco lunches on the lawn and magical starlit dinners in the courtyard along with the Serengeti’s sweeping plains beckoning below add to the appeal. Set in the 350,000-acre private Singita Grumeti Reserve, you will have exclusive access to the area’s prolific wildlife, including the world-renowned great migration herds when they’re passing through.
Kenya is another wonderful African honeymoon option. It offers everything you need – wonderful wildlife viewing, romance, luxury, culture and adventure! Bateleur Camp is situated just below the scenic location where the famous final scene of the movie “Out of Africa” was filmed and reflects the ambiance of Kenyan safaris of the ‘20s and ‘30s. Its luxury tents are elegant, including indoor and outdoor showers and a copper bathtub. Each has its own deck overlooking the vast game-filled plains of the Masai Mara, and a personal butler to ensure your every need is catered for.
If you want to follow up your African safari honeymoon with a visit to the beach, destinations like Mozambique, Seychelles and Zanzibar offer you the chance to relax in a tropical paradise with white sand beaches, turquoise oceans, world-class snorkelling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, traditional culture, history and plenty of romance.
Mozambique is a great location for couples who want to combine relaxation and adventure on their honeymoon. Nestled into the cliffs, Santorini Mozambique is like a small Greek village in the heart of an African landscape. We love the Villa na Colina at Santorini Mozambique, a stand-alone suite that is ideal for your honeymoon, with its own pool courtyard and front sea-facing patio. The resort is a great spot for long walks on the beach, spa treatments, paddle boarding, kite surfing and you can even charter a luxury catamaran!
Seychelles is in the middle of nowhere and is a beach-lovers dream. Its many granite and coral islands (some of which are private) offer a wide range of scuba, snorkeling and island hopping activities. Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas offers beautifully designed villas, gourmet cuisine, tranquil gardens and an incredible spa. You can enjoy sunsets at the beachside bar, take advantage of yoga and wellness sessions or indulge in island excursions. It’s a beautiful end to an African honeymoon safari!
Many of our lodge partners extend honeymoon discounts to us including Matetsi Victoria Falls, Dulini Leadwood and Bateleur Camp – just ask a Journey Specialist for details.
Contact a Journey Specialist to make your honeymoon dreams reality! Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter below for more safari stories and honeymoon travel inspiration.
Photos courtesy andBeyond, AAC Livingstone Club members Angela K. and Colin C., Delaire Graff, Zarafa Camp, Matetsi Victoria Falls, Sasakwa Lodge, Bateleur Camp, AAC Marketing Director Beth McCabe, Santorini Mozambique, Anantara Maia Seychelles, Dulini Leadwood