A perfect luxury safari honeymoon

Your honeymoon is the most important holiday you’ll ever take, so it has to be perfectly planned.   A luxury Africa safari has all the ingredients for the perfect honeymoon safari where you can enjoy adventures together in beautiful romantic places.  Sitting together by a lagoon in the South Luangwa; watching spellbound as families of elephant emerge from the bush to drink, canoeing lazily down the wide Zambezi at sunset, quad biking across the surreal Namibian dunes and having a candlelit dinner set out just for the two of you on the Serengeti plains.  These are a few of the unforgettable moments that will fill your African honeymoon.

Some honeymooners desire the astonishing luxury of Singita Lodge with palatial accommodation, private pool and a Guerlain spa.  We can arrange that.  Others want to be in the heart of the bush miles from anywhere, somewhere like Mwagusi Camp in Ruaha National Park.  We can arrange that too.  If you’ll give us a call and tell us the kind of honeymoon you’re dreaming of we can make the reality surpass even your wildest dreams.

Most luxury safari honeymoons include a romantic beach hideaway.  Again anything is possible from being Robinson Crusoe in 5 star luxury on a Mozambican desert island like Vamizi, to the idyllic Seychelles with their powder white sand, or you can enjoy the finest Indian Ocean water sports at the romantic Oberoi hotel on Mauritius.

Our safari specialists have visited all of these places and will be delighted to use our 20 years experience and romantic imagination to prepare a uniquely perfect honeymoon, just for you.

Tanzania and Zanzibar honeymoon safari

During the course of your romantic honeymoon safari you will visit the traditional and best known regions in northern Tanzania – the Lake Manyara National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater and of course the Serengeti which is the setting for the truly spectacular wildebeest migration.  The second phase of this amazing safari takes you in to western Tanzania and this includes a visit to the little known Katavi National Park with its huge buffalo population, before then moving on to the amazing Mahale Mountains National Park where your tiny camp is set on the edge of a dazzling sandy beach lapped by the warm waters of Lake Tanganyika.  This is one of the best places in Africa for tracking chimpanzees and the glorious setting of the camp makes this one of the loveliest places in which to relax.

To conclude this fabulous safari you then fly into southern Tanzania where your time will be split between visits to the Ruaha National Park and the Selous Game Reserve.  One of the most important aspects of this honeymoon safari is the constantly changing scenery and wildlife habitats making for a safari which is full of contrast.  Throughout this honeymoon safari you will also experience and enjoy a range of different accommodation styles which will add flavour to your safari as you move from place to place.  At each lodge or camp you can expect to enjoy high quality cuisine and of course the services of experienced professional guides who take great pleasure in showing you the country of their birth.

Following your Tanzania safari we fly you to the island of Zanzibar and from there a short road and boat journey will deliver you to the idyllic tropical paradise called Mnemba Island.  This delightful island is renowned for its “barefoot” luxury and at the time of year you will be visiting, you can even continue the game viewing scene as there is the possibility of seeing rare green turtles which often nest on the island.

South Africa and Mauritius honeymoon safari

Start your honeymoon in the vast 60,000 hectare Madikwe Game Reserve, which is located on the Botswana border. The Royal Madikwe is one of the very best lodges in the reserve. The suites all have their own private plunge pool which is surrounded by a sun deck looking out over the African savannah. The Madikwe Game Reserve supports a large number of animals including all of the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant) as well as giraffe, zebra, antelope and gazelle. Your private guide will take you out on game drives during the early morning and late afternoon when the animals are at their most active and because this is a private reserve, you can continue your late afternoon game drive into the early evening spotting the nocturnal animals like civet, aardvark and porcupine.

After your stay at Royal Madikwe, you will then fly into the Sabi Sands Game Reserve which lies adjacent to the world famous Kruger National Park. Within the exclusive Sabi Sands Reserve there are a number of smaller private reserves and Lion Sands is one of the top places for some of the best Big Five game viewing in South Africa.

Finish you luxury honeymoon at one of the very best hotels in Mauritius - Le Prince Maurice, which is a five-star plus property located in a beautiful position on the east coast of the island. The luxurious suites are constructed in individual thatched cottages set in tropical gardens, just yards from the magnificent white beach and the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. The hotel has a large pool and beautifully designed public areas, two a la carte restaurants and a good range of water-sports including, windsurfing, sailing and snorkelling.

Kenya and Zanzibar honeymoon safari

Kenya is one of the most spectacularly beautiful countries on the African continent with mountain ranges, vast open plains, the Great East Africa Rift Valley lakes, and harsh desert environments. The Masai Mara is one of the world’s most famous and spectacular game viewing regions. Vast expanses of undulating grassy plains roll from horizon to horizon dotted with acacia trees and isolated rocky outcrops covering an area of 1800km².

Elephant Pepper Camp is a step back in time but with modern comforts: evenings by the campfire and dinner under the stars are a special feature of this tented camp. This is an original bush camp, eco-friendly, committed to finding a way of life that does not harm the wilderness and revenue from the camp goes back to the local community. The Elephant Pepper Camp is put up for the season and then packed away to leave no trace behind. The homely atmosphere of this camp is part of its charm. Guests can relax with nature, no generators, no vehicles passing, no permanent structures jarring the skyline, just the sights and sounds of the bush which completely surround you.

Situated right on the northern edge of the Masai Mara Reserve, Elephant Pepper Camp is tucked away in a prime wildlife area surrounded by the Mara’s ubiquitous game. Game drives during the day, sundowners and unwinding around the glowing embers of a campfire all add to the authenticity of a true bush experience. The Masai Mara is one of the world’s most famous and spectacular game viewing regions. Vast expanses of undulating grassy plains roll from horizon to horizon dotted with acacia trees and isolated rocky outcrops covering an area of 1800km².

The rich grasslands and watering places in the Masai Mara sustain large numbers of plains game including thousands of elephant, graceful-looking giraffe and big herds of buffalo. There are also zebra, wildebeest and a host of smaller creatures such as baboon, warthog and jackal. There are great herds of antelope, which range from the diminutive topi to majestic-looking kudu.   The Masai Mara is also a particularly good place to see predators and prides of lion compete with leopard and cheetah for food and territory. 

Fly to Zanzibar and stay at Breezes Beach Club, a charming beach hotel located in the southern part of the east coast of the island.  It is privately owned and run to high standards and has an idyllic, gently shelving brilliant white beach fringed with swaying palm trees. The hotel is beautifully decorated in relaxed elegance with a wonderful blend of hand carved furniture, unique Zanzibar antiques, beautiful fabrics and innovative use of natural materials.  The chalets are spacious and air-conditioned with private balconies or terraces. There is a range of facilities at Breezes including a floodlit tennis court, water sports centre and fitness centre.  There is a very large pool and two restaurants, mainly specialising in sea food and reflecting the diverse influence of this country's rich history and its position at the centre of the spice trade.

The Old Stone Town of Zanzibar is only an hour's drive away and it is therefore very convenient as a day trip and if you would like to take a spice tour or visit other aspects of the country's fascinating history this can easily be arranged.

Kenya and Mauritius honeymoon safari

Spend the first three nights of your luxury honeymoon safari adventure at Loisaba. This is part of the Laikipia region is home to eight thousand elephants, the largest population in Kenya, and a whole variety of other animals including lion and leopard as well as the endemic northern species that thrive there – gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe.

Loisaba is managed by the local Maasai and Samburu communities who work together to preserve this spectacular environment giving you the opportunity to get a wonderful insight into Maasai and Samburu culture as well as a varied wildlife experience.  At Loisaba you can go at whatever pace you choose and in addition to fabulous game drives both during the day and at night with a spotlight, you can rock climb, go on hikes though the bush with an armed tracker, take a horse back safari, camel ride, go quad biking or simply relax by the pool after a cultural visit to the nearby Maasai communities.  As Loisaba Lodge is located on a private ranch you can expect to see no people, other than those staying at the lodge during your activities which allows you to explore this remote area in wonderful privacy, ensuring a real sense that you have a piece of the African wilderness all to yourselves.

Leaving Loisaba after three wonderful days you will take a private light aircraft charter flight to Cottars airstrip where you will be met and taken by private road transfer to Cottars 1920’s Camp to stay for three nights. The Masai Mara is without question on of the most exciting game viewing locations in East Africa and Cottars 1920’s Camp is the best place in the Masai Mara to guarantee privacy for your game viewing. As the name suggests the camp has been designed with a 1920’s feel, taking you back to a fabulous era when safaris were about elegance and exploration. Between July and October the annual migration of over two million wildebeest and zebra is moving through the Masai Mara. During your stay at Cottars 1920’s Camp you may like to depart on a full day game drive with a delicious picnic lunch to find the migration. This is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth and will provide some amazing sights as the thousands of animals make their way across the plains and rivers on their annual journey.

Fly to the island of Mauritius and stay at Le Telfair - the perfect place to relax after an action packed safari.  Le Telfair is a lovely five star property located on the south west of the island in a secluded location with a full range of watersports, superb restaurants and it even has its nature reserve and golf course.  I think it would be the ideal place for you to relax and enjoy pampering at the end of a magnificent southern African honeymoon.  Mauritius is one of the best places in the Indian Ocean for snorkelling, diving, deep sea fishing, wind surfing and any watersports that you would care to name and if you want to explore the island, there is plenty to see and do.

South Africa and Mozambique honeymoon safari

The Kruger is South Africa’s premier game viewing location, in particular the private reserves which are located on the western border of the Kruger National Park. There are a number of amazingly luxurious safari lodges which are located on superb reserves and one of the best of these is Londolozi. This has been established on its own private reserve for decades and the reserve, in the Sabi Sands area has large numbers of elephant, lots of big cats including lion, leopard and cheetah, giraffe, plenty of rhinoceros, big herds of buffalo, antelope and a whole variety of other creatures and birds.  Between exciting game drives and walks you can enjoy delicious meals in the air conditioned restaurant and in the open air boma and occasionally a surprise bush breakfast or dinner, a dip in the large pool and can also enjoy a range of wellness treatments within sight of the wildlife!

Fly to Mozambique. Just off the coast of Mozambique lies Bazaruto Archipelago, a string of brilliant white sandy islands with palm trees and lush tropical vegetation. The largest of these is the 11km long Benguerra Island surrounded by pristine white beaches, while in the centre of the island are areas of grassland, forest and small rivers, which support a wide variety of birds. Surrounding the island are over twenty wonderful dive sites and many more excellent snorkelling locations teeming with beautiful fish and coral, and in order to protect this environment the island has been declared a national park for over thirty years.

Benguerra Lodge is the perfect place to relax in a comfortable desert island environment and the management is attentive yet unobtrusive and the atmosphere at the lodge is friendly and relaxed. The accommodation is gloriously romantic and you are literally only a few steps from the beautiful beach. The standard of cuisine is very good indeed, specialising in locally caught seafood.

There is a wide range of activities that can be enjoyed here including scuba diving, snorkelling and sea kayaking, as well as game fishing and fly fishing. The lodge can also arrange dhow cruises which are excellent as the sun begins to set, cast away picnics and vehicle trips to explore the island and watch the birdlife, which includes rare species such as the crab plover, the olive bee-eater and the green coucal.

Botswana and Mozambique honeymoon safari

Start your honeymoon safari at Lagoon Camp in the north of Botswana on the Kwando River. The camp is located in a very remote area of the concession and looks out across a large lagoon which is often home to a number of hippopotamus as well as many different species of birds. Game drives take you along the river course and through the mopane forest which is where wild dog make their dens at certain times of the year. A game-drive would then take you along the Kwando River to the only other camp in the area, Lebala. The area is famous for its large herds of elephant and buffalo as well as thousands of plains game including; impala, red lechwe, zebra and wildebeest. You would also expect to see most of the large predators here with lion, cheetah and wild dog all regularly seen at Lebala. A light aircraft flight would then take you south and into the heart of the Okavango region where you would stay at Kwara Camp which sits on the northern boundary of the Moremi Game Reserve. The views from aircraft are absolutely stunning and you can pick out families of elephant and large herds of buffalo drinking at the perennial water holes. I think that these three camps are an excellent combination, offering both land and water based activities and at this time of year you will be sure to see lots of animals.

Fly to Johannesburg where you can stay overnight. The following morning fly to Mozambique and stay at Azura Lodge on Benguerra Island. With calm turquoise seas and miles of white sandy beaches, it is the perfect beach break and a great place to be pampered after a safari. There are dozens of wonderful dive sites on Benguerra Island and you will be amazed by the great diversity of marine life. You can also enjoy snorkelling, deep sea fishing, windsurfing and trips to explore the island by boat and open vehicle.

Mozambique is a seafood lover’s paradise and you will enjoy romantic dinners at the restaurant overlooking the calm Indian Ocean waters. The lodge can even arrange a candlelit dinner in your private villa or a picnic at a secluded spot on the beach.

Namibia, Botswana and Cape Town honeymoon safari

Namibia is one of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating deserts with a huge variety of scenery and range of interests that can be indulged.  It is a unique honeymoon safari destination. South of Windhoek are the vast ranges of apricot coloured sand dunes, the highest in the world, and in the early morning the sun casts stark shadows as the rays slant across the razor sharp ridges.  Then you have expanses of white gravel plains, large canyons and, of course, the Skeleton Coast with its wrecks and seal colonies.  The mountains of Damaraland are equally fascinating with their desert-adapted wildlife including elephant and a few rhinoceros, and then you have the expansive Etosha Saltpan, which stretches for miles and shimmers with heat during the day, yet is very cold at night and a haven for antelope and other animals, who can see predators coming from a long way as they take refuge there.

You will travel with a private guide in a fully equipped vehicle in a large loop, heading first of all southwards to the apricot coloured dunes of Sossusvlei, and that you then travel north and west to the Skeleton Coast, seeing Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, and the utterly deserted areas that lie to the north.  There is some good birding to be had at Walvis Bay and as you head north along the Skeleton Coast you come to the occasional giant seal colony and shipwreck. You then head inland to Damaraland where a comfortable camp would be set up for you in the heart of this mountainous desert landscape, where you would be able to set off in search of desert adapted elephant and rhinoceros, petrified forests, bushmen’s rock engravings, and other attractions of this area which lies almost in the centre of Namibia. 

The Okavango Delta combines beautifully with the arid landscapes of Namibia and will spend  four days at Baines Camp towards the edge of the Delta in a location where you can enjoy all the waterbased mokoro canoe activities and elephant encounters as well as being sufficiently far out for there to be very good numbers of wildlife.  The wildlife is magnificent and there are very large numbers of lion there. There are also big herds of buffalo and antelope, elephant, giraffe, and a good range of other creatures, all set in the beautiful lush Okavango landscape.  

Then fly to Cape Town and stay at the Cape Grace in the Waterfront area which is a redevelopment of the original docks. Everyone agrees that the finest hotel in the Waterfront is the Cape Grace which is privately owned and of five star standard with beautifully appointed rooms, a fine restaurant and very good facilities.  You can walk out of the front door and immediately be in areas where you can enjoy attractive restaurants, shopping and entertainment and of course this is also a very good base for exploring the city, places like Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner, to ascend Table Mountain by cable car and it is also a classic time for whale watching.  If you would like we can arrange guide with a vehicle to take some of these excursions as well the picturesque Winelands.