9 romance-filled African adventures for honeymooning couples
Your honeymoon should be an experience you’ll never forget, with incredible adventures paired with plenty of romance as you start your married life. Africa’s mesmerising landscapes, exceptional wildlife encounters and luxurious lodges tick all the right boxes to create a memorable escape.
Whether you want to be immersed in the savannah with the calls of the wild ringing all around you, sipping on South Africa’s finest amidst majestic vineyards or kicking back on picture-perfect stretches of sand, here are 8 African experiences to help inspire your honeymoon.
With superb wildlife viewing and striking desert landscapes, Namibia is one of Africa’s most alluring destinations for newlyweds looking to escape. Watch the sunrise over the mesmerizing dunes of Sossusvlei and game drive through the wildlife-rich landscapes of Etosha National Park. You can witness eerily majestic wrecks along the aptly-named Skeleton Coast, then bunk down in luxurious yet wild lodges in the ancient Namib Desert. Aside from a surprisingly rich and diverse environment, Namibia boasts unparalleled stargazing that has to be seen to be believed.
The Serengeti needs no introduction and has long been the go-to destination for travellers hoping to spot the “Big 5” on a Tanzania safari tour. But despite the number of tourists that visit every year, it still offers some exclusive corners where it feels like you have the whole place to yourself. Aside from some of the most luxurious lodges in East Africa for the ultimate honeymoon, a Serengeti safari also offers undeniably romantic experiences like sunrise hot air ballooning. Watch the day’s first rays illuminate the savannah as you float above, with a bird’s eye view of the herds wandering below. It’s especially magnificent during the annual Great Wildebeest Migration when 1.5 million wildebeest (together with hundreds of thousands of zebras and opportunistic predators) make the long journey north to the Maasai Mara.
If you’re looking for a bit of beach romance after your Kenya-Tanzania safari, then the Indian Ocean islands offer it in abundance. Zanzibar is the most obvious choice, with its alluring combination of white sandy beaches, spice plantations and historic architecture. Wander through the atmospheric streets of Stone Town and feast at the nightly seafood market or go island hopping and snorkeling on the surrounding coral reefs aboard a traditional dhow. Alternatively, you can head to quieter Pemba or splurge at the exclusive resort on Mnemba Island, which is the epitome of barefoot luxury. Spend your days diving, birding and watching sea turtles hatch or do absolutely nothing at all beneath a beach umbrella or while being pampered during an iindulgent massage.
Designated as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, the Okavango Delta is a spectacular landscape of seasonal floodplains framed by swaying reeds and riverine forests. It’s home to a plethora of wildlife that can be spotted during game drives, walking safaris and traditional mokoro canoe trips. Get up close to towering giraffes and elusive leopards while keeping your eyes peeled for the myriad bird species that come to rest and refuel in the majestic wetlands. No Okavango experience is complete without getting a bird’s eye view of this watery wonderland during a scenic flight, allowing you to truly appreciate the vastness of the delta while watching herds of big game traverse the islands below.
Wine lovers and foodies should make a beeline for South Africa and the dreamy Cape Winelands that sprawl to the northeast of Cape Town. Picture whitewashed Cape Dutch buildings surrounded by vineyard-swathed hills and long days spent sipping on sauvignon blanc and pinotage. From the gourmet hub of Franschhoek to the historic streets of Stellenbosch, the Cape Winelands are brimming with gastronomic experiences to tempt newlyweds looking to indulge. Explore on foot, by bicycle or while scenic driving through the region to discover its award-winning restaurants and family vineyards that date back centuries.
Follow in the footsteps of Scottish explorer, David Livingstone, on a honeymoon to Zambia while soaking up the colonial charm in the city named after him. Livingstone serves as the gateway to Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya (“the smoke that thunders”), a bucket-list natural wonder on many travellers’ lists. Experience its grandeur and spray from above or below, with plenty of adrenalin-pumping activities for adventure-seeking couples. Go whitewater rafting along the Zambezi River or swim on the edge at the Devil’s Pool, then experience the ultimate in old-world luxury at The Victoria Falls Hotel.
Mozambique might not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of a romantic honeymoon in Africa. But with some of the continent’s most stunning beaches in paradisiacal settings, it shouldn’t be overlooked for couples wanting an island escape. The Bazaruto Archipelago has been dubbed “the pearl of the Indian Ocean” for its palm-fringed islands and water-based activities that include scuba diving, snorkelling and dhow cruising. But if you’re after a more Robinson Crusoe experience, then consider the Quirimbas Archipelago - a string of coral islands along Mozambique’s Indian Ocean coastline that are protected within a marine park. Think beachside massages at intimate lodges where there’s hardly another soul in sight and sunset cruises accompanied by cocktails and gourmet cuisine. Mozambique offers all that and more.
Home to the Maasai Mara, which inspired this iconic Hollywood movie, Kenya is deservedly one of East Africa’s most popular safari destinations. Its combination of breathtaking wildlife experiences (including the Great Wildebeest Migration) and incredible lodges mean it shouldn’t be overlooked for newlyweds wanting to experience the best safari in Africa, with a good dose of luxury thrown in. Spend your days game driving in pursuit of immense herds of wildlife while being guided by red-cloaked Maasai tribesmen, then retreat to your lodge infinity pool overlooking the never-ending plains. With architecturally-impressive lodges situated in stunning locales and immersive mobile camps, you can even wildlife spot from your private balcony, without having to go anywhere at all.
Coming face-to-face with these majestic primates is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so what better way to spend your honeymoon! Trekking through the jungle with the anticipation of encountering a massive silverback and his extended family is just the ticket for wildlife-loving couples who aren’t afraid to get their boots dirty. After trekking to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you can let the experience soak in with a few days relaxing on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi - a whimsical landscape where life beats to an enticingly sleepy rhythm. Or cross into neighbouring Rwanda to hike or bike along the legendary Congo Nile Trail as it meanders along the shores of sparkling Lake Kivu.
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