Planning an African Honeymoon

By: Scott Dubois, Fauna Travel Designer

We think the best honeymoons are a blend of adventure and relaxation, and Africa is one of the best destinations to combine the two. So if you want to make your honeymoon the trip of a lifetime, why not experience a life-changing safari and then unwind on the beach near the crystal blue waters of the Indian Ocean?

We’ve outlined some of the most popular safari and island destinations below. Of the countries listed here, South Africa has the most direct flights from the United States. However, we’re all for combining a short stopover in Europe en route to make it even more enjoyable. Contact us to start planning your epic honeymoon adventure today.

The Best Honeymoon Safaris

South Africa

Beyond air connectivity, South Africa has a diversity of landscapes and activities to build a fantastic honeymoon itinerary. The private preserves surrounding Kruger National Park are the best-known safari destination because of the large quantity and high quality of safari lodges. However, several unique luxury safari options exist in the southern KwaZulu-Natal and Kalahari regions. We like to include some time for fine dining in the scenic Cape Winelands in a honeymoon itinerary and then finish with time on the beach. From Kruger, it’s a short flight to Mozambique. You can get there and to Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles from Johannesburg. Learn More »

Sample Itinerary:

Kenya

Kenya is a fantastic safari destination with friendly people and beautiful culture. The great wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara coincides with the busy wedding months of August and September, so be sure to book your trip further out for this peak season. The iconic Giraffe Manor, worth a flight to Nairobi alone, starts to fill up almost a year and a half out now. We almost always book the private reserves around the Mara to avoid crowds during the high season. Kenya’s high Laikipia Plateau is one of the best places in the world for a horseback or mountain bike safari. For a beach escape at the end of your trip, both Zanzibar and the Seychelles are accessible via direct flights from Nairobi. Learn More »

Tanzania

Tanzania has very similar landscapes and culture to its northern neighbor, Kenya. However, Serengeti National Park is ten times larger than the Maasai Mara, making it a more relaxed place to view the great migration when it peaks in June through July. Tanzania is also the best option if you’d like to connect your safari to a gorilla or chimpanzee trek. There are a few good options to see chimpanzees along Africa’s Great Lakes in Tanzania, and it is relatively easy to fly to Kigali, Rwanda, if you’d like to go gorilla trekking there. In addition, Zanzibar and the nearby Pemba Islands are Tanzanian territories, so there are regular direct flights from around the country to dust off in the ocean after your safari. Learn More »

Sample Itinerary:

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe may be right for you if you love wildlife and are just as happy in a pool with a view as on the beach. There is no shortage of luxury swimming options near Victoria Falls, not to mention the spectacular pools at Bumi Hills and Singita Pamushana lodges. Zimbabwe also has the world’s second-largest population of elephants, and there is excellent viewing in both Hwange and Mana Pools national parks. If you’ve ever wanted to encounter African wildlife on foot, Zimbabwe has some of the world’s best guides for walking safaris. Victoria Falls and Harare airports can be reached through African hub cities like Nairobi and Johannesburg. Learn More »

Sample Itinerary:

The Best Honeymoon Beaches in Africa

Seychelles

Seychelles is the quintessential remote beach destination. The island chain is known for blue water, soft white beaches lined with tall palms, and dramatic rocky cliffs. With direct air connectivity to Europe, it can be a standalone trip or the romantic end to your safari in South or East Africa. Our favorite private island retreat in the world, North Island is the best place to stay here, but there are many other great options.

Sample Itinerary:

Mozambique

Mozambique was once a top-tier safari destination before its civil war. While it has made progress in rewinding its national parks in recent years, most visitors to the country are headed to the Bazaruto Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The warm shallow waters are home to coral reefs, humpback whales, and rare dugongs. The view from your helicopter flight to an island resort is almost guaranteed to be the highlight of your honeymoon.

São Tomé and Principe Island

If you are the type of couple who wants to go places nobody you know has been to, then São Tomé and Principe may pique your interest. The tropical island nation lies off the west coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean along the equator. Its volcanic hills and mountains are covered in a dense rainforest spotted with coffee plantations. The waters of the Atlantic here are colder than the Indian Ocean, but there are still beautiful beaches to enjoy with hardly another tourist around. Getting here from South or East Africa is not easy, and the best direct flight is from Lisbon. Therefore, we usually plan a week here and a week in Portugal, without a safari, for a particularly unique honeymoon itinerary.

Zanzibar

The name Zanzibar conjures images of the Arab spice trade and calm blue waters, and the reality isn’t too far off. The island, part of Tanzanian territory, is only a 30-minute flight from Dar es Salaam and easily accessed from most of East Africa. It has a fascinating history which can be enjoyed on tours of the winding streets of Stone Town. There is also a wide range of resort options lining the beaches. However, the tides here can deliver a less-than-ideal beach experience at some locations, so we only use hotels with reliable beaches and impeccable style to ensure your honeymoon never misses a beat.

Contact us today by filling out the form below to start planning your luxury African honeymoon.