South Africa is an ideal honeymoon destination with world-class safaris and a mix of other activities in the Cape to keep you busy. I’ve outlined a few directions with sample lodges and prices before transfers, tips, and game reserve fees to give you an idea. Availability on these isn’t guaranteed, but we should be able to find similar options in each area once we settle in on a direction. Thanks!
Any safari property I send you to will have great wildlife, few crowds, and great guiding. In South Africa, there are a few places you can choose from, depending on your preferences and how you want to route your trip. I’ve listed some favorites below. These can be standalone for 4-5 nights – or I can mix a more adventurous options with a luxury lodge. With 6-7 nights you can split between two properties.
The Greater Kruger National Park area is one of Africa’s most famous parks for its high wildlife density, especially leopards. I only book private reserves adjacent to the park to avoid the crowds of public self-drives here. There are lots of lodge options in this part of South Africa. One popular choice for honeymooners is Simbavati Hilltop in the Timbavati Private Reserve. It’s $1,200 per person per night, but with their 40% off one partner honeymoon offer, it comes out to $1,920/nt for two.
&Beyond’s Phinda Private Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal Province isn’t as well known. Still, it has excellent wildlife – especially cheetah, which are rarer in the brushy landscape around Kruger. There are a few properties to choose from here, but they are roughly around $1,100 per person per night. With their 50% off one partner honeymoon offer, it comes out to $1,650/nt for two. The main incentive to stay here is easy access to South African beaches in the province (noted below).
The Eastern Cape game reserves near Port Elizabeth are still up and coming, and as a result, you often get a 5-star lodge for a 4-star price. They have all the Big 5 with a really high concentration of rhinos. It’s a short 1hr flight from Cape Town, so it combines well with the city. However, it is slightly colder here in August with temps 40-70, whereas Kruger would be 50-80. Because of this is, it is malaria-free, though the other areas are low risk in the dry season. My favorite property here is Kwandwe Ecca, which is around the same price as Phinda, $1,100 per person per night, with 50% off one partner’s honeymoon offer – $1,650/nt for two.
After your early wake and safari schedule, it will be nice to relax on the beach and sleep in. I’ve outlined a few options below. You should be able to get to the South Africa options in a day but the others may require a layover.
Mozambique is perfect for a castaway beach vibe because there are few resorts in the Bazaruto Archipelago near Vilankulos. There is also fantastic snorkeling. There are occasional direct flights from Kruger here, but it may involve an overnight in Johannesburg. My favorite resorts are the Azura brand, and their new property, Marlin Beach, is a great deal starting at $775 per person per night. With a 50% off honeymoon offer, this is $1163/nt for two, all-inclusive.
South Africa is a bit further south and so has cooler waters. However, if you are in Phinda in September, you can drive to Thonga Beach Lodge, the only property on a remote stretch of beach that is relatively far north. This will give you Mozambique vibes at South Africa prices. Rooms start at $800/nt for two, all-inclusive, with a stay-4-pay-3 special offer.
Mauritius is the most developed beach in the region with direct 5hr flights from Cape Town or Johannesburg (though these sometimes require an overnight layover). You’ll have a lot of choices at a range of prices here – the only downside is that there are more tourists to contend with and a lower level of service.. I like LUX Le Morne for its slightly sheltered position near a good surf beach with a mountain backdrop. Rooms for two here start at $433 for a room only or $838 for an all-inclusive package.
The Cape isn’t a warm-water beach – think of a more dramatic San Francisco. But it can be a rewarding stop if you’re into museums, hiking, and whale watching. Prices are also reasonable with decent city hotels like Gorgeous George in the $250/nt range or coastal inns like Coot Club in the $450/nt range. Depending on your flight, it can be a fun add-on to your trip.
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