Safari and Beach Honeymoons

The nostalgia and original spirit of safari takes us back to a golden era of romance …a time when pith-helmeted ex-colonels kept watch as the African night sky set in and lanterns were lit whilst the chink of ice cold G&T’s filled the air ….what better way to begin your honeymoon!? Africa is epitomised by its endless horizons, vast open plains, sheer abundance of wildlife and early dawn choruses of birdsong punctuated by lions roaring. Africa is everything you imagine it to be and more!

A safari and beach honeymoon combines excitement, adventure and relaxation in some of the world’s most stunning bush and beach settings. Nothing quite compares to the first sighting of a wild animal in its natural habitat – it’s a moment that will touch you to the core. A good safari experience will remain with you forever. Most couples opt for the thrill of safari first, on their honeymoon, leaving a week or so afterwards to dust down your safari legs and chill out on a beautiful beach! Allow at least 3 nights to really absorb the bush setting (4 nights is even better!). Conviviality and intimacy are key - safari stories around campfires or the communal dining tables often linger long into the night!

The question of where to go on your safari honeymoon is an important one. If you’re looking to see your classic ‘Big Five’ – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino – then head to countries such as South Africa and Kenya. Then think about what kind of safari experience you really want. Does an authentic under canvas tented camp appeal or are plunge pools and spas more important to you? Do you want to sleep out under the stars? The beach part of your honeymoon can greatly influence your choice of safari destination. Kenya honeymoons and Tanzania honeymoons are perfect twins with Zanzibar, whilst South Africa works well with Mauritius and Mozambique. By choosing destinations that are close together, you can cut down on travel costs and time.

The dry months (May to October) are a great time for a safari honeymoon in South Africa. The animals are easier to spot as they congregate around the waterholes. Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania's Serengeti are also at their best from July to September – and if you’re lucky, you’ll witness the wildebeest migration! Few spectacles can compete with this great natural wonder - a million wildebeest and other herding animals pounding the African plains in search of fresh grasslands and water. Each year, the wildebeest, along with zebra and antelope, gather up their young and start their long trek from Tanzania’s Serengeti Plains further north to Kenya’s Masai Mara. It is without doubt one of the most enthralling game viewing spectacles on earth and tops almost every list of safari experiences!

Having a safari beach honeymoon means you can stay in a mix of epic lodges, hotels and resorts. There's luxury lodges in South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania that pit you right in the heart of the untamed African wilderness, before you swap the bush for the beach in a range of stunning resorts slung across the likes of Zanzibar, the Seychelles and Mauritius.