Africa is such a unique continent and it guarantees the honeymoon of a lifetime.
Whether you have always wanted to go on an African safari or spend time on an Indian Ocean island, there are so many destinations can provide the perfect balance of activity, relaxation and romance.
Our guide will help you to make your honeymoon absolutely perfect, whether it be exotic islands, or in the fabulous luxury of Africa’s finest hotels and camps in some of the wildest and most remote parts of the continent.
How to Plan a Dream African Honeymoon
Every couple has one thing in common – the need to get their honeymoon absolutely perfect. But everyone has different requirements.
Some couples want utter luxury, some want to stay in camps that are as simple and wild as possible. Large hotels vs small boutique guesthouses…adventure or relaxation…or both! This is where the skill of tailor-making itineraries becomes incredibly important.
Our tips to planning the most amazing honeymoon to Africa, which includes advice about where to go, including helping you arrange the Africa’s finest honeymoons
We focus on the some most popular honeymoon destinations on the continent including Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Zanzibar and Seychelles.
Best Time of Year to Go
You can take a honeymoon to Africa every month of the year but the second half of the year tends to be the most popular time to visit though as this coincides with the best time of year for both game viewing and beach lolling. Most countries generally have their best weather and game viewing in the months from June through to October.
Book Independently or with a Travel Agent?
If you are looking to book a honeymoon to Africa, you can book everything independently for example flight on Skyscanner and accommodation on Booking.com. This can give you some flexibility but you will really need to make the effort to research all destinations, accommodation, activities and itinerary.
Or you could book with a travel agent who can help take the stress out of planning and provide expert advice finer touches – for example getting that special room in a lodge, organising a private dinner in the savannah, a surprise bush breakfast, beautiful sunset spots, rose filled baths … and guarantee the honeymoon of a lifetime.
Important Things to Consider
A few points to remember about African honeymoons:
There are so many potential destinations don’t rush and make a decision, consider your budget, how much time you have and what specific interests you have – this can help narrow down the search.
It is possible to have a honeymoon in Africa on a budget, although depending on where you live prices for flights, safaris and beach resorts can be high compared to say a European break if you are from the UK.
If you want to go on a dream African safari, the longer you spend, the more expensive your trip will become. Safari accommodation is generally much more expensive than a night at beach resort.
Most couples spend about five or six days on safari, any longer and not only will your price rocket, but you may well find that you are safari’ed out. The key is to find the perfect balance.
Island, Safari or Both?
Mainland Africa offers cities, safaris, a beautiful coastline and endless adventures. Whereas the African islands offer true idyllic paradises with beautiful white sandy beaches and crystal clear oceans. Where you go really depends on your personal choice.
East Africa is the one of the most popular and cost effective locations for a honeymoon. This is mainly due to the fact that Kenya and Tanzania have stunning beaches (Tanzania especially), so combining a safari and beach is easy. Conversely, beach and safari combinations in Southern Africa can be very expensive
Combining the Seychelles with a safari in Africa is not only time consuming (due to dead nights to connect to and from the Seychelles) but it is also frightfully expensive. For this reason we suggest keeping to Africa’s mainland which also has beaches or travelling instead to an individual islands like the Seychelles… unless you have a good amount of time and a very healthy budget.
Where to Go
Here is our list of the most popular Africa honeymoon destinations.
1. The Seychelles
Home to over 100 islands, the Seychelles is a paradise for romantic holidays, with great options to stay and enjoy some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
Unspoilt islands, white sand beaches, warm and sparkling seas and inspiring creole culture; the Seychelles is a natural honeymoon location with plenty to explore and discover, so that your beach island adventure can take in a few different locations.
In the Seychelles you can find some of the most amazing luxury hotels in Africa, think rooms with beach views and fantastic modern facilities.
Some travel agents can put together honeymoon itineraries combining Seychelles beach time with some fabulous African wildlife; Seychelles beaches are easily combined with Nairobi, or slightly less easily with Dar es Salaam.
We tend to recommend that you spend some time on one of the main islands, either Praslin – for rainforest and coco de mer and access to La Digue, or Mahe, with its sumptuous luxury suite style hotels, such as the Banyan Tree or Maia.
The second phase of Seychelles island fun might be spent discovering the very exclusive delights of island lodges such as Denis, Desroches, Cousin or North island.
There is such a range of landscapes and experiences in the Seychelles, from the elegance of the granitic islands, with their distinctive rock formations rising from a crystal sea, to the impressive drama of the volcanic islands, and the remote appeal of the outer islands.
Combinations of these make for diverse and memorably superb beach itineraries.
2. Botswana
If you are dreaming of an exclusive wilderness experience to treasure, then Botswana is for you. This is the land of completely authentic and safari experiences, combining the finest luxury with great service and romantic treats.
If your honeymoon dream is one of an authentic safari in exclusive, luxurious accommodation, then Botswana is your country. Safaris here are superb quality, although you pay accordingly. From extraordinary colonial hotels with palatial suites to tiny, five-bed luxury tented camps; there is something for every taste.
Botswana has numerous remote and pristine wilderness locations where romantic lodges are tucked away in private reserves away from the crowds. The best of these take great care of honeymooners, with spectacular surprises and treats.
Between May and October (when many couples choose to get married in Europe and North America) Botswana is hot, dry, low in humidity and fantastic for game. Botswana is virtually on the same latitude as the United Kingdom and therefore benefits from there being no jet lag.
3. Kenya
People choose to take honeymoons in Kenya for a number of reasons – the ease in combining a first class safari with an idyllic beach, the fact that there is virtually no time difference from the UK (you can fly overnight and be on the beach or on safari by nine in the morning!) and the fact that Kenya has a vast range of exceptional accommodation in some of the most pristine and remote wilderness locations in Africa.
Kenya is a country that does safaris well, even in the wildlife areas beyond the densely populated Masai Mara. To enjoy the best of Kenya, head away from the crowds to enjoy the glory of the Laikipia Plateau or relax on the Indian Ocean coast.
Kenya has something for everyone. In the North there are some of the most untouched and pristine National Parks in Africa, and the rich wildlife of the Masai Mara is perfect for first time safaris. And then there is the coastline, with some brilliant beaches, diving and fishing. Kenya safaris can easily be combined with the islands of the Seychelles and Mauritius, Zanzibar and the northern beaches of Mozambique.
Kenya honeymoons work well for those who seek adventure and activity, who loathe the thought of lying around soaking up the atmosphere. The joy of Kenya safaris is the extraordinary wealth of activities, inland and along the coast, and opportunities to lap up the atmosphere of the African bush from a well-established old bush home in Central Kenya.
4. Mauritius
Are you looking for a beautiful beach destination with a wealth of natural beauty? You can find direct flights from London only 12 hours, or take a connection in Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
Mauritius excels at the five star treatment, albeit from large hotels. There is a vast choice of here, all with spas, watersports, tennis and golf, fine cuisine and superb wines.
There are so many incredible luxury ‘suite’ hotels, and exclusive island hideaways. You’ll also get to experience colourful Creole culture and sample the delicious local cuisine.
Mauritius is highly rated in terms of hospitality and luxury holiday style. It tends towards private, suave glamour of the five star hotels, rather than Robinson Crusoe style ‘barefoot luxury’. Private villas, plunge pools, spas galore and wide, sweeping white sand beaches all with a wide choice of dining options, this is Mauritius honeymoon style.
Mauritius is the land of exquisite spas and sommeliers, of pampering and fusion cultures. It is a country where hospitality is highly valued as a cultural heritage and the competition among the high-starred hotels raises the barrier within these ratings.
With a glorious natural landscape and reef-protected coastline, there is a good choice of accommodation from which to lap up the location.
The East Coast beaches are fabulous. Backed by pine trees and then mile upon mile of sugar cane to the mountains, this is a truly beautiful aspect, although can get pretty windy during July and August.
5. South Africa
South Africa is home to stunning natural landscapes, world famous safari parks, high five star standards of luxury hotels.
There are so many amazing places to see in South Africa, a popular option is to fly into Johannesburg which is a gateway to the Kruger National Park. Cape Town is also one of the most scenic cities in the world.
Obviously the choice of your itinerary is largely dependant on your budget. There are some mind-blowingly expensive lodges here and some of the best National Parks in the world.
We would like to stress however that a good lodge is not necessarily about its level of luxury. The key for a good safari is lodge location, guiding and character. South Africa has some seriously top rated lodges at great prices.
6. Tanzania
Tanzania is an ideal honeymoon location; it has stunning scenery, great safaris, dream-inspiring beaches and small, romantic accommodation. It is easy to get to from the UK, good value and simple to get around… look no further!
There are so many amazing things to do in Tanzania and it is easy to see why it is one of Africa’s finest honeymoon destinations. The ease of combining a top quality safari with the beaches of Zanzibar make Tanzania one of the first countries to consider when choosing a honeymoon to Africa.
Hot air balloon safaris, beautiful tree houses, alfresco dinners in the middle of the Serengeti, Zanzibar’s beaches… this is a fantastic honeymoon destination and has superb weather in our summer months of June to October
Best Honeymoon Destinations in Tanzania
A quick guide to Tanzania’s main honeymoon areas:
Northern Tanzania
Tanzania’s ‘Northern Circuit’ provides unique wildlife viewing. Safaris here watch the pagent of wildife across the fertile, volcanic plains of the Serengeti, and explore areas such as the Ngorongoro Crater and highlands, taking in the glory of the Great Rift Valley rising over Lake Manyara and possibly Tarangire, depending on the season.
Tanzania’s Northern circuit guarantees fantastic game viewing and has a number of absolutely stunning camps, some of which are regarded as some of Africa’s finest, especially for honeymoons. The likes of the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Sasakwa, Faru Faru, Kleins Camp and Serengeti Under Canvas are extraordinary lodges that offer every luxury you could ever need.
With these lodges starting at $1,000pppn however, they are certainly at the high end of the market! Sayari and Nomads Lamai are slightly more affordable yet still superb camps, however most travel companies use the Serengeti’s mobile camps for most honeymoon breaks.
The likes of Alex Walker’s Serian, Nomads Serengeti Safari Camp and Olakira are more affordable, but still with excellent game viewing and are far more luxurious than clients expect! They come in at between $650 and $800pppn.
The only downside to the Northern parks is how busy they are, the limited activities on offer. It is here that Tanzania’s Southern parks play their part; Selous and Ruaha are substantially quieter yet still have outrageously good game viewing and great lodges at more affordable prices. The camps here also offer superb walking and boating safaris which the lodges in the North do not offer.
South and West Tanzania
The southern and western regions of Tanzania suit our style. Safaris here differ in style and logistics from northern safaris, as guests usually fly direct to the airstrips of their chosen camps and stay for a number of days, exploring the bush with local experts.
Less rigorous regulations allow open-sided vehicles, walking safaris, fly-camping and fishing; bush breakfasts, lunches and sundowners are laid on with aplomb, and the landscapes are yours to enjoy.
A safari in the Southern parks are best from July through to mid November. Selous Safari camp, Beho Beho, Sand Rivers, Mwagusi and Jongomero are all fantastic lodges for honeymoons at the top end of the market (from $700 to $1,000pppn) where as the likes of Lake Manze Camp, Impala, Mwagusi and Mdonya Old River are substantially more affordable and still superb for game viewing.
Other Countries to Combine with Tanzania
There is certainly an argument that there is no need to leave Tanzania! The country has such a good range of safari and great beach options that itineraries can easily be designed within its borders. It is rare that we include other countries with Tanzania solely for the quality of their safari.
You could though also visit Rwanda and Uganda however offer opportunities to view the Great Apes and with flights linking Rwanda directly to the Serengeti we often design trips combining both countries.
Mozambique and the Seychelles are regarded as the places to find the finest beaches with many spots heralded as the finest in the world. They come with logistical issues however (especially the Seychelles) and honeymoons to combine these locations with Tanzania are far from cheap.
7. Zanzibar
The very name of Zanzibar exudes the exotic, romantic aura of historic, fabled Indian Ocean islands. But the greatest joy of Zanzibar is that the island dream does still live on.
With its ocean horizons traversed by ancient style dhow boats of long ago, the landscape here is one of coconut palms and clove trees, spice plantations and long, red sand roads. From the ancient capital to the coral sand coast, this island archipelago has charisma, history, and romance in the air.
Its amazing lodges and private islands are drenched in sunshine for much of the year and the capital Stone Town is a great destination to poke around for honeymoon curios. These gloriously remote and unspoilt islands can easily be combined with Africa’s finest safaris, for a truly unforgettable honeymoon.
Honeymoons in Zanzibar tend to focus on its beautiful beaches, or exclusive, idyllic hideaway islands such as Mnemba or Chumbe. These can be utter heaven, with deep drifts of white coral sand, coconut palms and elegant, charismatic accommodation. The style is generally of a ‘barefoot luxury’ style, with rustic-seeming beach bandas and swathes of kikois, although there are a couple of larger hotels if this suits you better.
There is lots to see and do in Zanzibar, especially and if you appreciate the joys of diving the coral reefs, snorkelling and tasting the delicacies that these reefs have to offer. There is a wealth of history and culture to absorb without having to work much at it; true Swahili style is such that its laid back charisma infuses the entire island atmosphere.
Best Places to Stay in Zanzibar
There are a number of superb beach options on Zanzibar, with prices varying hugely.
Mnemba Island
Mnemba is located just off the North East Coast of Zanzibar and is a tiny dream island with the impressive accolade of being one of the most romantic and exclusive coral atoll islands in the world.
Mnemba Island is the best of it all, but at $3,000 a night it ought to be! Palms, Baraza and Kilindi are superb and slightly more affordable where as the likes of Ras Nungwi, Breezes and Matemwe Bungalows offer great honeymoon accommodation at cheap prices.
The Palms
Definitely the most luxurious small lodge on Zanzibar. The lodge has the best rooms on the Island for those who want all the creature comforts and also seriously top class food and service.
Ras Nungwi
Lastly, Ras Kutani (on the mainland coast) is one of our favourite honeymoon lodges in the whole of Africa. It is an outstanding beach lodge at a ridiculously good price! The Ocean Suite has an incredibly spacious 200 square metres of living space is at the disposal of no more than two guests at a time. The secluded sundeck, complete with private plunge pool and stylish furnishings, offers a private and romantic escape, perfect for honeymooners.
Other
These are some more popular destinations which didn’t quite make our top list.
Egypt
Exploring ancient pyramids and temples in Egypt or relaxing at a Red Sea Resort can provide you with an incredible holiday at an affordable price. Egypt is the perfect destination if you have an interest in history, or if you are keen to go scuba diving.
Morocco
Take in an ancient culture, bustling markets, scenic cities and sample tasty cuisine on a honeymoon in Morocco. Experience a totally unique experience to the traditional honeymoon.
Uganda/Rwanda
Going to see the majestic wild mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda really is the trip of a lifetime, and much more adventurous than your average safari or beach break.
Start Planning a Honeymoon to Africa
Africa is a huge continent with so many places you could visit. If you are organising your first trip to Africa you really are spoilt for choice for luxury honeymoon destinations that will provide you with memories to last a lifetime. Hopefully our guide will help you to plan the most amazing trip possible.
