Africa Honeymoon Ideas – Your Complete Guide

For many people, the perfect way to kick off a life together is to have an adventure on their honeymoon. Africa is the perfect place.

From the Okavango Delta to Victoria Falls, from scuba diving to walking safaris, an African honeymoon has it all. And one of the best honeymoon destinations in Africa is south africa.

South Africa is a great place for luxury African honeymoons. Combine some of the country’s highlights with a Cape Town and safari honeymoon. A safari and beach honeymoon can be a perfect combination.

Going on safari is an unforgettable experience – no one forgets the first time they saw one of the big 5 in the wild. What a fantastic memory to have together.

How to Plan an Africa Honeymoon

South Africa Honeymoon vs other African Safari Honeymoon Destinations

South Africa is a great place for a honeymoon safari for a few reasons. Firstly, if you are travelling from the UK or US it is probably the most accessible of the African countries for safari as English is their first language.

Secondly, the GBP and USD tend to perform quite well against the Rand so there is some great value for money to be had on your Africa honeymoon.

Thirdly and importantly, many of the private game reserves in South Africa are not in malarial areas so guests do not have to take antimalarials. 

This is a huge plus in general as if you have never taken them before you may react, it is another thing on the list for those planning a wedding and thirdly many people feel the effects of taking antimalarials – even if it is just odd dreams.

Other African honeymoon destinations like Kenya and Tanzania will require visitors to take antimalarials.

NB – Kruger National Park is in a Malaria zone – Do check with your private game reserve if it is in a malaria zone or let your Honeymoon Africa tour consultant know that you would like to visit somewhere not in a Malaria zone.

Fourth, South African wine! Delicious South African wine can be found in other African countries of course but you will be virtually guaranteed good wine in South Africa.

Fifth, South African private game reserve safaris tend to have a slightly more relaxed schedule than those of Tanzania and Kenya.

This is because the vehicles on private game reserves tend not to have to drive as far to find the animals as they are within the reserve. I see this as a big advantage if you’re on honeymoon as most people are rather exhausted after their wedding.

Of course, there is no mandatory need to go on a long day on safari anywhere but I personally find it difficult to not go out as I feel like while I am there I should do everything when doing something like a safari etc etc.

Number six – US and British citizens do not need to get visas for South Africa. This is not the case with many other African countries eg Kenya and Tanzania.

Finally, a South Africa tour has so much to offer besides safari. I highly recommend lovely stellenbosch – check out Wine Tours Stellenbosh.

All of this without having to leave the country.

Romantic Things to do on Safari

I have been on safari a number of times – national parks, private reserves, and private game reserves. For honeymooners, I would definitely recommend staying in a private game reserve.

Private game reserves tend to offers slightly more luxurious accommodation options and experiences. I have stayed in some stunning places in the Masai Mara but I would not be keen to be limited to one 2 minute shower a day when on honeymoon.

Private game reserves tend to have a slightly more relaxed pace and are more flexible with drive times. It is also often easier to organise things like your own private vehicle, private picnics, etc.

As the game tends to be closer to the accommodation game drives also tend to be shorter so there is more time for relaxing in the often stunning accommodation.

Always advise your private game reserve ahead of your visit that it is your Honeymoon so that they can organise special treats.

The following are just a few of the romantic experiences that can be requested when on your Safari Honeymoon:

1. Dine by candlelight
   
2. Have a picnic lunch just for 2 with an extraordinary view
   
3. Get your own vehicle
   
4. Go on a hot air balloon ride
   
5. Bathe by candle or lamp light

Most private game reserves will be able to organise the above – apart from potentially the hot air balloon ride.

Best Times for a South African Safari Honeymoon

The dry months in South Africa (May to October) are a great time to go as the animals are easier to spot as they congregate around the water holes. Having said that, South Africa is a year-round destination as is its private game reserves.

The wetter months still provide great game viewing opportunities – and often better photos as they are filled with greenery and trees.

Another benefit of visiting a private game reserve is that not only do they know their animals well it is also possible to go off-road to get closer to the animals (going off-road is not allowed in the majority of African national parks).

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Every year the Safari Guild, an African based organisation which consists of tour operators and experts, holds its annual safari awards. Any camp anywhere can enter itself and be reviewed by 16 expert judges who work in the safari tourism industry every day.

In 2018 the winner of the very prestigious overall Best Safari Experience award was the stunning Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. Kwandwe is north of Port Elizabeth and covers 22,000 hectares.

If you are looking for a luxury African safari Honeymoon Kwandwe is your place – particularly as they have a special offer just for honeymooners. Newlyweds are treated to an in-room massage or beauty treatment voucher as well as a romantic turndown with a bottle of South African sparkling wine for no extra charge.

Honeymooners also receive a complimentary pamper box on arrival. This box contains bath salts made by the local community, his and hers bracelets, and confectionery.

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve Accommodation

I stayed in the stunning Great Fish River Lodge for my stay. What a place. My room at Kwandwe South Africa was really my own lodge. It was beautifully styled with a high open ceiling and wooden beams.

My Kwandwe suite had a lovely big open room with a giant comfortable bed and sitting area. There was a large bathroom area with 2 sinks.

Best of all was the clawfoot bathtub and outdoor shower. (and there was an indoor shower.)

Actually best of all at Kwandwe Safari Lodge was my lovely private plunge pool and sun loungers.

Not only was this area extremely private (I stayed in the lodge farthest from the lodging centre and would highly recommend this for honeymooners) I saw quite a few animals whilst sitting on my sun lounger. And my game viewing from my sun lounger.

The Food at Kwandwe

The food at Kwandwe is fantastic. Not to mention plentiful – it would be impossible to go hungry. The Kwandwe kitchen sources as many ingredients as possible locally.

Coffee, tea and light snacks are available pre-game drive. Snacks and coffee/tea are then served during the morning game drive. A full buffet and hot breakfast are available at Kwandwe Africa after the game drive.

Then there is lunch. Cake and coffee and tea pre-afternoon drive. Drinks and more snacks for sundowners.

And then a 3-course dinner with 2 choices. Plus some fantastic South African wines.

Kwandwe Game Drives

Kwandwe has very impressive drivers and guides. Our driver had been trained to drive whilst looking backward and chatting with us.

When I asked him about it he explained that Kwandwe trains its drivers this way so that they can make more eye contact with guests for interactions and share more about the safari experience with them. I did find this made a big positive difference in my safari experience.

Kwandwe had the big 5 and is also well known for its bird watching. Whilst I was there I even saw a kill. I was really happy with the level and variation in the game that I saw at Kwandwe.

Also, being on a private game reserve meant that we could get very close to the animals and capture some great photos.

Kwandwe Gift Registry

Best of all Kwandwe has just opened a gorgeous online shop.  Why not set up a Kwandwe gift registry for your wedding guests and have them contribute to your experience?

And if you are staying at Kwandwe you can pre-order all your safari kit and pick it up when you arrive – perfect.

I often find once I have visited somewhere I wish I had of bought the hat/vest the guides wore etc as now I am home I really would have used it – but it is too late. No more – you can visit the Kwandwe Registry before and after your visit.

And the shop has some fantastic gift sets that are perfect for presents – put them on your gift registry or take them home for friends or family.

Finally, the Registry at Kwandwe has some lovely lovely gift items. You can’t beat their animal-themed onesies and I absolutely loved the painted ostrich eggs (although these ones you have to buy there due to customs restrictions with shipping ostrich eggs around the world).

Anyway, there are loads of lovely unique and beautiful items on the Kwandwe registry that make for fantastic gifts whether you are going on safari or not.

⇒ Read reviews of Kwandwe on TripAdvisor ⇒ Book Now

How to get to Kwandwe

The main international airport for South Africa is Johannesburg. However, there are some direct flights to Cape Town and British Airways are introducing direct flights from London to Durban.

⇒ Flights to Johannesburg

⇒ Flights to Cape Town

The closest airport for Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is the domestic airport Port Elizabeth.

⇒ Flights to Port Elizabeth

The drive to Kwandwe is about two hours. They can organize a transfer for you or you can grab a hire car although of course, it will just sit at the main reception at the lodge until you leave.

Tour Operators who can provide African Safari Honeymoon Packages

Kuoni has some fantastic luxury holidays and they have an entire area of their website devoted to Honeymoon Safaris. Virgin Holidays offer some great combinations of flights and accommodation for African safari packages.

For African specialists try Mahlatini or The Luxury Safari Company.

Who Paid for What in this Post

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve hosted my stay – thank you! However, as always my opinions are my own. I paid for my flights and transfers to get to Kwandwe.

This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you click on them and make a purchase I will often receive a small commission. This will not increase the price that you pay. I just wanted to make sure that you knew.

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