Imagine waking up to wildlife right outside your door, enjoying candlelit dinners deep in the bush, and hearing the sounds of lions roaring and hippos splashing as you drift to sleep. The slow pace of safari lends itself to long conversations, lots of relaxing down time between high-adrenaline wildlife sightings, and ultimately, creating memories in the undisturbed nature around you.
A safari honeymoon might be an investment, but it’s one that guarantees some pretty solid returns, especially if you tap the expertise of a Fora Advisor.
1. Safari lodges are incredibly romantic
Image courtesy of Xigera Safari Lodge
Outdoor bathtubs overlooking the bush, lantern-lit pathways, twilight drinks as the sun sets on the savannah, private dinners under the stars—romance is basically guaranteed when you’re on safari. And lodges are designed for privacy, with just a handful of luxurious suites set far apart. With only the sounds of bush around you, it’s easy to feel like you have the world to yourselves.
One great example: Xigera Safari Lodge, in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, has mokoro excursions where the two of you can glide through the waterways, plus the chance to sleep under the stars in an open-air bed in a plush baobab treehouse.
2. Safaris are a true once-in-a-lifetime experience
Nothing shakes up your everyday routine like the only-here opportunity to watch a pride of lions at sunrise or see dozens of elephants cross the savanna at dusk. And the experiences only get more special from there. Take walking safaris to get closer to wildlife or focus on specialty sightings such as gorilla trekking—whatever your safari entails, it’s guaranteed no two experiences will ever be alike.
One great example: Hemingways River Camp Mara, in Kenya’s renowned Maasai Mara, has a front row seat to the drama of the annual Great Migration of more than a million wildebeest and zebras, and offers a special sunrise hot air balloon safari for a bird's eye view of the endless plains and Mara River.
3. You’ll get built-in adventure and relaxation
Image courtesy of Singita Pamushana Lodge
Some vacations offer nonstop action; others are based on lounging. A safari honeymoon, on the other hand, provides the perfect balance of both. Mornings mean an early start searching for wildlife. Afternoons may be reserved for spa treatments and poolside lounging. Early evenings you’re off to spot predators, and the day ends with relaxed dinners around a fire under star-filled skies.
One great example: Singita Pamushana Lodge, located in Zimbabwe’s Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, offers activities such as boating on Malilangwe Dam and explorations of ancient rock art sites, and each of the eight stylish suites has its own private plunge pool.
4. Safaris offer great value
While often associated with high-end travel, a safari actually provides great value. Lodges are almost always all-inclusive, with everything from your spacious accommodations (often a stand-alone chalet or fully outfitted safari tent), meals and snacks, drinks, game drives, surprises like candlelit meals in the bush, and even laundry, all rolled into the cost. And many camps offer 50% off one partner for a honeymoon couple.
One great example: Amaya Safari Lodge, a new moderately-priced option in South Africa’s Timbavati Private Nature Reserve near the western border of Kruger National Park, has just four tents, so it feels like a private oasis, and still offers the same wildlife experiences as other, pricier lodges in the same area.
5. You can combine one with other bucket-list Africa experiences
You don’t have to limit your African honeymoon to immersive wildlife locales. A safari pairs perfectly with a city, wine, cultural, or beach extension—for example, visiting the vineyards in South Africa’s Winelands, the art museums and galleries of Cape Town, or the beaches of Mozambique.
One great example: In South Africa, honeymooners can combine a safari at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve with a stay in cosmopolitan Cape Town and the surrounding Winelands, staying at elegant retreats like Delaire Graff Estate or La Residence, all of which keep romance front and center.
