After months of planning your wedding and then living out your big day together, your honeymoon should offer a balanced combination of relaxation, adventure and, of course, lots of romance. Your honeymoon is about you as a couple and it is a chance to spend quality time together before the reality and routine of daily life kicks in when you back home.
In fact, after all the stress that often comes with planning a wedding, your honeymoon is probably going to be the first real opportunity you both get to relax and unwind with each other. On top of that, it may be one of the biggest trips you have taken together thus far, so it is important to get it right, with all the excitement, magic and luxury that is deserving of your first holiday as husband and wife. It should suit you as a couple in all ways travel-related – your wants, needs, interests and style.
Africa plays in the major leagues when it comes to romance and an African safari delivers on all the aspects necessary to make a honeymoon unforgettable. Well-appointed and award-winning safari camps with luxury amenities and special romantic extras, together with a great mix of just hanging out and adventurous activities to do together, make this honeymoon idea a firm favourite among newly married couples.
If you are thinking of booking a safari for this momentous occasion, find out below what exactly makes for a perfect safari honeymoon in Africa so that you can make it the best possible vacation imaginable.
Luxury honeymoon suite
The perfect safari honeymoon hideaway should be equal parts luxury and tranquility. The relaxed, open-plan and dreamy ambiance of a suite designed with honeymooners in mind will be felt from the moment you both step, hand-in-hand, over the threshold. The traditional ‘under canvas safari’ experience conjures an old-world romance epitomizing the authentic spirit of the original safari dating back to the early twentieth century.
This nod to a bygone era should then be balanced out and complemented by the contemporary aesthetic found in spacious and plush bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms equipped with full bath and shower facilities. Dedicated honeymoon suites will have that extra touch of exclusivity such as private indoor and outdoor lounges from which to enjoy stunning views, areas in your tent for secluded candlelit dinners and a bar well-stocked with champagne and other delicious goodies.
Your creature comforts should be top priority at your chosen safari camp so that you can relax completely, knowing your every need has been anticipated and attended to. In this way, the right kind of hospitality plays a major part in creating an effortless and intimate safari honeymoon experience. Camp staff need to be intuitive to the unique expectations of each couple, keeping service highly personalized yet always discreet and respectful of your privacy.
Added romantic spoils
Your honeymoon will most likely be the very first holiday you take together as a newly married couple. It is a celebration of this new, shared chapter in your lives, which means you should rightly expect all those little touches (and more) at a luxury camp. Those are the things that will take your honeymoon from ‘just another trip’ to the ultimate safari getaway befitting this special occasion.
With that glow of love that surrounds newlyweds and the magic of the African wilderness in the air, you might think there is nothing that could possibly surpass that feeling. A truly perfect safari honeymoon, however, will dial up the romance with, for instance, massage and spa treatments with an African flavour, unique activities like a bush bath or shower overlooking the wild savannah plains beyond, and champagne and snacks laid out elegantly by the pool at sunset.
Between exciting game drives exploring the bush at dawn or dusk, a delightful part of your day on safari should be the sumptuous meals you are encouraged to indulge in. Think fine dining by candlelight under the cream canopy of the main tent or perhaps an alfresco dinner shared under a clear and starlit night sky, bush breakfasts setup in enchanted, private places of the camp, and relaxed lunches served to you in the comfort of your suite. Mealtimes become incredible experiences in themselves when on a honeymoon safari in Africa.
Shared wild adventures
Choosing a destination that is ‘off the beaten honeymoon track’ offers a unique kind of exclusivity and adventure that will have you taking back home many spectacular photos and memories. Reveling in the awesome natural beauty of the African bush and having exhilarating encounters with its wildlife will remain etched in your minds and provide stories to reminisce over long into your happy life together.
During this holiday together, you will have time to rewind back to your wedding day, remembering the moments that made you laugh, cry and maybe even cringe. What better time and place to do so then from the outdoor lounge of your private suite as the sun dips below the wild plains rolling out to the horizon. There is something particularly special about being woken up at dawn with a hot cup of coffee, before heading out on a game drive to track game and predators, both big and small.
Depending on which safari destination and camp you choose, you might have the chance of getting a bird’s eye view of the landscape below as you take to the sky in a hot-air balloon at sunrise. Walking safaris are always a thrill and with an expert guide leading you, not only will you feel the exhilaration of exploring the bush on foot, you will also learn about the fascinating interconnectedness of its ecosystems.
Is there a better way for you to celebrate recently tying the knot? We think not! African safari honeymoons offer above-and-beyond experiences that have that romantic allure and classic indulgence. There are beautiful, remote destinations in Africa that are so captivating you might just believe that fairy-tales certainly do come true.
Calvin Cottar is Director and Owner at Cottar’s 1920s Safaris. Cottar’s 1920s Safaris is an award-winning luxury 1920s safari camp and private bush villa located in the famous ‘seventh’ natural wonder of the world, the Maasai Mara in Kenya, and owned and managed by the oldest established and continuing safari family in Africa.If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Calvin Cottar is Director and Owner at Cottar’s 1920s Safaris, an award-winning luxury 1920s safari camp and private bush villa located in the famous ‘seventh’ natural wonder of the world, the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Offering a bespoke safari experience, it’s owned and managed by the oldest established and continuing safari family in Africa. In 1919, together with his sons, Mike, Bud and Ted, Charles established ‘Cottar’s Safari Service’, one of the very first registered safari companies offering superior big game hunting and film safaris outfitting throughout Africa, India and Indochina. Cottar’s is proudly associated with The Long Run, Classic Safari Africa and Pack for a Purpose, and together with the Olderkesi Maasai Community, run the Cottars Wildlife Conservation Trust.
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12 Comments
My son and daughter-in-law have just got back from their 20 day honeymoon which finished, on a high, with a five day safari. I’ve just caught up on some of the film from their game drives but also some spectacular footage of wildlife around the lodge too.
My wife and I went on a honeymoon during our 3rd year of marriage and safaris have certainly moved on offer the last three decades.
It’s inspired to me to promise my wife that we will go on another safari soon, a sort of second honeymoon.
My son’s given me their itinerary and they started with 6 days in Cape Town. Now that we no longer have to pay school fees and a mortgage we might even be able to afford it soon.
Aww that’s so sweet, Brian – I bet your son and daughter in law had an incredible time. I wonder whether your wife seeing the photos and footage will result in a few hints about that second honeymoon for you both, better get planning something ;)
Congratulations to the newly weds. 20 days sounds like honeymoon heaven! What a special thing to be inspired by your the travels of your son and his wife to go on a second honeymoon yourselves. Any specific bucketlist wildlife or destination experiences you want to have?
I’ve been on a few safaris now and on each one around about half the guests at our lodges were flashing their new golden wedding rings. You can see why a safari ticks so many boxes for a romantic honeymoon.
Sounds like the safari ‘bug’ has bitten you, Claire? It’s great to hear you’re a safari regular :) Yes, there’s something about being in the wilderness that is incredibly special and romantic.
A safari would certainly be a novel honeymoon. I tend to think of just sun, sea and sand and doing nothing but lazing around for a week. At least with a safari you can get a lot more for your time and money in terms of a meaningful experience. Plus it sounds like there are some really sweet camps so you can spend quality time together rather than being among huge crowds in typical touristy places and beaches. As you say, it would be a memorable trip that you can reminisce about for years to come so I can see the appeal.
If you want it to, a safari honeymoon can give you both the feet-up relaxation as well as the adventure of the bush. What some couples may choose to do, is start their honeymoon with a bush safari and then move onto a beach location. In Kenya, this could be travelling from the Masai Mara after a wildlife safari to relax on the beaches or islands along the Indian Ocean coast.
Wow, everything sounds so relaxing. I can imagine that a safari honeymoon in Africa would be something to treasure for the rest of your life. I’m sure experiencing daily life is the best part about it, and getting to see the wildlife too. And also the pool at night with a nice meal and some champagne! Ah! Beautiful.
A safari is at the top of many peoples’ travel wishlists, which is why it’s such a perfect fit for a honeymoon. It’s a uniquely special and romantic experience, particularly when it is based on the original, authentic idea had by the first safari pioneers of old.
I love to travel tto safari’s. In your post i really loved the cheetah picture (the world most fastest animal). And truth be told: the honeymoon suite is amazing, don’t you agree?
Cheetahs make taking great photos very easy! They are such stunning cats. It’s hard to get a honeymoon ‘wrong’ when you’re in as beautiful a place as the Masai Mara.
There’s really something romantic about honeymooning in the wild. The views are great and safari lodges are almost always very exclusive and luxurious. Many offer all-inclusive services as well. And who wouldn’t want exotic animals parading outside your window? It’s not every day you get to see such beauty. I envy those who are able to go on these luxury trips as I’ve not had many opportunities currently and live vicariously throught friends and colleagues who’ve been able to go to safaris.
This nod to a bygone era should then be balanced out and complemented by the contemporary aesthetic found in spacious and plush bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms equipped with full bath and shower facilities. Dedicated honeymoon suites will have that extra touch of exclusivity such as private indoor and outdoor lounges from which to enjoy stunning views, areas in your tent for secluded candlelit dinners and a bar well-stocked with champagne and other delicious goodies.
This nod to a bygone era should then be balanced out and complemented by the contemporary aesthetic found in spacious and plush bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms equipped with full bath and shower facilities. Dedicated honeymoon suites will have that extra touch of exclusivity such as private indoor and outdoor lounges from which to enjoy stunning views, areas in your tent for secluded candlelit dinners and a bar well-stocked with champagne and other delicious goodies.
Your creature comforts should be top priority at your chosen safari camp so that you can relax completely, knowing your every need has been anticipated and attended to. In this way, the right kind of hospitality plays a major part in creating an effortless and intimate safari honeymoon experience. Camp staff need to be intuitive to the unique expectations of each couple, keeping service highly personalized yet always discreet and respectful of your privacy.
Added romantic spoils
Your honeymoon will most likely be the very first holiday you take together as a newly married couple. It is a celebration of this new, shared chapter in your lives, which means you should rightly expect all those little touches (and more) at a luxury camp. Those are the things that will take your honeymoon from ‘just another trip’ to the ultimate safari getaway befitting this special occasion.
With that glow of love that surrounds newlyweds and the magic of the African wilderness in the air, you might think there is nothing that could possibly surpass that feeling. A truly perfect safari honeymoon, however, will dial up the romance with, for instance, massage and spa treatments with an African flavour, unique activities like a bush bath or shower overlooking the wild savannah plains beyond, and champagne and snacks laid out elegantly by the pool at sunset.
Between exciting game drives exploring the bush at dawn or dusk, a delightful part of your day on safari should be the sumptuous meals you are encouraged to indulge in. Think fine dining by candlelight under the cream canopy of the main tent or perhaps an alfresco dinner shared under a clear and starlit night sky, bush breakfasts setup in enchanted, private places of the camp, and relaxed lunches served to you in the comfort of your suite. Mealtimes become incredible experiences in themselves when on a honeymoon safari in Africa.
Shared wild adventures
Choosing a destination that is ‘off the beaten honeymoon track’ offers a unique kind of exclusivity and adventure that will have you taking back home many spectacular photos and memories. Reveling in the awesome natural beauty of the African bush and having exhilarating encounters with its wildlife will remain etched in your minds and provide stories to reminisce over long into your happy life together.
During this holiday together, you will have time to rewind back to your wedding day, remembering the moments that made you laugh, cry and maybe even cringe. What better time and place to do so then from the outdoor lounge of your private suite as the sun dips below the wild plains rolling out to the horizon. There is something particularly special about being woken up at dawn with a hot cup of coffee, before heading out on a game drive to track game and predators, both big and small.
Depending on which safari destination and camp you choose, you might have the chance of getting a bird’s eye view of the landscape below as you take to the sky in a hot-air balloon at sunrise. Walking safaris are always a thrill and with an expert guide leading you, not only will you feel the exhilaration of exploring the bush on foot, you will also learn about the fascinating interconnectedness of its ecosystems.
Is there a better way for you to celebrate recently tying the knot? We think not! African safari honeymoons offer above-and-beyond experiences that have that romantic allure and classic indulgence. There are beautiful, remote destinations in Africa that are so captivating you might just believe that fairy-tales certainly do come true.
Calvin Cottar is Director and Owner at Cottar’s 1920s Safaris. Cottar’s 1920s Safaris is an award-winning luxury 1920s safari camp and private bush villa located in the famous ‘seventh’ natural wonder of the world, the Maasai Mara in Kenya, and owned and managed by the oldest established and continuing safari family in Africa.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
My son and daughter-in-law have just got back from their 20 day honeymoon which finished, on a high, with a five day safari. I’ve just caught up on some of the film from their game drives but also some spectacular footage of wildlife around the lodge too.
My wife and I went on a honeymoon during our 3rd year of marriage and safaris have certainly moved on offer the last three decades.
It’s inspired to me to promise my wife that we will go on another safari soon, a sort of second honeymoon.
My son’s given me their itinerary and they started with 6 days in Cape Town. Now that we no longer have to pay school fees and a mortgage we might even be able to afford it soon.
Aww that’s so sweet, Brian – I bet your son and daughter in law had an incredible time. I wonder whether your wife seeing the photos and footage will result in a few hints about that second honeymoon for you both, better get planning something ;)
Congratulations to the newly weds. 20 days sounds like honeymoon heaven! What a special thing to be inspired by your the travels of your son and his wife to go on a second honeymoon yourselves. Any specific bucketlist wildlife or destination experiences you want to have?
I’ve been on a few safaris now and on each one around about half the guests at our lodges were flashing their new golden wedding rings. You can see why a safari ticks so many boxes for a romantic honeymoon.
Sounds like the safari ‘bug’ has bitten you, Claire? It’s great to hear you’re a safari regular :) Yes, there’s something about being in the wilderness that is incredibly special and romantic.
A safari would certainly be a novel honeymoon. I tend to think of just sun, sea and sand and doing nothing but lazing around for a week. At least with a safari you can get a lot more for your time and money in terms of a meaningful experience. Plus it sounds like there are some really sweet camps so you can spend quality time together rather than being among huge crowds in typical touristy places and beaches. As you say, it would be a memorable trip that you can reminisce about for years to come so I can see the appeal.
If you want it to, a safari honeymoon can give you both the feet-up relaxation as well as the adventure of the bush. What some couples may choose to do, is start their honeymoon with a bush safari and then move onto a beach location. In Kenya, this could be travelling from the Masai Mara after a wildlife safari to relax on the beaches or islands along the Indian Ocean coast.
Wow, everything sounds so relaxing. I can imagine that a safari honeymoon in Africa would be something to treasure for the rest of your life. I’m sure experiencing daily life is the best part about it, and getting to see the wildlife too. And also the pool at night with a nice meal and some champagne! Ah! Beautiful.
A safari is at the top of many peoples’ travel wishlists, which is why it’s such a perfect fit for a honeymoon. It’s a uniquely special and romantic experience, particularly when it is based on the original, authentic idea had by the first safari pioneers of old.
I love to travel tto safari’s. In your post i really loved the cheetah picture (the world most fastest animal). And truth be told: the honeymoon suite is amazing, don’t you agree?
Cheetahs make taking great photos very easy! They are such stunning cats. It’s hard to get a honeymoon ‘wrong’ when you’re in as beautiful a place as the Masai Mara.
There’s really something romantic about honeymooning in the wild. The views are great and safari lodges are almost always very exclusive and luxurious. Many offer all-inclusive services as well. And who wouldn’t want exotic animals parading outside your window? It’s not every day you get to see such beauty. I envy those who are able to go on these luxury trips as I’ve not had many opportunities currently and live vicariously throught friends and colleagues who’ve been able to go to safaris.