African Honeymoon

Africa is the perfect setting for a romantic honeymoon with its atmospheric and remote locations you can combine a luxury safari in the pristine African wilderness with a relaxing beach holiday on the beautiful golden beaches and crystal clear waters of the tropical islands of the Indian Ocean, where you can bask in the glorious sun.

Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia are perfect destinations from which to explore Africa's magnificent scenery and wildlife.

Botswana

Be poled along the sparkling waterways in the Okavango Delta, Botswana in a mekoro or enjoy an open topped game drive in a Landrover with a private guide. Botswana also has interesting deserts where you can walk with the San Bushmen or explore the region on a desert adapted quad bike.

High season is from July to October and accommodation is scarce so it is advisable to book well in advance to avoid disappointment. The shoulder season is from May to June and is also considered to be a very busy season.

November to April is the least popular time to visit Botswana as the rains force the animals to disperse over wider areas rather than congregating at the waterholes and many of the camps are inaccessible due to the rains that make the roads difficult to drive on.

Kenya

Visit Kenya with its Rift Valley Lakes that stretch from the Middle East down through Africa as far as Mozambique. Kenya is a year round destination for both exceptional game viewing and spectacular scenery. Without a doubt the greatest annual attraction is the annual wildebeest migration between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. This spectacular wildlife event takes place between June and September. It is a sight to behold and a balloon safari is the perfect way to experience this magnificent annual wildlife event.

High season is from January to March when it is most comfortable for travelling during these warm and dry months. The wildlife is generally found around the seasonal water holes during these months, so game viewing is perfect. The Rift Valley Lakes also offer great bird viewing during this time.

The rainy seasons are from April to June and October to December. A positive point during these times is that the lower numbers of tourists, so the travelling experience is more exclusive and the rains do not hinder game viewing.

Kenya combines well with a beach holiday in Zanzibar; with its crystal clear, aquamarine waters it is a diver's paradise.

Namibia

Namibia offers exceptional wildlife and scenery all year round from the apricot coloured sand dunes of the interior to the haunting beauty of the Skeleton Coast with its skeletal ship wrecks. Namibia is best done as a mobile safari with an expert guide or as a fly-in safari. Must do activities include romantic balloon safaris followed by a champagne breakfast or quad biking in the dunes.

Namibia's high season is from July to October and it is essential to book your safari well in advance to ensure you have the best choice of accommodation. The shoulder season is from May to June and is also a busy time at the national parks and reserves. Christmas and New Year as well as April are high season for local safari enthusiasts.

Namibia combines perfectly with a beach break in the vibrant and eclectic city Cape Town.

South Africa

South Africa is also a great year round honeymoon destination with a diversity of wildlife, culture and beach activities. An elephant back safari in the Kruger National Park, wine tasting and world class cuisine in the Winelands, relaxing on the white sandy beaches of cosmopolitan Cape Town or a sunset for two on top of Table Mountain with far reaching views of the beautiful Cape peninsula. South Africa offers excellent value for money and a luxury honeymoon is very attainable.

South Africa is a large country with varying regional climates, therefore each region is best suited for travel at specific times of the year.

The northern parts of South Africa (Kruger, Gauteng, Limpopo) are best during the winter months from May to September with wildlife and game viewing at its best. There is little rainfall in winter and the temperatures are very mild (maximum 20-23ºC).

The southern parts (Cape Town, Garden Route, Eastern Cape) are best during the summer months from October to March when the temperature can reach 28-30ºC or higher offering beautiful sunny days. The Atlantic Ocean brings relief in the form of a cool breeze along the coast and the rainfall is low.

A 'must-see' for those who enjoy spectacular scenery, the floral extravaganza in Namaqualand in the Western and Northern Cape Provinces from mid August to mid September when the desert-like terrain is transformed into a carpet of flowers or 'fynbos' as it is known locally.

Zambia

Zambia is perfect for honeymooners looking for remote camps offering traditional or walking safaris. The camps are intimate and secluded offering guests the right amount of privacy for a romantic honeymoon.

Zambia combines well with a beach break in Mozambique with its sparsely populated, pristine white sandy beaches and aquamarine waters hosting a kaleidoscope of marine life. Mauritius would be another romantic choice to compliment a perfect Zambian safari.

The best time to travel to Zambia for game viewing is September to October when the game gathers around the perennial water holes or rivers. If you travel between June and August, you are also bound to have some good game sightings.

Due to the abundance of water after the rainy season, wildlife is scaterred. This time is known as teh Emerald Season because vegetation is lush and green but obscures game viewing. However, birdwatching is fantastic at this time of year - much better than during the dry season.

The best time to visit Victoria Falls is in April and May after the rainy season - the Falls are truly spectacular at this time, although the spray may obscure your view. At the end of the dry season, October to December, the water levels are low and you can see the magnificent rock formations, or sit in a rock pool and peer over the edge.

Tanzania

Tanzania's highlights are undoubtedly

the famous Serengeti and the snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro and a honeymoon can be perfectly rounded off with a relaxing beach break on the idyllic islands of Zanzibar. This country has a diverse range of national parks and reserves offering habitats ranging from forests to deserts, all connected with regular air and road transfer services.

Tanzania offers excellent game viewing all year round. The migration between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara is a spectacular sight and a highlight when visiting Tanzania, but it is important to note that not all animals migrate and are year-round residents. The Great Migration takes place from April to June and October to December.

There are two rainy seasons in East Africa, the first known as the long rainy season is from April through to June and the shorter season from late November through to December. A positive point during these times is the lower numbers of tourists, so the travelling experience is more exclusive and the rains do not hinder game viewing. The dry seasons are generally better for game viewing when the game concentrates around the water sources.

Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands promise the perfect romantic honeymoon getaway where you will experience some intimate moments in some very special and unforgettable places.