The Best Honeymoon Destinations in Africa

After vows have been spoken and rings exchanged, it’s time for your honeymoon! But with so many possibilities, how do you choose where to go? How about sprawling soft-sand beaches, island getaways, dramatic waterfalls, virtually endless savannahs brimming with wildlife, and some of the most picturesque scenery on Earth? A honeymoon in Africa will stay with you forever! Here are our recommendations for the best honeymoon destinations in Africa: 

1. Tanzania Honeymoon Safari

The Serengeti National Park is probably most famous for Africa’s Great Wildebeest Migration but did you know Tanzania is also home to massive elephant herds, big cats, and rainforests thriving with chimpanzees? It’s also the perfect safari and beach honeymoon destination with the islands Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mnemba right on its doorstep.

If you go on a honeymoon safari, you can expect guided game drives and even the chance to go hot-air ballooning. Whereas on private game reserves, you can add walking safaris, night drives, mountain biking, and off-road game viewing to your list of African honeymoon activities to do in Tanzania.

5 Reasons to Pick Tanzania for Your Safari Honeymoon in Africa

• Get up close to the Wildebeest Migration while staying at luxurious safari lodges.
• Spot the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater while staying at intimate cliff-top accommodation. 
• Enjoy romantic bush dinners under a star-filled sky.
• Experience secluded safaris in Ruaha, Nyerere, and Mahale.
• Top off your safari honeymoon in Tanzania on a private Indian Ocean island.

3 Romantic Activities on a Honeymoon in Tanzania

• Take an unhurried, guided excursion on foot through the bush.
• Indulge in a spot of bush dining under the stars after a day of exploring the wilderness.
• Enjoy a horseback riding safari, viewing wildlife in a way quite unlike any other.

When’s the Best Time to Go on a Tanzania Honeymoon?  

Although it’s considered a fantastic destination for year-round game viewing, the best weather conditions in Tanzania’s safari spots like the Serengeti, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara are generally during the dry season from June to October. If you’re after going on a Wildebeest Migration safari in the Serengeti though, you’ll need to plan your honeymoon for between August and November. If a tropical beach honeymoon in Africa is more your style, the best time to visit the coast, Zanzibar, and its islands is between June and March.

2. Honeymoon Tours in Namibia

While it boasts excellent wildlife viewing in Etosha National Park, Namibia’s best African honeymoon destination is without a doubt the Namib Desert. During the country’s dry season (between June and October) the Namib is a spellbinding place of silent beauty and night skies flooded with stars.

You can’t go wrong with a visit to the famous Sossusvlei dunes towering hundreds of feet above you. Hike up the sands to greet the sunrise or take a hot-air balloon ride for a vertical view of the sprawling dunes. You’ll also have the chance to scout the desert with an expert guide, tracking the unique wildlife in an unexpectedly rich and diverse ecosystem.

4 Reasons We Love Namibia for an African Honeymoon

• Escape with a romantic hot-air balloon flight over the world’s oldest desert.
• Indulge in total privacy in a sparsely populated land of endless skies and awe-inspiring landscapes.
• Enjoy nomadic luxury in some of the continent’s wildest and most remote locations like the Skeleton Coast, the Kaokoveld, and Damaraland.
• Slip away to dreamland in a star bed in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, Africa’s only Dark Sky Reserve and one of the darkest places on Earth.

3 Romantic Activities to Do on Your Namibian Honeymoon

• See some of the highest sand dunes in the world at Deadvlei.
• Spot wildlife by floodlight as they flock to the Okaukuejo watering hole.
• Explore the ancient and diverse rock art at the world heritage site of Twyfelfontein.

When’s the Best Time to Go on a Namibia Honeymoon?

The dry winter months between May and October are the best times for viewing game in Etosha, while the Sossusvlei dunes can be visited year-round.   

3. Honeymoon Tours in Botswana

Elephants in their tens of thousands, big cats, wild dogs, and rivers full of crocodiles and hippopotamuses – you can’t beat Botswana with its unspoiled wildlife. It makes sense then that game drives are the most popular experiences when on a Botswana safari.

Head out in the early morning and late afternoon to spot big game, returning to camp with a spotlight to catch nocturnal animals doing their thing. An array of lodges are set on the river or in the wetland areas of the Okavango Delta which makes it easy to explore by motorboat or mokoro, the traditional canoe.

With some camps having only three or four suites, they’re very private – ideal for a secluded honeymoon. Expect four-poster beds, romantic outdoor bathtubs, and private plunge pools. For an out-of-this-world experience, spend a night in a sky bed under a blanket of twinkling stars.

Camps on remote islands in the heart of the delta take glamping to the next level, decked out with spa facilities, swimming pool pavilions, and wood-burning stoves in your room.

4 Reasons to Pick Botswana for an Africa Honeymoon

• Explore the Okavango Delta’s calm waterways in a traditional mokoro.
• Mix luxury with adventure at cosy camps in remote locations.
• Experience some of the best water-based game viewing in the southern African region.
• Enjoy a romantic night in a star-bed below an infinite galaxy of stars.

3 Romantic Activities to Do on Your Botswana Honeymoon

• Take an early morning mokoro cruise along the waterways–  two to a canoe!
• Indulge in a horseback safari out in the wilderness.
• Enjoy a private bush dinner or couple’s spa treatment.

When’s the Best Time to Go on a Botswana Honeymoon?

Botswana offers superb safari experiences year-round. This is thanks to its mild climate and a plethora of wildlife in destinations like Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, and the Okavango Delta.

If you’d prefer to go when it’s a bit cooler, there’s almost no rain and the malaria risk is at its lowest, head for the dry winter months of May to October. This will also be when the region’s water sources are at their lowest, making for a higher concentration of animals and thus excellent game viewing.

4. Honeymoon Tours in Mozambique

Romantic comfort, great weather, warm waters, and secluded beaches. These are just a few of the reasons you’ll want to consider Mozambique for your Africa honeymoon. More specifically, you’ll want to head for the Quirimbas Archipelago, a scattering of coral reef islands in the Indian Ocean where the temperature doesn’t drop a lot below 24°C (75°F) day or night.

A perfect choice for scuba divers and watersports lovers, much of the archipelago is protected as a marine park, but you don’t have to get your toes wet to enjoy the region. A popular destination for sunset cruises in a traditional dhow sailboat and beach massages, accommodation is scattered along the islands in the form of tasteful lodges, often only one per island.

3 Reasons to Choose Mozambique for Your Africa Honeymoon 

• Perfect romantic retreats on small islands.
• Spectacular snorkelling and scuba conditions.
• Explore lush forests and get to see unique marine life.

3 Romantic Activities to Do on Your Mozambique Honeymoon

• Catch the sunset from a traditional Dhow sailboat cruise.
• Spend a night under the stars in a secluded beach bed.
• Visit the Tunduru Botanical Gardens, the perfect spot for a honeymoon selfie.

When’s the Best Time to Go on a Mozambique Honeymoon?

Head out in the drier months between May and September and avoid the showers of January and February.

5. Honeymoon Tours in Victoria Falls

The Zambian name for Victoria Falls translates to ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ and with the mile wide Zambezi river tumbling into the abyss it’s no surprise why.

This destination is as famous for its adrenaline-soaked activities like white-water rafting and bungee jumping as it is for its romantic sunset river cruises and helicopter flips.

4 Reasons to Pick Victoria Falls for Your Honeymoon in Africa

• Witness the world’s biggest waterfall, an unforgettable experience.
• Enjoy a romantic helicopter flip over the falls.
• Stay at secluded riverside lodges on the Zambian side of Vic Falls.
• Experience a picnic lunch on tranquil Livingstone Island.

3 Romantic Activities to Do on Your Victoria Falls Honeymoon

• Indulge in a sunset cruise with game viewing along the river.
• Take a couples canoe trip along the upper Zambezi.
• Experience a Lunar Rainbow at the falls at full moon.

When’s the Best Time to Go on a Victoria Falls Honeymoon?

Experiencing Victoria Falls as an African honeymoon destination all depends on what you’re after. The falls are in full flow from about March to July and this is when you’ll get the most jaw-dropping views. From about September to December the flow is much lighter, perfect for activities like white-water rafting and swimming in Devil’s Pool.

The best time to combine a safari with a visit to the falls is between June and October, when game viewing is at its finest in easy-to-reach destinations like Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Botswana.

6. Honeymoon Tours in Zimbabwe

While Victoria Falls might seem the obvious choice for an Africa honeymoon in Zimbabwe, the country also offers excellent opportunities to spot big game and is home to countless safari destinations.

Zimbabwe is home to the world’s largest manmade lake, Lake Kariba, its shores dotted with safari lodges offering both land and water-based game viewing, walking safaris, and local community interaction. This spotless landscape of savannah, open water, and far flung mountains makes for some of the continent’s best sunset views.

Looking for a more traditional safari experience on your Africa honeymoon? Look no further than the rugged and gorgeous Mana Pools National Park which draws animals like elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, and rare wild dogs with its plentiful waters.

4 Reasons to Pick Zimbabwe for Your Honeymoon in Africa

• Experience candle-lit dinners on the shores of Lake Kariba.
• Combine Victoria Falls with a safari easily.
• Private and exclusive camps in Mana Pools.
• Enjoy game viewing with some of the best safari guides in Africa.

3 Romantic Activities to Do on Your Zimbabwe Honeymoon

• Explore the botanical garden at La Rochelle Country House and Spa.
• Enjoy a private dinner for two alongside Mana Pool.
• Indulge in a spot of high tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel.

When’s the Best Time to Go on a Zimbabwe Honeymoon?

Visit during the May to October dry season to skip heavy rains and mosquitoes. Conditions are coolest and driest from June to the end of August. September and October are both very hot and dry months, but make for truly breathtaking game viewing.

7. Honeymoon Safari in South Africa

The Rainbow Nation offers a diverse set of destinations – everything from vineyards to savannahs and semi-deserts. It’s this sprawling choice that makes a South African safari one of the best choices for an African honeymoon.

Cape Town’s unmissable Cape Winelands offer sumptuous cuisine, wine, cheese, and chocolate tastings. You can’t go wrong with a stay in beautiful Franschhoek, a quaint town ringed by rocky peaks and well-reputed to be the culinary capital of South Africa.

Head north to the Kruger National Park for unmissable game drives and safari experiences. We suggest staying in the private game reserves for conservation areas that boast superlative safari lodges and best-in-class service. Lap up the luxury while you experience Africa’s best Big Five sightings, guided walks, and spot-lit night drives.

4 Reasons to Choose South Africa for Your Safari Honeymoon in Africa

• Enjoy exquisite cuisine and top-notch amenities in Cape Town, the Winelands, and Kruger’s private game reserves.
• Thanks to a solid tourism infrastructure it’s easy to move around.
• Experience the best Big Five game viewing in all of Africa.
• You won’t find better value for money.

3 Romantic Activities to Do on Your South Africa Honeymoon

• Picnic for two at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
• Go on a sunset boat cruise from the V&A Waterfront.
• Enjoy a champagne bushveld picnic in the Magaliesberg Mountains.

When’s the Best Time to Go on a South Africa Honeymoon?

Safari destinations offer spectacular game viewing in the dry season between May and October. Cape Town and its surrounding Winelands experience its highest rainfall from June to August.

Kruger’s malaria risk is at its lowest during the dry season between May and October, while South Africa’s malaria-free safari destinations like Madikwe Game Reserve and the Eastern Cape’s destinations offer excellent game viewing year-round.

8. Honeymoon Tours in Kenya

Kenya’s Masai Mara is a region of sunlit savannahs, thundering herds of plains game, and home to the red-cloaked Maasai people. It’s not hard to see why it served as inspiration for the cinema classic ‘Out of Africa’.

We’d suggest a stay in Mara’s private conservancies that neighbor the national reserve. Owned by the local Maasai, these conservancies are leased to safari operators in return for compensation in the form of money, healthcare and educational programmes, and grazing and livestock management.

This means your Kenyan honeymoon has a positive and direct impact on community development and wildlife conservation. These exclusive-use areas provide considerate service at secluded camps and a calmer safari experience in Kenya away from the national reserve which can get quite crowded and busy during the Wildebeest Migration.

Morning and afternoon game drives are a great way to see the Masai Mara’s wildlife, but quite a few lodges offer hot-air balloon safaris too and also the opportunity to interact with local Maasai communities.

6 Reasons to Pick Kenya for Your Honeymoon in Africa

• Stay at opulent and intimate camps in exclusive-use areas.
• See the Great Wildebeest Migration – a bucket-list experience.
• Enjoy a hot-air balloon safari at sunrise, complete with champagne breakfast.
• Experience spectacular game viewing, especially cheetah, leopard, and lion.
• Have a romantic picnic for two on the crest of the ‘Out of Africa’ hill.
• Stay at the unique Giraffe Manor in Nairobi.

3 Romantic Activities to Do on Your Kenya Honeymoon

• Go horse riding at Sabuk Lodge on the Laikipia Plateau.
• Indulge in a bush dinner for two with views of the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro.
• Go for a sunset stroll on Diani Beach, widely recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

When’s the Best Time to Go on a Kenya Honeymoon?

A generally agreeable climate and incredible year-round game viewing make Kenya a place you can visit most times of year. That said, we would suggest skipping the rainy months of April and May. 

If it’s the Great Wildebeest Migration you’re after, the herds usually cross the Masai Mara from the neighbouring Serengeti from late July and stick around until November.

9. Honeymoon Tours in Mauritius

Probably best described as the Indian Ocean’s tropical playground, Mauritius is ringed by coral reefs, white sand beaches, and clear, calm, and warm water. It’s been a classic honeymoon choice for South Africans for several years.

Top-notch holiday resorts are littered along Mauritius’s coastline, providing gigantic swimming pools, countless watersports, and sun loungers just a stone’s throw from the ocean. Expect excellent service and brilliant facilities that cater to all tastes – a Mauritius honeymoon is stress-free with every convenience within easy reach.

4 Reasons to Choose Mauritius for a Honeymoon in Africa

• Undisturbed coves and private beaches with luxury villas.
• Combine easily with a safari in southern Africa.
• Experience watersports like windsurfing, snorkelling, parasailing, and water skiing .
• Stay at world-class honeymoon resorts dotted along the coastline.

3 Romantic Activities to Do on Your Mauritius Honeymoon

• Go swimming with dolphins at Tamarin Bay.
• Enjoy a sunset catamaran cruise.
• Witness the underwater waterfall on a helicopter flip.

When’s the Best Time to Go on a Mauritius Honeymoon?

This idyllic island enjoys a tropical climate with year-round warm weather, but the best months are between May and November when conditions are cool, dry, and sunny. During the summer months (December to April) days can get quite hot and humid.

Africa offers a wealth of honeymoon experiences, from spectacular wildlife sightings to stunning beaches and exciting watersports, ensuring cherished memories for years to come. What better way to start your life as a married couple?