Everything you need to know about honeymoon safari holidays in Africa
An African safari honeymoon is perfect for couples seeking an unforgettable adventure to celebrate their union. But with so many options, deciding where to go can be overwhelming!In this guide, you’ll discover the best places in Africa for a honeymoon safari, what to expect, and when to go. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea about what your perfect African safari getaway looks like, and how to start planning it.
What is an African Safari honeymoon?
An African safari honeymoon combines unforgettable wildlife experiences, romantic lodges, and stunning natural scenery for a more adventurous alternative to a traditional beach getaway.
A safari is a journey through remote landscapes to observe wildlife in their natural habitats. The best safaris in the world are typically in Africa, where wilderness is vast, and there is plenty of wildlife in high concentrations in protected national parks and nature reserves.Countries in Africa are uniquely equipped to offer the ultimate romantic safari honeymoon. With safari lodges for all budgets, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and great safari-beach honeymoon combinations, there’s no better place to escape together.
Why choose a safari honeymoon?
A safari honeymoon is ideal for couples looking for something more adventurous than a beach resort escape.
If you’re the kind of couple who prefer more active holidays, love wildlife and nature, and want to celebrate your special milestone in unforgettable style, this is the honeymoon for you.
Here are five reasons to choose a honeymoon safari in Africa.
1. Extraordinary experiences
The chance to spot large mammals such as lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, and hippos makes every safari experience unique. It’s not every day you get the chance to observe magnificent creatures like these in the wild.
2. Shared adventures
Rather than sitting by a pool, a safari involves looking for wildlife, enjoying stunning scenery, and sharing once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Typical safari honeymoons include romantic dinners by candlelight, star gazing, breathtaking sunrises, and a total escape from people and technology. A safari adventure is a wonderful way to spend quality time together and make meaningful memories.
3. Incredible scenery
A more adventurous honeymoon experience encourages you to enjoy a destination more than a traditional beach holiday. The opportunity to explore new places and immerse yourself in stunning landscapes at different times of the day is another reason to try a less traditional honeymoon.
4. Combination of adventure and relaxation
While you may have to rise early to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife, the heat of the day is often spent by the pool. The balance between active, shared experiences and peaceful moments in the wild offers a complete break from the daily grind rather than doing nothing at all.
5. Remote and exclusive
Safari lodges tend to be smaller, quieter, and have less visitors, ensuring your honeymoon safari is peaceful, remote, and exclusive.
African safaris are also an affordable way to experience a little luxury on your honeymoon. Even high-end safari lodges are usually more reasonably priced than luxury western options, meaning you can afford to treat yourself to a quality safari during your getaway.
Best countries for a safari honeymoon in Africa
There are 10 different countries in Africa where you can experience an African safari, but we think only a handful of these are honeymoon-worthy.
Here’s a quick comparison table showing the different African safari honeymoon destinations at a glance.
Take a look at these honeymoon safari destinations in more detail:
Safari honeymoon in Tanzania
Tanzania is an exceptional honeymoon safari destination. Think wide open plains, incredible wildlife, and romantic safari lodges. Couple a visit to the Serengeti with an escape to the beaches of Zanzibar afterwards for the ultimate African honeymoon.
- Great for 10-14 day honeymoons
- Combine safari and beach easily
- Huge wildlife populations in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
Safari honeymoons in Kenya
With shorter distances between parks and more luxurious accommodation options, Kenya packs a real punch for safaris. Witness the Great Migration and learn more about the Maasai communities here.
- Best for shorter honeymoons
- Lodges have excellent service
- Visit the Masai Mara
Safari honeymoons in Uganda
A wildcard option for a honeymoon is a Uganda safari. We think this is the best place to try gorilla trekking, and when combined with the numerous national parks and welcoming locals, Uganda is a hidden gem of a safari destination.
- Visit the mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Enjoy fewer crowds
- More budget friendly
Safari honeymoons in Botswana
Considered Africa’s more exclusive safari destination, honeymoons in Botswana offer high-end experiences for couples looking for more immersive wildlife encounters. Camps tend to be smaller here and safari experiences feel more private, although wildlife concentrations are lower than the countries above.
- Best for luxury and privacy
- Smaller safari lodges and camps
- Try a water safari on the Okavango Delta
Safari honeymoons in Zambia
Zambia is popular for its walking safaris. The country feels more wild and off-the-beaten-track than other safari destinations making it ideal for more adventurous couples. Travel distances can be long however, and accommodation can be more rustic.
- Best for walking safaris
- Rustic safari lodges and camps
- Try a river safari on the Zambezi
Tanzanian honeymoon safari – what to expect
Tanzania is famous for its safaris. With 22 national parks, it should be top of the list for all safari-seeking honeymooners.
Witness the Great Migration on the Northern Circuit and explore the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara to see the tree-climbing lions. This region offers unrivalled wildlife safaris and has gorgeous lodge accommodation in which to unwind.
Tanzania safari honeymoon options
- 6 nights safari + 4 nights beach
- Explore the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Tarangire
- Fly to Zanzibar
- 8 nights climb + 4 nights safari
- Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
- Explore the national parks of the Northern Circuit
What to expect on a Tanzanian safari
Accommodation
Safari accommodation is usually a combination of lodges and tented camps. Safari lodges tend to include a number of small bungalows where you will sleep and larger, communal areas. Buildings tend to be covered with thatched roofs, and communal areas are often open-sided with stunning views. You’ll often find covered swimming pools, hot tubs on viewing decks, and open-air showers in your lodging.
These aren’t your typical tents either! Think 4-poster beds, wooden floors, open-air ensuite bathrooms and private decks. Tented camps have beautiful amenities and often offer gourmet dining, served by candlelight, usually with a view.
Itinerary
- 6am - Expect to head out before 6am to find the local wildlife in the dawn light. Breakfast may be packed and enjoyed somewhere spectacular, or a light buffet might be available before you go.
- Late morning – Return and retreat to your room to refresh and unwind before lunch.
- Midday – Enjoy a light lunch in the shade and escape the heat of the day.
- Afternoon – Swim, read, sleep, rest, and recover from your early start.
- 4pm – Head back out in your safari vehicle for an afternoon game drive. It’s cooler at this time and a great opportunity to spot different wildlife.
- Sunset – Enjoy sundowners in the bush or at your lodge and watch the sky turn orange.
- Evening – Eat dinner under the stars and enjoy the sounds of the bush.
Wildlife
On your Tanzanian safari, you can realistically expect to see:
- Lions
- Elephants
- Giraffes
- Zebras
- Wildebeest
- Hippos
- Hyenas
- Buffalo
- Crocodiles
- Leopards and cheetahs
Rhinos are critically endangered and rare but can be found in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti - if you’re lucky!
Luxury safari honeymoon experiences, and what makes them different
Luxury honeymoon safaris include everything you might usually expect – transfers, game drives, meals, hospitality – but take your safari experience to the next level. Think private vehicles, dedicated guides, hot towels before meals, laundry service, fine dining and exceptional accommodation.
Enjoy exquisite food served on your private terrace, a dip in your own private pool, and dedicated staff to ensure you have everything you need.
Side note: Safari lodges tend to be well-presented wherever you go. Upgrading to more luxurious lodges and camps will usually include better food, more privacy, and more attentive service. If you have the budget to spend, opt for higher-end accommodation for a taste of luxury to celebrate your union.
Safari and beach honeymoon options
For couples searching for the best of both on their honeymoon, a safari beach combination is the perfect compromise. There are a few great options for adding a relaxing beach retreat to your safari honeymoon.
Tanzania and Zanzibar
Finish your Tanzanian safari with a short flight over to the tropical island of Zanzibar. Located just off the coast of Tanzania, this is by far the easiest safari and beach honeymoon combination which offers an incredible twin-destination experience.
Kenya and the Seychelles
Explore the Masai Mara before taking a flight over to the Seychelles, a collection of small islands in the Indian Ocean. Although the flight is longer, the islands offer plenty of relaxing retreats to end your honeymoon safari.
Botswana and Madagascar
For honeymooners with serious budget to spend, opt for a luxury safari in Botswana before embarking on an epic adventure to Madagascar. Perfect for wildlife lovers, there are secluded white sandy beaches and tropical rainforests teeming with animals here.
How much does an African safari honeymoon cost?
The cost of an African safari honeymoon varies depending on where and when you go.
Below is a breakdown of approximate costs per destination.
Tanzania safari honeymoon costs
Best all-round option with add-ons for climbing Kilimanjaro or visiting Zanzibar
Kenya safari honeymoon cost
Best option for those short on time with high concentrations of wildlife
Botswana safari honeymoon cost
Best for luxury safari honeymoons and intimate safari accommodation
Zambia safari honeymoon cost
Best for adventurous safaris
Uganda safari honeymoon cost
Best for once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking safaris
All these costs are approximate but give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay based on desired duration and level of luxury.
Travelling during the peak summer months of July and August usually costs more as flights are more expensive, accommodation is in high demand, and safari guides may cost a premium. It can also be very warm!
Travelling outside of the peak summer months will usually be cheaper and you’ll find fewer crowds. Unless you’re restricted as to when you need to go, we’d recommend booking your honeymoon safari for the shoulder months of June, September or October.
When is the best time for a honeymoon in Africa?
The best time for a honeymoon safari in Africa is typically from June to October. This long dry season means the weather will be warm, vegetation sparse, and animals easy to see.
January to March is also dry and can be less crowded than visiting during the summer months. If you’re on a budget, or want to avoid the peak season hoards, look at honeymoon safaris during this time.
Avoid April to May when it can be wet with monsoonal downpours. Vegetation is usually lush and green which is gorgeous to see but makes it harder to spot the wildlife.
November and December are also usually wet so we’d suggest booking your safari honeymoon outside of this time.
Where to stay on a honeymoon safari
Accommodation in safari parks will usually either be a large lodge with rooms in a main building or a camp with private tents and detached rooms. There’s often a central communal area with a thatched roof and open sides where you can enjoy the stunning scenery and the warm hospitality of your hosts.
This will be your base for game drives whilst you’re in this park. If your itinerary includes more than one national park, you will likely spend 2-3 nights in 2-3 different safari lodges. Each will be wonderfully unique and give you a real taste of local culture and food.
Find out more about safari accommodation in our related blog - Serengeti safari experience wildlife lodges and planning guide.
African safari honeymoons with Kandoo
Kandoo Adventures offer incredible trips to the most iconic landscapes in the world - including Africa. We don’t think there’s anything more romantic than an incredible trekking experience such as climbing Kilimanjaro, followed by an authentic African safari adventure.Speak to our travel experts at Kandoo HQ to plan the perfect honeymoon adventure.