Honeymoon safari South Africa

A romantic getaway in South Africa_Singita Ebony Lodge You can expect an intimate and luxurious retreat on a romantic vacation in the bush | Credit: Singita Ebony Lodge Lodge, Kruger National Park

South Africa is a wonderful destination for honeymoons and romantic holidays, especially for those who want to mix up the romance with outdoor pursuits such as game viewing and walking.

If it’s bush luxury you are after, look no further than a lodge in a private reserve (for instance, Sabi Sands, Madikwe or Phinda), many of which have honeymoon suites and can arrange romantic gaslit dinners on a private terrace or deep in the bush.

A romantic getaway in South Africa_Tintswalo Atlantic wedding Why not get married and enjoy a honeymoon in South Africa? There are plenty of stunning venues for your perfect day | Credit: Tintswalo Atlantic, Cape Town

Another popular venue for honeymoon and romantic breaks is the super-luxurious Sun City complex, which lies just two hours’ drive from Johannesburg and borders the excellent malaria-fee Pilanesberg Game Reserve.

Ideally, pair up your bush break with a few days at a coastal resort such as Umhlanga Rocks and Ballito in KwaZulu-Natal, Plettenberg Bay and Knysna on the Garden Route, or even Cape Town itself.

Finally, no self-respecting foodie should miss out on the Cape Winelands, which host some of South Africa’s finest, most gracious and most romantic restaurants and wine-tasting venues.

Lodges in South Africa: The dos and don’ts

Cover up when on safari; closed shoes are a must (or at least open shoes that fasten tightly). Consider neutral-coloured clothing when in the bush. Keep it down to preserve noise pollution and respect fellow safari goers. Keep clothing neutral and comfortable Notice the small things. While sighting the Big Five in South Africa is a must, noticing the smaller details will make your…

Walking safari holidays in South Africa

A walking safari allows you to experience South African wildlife from close up | Credit: South Africa Tourism South Africa is a great destination for keen walkers. Hundreds if not thousands of day trails have been marked out countrywide, many within easy reach of cities such as Cape Town or Durban. The country also supports a superb network of overnight hiking trails ranging from easy…

South Africa in March

The Golden oriole travels from Asia to South Africa in March Johannesburg and the highveld is warm and mild by day, cool at night and receives occasional rainfall often in the late afternoon. Cape Town and the Western Cape starts cooling down with regular windy spells, cooler evenings and crisp early mornings. The Kruger Park and surrounds is still hot during the day, cooling down at…

The Western and Eastern Cape

Collectively protecting around two-thirds of South Africa’s phenomenal coastline, the country’s two most southerly provinces also incorporate several of its oldest and most characterful settlements. The main regional travel hub (and administrative capital of the Western Cape) is the city of Cape Town, which boasts an incomparable setting on the Atlantic coastline below the slopes of…

An active holiday in South Africa

Trail biking in South Africa With its fine year-round climate and varied landscapes, South Africa is custom-made for active travellers. Indeed, there are a few parts of the country where a good selection of fun activities can be integrated into a regular holiday. Surfing in Ballito Bay A lovely area for active travellers is the Garden Route, where low-key physical activities range…

Stellenbosch and the Winelands

The beautiful landscape of the Stellenbosch wine valley The scenic Boland (literally ‘Upland’) immediately inland of Cape Town enjoys twin claims to fame. Not only is it home to some of South Africa’s oldest and most vivid towns (most notably Stellenbosch and Franschhoek), but it also forms the hub of the Cape’s burgeoning wine industry. Characterised by lush vine-planted…

A South African holiday as a couple

There are plenty of romantic getaways in South Africa that are perfect for couples | Credit: Madikwe Safari Lodge Most parts of South Africa are suited to couples. However, it’s easier for couples travelling without children to self-drive (which also helps keep costs down) and ensures plenty of privacy and quality time together. Many couples opt to visit areas like the Garden Route,…

City and bush safari holidays in South Africa

Cape Town by night | Credit: SA Visas No other country matches South Africa when it comes to offering a world-class city and bush holiday. Cape Town is quite simply the most beautiful city in Africa, and also arguably the best equipped when it comes to urban attractions such as museums, live music, restaurants and wine-tasting venues. Cape Town also offers access to some fabulous…