From the Okavango Delta to the Masai Mara, safari honeymoons are a perfect match for adventurous couples, finds Lina Molloholli
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Safaris are a perennially popular choice for honeymooners, offering that perfect blend of adventure and romance. And with many new safari options to sell – from cosy lodges to enlightening wildlife tours – there’s never been a better time to book a honeymoon in the wild.
Africa’s many safari hotspots provide an ideal honeymoon escape with elegant accommodation, personalised service, epic wildlife watching and the opportunity to be immersed in local culture. And while the devastating floods in Kenya have been putting the region in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, it’s more important than ever to support its vital tourism industry to help rebuild.
Whether it’s tracking wildebeest on their annual migration through the Masai Mara, seeing conservation efforts in action or falling asleep under the stars, these new camp openings and tours let the romance of an African safari soar to new heights.
Mara Toto Tree Camp, Kenya
1. Mara Toto Tree Camp, Kenya
Located within a forest canopy, Mara Toto Tree Camp in Kenya is founded by National Geographic explorers and filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert.
Set to open this July, the lodge will accommodate up to eight adults in four luxurious tented suites. Enjoying a secluded location overlooking the Ntiakitiak River within the wildlife-packed Masai Mara National Reserve – and featuring private access to the Mara North Conservancy – the camp provides the ultimate base for couples looking to discover this revered region in style.
Adventurers have the unique opportunity to witness not just one, but two remarkable migrations. During the annual southern migration, typically occurring in July and August, more than two million wildebeest, buffaloes and zebras journey from the Serengeti.
Additionally, the green season in early spring sees predators flock to the region to hunt newborn prey. Those in search of some post-adventure R&R can book a hot-air balloon ride over the Mara or a spoiling in-room spa treatment – ideal for unwinding while listening to the soothing sounds of the bush.
Wilderness Usawa Serengeti, Tanzania
2. Wilderness Usawa Serengeti, Tanzania
Deep within the grassy expanse of the Serengeti National Park lies Tanzania’s Wilderness Usawa Serengeti, a mobile retreat that debuted last summer and shadows the great wildebeest migration.
The camp moves with the natural rhythms of the exodus, strategically relocating to vantage points such as Kusini, Moru West Area and Grumeti, which offer prime views and wildlife encounters with the likes of Thomson’s gazelles, wildebeest and even lions.
Accommodating a maximum of 12 guests in six plush en-suite tents, the property is powered by solar energy, meaning it leaves as little impact on the natural environment as possible.
For clients wishing to venture beyond the Serengeti and into the lush landscapes of neighbouring Rwanda, Wilderness has unveiled its new lodge, Bisate Reserve, opening this September.
Situated at the threshold of Volcanoes National Park (home to a third of the remaining 1,000 endangered mountain gorillas), the pod-like property will offer just four spacious thatched villas, ideal for couples desiring privacy on their honeymoon.
Melote House, Limpopo, South Africa
3. Melote House, South Africa
Set in the malaria-free region of Lapalala Wilderness Reserve in South Africa, the new Melote House joins Lepogo Lodges’ renowned Noka Camp within the reserve. Inspired by the rugged beauty of the nearby Waterberg region’s rock formations, the house features living roofs that reintegrate small wildlife habitats.
The glass-walled infinity pool overlooks a patchwork quilt of deep valleys and tumbling streams that share a habitat with the ‘awesome eight’ – lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, elephant, cheetah, wild dog and pangolin.
Couples can embark on guided nature walks that encourage connection with local people, set sail on water safaris along the rushing Palala river, or join a live veterinary experience such as ear notching to help track wildlife.
Swimming with dolphins
4. Southern Africa Safari, Exodus Adventure Travels
For outgoing newlywed clients wishing to explore South Africa in good company, try the new 11-day Southern Africa Safari: Kruger & Coast tour by Exodus Adventure Travels. The itinerary starts in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, exploring its remarkable combination of estuarine lakes and subtropical coastline on game drives.
The journey continues with a two-hour boat cruise on Lake St Lucia, known for its large hippo population, followed by a short drive inland to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the oldest reserve in Africa.
The middle part of the tour sees guests cross the border to Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique, where the savannah meets the Indian Ocean – giving newlyweds the chance to swim with dolphins and enjoy a taste of a traditional far-flung beach honeymoon as part of their safari holiday.
After crossing back into South Africa to explore the iconic Kruger National Park, the tour ends on a literal high: a ride up the glass Graskop Gorge Lift for a breathtaking view over the mighty Blyde River Canyon.
Atzaró Okavango Camp, Botswana
5. Atzaró Okavango Camp, Botswana
Opening this month, Botswana’s Atzaró Okavango Camp is a secluded safari lodge at the heart of the Okavango Delta, neatly situated between the Moremi Game Reserve and the Gomoti Plains. The camp offers 12 romantic suites – eight standalone – plus two private villas, all with access to their own vehicle and ranger.
Every suite has plunge pools and elevated ‘star beds’ for the ultimate stargazing experience, but for chilled-out time between game drives, the camp’s wellness offering includes a gym, yoga shala, and an indulgent wellness area with revitalising massage treatments.
Guests can partake in sommelier-led wine tastings, or take a wholesome high tea served on the observation deck. Foodie couples can also try cooking sessions in the local area, learning local recipes.
There are guided safari hikes (many led by female guides), helicopter safaris or, for a more intimate experience, traditional mokoro (canoe) expeditions along the delta’s tranquil waterways.
But there’s more: bush dining, an open-air cinema, photography safaris, fishing and other experiences make a stay at Atzaró Okavango Camp truly memorable.
Tracking a lion on a game drive
Selling tips for safari honeymoons
Happy couples: A safari pairs up perfectly with a few days by the beach or in a rural retreat. In South Africa, link the Kruger with the winelands of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch; in Tanzania, twin the mainland’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area with the beaches of Zanzibar; or add the four to five-hour flight from Nairobi to Mauritius.
City stays: Don’t overlook Africa’s urban environments as a complement to a safari. Kuoni’s tailor-made brand Alfred& features locally-led art tours and sidecar journeys around Cape Town; Namibian capital Windhoek is a melting pot of architectural styles; and Nairobi’s Giraffe Manor and Karen Blixen Museum offer a cultural counterpoint to a Masai Mara safari.
Small packages: Taking the time to explore sub-Saharan Africa’s less-visited spots might require a higher budget but also offers a more exclusive experience. View lemurs in Madagascar, track gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, or head to Ethiopia for Gelada monkeys and breathtaking gorges in Simien Mountains National Park.
Wildlife spotting in the Serengeti, Tanzania
Ask the expert
Candice Buchan, head of Rainbow
“Choosing an Africa specialist will allow you to offer a more personalised experience. I recommend destinations that lend themselves to twin or multi-centre trips; for example, the Masai Mara in Kenya with the beaches of the Seychelles, or the epic wildlife of the Serengeti in Tanzania with the beaches of Zanzibar.
You can’t go wrong with South Africa’s sophisticated safari product twinned with Mozambique or Mauritius. Newlyweds can be tired in the early days of their holiday after the adrenaline of their wedding, so I try not to overload things. I recommend at least three or four nights on safari so they can experience the wildlife at a relaxed pace.”
rainbowtours.co.uk
Book it
Exodus Adventure Travels offers an 11-day Southern Africa Safari: Kruger & Coast trip from £3,999 per person, based on two adults sharing. Price includes some meals, accommodation for two nights in a permanent tented camp, five nights in lodges and three nights in chalets, plus all transport. Based on a May 26, 2025, departure.
exodustravels.com
Mahlatini Luxury Travel offers a seven-night all-inclusive itinerary combining Wilderness Usawa Serengeti and Crater’s Edge, on the rim of Ngorongoro Canyon in Tanzania, from £8,500 per person, based on two sharing. Price includes photography equipment, flights from Heathrow, all transfers and daily camp activities.
mahlatini.com
PICTURES: Andrew Howard Photo; Shutterstock/Liukov, Sergey Novikov, Delbars
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