5 Top Honeymoon Safari Destinations in Africa
Africa is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary honeymoon safari destinations, each offering its own unique blend of romance, adventure and wildlife. From romantic settings to luxurious indulgences, starlit skies, and thrilling adventures, a honeymoon safari in Africa can offer it all. Whether you’re floating above the Maasai Mara in a hot-air balloon, locking eyes with a majestic silverback gorilla in Rwanda’s rainforests, or sleeping under the stars in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, these destinations create unforgettable experiences. Here are five top African honeymoon safari destinations, each promising magic and memories.
Okavango Delta in Botswana
The Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s most romantic and unique safari destinations, perfect for a honeymoon filled with adventure and serenity. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a vast inland delta that floods seasonally, creating an extraordinary oasis that teems with wildlife.
Picture yourselves gliding through its maze of crystal-clear waterways in a mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe, silently drifting past elephants, hippos, and giraffes. As you navigate the lush channels, you can spot tiny, colorful frogs clinging to reeds while birds—more than 400 species—dart overhead. The Okavango is renowned for its abundance of wildlife, including lions, leopards, and the rare African wild dog.
Accommodations in the Okavango range from ultra-luxurious lodges to intimate, rustic bush camps, offering both comfort and proximity to nature. Many of these lodges are designed to immerse you in the beauty of the delta, often with outdoor showers, plunge pools, and private decks that open onto panoramic views of the wetlands.
For a more immersive experience, take a walking safari or indulge in a private candlelit dinner under the African night sky. This wild paradise is as romantic as it is exhilarating, offering the ultimate honeymoon escape.
Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya
Famed for the Great Migration, the Maasai Mara is synonymous with spectacular wildlife experiences. Millions of wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes thunder across the plains during this annual event, attracting predators like lions and crocodiles. While the Mara can get busy during the migration, there are ways to find seclusion and romance amidst the crowds.
One unforgettable experience is staying at the luxurious Angama Mara, perched high on the edge of the Rift Valley escarpment. This contemporary-chic lodge offers sweeping views of the Mara plains, with just enough touches of nostalgia to evoke the romance of the classic film Out of Africa, which was filmed here. The staff will spoil you with unique touches, like a champagne picnic at the iconic kopje where Robert Redford and Meryl Streep famously posed.
For another magical experience, take a hot-air balloon ride at dawn. Drift silently over the Mara River, catching glimpses of hippos, elephants, and wildebeest before landing to enjoy a champagne breakfast in the wild. By staying in some lodges, you also support community initiatives in education, healthcare, and conservation, making your honeymoon experience even more meaningful.
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
For a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter, tracking mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is an unparalleled experience. This magical adventure allows you to come face-to-face with one of the world’s most endangered and awe-inspiring creatures—the silverback gorilla.
The gorilla trek itself is an adventure, winding through dense jungle and bamboo forests as you hike up the slopes of the Virunga Mountains. The journey may be challenging, but when you reach the gorillas, every step is worth it. Watching these gentle giants go about their daily lives, from playful juveniles swinging through the trees to the powerful silverback keeping watch over his family, is a breathtaking experience.
After your trek, stay at the award-winning Virunga Lodge, which was named Africa’s Best Romantic Retreat. Nestled between lakes and volcanoes, the views from this eco-lodge are stunning. The intimate, serene atmosphere makes it an ideal spot to reflect on your adventure and enjoy your partner’s company in one of Africa’s most unique and remote landscapes.
Serengeti National Park in Tanzania
Tanzania’s Serengeti is iconic, known for its endless savannahs and some of the best wildlife viewing on the planet. As the most popular African safari destination, it offers a perfect balance between adventure and luxury, making it an ideal honeymoon spot.
The Serengeti is part of the Great Migration route, where millions of wildebeest and zebra make their annual journey in search of fresh grazing. But beyond the migration, you’ll find a diversity of wildlife, including the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino), cheetahs, and a multitude of bird species.
Honeymooners can stay in some of the world’s most luxurious safari lodges, like AndBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Perched on the rim of the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, the views from the lodge are simply breathtaking. After an exhilarating day of game drives, unwind with a couples’ spa treatment or a sunset dinner overlooking the wildlife below.
For added romance, follow your Serengeti safari with a visit to the tropical island of Zanzibar. Explore the narrow alleyways of Stone Town, lounge on its pristine beaches, or retreat to the secluded and luxurious Manta Resort on Pemba Island, where you can even stay in an underwater room surrounded by the beauty of the Indian Ocean.
South Luangwa National Park in Zambia
For couples seeking solitude and a more off-the-beaten-path adventure, South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is a dream destination. Known as the birthplace of the walking safari, this park offers a truly intimate way to experience Africa’s wilderness.
Imagine walking through the bush with an experienced guide, tracking elephants on foot and listening to the sounds of the wild without the noise of a vehicle. Walking safaris here provide a thrilling sense of immersion—you feel connected to nature in a way that’s impossible in a traditional safari vehicle.
South Luangwa is home to an impressive variety of wildlife, including lions, leopards, and the endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe. After a day of exploration, relax in a beautifully appointed lodge that blends rustic charm with luxury. For a more adventurous option, spend a night in a fly-camp, sleeping under the stars in the heart of the wilderness.
To cap off your Zambian honeymoon, visit Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Take a helicopter ride over the falls for a breathtaking view of the mighty Zambezi River plunging into the gorge below—a thrilling and romantic way to end your African adventure.
