Honeymoon Destinations in South Africa

To some degree ‘honeymoon destinations in South Africa’ is a misnomer. Why should people want to go to a different sort of hotel or destination, just because they are on honeymoon? If lazing on a golden beach for more than an hour leaves you pacing up and down the sand and seeking some more excitement then a beach honeymoon is not going to cut it for you.

Unlike many other African or Indian Ocean destination, there are many ways to skin a honeymoon in South Africa, and that’s what this article is all about. 

South Africa Honeymoons – Bush and Beach

As we’ve mentioned in our honeymoon pages, South Africa does lend itself to bush and beach honeymoons as the South Africa coast offers some pristine beaches. These can be combined with some truly romantic and top-class game reserves such as Phinda Rock Lodge or Thanda Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu Natal.

Bush & Beach in KwaZulu Natal

However ocean-front hotels in South Africa are surprisingly uncommon; check out these ones:
The Bay, Camps Bay, Cape Town,
The Twelve Apostles, Cape Town
The Birkenhead, Hermanus
The Views Hotel & Spa, Garden Route
Oyster Box Hotel, KwaZulu Natal
Rocktail Beach Camp, KwaZulu Natal
Thonga Beach Lodge, KwaZulu Natal

Romantic game lodges for Honeymoon Safaris:

Royal Malewane, Timbavati Game Reserve
Singita Boulders Lodge, Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Garonga Game Lodge, Makalali Game Reserve
Phinda Rock Lodge, KwaZulu Natal
Thanda Main Lodge, KwaZulu Natal

South Africa Honeymoons  - Lakes and Mountains

If your spirit is soothed more by glorious scenery than by burning shores, then your African honeymoon will be less constrained by seasonal factors. Lodges in areas which get cold in winter such as the Drakensberg Mountains will have roaring log fires, frequently in guest bedrooms as well. And in summer you can bathe in rock pools and mountain streams. Some hotels and country lodges have risen to the challenge of providing cuisine so delicious that you’ll hike for miles just to be able to fit in all the courses!

South Africa Honeymoons  - Gourmet Food and Wine

The Cape Winelands are a tranquil and romantic end to any African honeymoon. Stay on a wine estate for glorious mountain views or in one of the picturesque towns so that you can sample different restaurants on foot. The pleasure of this honeymoon is the enjoyment of the good life: appreciating the wine and the unique Cape architecture; savouring long, lazy meals at one of the many excellent bistros; debating the merits of the latest award-winning vintages; or browsing in the craft studios and art galleries. Cape Town is less than an hour’s drive if bright lights beckon…

Romantic honeymoon hideaways in Cape Town and the Winelands

Klein Genot, Franschhoek, Winelands
Ezard House, Camps Bay, Cape Town
Kensington Place, Tamboerskloof, Cape Town
Les Cascades de Bantry Bay, Atlantic Coast, Cape Town

Honeymoon Safaris for Starstruck but Mismatched couples

What is the honeymoon solution for those times when your needs and expectations are poles apart? Honeymoons need to have enough variety to keep both of you delighted and a South African honeymoon offers plenty of scope. It  might mean a little give and take, so that your desire for big game fishing is assuaged before, or after, your partner gets to indulge their passion for shopping and galleries or it might mean that we find one place that has a wide variety of appeal.

Some combinations work really well. A sample honeymoon safari would be Botswana, Victoria Falls and Cape Town. This gives you wildlife in Botswana, stunning natural scenery and watery adventure sports at Victoria Falls and the cosmopolitan buzz and charm of Cape Town.

Another answer lies in choosing a romantic resort or lodge that, accidentally or by design, meets differing needs.  For horseriding, botany, beach and whale-watching, consider Grootbos Nature Reserve. For hiking and equally serious pampering, look no further than Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve

When he’s into golf and you want pampering (or vice versa…)

Fancourt Hotel, Garden Route
Steenberg Hotel & Spa, Constantia Valley, Cape Town
Western Cape Hotel, near Hermanus, Western Cape
Zimbali Lodge, Dolphin Coast, KwaZulu Natal

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