When to go to South Africa?
There is never a bad time to visit South Africa. The most popular honeymoon destinations in South Africa include the Cape, the Kruger Park and the beaches and game reserves of KwaZulu Natal. The weather is generally warm and sunny year round in the country, however, if you are getting married in Europe's summer months ie. June, July and August, we generally recommend the Kruger and KwaZulu Natal if you are looking to combine a safari with a beach stay or consider combining your safari in South Africa with a beach stay in Mozambique or Mauritius. The Cape is best from the months of September to May.
South African Beaches
We have found that most honeymooners wish to include a beach stay in their trip. There are some incredible beaches in South Africa and we will assist you in finding the right one for you. The endless coastline of the Cape includes many gems, the most popular of which include Camps Bay and Clifton Beaches (beach locations near to Cape Town), Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route and Jeffery's Bay in the Eastern Cape. Bear in mind that these are not 'resorts' and will have hotels and residential areas surrounding them. Camps Bay in particular is a lively and fun place to people watch. Remember as well that the beaches in and around Cape Town are on the Atlantic side and the water can be rather chilly! This should not prevent you lounging on the sand and enjoying the famous South African sunshine.
By contrast the KwaZulu Natal coast hosts beaches on the Indian Ocean, which provide much warmer water for swimming in. The coast runs all the way up to the Mozambique border and hosts busier beaches such as in Durban, Umhlanga Rocks and Ballito and totally remote and untouched beaches as are found in the area known as Maputuland. Here the focus is on nature where the small lodges are completely cut off from civilisation protected by immense coastal forest and lined by endless stretches of uninhabited beaches. Here you will find arguably the best diving spots in the country and the area is truly a place of incredible natural beauty, somewhere to totally unwind from the stresses of the modern world.
South African Safaris
A Safari is often a main component of a honeymoon to South Africa. There are numerous safari destinations across the country and we will guide you to the one which will suit you best, not only for game experience and season but also in relation to where else you would like to visit and would combine best with say a beach trip.
Activities
For those more active honeymooners South Africa has it all. Here are a list of just some of the activities on offer in the country: shark diving, whale watching, safaris, diving and snorkelling, hiking, bungi jumping, white water rafting, hot air ballooning, wine tasting, cultural tours, canoeing, boat trips, horse riding, helicopter rides, romantic picnics, golf and many more.
Honeymoon Accommodation
There are some incredibly luxurious and romantic lodges from which to enjoy a safari in South Africa. You will be pampered from the time you arrive and will not only enjoy the wildlife but also spa treatments, romantic dinners for two under the African sky and champagne bubble baths. What can be more romantic than watching an African sunset together from the deck of your luxury lodge or walking the beach hand in hand with the Indian Ocean lapping at your feet?
Our favourite lodges or hotels for honeymooners visiting South Africa are listed below. We have visited all of these lodges and we believe that they provide the ultimate romantic experience not only due to their location but also for their luxurious accommodation.
Contact Mahlatini for your dream Honeymoon