Why Botswana is the Perfect Luxury Honeymoon Destination

Prince Harry famously chose Botswana as the destination to woo Meghan Markle in the early days of their relationship. Like the royal couple, you too can experience Botswana’s rare combination of romance, exclusivity, and breathtaking wilderness. Read on to learn more about how to plan a honeymoon safari that’s truly fit for royalty.

Offering a privacy which is rare in today's world, Botswana is the perfect safari destination for that extra special experience. Here honeymooners will get a truly authentic safari experience with some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa and lowest visitor numbers. With just 3.5 people per square kilometer, Botswana is one of the worlds least-crowded countries and offers the perfect antidote to the stresses of urban living.

The Most Popular Regions to Visit in Botswana

• Okavango Delta - This stunning maze of waterways and lagoons is considered one of Africa's premier wilderness sanctuaries. The Delta's permanent water source guarantees phenomenal game viewing all year round with lion, cheetah, hippo, leopard, wild dog and huge herds of elephant and buffalo commonplace.

• Linyanti or Chobe - Often described as one of the best wildlife-viewing areas in Africa today, it is home to the largest concentration of elephants in Southern Africa, as well as exceptionally high numbers of predators.

• The Kalahari and Makgadikgadi - A unique wilderness of dry grassland, acacia forests and fascinating salt pans. Home to specially adapted desert-wildlife as well as the San Bushmen who will share their hunter-gather skills with you.

What to Do on Safari in Botswana

A honeymoon in Botswana is all about enjoying the solitude of its vast wilderness. It quite simply redefines the luxury of losing oneself in nature. It’s not all peace and quiet though, as there is the chance to experience amazing action-packed adventures by taking part in boat trips, game drives, bush walks and mokoro safaris (dug-out canoes).

Between your daily activities, you can spend afternoons lounging by the pool or having delicious bush picnics. Round off your day by basking in the warmth of an open bush fire, sipping gin and tonics and watching the flickering flames. For your evening meal sit out under a ceiling of stars and delight in the taste of a sumptuous candle-lit dinner before retiring to your warm and comfy bed, where you can fall asleep to the sounds of the hippos grunting and the crickets soothing lullaby.

Where To Stay for a Luxury Botswana Safari

Many of the camps found in Botswana are not just luxurious but maintain a level of intimacy and exclusivity guaranteed to provide an unforgettable experience for guests. These small and friendly camps are run by passionate staff who have only your stay in mind. They will go out of their way to make sure you have a fantastic time and organize many special treats for honeymooners, such as private dinners under the stars and candlelit bubble baths.

Some of our favorites are:

• Little Mombo Camp - An intimate camp with only 4 tented suites and personalized service, surrounded by a maze of waterways and lush greenery.
• Duba Plains Camp - Evoking the classic 1920s African safari style, this is one of the Okavango Delta's most remote camps. Offering incredible animal sightings.
• Jack's Camp - Situated in the heart of Botswana's Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, this camp offers expansive views of the Kalahari.
• Sanctuary Baines Camp - An intimate camp with only 6 luxurious suites, with romantic sky beds and star baths on private decks.

At one with nature you will become attuned to every sound and often enjoy unbelievable wildlife sightings from the comfort of your own room! Mahlatini's Botswana honeymoons offer genuine exclusivity, and special care will be taken to select an intimate and romantic camp for your very own royal romance.

Best Time to Visit Botswana for Safari

Botswana is a year-round destination for travel. Where you wish to visit and what you wish to experience often determines what time of year our experts will recommend.

May to October: The Dry Season

The dry winter months form Botswana's high season. Game viewing is at its peak during this time, particularly in the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and Linyanti or Savuti. It is also the most expensive time to visit, as well as the busiest. Travelling from June to August will offer cooler temperatures (highs of 68 °F and 25 °C), virtually no rain, and excellent game viewing. On the other hand, September and October are very hot and dry (around 104 °F and 40 °C), but the wildlife reach peak concentrations.

November to April: The Green Season

The green season—or wet, summer season—has its own advantages, not least of which is the 30%-50% reduction in the rates, making it a more affordable period to experience Botswana. The wildlife tends to disperse during the rainy months, however, several destinations such as the Savuti region and the Kalahari come into their own in the summer. This is largely because they lie in the path of migrating animals, particularly zebra.

In summer, Botswana becomes a productive paradise. There's an explosion of new life as many species give birth to their young. Predator sightings are frequent in these summer months as they take full advantage of the abundance of inexperienced younger prey. Summer is also the best season for bird watchers and bird photographers.

How To Get There

There are daily flights into Maun or Kasane Airports from where you will catch light aircraft flights into the remote camps.

Extend Your Stay

Botswana alone will ensure a truly amazing honeymoon experience, but if your schedule is forgiving, we recommend combining it with other destinations... Victoria Falls, Cape Town, or a beach destination such as the Seychelles, Mauritius or Mozambique are all perfect options for you and your loved one to extend your magical, memory-making trip.

Explore our meticulously designed Botswana honeymoon itineraries for more inspiration. Get in touch today and let Mahlatini's travel experts craft a bespoke Botswana honeymoon safari that celebrates and commemorates this special time in your life.