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Honeymoon travel advice for Southern Africa

Our advice for honeymoon travel to Southern Africa

https://mosaicweddings.co.za/african-twist-travel/

How long have you been in the travel industry?

I have had my own Boutique Tour Operating company for 11 years and built my destination knowledge as a Swiss German Tourism Journalist. I have been involved in Southern African tourism for the past 24 years

Where are your offices located and can you help clients that don’t live locally?

African Twist Travel is based in Fish Hoek, Cape Town, but as we run an online business we connect with our clients from all over the world by email and phone. We assist them in German, Swedish and English. When our travel clients are in Cape Town we meet up with them which is always very special.

Are you able to help with visa and passport requirements for the places you recommend for honeymoons? 

We guide our clients with information so that they know what they need to arrange beforehand.
What is the minimum amount of days you suggest for couples wanting to enjoy the Kruger National Park?
The Kruger National Park is such a special wilderness area which should be experienced for at least 3 nights, in order to be fully immersed in the bush. If the budget allows it, a longer stay is definitely worth it. A big 5 Safari is the highlight of every Southern African stay!
Can you help with travel insurance?
Travel insurance should always be taken out in the country of residence. We recommend choosing a comprehensive one, for peace of mind. Many credit card companies include travel insurance, but it is worth checking what it covers.
A lot of couples fly in from overseas and have a destination wedding, they then do a ‘minimoon’ with their family and friends. Are you able to cater to larger groups, but still keep it personal for the couple by possibly organizing dinners or day trips for them during the trip? 
Yes, absolutely. As a Boutique Tour Operator, working hand in hand with the local wedding planner, we cater for all the different requirements, with a lot of enthusiasm and attention to detail. We can assist small or larger groups and also wedding guests individually with their pre and post wedding stays in Southern Africa. Everybody has different needs and we pay special attention to that.
Can you help couples to stay within a certain budget for their trip?
Absolutely. When we start the planning with the bridal couple the budget forms a critical part of the brief and we put together an arrangement that fits their expectation.
How has the lockdown and coronavirus pandemic impacted your work? 
International travel has come to a standstill for a while. We have used this quieter time to reach out and reconnect with our global travel community, strengthen our relationship with suppliers and partners and grow our brand. One of the results is the new website www.africantwisttravel.com. We can’t wait for international tourism to South Africa to resume very soon.
Your recommended places to stay for honeymooners
  • If you are absolute nature lovers: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Whale Coast, South Africa
  • For a majestic luxury safari experience: Matetsi Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
  • To experience the bush, without breaking the bank: the unusual Garonga Safari Camp, Greater Kruger, South Africa
  • For glamour in the desert: AndBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Sossusvlei, Namibia
  • And mountain enthusiasts will be in their element at: Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge, Cederberg, South Africa

Your top 5 tips for couples planning their honeymoon 

1. Work with a local travel expert. Their guidance and expertise is invaluable, now even more so during covid-19 as travel regulations keep changing. If you want it to be a perfect honeymoon, trust the expert.

2. Start planning early. Popular honeymoon destinations get booked up well in advance.

3. Choose a honeymoon destination that speaks to both of you. Don’t go to a destination just because it is “in”.

4. An unforgettable honeymoon does not automatically have to mean five star luxury. Southern Africa offers incredibly romantic lodges which won’t hurt your wallet.

5. If your honeymoon is straight after your Big Day I recommend a destination where you can unwind from all the festivities and start your first days as a married couple in a relaxed way.

Our recommendations for honeymoon getaways in South Africa

Be it in the unique Cape Town, the picturesque Cape Winelands or at a wilder, more remote Safari destination: South Africa is a mecca for honeymoon ideas.

My Blog on https://pink-book.co.za/wedding-tips-ideas/honeymoon/amazing-honeymoon-ideas-destinations-in-south-africa/.
Our South African travel expert from African Twist Travel shares her personal romantic accommodation tips.

The best view in Cape Town

Looking for honeymoon ideas in Cape Town? If you choose to stay in the Mother City, an uninterrupted view of the Atlantic Ocean should not be missing. The five-star boutique hotel, The Clarendon in Bantry Bay, offers just the right mix of luxury and exclusivity if you want to pamper yourself. The setting is hard to beat. Located on the slopes of  Table Mountain, a 180-degree sea view awaits you and takes your breath away. Best of all, you can enjoy it from your suite, the restaurant, the lounge and the pool.

A perfect Winelands retreat

Nature lovers are in their element just an hour from Cape Town. The intimate, luxury Angala Boutique Hotel in the Franschhoek Winelands is a retreat for body, mind and soul. It is nestled harmoniously at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountain and ideal for honeymooners who are looking for absolute peace and quiet. Angala is all about wellness: Guests can relax in the ozonated pool, heated plunge pool or the eco pool. Plus there is an infrared sauna & steam room and a range of wellness treatments to pamper you. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, so there is no need to leave Angala during your stay – except for a wine tasting trip to the picturesque valley.

The Whale Coast’s best-kept secret

If you drive from Hermanus towards Stanford you have no idea what is hidden on the opposite side of the lagoon. It’s Stanford’s best-kept secret, the Mosaic Lagoon Lodge. This is the ultimate private weekend getaway. The five beautiful suites, decorated in safari style, are in the middle of an ancient Milkwood Forest, with views of the picturesque lagoon and mountains. The suites and the intimate Main Lodge exude a natural atmosphere. Get ready to be spoilt by the attentive lodge staff: not only with exceptional personal service but also with culinary highlights at any time of the day. Those who manage to escape the incredible charm of Mosaic Lagoon Lodge can take part in the guided water and land-based activities or do whale watching during whale season. The Mosaic Lagoon Lodge is an insider tip for honeymoons.

honeymoon ideas

Cottage-style Garden Route honeymoon

Welcome to the heart of the Garden Route! If you are looking for accommodation for a Garden Route honeymoon with good value for money then Belvidere Manor in Knysna is the right place for you. The large grounds with views over the Knysna lagoon offer honeymooners plenty of space to linger and stroll. The privately located, unpretentious four-star cottages are well-equipped, making them perfect for a longer stay. Knysna is an excellent destination for active visitors any time of the year: the various possibilities to discover in the region are almost endless.

honeymoon ideas

Rhino spotting guaranteed

When it is colder in the Western Cape, Kwazulu Natal with its pleasantly warm weather from May to September is an ideal refuge. Just 3.5 hours north of Durban, the iconic Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park invites you to exciting Big 5 safari experiences. The four-star Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is the only private lodge in the park and a great choice if you are looking for an upmarket honeymoon destination in Kwazulu Natal. From the two generous honeymoon villas with private plunge pool on a raised deck, you can enjoy a spectacular view over the African bushveld. Pure relaxation. The beautiful lodge offers extremely personal experience and friendly staff who fulfill your every wish. The game viewing leaves nothing to be desired and the sighting of rhinos is practically guaranteed. In recent years, the park has successfully done everything possible to save the White and Black rhino from extinction.

Honeymoon Ideas

Less luxurious, but more idyllic

Just like Rhino Ridge, Kosi Forest Lodge is part of the Isibindi group. Isibindi works very closely with local communities and is committed to conservation – a role model for fair tourism in South Africa. Kosi Forest Lodge in the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site, is a rustic honeymoon destination. There is no luxury here, but you can expect an unbelievably idyllic experience in a pristine paradise that is reminiscent of the Okavango Delta. Honeymoon guests are spoiled with a private dinner and romantic turndown. Countless lantern lights throughout the lodge create a beautiful mood in the evenings. The perfect day ends with a bubble bath in the outdoor bathtub under the stars.

honeymoon ideas

An intimate nature destination

In the same Isimangaliso Wetland Park, further south, there is another gem that attracts honeymooners like a magnet, the intimate Makakatana Bay Lodge. You can feel that this lodge is owner-managed: as soon as you arrive you become part of the family. The quiet location couldn’t be more ideal for honeymooners. The honeymoon room offers a view of the Vlei and the romantic outdoor shower should not be missed. And neither should a private dinner on your own terrace. At Makakatana it never gets boring: Guided excursions to a game reserve, the Lake St. Lucia Estuary and the glorious beaches ensure unforgettable experiences.

Honeymoon Ideas

From the city into the bush

For honeymoon and weekend getaways near Johannesburg you are spoilt for choice. After a three-hour drive north, you arrive in a completely different world in the middle of the African bush, the Welgevonden Game Reserve. This malaria-free game reserve has unique lodges, including Sediba’s Rock Lodge and Mountain Lodge. With only four high-end villas, the Mountain Lodge is the more intimate option and therefore a hit with honeymooners. The romantic Mountain Suites, built with natural resources, invite you with a jacuzzi and outdoor shower. A log fire creates a cozy atmosphere in the evening when you return from an exciting game drive. An incredible safari atmosphere, not far from the bustling city of Johannesburg, that should not be missed.

Honeymoon Ideas

If you are looking for more inspiring honeymoon ideas and weekend getaways for every budget, Gisela from African Twist Travel will be happy to assist you. For more information contact: journeys@africantwisttravel.com, www.africantwisttravel.com