Planning a South Africa Honeymoon or Holiday
South Africa is one of the most varied and exciting travel destinations - in fact it's easily in the top 3 places I plan trips to! And it's easy to see why - safari, beaches, wine, mountains, culture, road trips, history, and incredible people and food all in one trip. Thinking about a South Africa honeymoon or holiday? Let's go!
A South Africa honeymoon or holiday can be many things depending on your style of travel. Ultra-luxury safari lodges with plunge pools overlooking the bush? Boutique hotels and wine estates? Adventure and scenery along the coast? Whales, penguins, lions and elephants. There’s so much variety here.
Why Choose South Africa?
South Africa gives you a huge amount of contrast in one trip. You’ve got:
- incredible safari experiences
- stylish boutique hotels and luxury lodges
- world-class food and wine
- dramatic scenery and road trips
- beaches, mountains and vibrant cities
And best of all? It’s also incredible value!
South Africa for Honeymoons / Couples
South Africa is one of my favourite honeymoon destinations. You can spend your honeymoon:
- on safari spotting the Big Five
- drinking wine in Franschhoek
- driving along the Garden Route
- relaxing in Cape Town
and then you can finish on the beach in Mauritius, Seychelles or Zanzibar
It’s ideal for couples who want variety and a trip that feels adventurous while also being incredibly easy.
South Africa for Families
South Africa works brilliantly for families, especially if you want a big trip that combines adventure and downtime. There are fantastic family-friendly safari lodges, including malaria-free options, and the mix of wildlife, beaches, road trips and activities keeps kids engaged far more than your standard fly-and-flop holiday.
It also brilliant for multi generational family holidays, too, where you can hire entire lodges out for a once in a lifetime safari experience for all the family - young and old.
South Africa for Solo Travellers
South Africa can work very well for solo travellers too, especially as part of a guided tour or small group trip.
Cape Town has a great social atmosphere, safari lodges are naturally very communal, and there are some fantastic tours that take the stress out of logistics.
Where To Go in South Africa
Cape Town
Most South Africa trips start or finish in Cape Town and it truly is one of the world’s great cities.
Think:
- Table Mountain views
- the V&A Waterfront
- Camps Bay sunsets
- incredible restaurants and wine bars
- day trips to places like Cape Point and Boulders Beach
You can also easily explore nearby wine regions like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek from here, too.
The Cape Winelands and The Garden Route
One of the most popular road trips in the world! Start in Franschhoek and Stellenbosch - an absolute must for food and wine lovers. Beautiful vineyard scenery, incredible restaurants and boutique hotels make this area one of the highlights of many South Africa honeymoons.
Then the stretch of coast along the Garden Route combines dramatic scenery, beaches and forests, whale watching in season and small towns and boutique stays.
Safari
The beauty of a South Africa safari holiday is that the safari can be the main event or just a small part of a bigger trip. And there are lots of different ways to do it:
- private luxury reserves in the iconic Kruger National Park - did you know Kruger is almost the size of Wales?
- family-friendly lodges and malaria-free safaris in the East Cape
- ultra-luxury honeymoon suites in Shamwari, Sabi Sands or Singita
- smaller boutique camps with private pools like Pumba
- off the beaten track options in Madikwe or Welgevonden
- adventure tours that take you deep in the heart of Southern Africa
Other South Africa Ideas
If you’ve more time, there’s plenty more to add. Think a few nights in Johannesburg to explore South Africa’s recent history, the beaches and wildlife of KwaZulu-Natal,or even a journey on the iconic Blue Train for a slower, more luxurious way to see the country.
Where to combine with South Africa
South Africa works really well with other destinations if you have more time.
Some of the combinations I book most often:
- Mauritius - for luxury resorts and beautiful beaches
- Seychelles - for an island hopping dream
- Zanzibar - for a more affordable paradise beach vibe
- Namibia or Botswana – for more remote landscapes and safari experiences
- Victoria Falls - a brilliant safari add-on
When To Go To South Africa
South Africa is a year-round destination, but different areas are best at different times. Cape Town and the Garden Route are most popular in the European winter but you can safari all year round (it's always safari o'clock somewhere in South Africa!). Whale season is from around June to November.
Planning Your South Africa Honeymoon or Holiday
South Africa is one of those destinations where the planning really matters. I can help you decide:
- how long to spend in each area
- whether to self-drive or include transfers
- which safari region suits you best
- how to balance safari, coast and city
- where to splurge and where to save
At Travel Counsellors we work with trusted local partners in South Africa and some incredible lodges and hotels across South Africa. When you book your safari honeymoon package or holiday package with me, I’ll take care of everything from flights and safari logistics to transfers and the finer details, so your trip is super easy from start to finish!
Feedback from a recent South Africa honeymoon I planned...
"Karen organised the most magical honeymoon for us in South Africa at only 3 months notice. We really appreciated that she gave us both a 'high' and 'low' option and really knew about each option that she suggested. She was so quick to respond to all emails and queries in the lead up and we cannot recommend her highly enough!"
Ready to start planning your South Africa honeymoon or holiday?
