Luxury South Africa Honeymoons

It's a destination for dreamers and adventurers; those who want to get off-grid and drift away from reality, and those who want the electric buzz of a cosmopolitan city. South Africa honeymoons really do have it all.

Cape Town’s rugged coastline and lush Winelands are a major draw, but venture further afield and you'll be rewarded with some of the world's best game reserves. For those looking to head off the beaten track, there are plenty of lesser-known seaside towns and corners of the country to be uncovered. Active types won't be disappointed either; reconnect with nature by hiking up dramatic mountains or kayaking in the Atlantic Ocean.

You'll find accommodation to suit every taste – from hip, boutique hotels in the cities and coastal villages to elegant, luxury safari lodges. South Africa is a honeymoon destination where lasting memories are made.

The Top Honeymoon Destinations in South Africa

Cape Town, with its dramatic coastlines, eye-catching architecture and outstanding cuisine, is an obvious place to start a South African honeymoon. You could easily spend several happy days here eating your way around the city, taking trips out to the Winelands and enjoying the vibrant V&A Waterfront.

Stepping off the plane after your wedding, a few days of relaxation might be in order. Check in to one of Cape Town's majestic, colonial-style hotels near the Waterfront, or a more boutique offering deeper in the city. Then you can fill your days eating seafood, sipping South African wine, people-watching at Camps Bay and browsing artisan shops and galleries. When you're rested and ready for action, head in search of vines and fine dining in Constantia, Franschhoek or Stellenbosch.

And if you wish to explore at your own pace, why not wind your way across the Garden Route? This 300-kilometre stretch of coastline offers unmatched variety, from whale-watching in Hermanus to canoeing in Knysna or visiting the elephant sanctuary at Plettenberg Bay.

Staying in the Winelands is another option for those who want to explore the region at a leisurely pace. You'll find Cape Dutch manor house hotels sitting alongside uber-modern wine cellars, with restaurants that pack just as much of a sensory punch.

Find out more about the best places to go in South Africa.

Our Safari Honeymoons in South Africa

Naturally, a safari needs to be included in your South Africa honeymoon itinerary – and we have plenty of luxury itineraries to choose from.

Perhaps the best-known destination is Kruger National Park, in the northeast of the country. The Kruger is famous for its superb Big Five sightings – in particular the leopards at the popular Sabi Sands. Here, you can really slow down the pace of your South Africa honeymoon and experience the rhythm and sounds of the bush. What's more, in the intimate game reserves you can see for miles and never catch sight of another person.

Madikwe Game Reserve in the northwest province and close to the border of Botswana, is something of a hidden gem. Madikwe is a 75,000-hectare malaria-free reserve, which boasts the Super Seven – adding the cheetah and the endangered African wild dog to the already illustrious Big Five. Quiet, secluded and incredibly luxurious private game lodges are surrounded by breathtaking scenery, making this one of South Africa's most magical honeymoon safari destinations.

Few places on earth are as wild or dramatic as KwaZulu Natal's Elephant Coast. It's flanked on one side by the Indian Ocean's empty beaches and on the other by lush, green coastal forest, open plains, dense sand forests and high, rocky boulders.

It's here that you'll find the remarkable Phinda Private Game Reserve, home to the Big Five, where you'll encounter close-up sightings of the rare cheetah and black rhino. Between November and February, loggerhead and leatherhead turtles lay their eggs on the nearby beaches. KwaZulu Natal will appeal to the adventurous and be perfect for a South Africa honeymoon safari experience that will last you a lifetime.

Find out more about our African safari holidays.

Choose Your Ideal South Africa Honeymoon Activities

Your days can be full and active or slow and sedate – our honeymoons in South Africa are tailored to your needs.

South Africa safari honeymoon activities

On a honeymoon safari in South Africa, there are game drives at dawn, boat trips where hippos pop up surprisingly between the reeds, birdwatching for rare species, guided treks and nature walks.

But if you have visions of a more languid trip, you won't be disappointed. Spend your time watching herds of elephants amble past a watering hole from the comfort of your lodge's infinity pool. Soak up unparalleled views across the wilderness from private viewing decks. Embrace your dreamy honeymoon daze over candlelit dinners under the velvety stars. Or sprawl out under the trees with an alfresco picnic or leisurely afternoon tea. And, after the thrilling game drives spotting the Big Five, make the most of the lodges' incredible spa treatments, which rival the best in the world.

Coastal activities for your honeymoon to South Africa

Couples with an affinity for the ocean will be in their element around Cape Town and the Western Cape, where pods of captivating whales and bottlenose dolphins flirt with the waves. The best place to see them is in Hermanus (between November and December) where you can take a helicopter tour over Walker Bay for an epic aerial view. Try stand-up paddle boarding along the coast to Boulders Beach's famous penguin colony.

Active South Africa honeymoon ideas

Climbing up Table Mountain's 3,500-foot plateau is an absolute must for keen hikers and can be done within two hours, with a cable car waiting to swiftly bring you back down. There's also neighbouring Lion's Head, which has a trail leading straight to the peak. Seeing sunset from the top of either is a sight that no honeymoon in Cape Town should be without. On the Western Cape, nature reserves such as De Hoop, Grootbos and Bushman's Kloof offer spectacular scenery for horse riding or walks. Explore ancient caves set among fields of cloudy-pink fynbos and look out for springbok and zebra hiding in the bushes. Break up your walk with a delicious hillside picnic in the shade.

Culinary activities on your luxury South Africa honeymoon

Few people can resist the allure of the Western Cape's Winelands. Sun-soaked days can be spent cycling between the best wineries in Franschhoek or Stellenbosch, stopping for tastings and memorable meals made from locally sourced produce. Foodies will be in heaven.

For specific recommendations, our Africa expert Matt Shock had this to say:

“Cape Town and Franschhoek have the greatest selection of incredible dining experiences and restaurants. Some personal favourites are Salsify at the Roundhouse and then Reubens in Franschhoek.”

Luxury Honeymoon Hotels in South Africa

You'll be blown away by the quality of the hotels in our luxury honeymoon itineraries for South Africa. There really is something for everyone, from sustainable safari lodges to slick and modern five-star hotels. The accommodation options take luxury to the next level, thinking of every detail to make your honeymoon truly memorable and unique.