8 Unforgettable Safari Honeymoon Experiences

Africa is a destination like no other, where the raw beauty of nature and the adrenaline of adventure come together to create unforgettable experiences. For couples seeking a truly romantic and memorable honeymoon, there is no place quite like Africa's wild and diverse landscapes. Whether you are dreaming of a luxury safari in a five-star lodge with a hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara, an intimate night sleeping under the stars on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pan, or swimming with the largest fish in the world off Mafia Island, Africa offers a range of options for every budget.

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1) Sleep under the stars (Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Botswana)

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The salt pans are one of the largest in the world, stretching across 10,000 km2 of the Kalahari. It is an expansive yet calm environment where you can witness the night sky like no other. You will spend the day doing activities whether it’s a game drive, quad biking or even getting the chance to go and see the meerkats before heading out to the salt pans. You will have sundowners before a delicious supper around a fire and then head to your bedrolls which consists of pillows, a duvet, and blankets in case you get cold overnight. The pans are free from light and sound pollution which is why it is one of the best places in the world to stargaze and even see the Milky Way!

Best time to go: July-October

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2) Swimming with whale sharks off Mafia Island

Mafia Island is part of the Zanzibar Archipelago, located off the Tanzanian coast. Due to its nutrient-rich water, whale sharks are attracted as they migrate to feed on plankton. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world and can grow up to a gigantic 40 feet, they are also endangered species, so being able to have the opportunity to swim with them is even more special!

You will head out to sea early in the morning to try to locate a pod. Once found, you will be given a snorkel and mask and make the exhilarating leap into the water, unsure what to expect! Swimming alongside these incredible creatures is a feeling like no other, you will be amazed at how surprisingly fast they swim, although appearing slow – so good luck keeping up with them! Swimming with them in their natural habitat is not just an adventure, but also a reminder of the importance of conserving endangered species and protecting these vital marine ecosystems.

Pairs well with our Honeymoon Adventure Safari in Tanzania.

Best time to go: October to March

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3) Riding safari in North Kenya

Laikipia is a stunning region located between the foothills of Mount Kenya to the east and the Great Rift Valley to the west. Laikipia is made up of lots of private conservancies, making it a key area for wildlife conservation programmes as well as eco-tourism. It also offers a range of more unique safari activities like riding safaris.

A riding safari is a great fun honeymoon experience to have with your partner. It offers a unique and thrilling way to experience the African wilderness up close, allowing you to get incredibly near to wildlife such as zebras, giraffes and antelopes without the usual disturbance caused by safari vehicles. The ability to be able to approach these animals quietly on horseback creates a far more intimate and authentic experience!

With Laikipia having such diverse landscapes, you get to ride through a variety of terrains, from acacia woodlands and riverbanks to wide-open grasslands. For those who love adrenaline rushes, this is the experience for you – imagine galloping across the plains alongside herds of zebra and giraffes, in my eyes you can’t beat that feeling.

Best time to go: year-round

Pairs well with our Kenya Big Five Safari and Beach Honeymoon.

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4) Sardine run in South Africa

The sardine run off the coast of South Africa is one of the greatest marine migrations on the planet! Millions of sardines migrate from the cool waters of the Cape to the warmer waters of the KwaZulu-Natal coastline. These sardine schools can stretch up to a huge 7km in length, attracting a wide range of marine predators as they move along the coast.

These predators include sharks, dolphins, cape gannets, and sometimes even whales, all eager to feast on the sardines.

The sardine run is a unique event for divers/snorkellers, especially around Port St. Johns to be amongst these sardine schools and witness the feeding frenzy right up close. A seriously exciting and exhilarating experience!

Best time to go: May- July

Pairs well with our Cape Town, Kruger and Mauritius Honeymoon.

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5) Chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains

This is an extraordinary off-the-beaten-track adventure in remote western Tanzania, offering an intimate and rare opportunity to observe chimps in their natural habitat. Set in a stunning sanctuary of forests and ruffed mountains, with Lake Tanganyika next to it – the second longest and deepest freshwater lake in the world.

The experience begins with tracking the chimps along forest trails, where you will have the chance to witness their fascinating behaviour – watching them interact, feed, and play in the wild. The mountains are home to several chimpanzee communities.

In addition to spending time with the chimps, the Mahale Mountains offer a wealth of other activities. From kayaking on Lake Tanganyika to exploring hidden waterfalls. Mahale really is a hidden gem, perfect for couples looking for an immersive African adventure.

Pairs well with our Luxury Southern Tanzania Safari and Beach.

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6) Scuba diving in Madagascar

Madagascar offers one of the best diving experiences in Africa due to its incredibly biodiverse marine ecosystem. Surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the island offers a range of diving spots suitable for beginners to experienced divers. It also remains relatively quiet compared to other popular destinations!

The Nosy Be Archipelago, which is located off the northwest coast, is the top diving location, known for its colourful coral reefs, diverse marine life, and incredible visibility. This area is especially famous for sightings of whale sharks (from Oct-Nov), manta rays, sea turtles, dolphins, and various shark species! There are a range of great diving sites all near most of the lodges where you would stay.

You also can go out on night dives as well as try out a ‘fluo dive’, which is a cool type of night dive where you have special UV lights and when you shine them onto the surrounding coral and fish, a lot of them will glow in incredibly vibrant colours – a unique and out of this world experience!

Pairs well with our Madagascar Wildlife and Beach Express.

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7) Fly up the Skeleton Coast, Namibia

This is an exhilarating Namibian experience like no other that gives you the chance to have a breathtaking bird’s eye view of one of the world’s most desolate yet stunningly beautiful landscapes!

The Skeleton Coast stretches along Namibia’s Atlantic Coastline and has got its name after the countless shipwrecks that occurred in its treacherous waters with each wreckage serving as an eerie reminder of quite how harsh the environment is.

The flight begins in the coastal town Swakopmund, our clients normally spend a few days here on their Namibia trips due to the hub of activities that it offers (dune boarding, camel rides, sky diving, boat tours, quad biking etc.) From here you will board a light aircraft for the flight north. The second the plane lifts off you will be treated to the dramatic scenery below. The barren desert meeting the waves of the Atlantic!

As you fly further up the coast, the pilot will point out some of the desert-adapted wildlife such as the Cape Cross seal colony. You will then stop off at one of the airstrips in the middle of nowhere have some refreshments and get an opportunity to take in the vastness of the Skeleton Coast before continuing your flight back to Swakopmund.

Best time to go: May-November

Pairs well with our Classic Namibia Self-Drive.

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8) Hot Air Balloon safari in the Masai Mara during the Great Wildebeest Migration

This is without a doubt one of the most romantic safari honeymoon experiences that you could do. The adventure will begin around 4 am where you will be driven to the balloon. After your safety briefing, the crew will begin to inflate the balloon slowly lifting you into the sky, watching the sunrise on the horizon – a truly magical moment! You can expect to be in the air for around 45min-1h15 mins and in that time, you will have watched the sunrise, allowing you to view the incredible Masai Mara below you, and all the wildlife in it. One of the best times to do this safari is from August - October when the Great Wildebeest Migration is occurring in the Mara. Being able to witness the sheer scale of this migration is an unforgettable site, with thousands of animals in search of fresh grass, migrating north from the Serengeti

After you land you will have a glass of bubbly before heading for a true Masai Mara ‘Out of Africa’ style breakfast right out in the plains.

Pairs well with Masai Mara Safari and Diani Beach Escape.

Best time to go: year-round (weather permitting)

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Summary

A safari honeymoon in Africa is unlike any other - blending adventure, romance, and unforgettable wildlife encounters in some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. Whether you’re soaring above the Masai Mara in a hot air balloon, swimming with whale sharks off the Tanzanian coast, or sleeping under the stars in Botswana’s vast salt pans, each experience offers a unique way to celebrate your new journey together.

With options ranging from thrilling game drives to serene beach escapes, Africa caters to every couple’s sense of wonder. No matter which adventure you choose, your honeymoon will be filled with breathtaking moments, intimate encounters with nature, and stories to cherish for a lifetime. Let Africa’s magic set the perfect stage for the beginning of your life together.