Finding affordable honeymoon destinations in Africa may seem like a difficult (albeit worthwhile) endeavor. For most couples, post-wedding relaxation, romance, isolation, and natural beauty are among the staple elements they expect from a honeymoon destination.
It is also worth noting that your honeymoon may double up as a chance to snag yourselves a bucket-list vacation.
While Africa offers some of the best honeymoon destinations, couples seeking a different type of getaway might find Orlando to be an excellent alternative. This popular vacation spot is not only known for its theme parks but also boasts luxurious accommodations like the Westgate Palace Hotel. With its amazing amenities and stunning pools, it could be an ideal choice for a romantic retreat. Learn more about this fantastic resort and discover how Orlando can provide an unforgettable honeymoon experience.
As such, set out to make the trip the best way to commemorate your marriage, whether it is scheduled to follow in as little as two days, two weeks, or two years after your wedding.
Just as importantly, since spouses may have different interests, the activities you prefer to engage in might also vary. Considering both of your travel preferences will help you decide where to go on your honeymoon.
Do you both prefer the beach or is a wildlife safari more your style as a couple? What kind of setting best suits the two of you? Depending on the African adventure you opt for, here are the top five affordable honeymoon destinations in Africa.
1. Maasai Mara, Kenya
Safaris in Kenya’s Maasai Mara are known for being crowded and busy. That is especially the case during the Great Migration, when millions of zebra, wildebeest and zebra and an assortment of other herbivores flood the Mara plains from Tanzania’s Serengeti.
To escape the crowds, though, and simply take in Maasai Mara’s splendor, consider scheduling your honeymoon in Kenya during the off-peak season.
One of the top accommodation facilities at the Mara is Angama Mara, a modern-chic lodge perched high on the escarpment of the Rift Valley. It is an excellent choice for couples that enjoy nostalgia.
The lodge is located where the classic film Out of Africa was filmed and evokes the charm of a bygone era. At the very kopje (little hill) where Meryl Streep and Robert Redford appeared in the landmark movie poster, staff will organize a lavish romantic champagne picnic for you at sunrise or sunset.
2. South Africa
Due to its rich culture, its wildlife, and its breathtakingly gorgeous landscapes, South Africa offers a combination of everything most couples would yearn for in a honeymoon vacation.
Considered one of the best honeymoon destinations in the world, South Africa enjoys diverse weather conditions, meaning you can schedule your honeymoon during the season you find most favorable.
The dry season, which lasts from May to October, is when game watching is at its peak, and is the ideal time to go on a wildlife honeymoon safari in South Africa. The Western Cape, which features Cape Town, is nevertheless quite well-liked from November to April, when it is summer.
The romantic metropolis of Cape Town is a must-see on your honeymoon itinerary, but you can also visit the Cape Winelands to taste some of the nation’s top wines against a backdrop of mountains.
Meanwhile, Kruger National Park is the best place to go on a wildlife honeymoon safari as you will get to see all five of the big cats there.
3. Zanzibar, Tanzania
Off the coast of Tanzania, the crystal-clear waves of the Indian Ocean lap at the shores of the archipelago of islands known as Zanzibar.
There are two larger islands and a number of smaller ones; Zanzibar, the largest island, is around 90 km long and 30 km wide. It is renowned for its traditional culture, breathtaking natural beauty, beaches, and spice farms.
The fact that many hotels in Zanzibar offer honeymoon specials and packages makes them even more alluring. For those keen on culture and the history of the island, a visit to Stone Town, the ramshackle capital of Zanzibar, is a must.
The finest months for a honeymoon in Zanzibar and the adjacent islands are August through October.
4. Mombasa Beach, Kenya
For daring couples who may possibly have included a honeymoon in Kenya as part of their safari experience, the ancient trading city of Mombasa, which serves as the gateway to the dazzling Indian Ocean, offers an interesting destination choice.
Beyond its reputation as a wildlife haven with abundant populations of the ‘Big Five’, and red-robed Maasai tribesmen, Kenya has some of the most phenomenal beaches.
The country has some of the best islands for a honeymoon and Mombasa is one of them.
Mombasa Island boasts of a virtually uninterrupted stretch of coastline running north and south of the historic commercial city. The island lies within a short distance from Kenya’s renowned national parks and game reserves, such as Tsavo National Park.
Experience a variety of welcoming beach resorts, such as Bamburi Beach in the north and Diani Beach in the south.
The majority of Mombasa’s beach resorts are ideal for scuba diving, game fishing, snorkeling, and viewing marine life such as dolphins and sea turtles in addition to sunbathing and swimming.
Unlike most Kenya safari destinations where you need to use the 4×4 safari land cruiser, Mombasa can be explored using safari vehicles which lowers the cost. Mostly, small cars such as Nissan note, Mazda Demio, Toyota Vitz, or SUVs such as Toyota Prado are used to get around. This makes Mombasa beach holidays the perfect choice for honeymooners on a budget.
5. Namibia
Namibia’s iconic sights are yours to explore at your leisure, so you can pause along the way to take in the scenery and wildlife and enjoy quiet picnic lunches without being bothered.
The visit to the famous Sossusvlei at sunrise, with its impressive dunes, is a highlight of this journey. You might even climb Big Daddy, the tallest of these dunes.
The amazing Dead Vlei, a vast, eerie stretch of dried white clay accentuated by the skeletons of old camel-thorn trees, stands below the red sand dunes in contrast to them.
As one of the best honeymoon destinations in the world, Namibia is ideal for couples searching for a more active honeymoon. Swakopmund and its stunning scenery is right at the heart of this activity. You can jump, paddle alongside hundreds of seals, and quad cycle up enormous dunes here.
A safari in Namibia is a singular adventure. At Etosha National Park, when the wildlife congregates around the waterways during the dry season, you’ll be astounded at how much wildlife, including big cats and elephants have adapted to the desert.