There is nothing we enjoy more than designing the most perfect, romantic honeymoon in the world! (or wedding for that matter…) Africa will ignite a kind of romance that you just don’t find in the city. The magic of the landscape, dinner under the African sky with a million stars vying with your candlelight, the deep reconnection with earth. No question, it will bring out the romantic in you! From ultimate luxury to remote essential wilderness… a great start to a new beginning. Start at the beginning with Africa as your destination. .
South African Honeymoon
Day 1 JOHANNESBURG / JOHANNESBURG INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL
Upon arrival in Johannesburg make your way to the InterContinental Airport Sun, which is situated within walking distance from the terminals at Johannesburg International Airport. This conveniently located 138 room hotel is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of discerning business and leisure travelers requiring the ultimate comfort and personalized service combined with consistent world class standards.
Day 2-4 KRUGER NATIONAL PARK / SINGITA LEBOMBO LODGE
Poised over one of Africa’s most dramatic landscapes in the Kruger National Park’s glorious south-east, Singita’s Lebombo Lodge is set against a country that is abundant in water, antelope and big cats, with colors that shift with the changing seasons. Lebombo Lodge was created as a transient witness to the land, constructed of steel, glass and wood in reverence to the African expanse before it. Walkways snake their way along a ridge dotted with surreal euphorbia that offer praise to the sky. At Singita Lebombo the lofts clasp like eagles’ nests to the mountainside and suites are sparsely adorned spaces created of wall-to-wall glass giving you a sense of interaction with a wilderness that echoes to the soul.
This area offers wonderful opportunities for big five sightings. The reserve is on the migration routes of many prey species, and sightings of lion, leopard and even the elusive wild dog are common. Time spent at this lodge is time spent at the very heart of the African wilderness, in a place that grew out of the bushveld. Enjoy game drives twice daily or bush walks with an armed ranger/tracker. Bush breakfasts and sunset cocktails may be arranged for you in some of the most scenic spots in the reserve, or you may dine on the privacy of your deck. You also have a chance to take a guided visit to Justitia Village, a local Shangaan community just outside the boundary of the reserve.
Day 5-7 SABI SANDS GAME RESERVE / SINGITA EBONY LODGE
On Day 5 you are flown by Federal Air to Sabi Sands Game Reserve and Singita Ebony Lodge. (NOTE: Singita means “the miracle”.) Singita Ebony offers total luxury while blending naturally into the surrounding bush. Shaded by giant ebony and knobthorn trees, Singita commands sweeping views over the Sand River and open plains where giraffes and majestic elephants can be seen.
Ebony’s luxury villas are world-renowned for their extraordinary architectural beauty. Set amongst the giant trees of its namesake, the colonial-styled Ebony Lodge is the last word in first world comfort. Each of the nine luxurious double suites, on the banks of the Sand River, offer air-conditioning, a double-sided fireplace, cozy lounge area, bathroom and indoor and outdoor showers, a private swimming pool and secluded game-viewing deck. The décor speaks of art, culture and tradition of Africa and the furnishings and finishes are soft comforting and always inviting.
Singita’s health and leisure spa offers aromatherapy, massage and beauty treatments for you to enjoy between game drives. Days are spent on early morning game drives, afternoon into evening game drives with spotlight in open Landrovers, and guided bush walks. Singita offers opportunities to view lion, cheetah, wild dog, and leopard. Game-viewing is excellent, as the “big five” and predators can be seen regularly.
Day 8-10 CAPE TOWN / CAPE GRACE HOTEL
On the morning of Day 8 you are flown to the Nelspruit Airport to board your flight to Cape Town. Here you are met and transferred to the Cape Grace Hotel. Built in a style which is timelessly classical, it provides the perfect link between the elegance of the old city and the vibrancy of The Waterfront. Cape Grace Hotel is located on its own promontory surrounded by water on three sides, affording views of Table Mountain, the yacht marina and a working harbor. Accommodations are spacious air-conditioned rooms with separate dressing rooms, walk-in showers, double vanities and generous lounge areas. It has been voted the best hotel in South Africa for several years running.
Cape Town is a city where old and new elements harmoniously converge in history, architecture, cultural pursuits and the essence of its people. It is dominated by a towering, table-shaped mountain, set on a peninsula of soaring, rocky heights and lush valleys, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Immense natural beauty and the fast pace and bright lights of a great urban center meld effortlessly here.
Day 11 & 12 WALKER BAY / BIRKENHEAD HOUSE
On the morning of Day 11 you are driven along the famed coastal Garden Route (approximately 3 hours) to the Birkenhead House. Perched high on the Hermanus cliffs, the Birkenhead House is superbly located in unspoiled natural surroundings. This luxury retreat offers everything the discerning sojourner could wish for, from uninterrupted views and diverse activities to the very finest in international cuisine and a richly appointed accommodation enhanced by beautiful fabrics and antiques.
Here in Hermanus there is an adventure awaiting any type of traveler. Nature lovers can lose themselves in the beauty of the lush mountain trails on walks, study indigenous birdlife, or experience the adventure of deep-sea fishing. Inquisitive travelers can venture out on tours to Stanford, local wine farms and townships, while others can relax with a round of golf, yoga or a leisurely bike ride. You can also enjoy quad biking riding, sea kayaking and scuba diving. The concierge at the hotel can organize all of your activities during your stay.
Day 13 & 14 FRANSCHHOEK / LA RESIDENCE
On the morning of Day 13 you are driven to the quaint town of Franschhoek where the persecuted French Protestants, among them experienced winemakers, chose to settle when they sought refuge in South Africa in the late 1600s. The place was called ‘Coin Francais’, the French corner; in Dutch, Fransch Hoek. Today, the French influence in Franschhoek Valley is still strong. It can be seen in the picturesque architecture of the small village and tasted in the area’s wonderful cuisine and wines, the settlers’ greatest legacy. The concierge at the hotel can organize all of your activities during your stay.
The tranquil vineyards and majestic mountains of the Franschhoek Valley paint the stunning backdrop for this secluded retreat of La Residence. Situated on a private 30-acre working farm, with vineyards, plum orchards, a private dam, and fragrant gardens, La Residence offers a haven of luxuriously furnished suites, with palatial bathrooms and decorated with fine antiques, exquisite Persian carpets and an eclectic mix of objects d’art.
Space is the byword here: soaring mountain views from every suite and vast bathrooms that open onto generous sunny balconies which offer magnificent opportunities to relax, admire the view, enjoy the delicate scents of nature and marvel at the synthesis of beauty and tranquility. Activities at La Residence include swimming, mountain/village walks, private wine tasting at various estates, cheese tasting, and trout fishing. For a wine tour with a difference, hop on to a horse and visit a few of the Vignerons de Franschhoek. Those in favor of a more sedate excursion might enjoy a carriage ride through the village and to some of the wine farms. Franschhoek is noted for having some of the top restaurants in the country within its quiet borders. This fact, together with the strong wine culture and pristine natural and architectural beauty has made Franschhoek into what many describe as the “food and wine capital” of South Africa.
Day 14 JOHANNESBURG / INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT HOMEWARD
Transfer to the Cape Town Airport to board your flight to Johannesburg and homeward
Note: This is just an example of custom itineraries that we can design for you. For additional itinerary options, please contact us.