A Complete Guide to Honeymooning in South Africa
Written by Nina van Zyl
One of the best things about tying the knot is the honeymoon afterwards, especially if it’s in an exciting place like South Africa. With wild bush escapes and lazy beach-side retreats, romantic towns, and lively cities, South Africa is the ideal honeymoon destination.
Read on for our complete guide to honeymooning in South Africa and get ready to spend your time in the best honeymoon destinations the country has to offer.
Cape Town
Known as the “Mother City”, Cape Town is perhaps the most well-known and beloved of all South Africa’s cities, and with good reason. Historic buildings, hip cafés and bars, and awe-inspiring hikes and walks in nature make Cape Town a universally top-rated destination.
Seasonality
The city has warm summers and cold winters, and it sees its highest rainfall in the winter months between May and July. In contrast, summer months like December and January can be quite hot with relatively low humidity.
What to do
Cape Town’s proximity to the ocean and Table Mountain means nature is very much part of its character. A must-do activity on every bucket list of the city is a hike up Table Mountain. A romantic stroll around the mountainside will take you on trails through myriad different fynbos, with iconic proteas sprouting profusely in the foliage and sunbirds flitting between the bushes.
Cape Town’s beaches are quite popular in the summer (especially the famous Clifton beaches). That said, the ocean temperatures are usually quite low year-round. Fans of Wim Hoff might consider joining the hardy locals taking a swim first thing in the morning at the Camps Bay tidal pool to reap the benefits of cold-water immersion.
For those not too keen on getting wet, stick to the dry land and toast the setting sun from one of the myriad popular cafés and bars along the promenade. The city is known for its many fantastic restaurants that serve the best in the country. For a truly unforgettable dining experience, book a table (way ahead of time, mind you) at The Pot Luck Club. End the night with drinks at Athletic Club & Social, an edgy 3-storey bar and restaurant downtown.
Accommodation
Our top picks:
La Grenadine
Enjoy a French Provencal-inspired stay in the heart of Cape Town.
Pineapple House
High-end, eclectic hotel found in Cape Town’s Atlantic seaboard.
Camissa House
Luxury accommodation at the foot of Table Mountain.
There’s nothing more romantic than a wine-tasting tour through the Cape Winelands. Think classic manor houses set amidst expansive rolling vineyards with the sun setting in gold over nearby mountains.
Seasonality
The Winelands are a fantastic destination year-round, with the same climate as Cape Town so expect warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.
What to do
There is a ton to do in the Cape Winelands, from nature hikes to wine tastings. The area around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek is absolutely dominated by world-class and highly-awarded restaurants set on stunning farmlands. You could even pick a wine farm at random, and we can bet you won’t be disappointed.
This part of the country also happens to have more than its fair share of modern wellness centres like spas and retreats. Book yourself and your partner in for a day of pampering and utter relaxation. And seeing as this is wine country, we recommend you do it all with a glass of wine in hand.
If you prefer to relax in nature instead, hit the mountains for the walking, hiking, and biking trails littered throughout the area. The Coetzenburg Mountain that hugs Stellenbosch is popular among the students of this university town for its mountain biking trails. The Jonkershoek Waterfalls Trail is a day’s hike that starts a short drive southeast of the town in the lush Jonkershoek Nature Reserve.
Accommodation
Our top picks:
Angala Boutique Hotel
Tranquil lodge in the heart of the Winelands offering luxurious restoration.
Franschhoek Country House and Villas
An exclusive boutique hotel in the heart of Franschhoek.
La Petite Ferme
An opulent wine estate stay in Franschhoek boasting phenomenal cuisine and views.
With 71.000 ha of unique scenery and ancient amber rock formations, the Cederberg is a magical place and ideal for a completely secluded honeymoon getaway in South Africa. Its wide-open spaces and spectacular fauna and flora make the Cederberg and its surroundings a must-visit for fans of the outdoors.
Seasonality
The Cederberg Mountains are a destination for all seasons, with each time of year bringing a different aspect to enjoy and appreciate. Nonetheless, we recommend visiting in April and May, when the temperatures are a bit lower, which means activities like hikes are a tad more comfortable.
What to do
The Cederberg is for nature lovers and the wild at heart. It’s a great place to explore on foot or with a self-drive 4x4, trekking the landscape that feels as if there are no other people for miles.
The Cederberg Mountains are a popular hiking destination, and if you have the time and the inclination, why not embark on a hike to the famous Wolferb Arch or to the Maltese Cross, which is a half-day hike with lots of spots for picnics along the way.
The area can also be explored by mountain bike or horseback. No matter how you do it, remember to be on the lookout for the Cederberg’s shy Cape leopards and the rare Clanwilliam Cedar. There are also a ton of rock paintings to visit, like the ones at Stadsaal, Southern Arch, Vark Kloof, and Truitjieskraal.
Accommodation
Our top picks:
Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve
Step into another world and discover a whole new perspective.
Highlands Eco Estate
Situated atop the picturesque Piketberg mountain in the Western Cape, surrounded by tranquil countryside.
Simbavati Cederberg Ridge
Cederberg Ridge is a luxurious wilderness lodge offering delicious food, warm hospitality, and adventure.
The Garden Route is a 300 km-long route that snakes along the coast bounding the Indian Ocean, with charming towns and unspoilt reserves, luxurious accommodations and out-of-this-world eateries.
Seasonality
Although the Garden Route can be rainy throughout the year, the best time to visit is during the warm months between September and April. The Christmas season is popular with locals, which means you might have to fight the crowds. Whale-watching is possible between June and August and at its peak in September.
What to do
The Garden Route has many must-visit attractions that make it an unforgettable road trip route. There’s the seaside town of Knysna, with its picturesque harbour framed by a pair of sandstone cliffs called the Knysna Heads. We recommend exploring the Knysna Forest nearby.
Nature is the big drawcard of the Garden Route, so make a point of stopping at the Garden Route National Park near George, or Robberg Nature Reserve near Plettenberg Bay. Speaking of ‘Plet’ (as the locals call it), this seaside town is a fantastic spot to enjoy a dip in the ocean and relax on the beach.
About an hour’s drive east from the southern tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas is the De Hoop Nature Reserve. Hugging the coastline, the reserve has some of the best hiking trails in South Africa and offers fantastic opportunities for whale watching. Hermanus is another great place to watch whales, especially during its annual Whale Festival, which takes place in October. Other highlights in the area include Africa’s largest show cave, the Cango Caves, near Oudtshoorn, the Storms River Suspension Bridge, and the ziplining tour in Tsitsikamma.
Although the Eastern Cape is not technically part of the Garden Route, it’s just a short drive further east along the coast and promises phenomenal game sightings and wilderness excursions. Game Parks such as Addo Elephant National Park, Shamwari Game Reserve and Amakhala Game Reserve are worth a visit to the area spread out between Gqeberha (erstwhile Port Elizabeth) and Port Alfred, promising Big 5 sightings and more.
Accommodation
Our top picks:
Alkira Lodge
Hover above the clouds and beautiful Knysna scenery at this stunning lodge.
Lekkerwater Beach Lodge at De Hoop
A luxury beachside lodge focused on marine conservation and mindful living.
Tsala Treetop Lodge
A treetop lodge in the lush forests between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
Known as the ultimate safari destination, the Kruger National Park is South Africa’s largest park and the must-visit destination if your honeymoon bucket list includes spotting the Big 5. The abundance of wildlife makes the Kruger a stellar safari experience, with tons of predators to see as well as over 500 bird species.
Seasonality
Summer (November to February) is lush and verdant, with many baby animals making their appearance in the long grass. Winter (April to August) is better for game-viewing, as the vegetation is less dense and water sources somewhat fewer.
What to do
The Kruger’s abundance of wildlife makes self-drives through the park exciting and ideal for budding photographers. Guided tours are also a must, with expert guides leading you to the exact spot where an elusive leopard might be plotting its next kill.
The park is fantastic when explored on foot. Guided walks led by expert trackers are a great way to learn more about the environment and find its hidden gems. There are nature trails that you can also undertake yourself, like the Lonely Bull hiking trail, plus the mountain biking trails. Golfers can practise their swing at the Skukuza Golf Course in the south of the park.
Accommodation
Our top picks:
Simbavati Hilltop Lodge
A luxury lodge in the tranquil Timbavati Game Reserve.
Simbavati Camp George
An elegant safari lodge nestled in the Klaserie Game Reserve.
Singita Boulders Lodge
Boulders Lodge seamlessly blends its surrounds with vast interiors that spill onto expansive wooden decks.
Ocean lovers and beach bums will fall in love with South Africa’s east coast, a paradise of lush coastland and spectacular underwater ecosystems. The area is home to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site just a few hours’ drive north of Durban.
Seasonality
South Africa’s east coast enjoys a tropical climate, which means that the summer months between November and February can be quite hot and humid, with frequent rain showers. In contrast, the winter months from April to August are relatively dry and cool, with sea temperatures moderate and quite enjoyable.
What to do
The east coast is known for the stunning underwater life that it harbours. A honeymoon in the area would not be complete without at least 1 or 2 dips in the ocean. Even better, don a scuba suit and dive down into the blue depths to witness the explosion of life and colour found under the waves. Places like Sodwana Bay, with its great scuba sites, snorkelling, and unblemished beaches, are what make the east coast such a spectacular destination.
The St Lucia Lake in the heart of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is famous for its large concentrations of hippos and crocodiles, not to mention the abundance of other wildlife and numerous bird species. Activities like boat cruises up the estuary (the largest in Africa), horse rides, game drives, and kayaking are great ways to explore the area. Where the lake empties into the ocean is the town of St Lucia, which is known for the leatherback turtles that lay their eggs along its shores in the summer – a must-see.
Further inland, the lush bushveld becomes perfect safari country, with parks like Hluhluwe–iMfolozi that is home to a wide variety of animal species, including the Big 5.
Accommodation:
Our top picks:
Thonga Beach Lodge
A sustainability centred beach-side luxury lodge within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
A luxury private safari lodge nestled in the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park.
Kosi Forest Lodge
Kosi Forest Lodge is situated within iSimangaliso Wetland Park, surrounded by untold biodiversity and beauty.
How to make South Africa your honeymoon destination:
South African Adventures Across Mountain & Sea in 12 Days:
Starting in dazzling Cape Town and ending in Whale-Watching Capital, Hermanus, this trip will not disappoint.
The Western Cape’s Beauty: Scenic Whale and Wine Routes
From the Winelands to the scenic thrills of the Atlantic Seaboard, this 9-night trip has everything you need for an unforgettable honeymoon.
South Africa's Southern Coast Spoils:
Experience only the best that South Africa’s Western Cape has to offer with this 22-night trip that includes accommodation in a few of the country’s most luxurious hotels.
Insider Tips
If you’re planning on travelling across South Africa, remember to pack for a wide variety of weather conditions, from hot and dry to cold and wet.
Malaria is rare in South Africa, but rather be safe than sorry and chat with your doctor about anti-malarial medications before your trip, especially if you are visiting the far north of South Africa.
A hat and sunblock are always a must, especially if you plan on spending lots of time on the beach.
When it comes to unforgettable honeymoon hotspots, South Africa is without a doubt a stellar romantic destination. From beaches to bars, safaris to solitude, there’s something for everyone. Get in touch with Viatu to plan an unforgettable honeymoon trip to South Africa.