Other luxury safari itineraries
Depart at 1800 from London's Heathrow Airport on the South African Airways flight SA235 to Johannesburg.
Arrive at 0705 and connect with flight BP212 departing at 1000 to Maun. On arrival at 1140 you will be met and transferred by light aircraft to Chief's Camp where you stay for three nights (fully inclusive of meals and activities).
A safari honeymoon in Botswana will provide both you and your spouse with some fantastic safari memories. Botswana has some of the most luxurious lodges for the perfect African safari.
On the north western tip of Chief's Island, deep in the heart of the Okavango Delta, is the richest and most exciting safari reserve in Botswana. This area, known as the Mombo Reserve, has great fertility and a particularly wide variety of vegetation types and this, combined with the reliable all year round source of water, attracts literally thousands of animals. The game viewing on the Mombo reserve is second to none and your safari guides will add to the experience even more by imparting to you their wealth of knowledge.
Chief's Camp, a superb honeymoon location, is one of only two which share this wonderful area, which is most famous for its large population of cats. Lion are seen very regularly, leopard are usually seen every two or three game drives, there are cheetah and packs of wild dog. These predators are attracted by the large numbers of plains game, in particular antelope, zebra, wildebeest and big herds of buffalo sometimes numbering more than a thousand to a herd. There are also many elephant, giraffe and, occasionally, a rhinoceros is seen. The bird life, too, is remarkable with over 350 species ranging from impressive bateleur eagles to brilliantly coloured kingfishers.
Chief's Camp takes only twenty four guests in twelve huge luxury walk-in safari tents, each with a comfortable bed, safari furniture, en-suite flush w.c. and shower, while at the front of each tent is a balcony with fine views across the Okavango Delta. Honeymooning in the Delta makes for a very special romantic safari.
Although the safari camp is small and intimate, it has a good range of facilities including a dining area, a library where you can read up on the game, birds and trees, a large wooden deck area, a pool and a poolside sala where it is possible to take a massage. The setting is perfect, and the atmosphere more so, letting you relax and enjoy your Honeymoon in an unforgettable safari location.
The standard of management and cuisine is excellent at Chief's Camp, as is the quality of the guiding. Your highly knowledgeable safari guide will take you out into the reserve by open vehicle. There are large numbers of predators here so walking is not permitted. Your guides will be able to explain every last detail of the animals and birds you see whilst game viewing and they will provide insights into their behaviour, life pattern and family habits.
After your morning safari activity you will be transferred by light aircraft to Baines Camp where you stay for three nights (fully inclusive of meals and activities).
Set amongst the shady trees and water of the Okavango Delta, the small and intimate Baines Camp features just five luxurious suites set on elevated platforms in the tree line. Wooden decks offer expansive views over the permanent water of the Boro River and a lagoon teeming with life. The elevated suites feature a spacious bedroom with beds that are fully mobile. This gives guests the chance to slumber under star-laden skies which is a perfect way to relax into your romantic honeymoon. The African sky above you compliments the feel of tranquillity and calmness of your peaceful surroundings. The main area features an oversize deck for outdoor dining and views over the permanent water of the lagoon, as well as a swimming pool for refreshing sunbathing.
Honeymooners can enjoy a remote safari at Baines camp as it is located on a private reserve of 260,000 acres, which means you can enjoy your game viewing in privacy. You can take safaris by open vehicle, during the day and at night, on foot with an armed guide, and by mokoro canoe, giving you a wide range of perspectives from which to enjoy the wildlife.
Baines Camp has three elephants that are habituated to the presence of people and at additional cost it is possible to spend around four hours with these elephants. You can touch them, watch them interact, listen to the sounds by which they communicate and take a walk with them through the bush as they move silently on their giant feet and occasionally tear branches off trees. This is a thrilling experience and one that gives you a privileged insight to the habits and lifestyle of these ancient creatures whilst on your honeymoon in Africa.
After lunch you will be transferred by light aircraft to Maun for flight BP211 departing at 1500 to Johannesburg. On arrival at 1640 you will be met and transferred by road to the Grace Hotel where you stay for one night (bed and breakfast).
Situated in the heart of Rosebank, a secure and leafy suburb, The Grace has been designed in the neo-classical style with understated elegance, without losing personal charm. There are cosmopolitan restaurants, shops, cinemas, art galleries and craft markets all within walking distance, and there is easy access to Johannesburg's airport.
Providing exclusive, comfortable accommodation and service which is personal and efficient, there are seventy-five bedrooms, fifteen of which are suites, all decorated to the highest standard. Fine and imaginative cuisine is served in the restaurant adjoining a sunny roof garden and poolside terrace. At the pool terrace light meals, teas and drinks are served high above the hum of the streets below.
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for the Pelican Air flight departing at 1015 to Vilanculos in Mozambique to start the second aspect of your honeymoon, a fantastic beach location. On arrival at 1230 you will be met and transferred by boat to Marlin Lodge on Benguerra Island where you stay for four nights (full board).
Just off the coast of Mozambique lies Bazaruto Archipelago, a string of brilliant white sandy islands with palm trees and lush tropical vegetation. The largest of these is the 11km long Benguerra Island surrounded by pristine white beaches, while in the centre of the island are areas of grassland, forest and small rivers, which support a wide variety of birds. You can walk barefoot along the golden shores as the water laps against your feet. The coast of Mozambique offers honeymooners a real powder white paradise beach to absorb the sun after a marvellous safari experience.
Surrounding the island are over twenty wonderful dive sites and many more excellent snorkelling locations teeming with beautiful fish and coral, and in order to protect this environment the island has been declared a national park for over thirty years. This is just the place for keen divers and snorkellers to head to after their safari.
Marlin Lodge is situated on the south west shore of Benguerra Island, the second largest island in the Bazaruto Archipelago, which offers some of the finest scuba diving sites and some of the best deep-sea fishing in the world.
At this remote beach location you can't escape the age-old rhythms of Africa and a heady sense of history. There's the legacy of Portuguese carracks, trading dhows bearing slaves and ivory to the East and whispered legends of the Queen of Sheba's Ophir pearls. Each day you'll be reminded of the archipelago's colourful past as fishermen pole their beautiful dhows - a sight unaltered in centuries - out to catch the wind. The locals continue to live a laid-back island lifestyle - harvesting their crops, cashew trees and the ocean's bounty. And late at night you may hear the pulse of distant drums...
The beach lodge comprises of nine classic chalets and seven luxury chalets with reed walls and thatched roofs. Each chalet is west facing offering wonderful sunsets each evening, and have their own balcony with deck chairs and a hammock, as well as a private walkway down to the beach for those romantic evening strolls before dinner. The classic chalets have a roof fan and mosquito netting, while the luxury chalets also have air conditioning. In addition, there is one beautiful luxury suite which is popular for honeymoons. The suite is more than double the size of the luxury chalets and it has its own relaxing lounge area, spacious balcony and direct private access to the beach. This room features a king-sized four-poster bed, air-conditioning and roof fan. There are also three enormous executive suites, which are about 100m_ in size, and provide the ultimate Marlin Lodge accommodation. The lodge also offers a lovely swimming pool and beautiful recreation areas.
Meals range from semi-formal affairs in the dining room to casual beach buffets. Dinners are sumptuous occasions, each night a surprise... like tables laid on the beach at the end of an avenue of palm fronds and flame torches. Dishes include crayfish, succulent prawns, calamari just off the dhow or delicious peri-peri chicken grilled over an open fire and fragrant with delicate island spices.
The warm tropical waters surrounding the archipelago support a stunning variety of fish, coral, marine mammals and plants and this is ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling and there are several first rate dive sites near Marlin Lodge. Deep-sea fishing, game fishing (marlin and sailfish), surfcasting and saltwater fly-fishing can also be enjoyed. You may also like to take a sunset cruise or sail in a dhow or enjoy various activities including wind-surfing, catamaran sailing, kite-flying, ocean ski-paddling, water-skiing, para-sailing, knee-boarding and water-snaking. Botswana combines fantastically with Mozambique for perfect safari and beach honeymoon locations.
You will be transferred back to Vilanculos for the flight departing at 1430 to Johannesburg, arriving at 1645. Depart at 2010 on flight SA234 to London's Heathrow Airport.
Arrive at 0625 (local time).