Guest Post: Hills of Africa Luxury Safari Honeymoons

Once you’ve decided whether to wear Oscar or Vera and chosen which Cipriani’s to hold your reception, it’s time to start planning your honeymoon. Above all, you want the trip to be romantic, but you also crave culture, excitement, and luxury. From the lavish five-star accommodations to the amazing wildlife, an African safari is an unforgettable way to start your married life together.

One of the things discerning New York City couples love about planning a luxury African safari honeymoon is that each and every detail is high-end and completely customized based on your personal preferences.
When planning your African honeymoon, it’s important to be realistic about everything from your budget to your personal preferences—and don’t forget about the preferences of your new spouse! He or she might have different ideas of an ideal vacation than you, which is why it’s always important to compile individual lists and then compromise on each element of your lists.

Here are 5 things Merci’s readers need to consider before booking a honeymoon safari:

1. Your budget: Just like Manhattan real estate, African safaris can be expensive, but what you get in return in priceless. If you want a high-end, completely customized African honeymoon, your budget must be a minimum of $10,000 per person. This includes your airfare and transportation, luxury accommodations, superior services and amenities, private tours / safaris, intimate dinners, and each and every small detail that makes all the difference.
2. The time of year you wish to take your honeymoon: You know you have to book early to nab that coveted New York venue, but you may not know that depending on the time year you want to book your honeymoon to Africa, you could have to book anywhere from six months to over a year out. If you wish to experience your honeymoon over the holidays in December—a time of year as popular for safari travel as The Central Park Boathouse is for wedding receptions—you need to plan 12 – 18 months in advance to ensure your space in Africa’s most romantic and renowned accommodations.

We advise that you book your honeymoon as soon as possible so that each of your accommodation preferences can be met.

We also suggest that you plan on visiting Africa for your honeymoon in the months between July and November, as these months yield the most beauty and wildlife. Although many countries in Africa are year-round destinations, some months do offer greater wildlife observation and weather conditions.
3. Your accommodation preferences: Africa’s accommodations range everywhere from mobile tents to lavish five-star hotels, and luxurious chalets to romantic “tree houses.”

You Upper East Side gals thinking: “A mobile tent on my honeymoon? No way,” might be surprised to discover that although these accommodations are mobile, they are well-appointed, sophisticated, and intimate. It’s also important to consider that these mobile safaris usually only last anywhere from 2 – 5 days, which means you can stay in a luxury chalet or lodge for the rest of your stay in Africa. But, if you and your spouse are not the adventurous type, a mobile safari might not be for you.

Chalets are a great medium between a five-star hotel and a mobile safari. They have a permanent location, often incorporating elements of nature in their design and boast 19thcentury safari décor and romance. Most chalets have an open design which enables air and other natural surroundings to incorporate themselves within these spacious and private accommodations.
4. Your activity preferences: Always wanted to compare the white beaches of Mozambique to the cool shores of East Hampton? Has one of your lifelong dreams been to view the Big Five on safari? Are you interested in experiencing the bustling city of Cape Town or touring the infamous Table Mountain? Whether you crave adventure or desire a more peaceful and romantic escape, you must understand your preferences before booking your honeymoon to Africa.

Customized itineraries provide you the best of both worlds. Whether you want 80% of your trip to be relaxation and romance with 20% of your trip comprised of adventurous activities, or vice versa, a personalized itinerary has the ability to accommodate your specific needs.
It’s also important to be open and honest with your African travel agent your activity preferences. A great African travel agent will get to know you and your spouse and understand your personal needs and desires, and provide you with the best advice for your luxury honeymoon.

5. The length of time you wish to stay: Whether you want your honeymoon to last for two weeks or a month, you need to plan your destinations and activities based on the time you have in Africa. It’s also important to consider length of stay when planning your budget to Africa.

Also, you will have more time to devote to activities if you remain in the same region of Africa as oppose to moving throughout the continent during your stay. This is why it’s important to understand your transportation options and how much time each option will take away from your activities.

Safe and Stylish Travels!
About Sandy Salle: Sandy Salle is a native of Zimbabwe and was born and raised in Southern Africa. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Hills of Africa, a top provider of customized, luxury safari vacations, and is passionate about using her first-hand knowledge of Africa to create the trip of a lifetime for her clients. Currently based state-side in North Carolina, she resides with her husband and two small children. Sandy travels home to Africa several times a year and believes that the next best thing to living in Africa is sharing it with others. Sandy shares African travel tips on her blog Live the Magic of Africa.
All photos courtesy Hills of Africa.