The Best African Honeymoon Destinations Month by Month
Discover the best times of year for an Africa honeymoon with expert tips for the top safari destinations, outdoor activities, beaches and more each month.
Honeymoons in Africa offer an incredible array of destinations, experiences and luxury accommodation to choose from. You can set out on intimate safaris in South Africa, go gorilla trekking in Rwanda, relax on the sandy beaches of the Seychelles together or take a romantic river cruise down the Zambezi – and that’s just a small taste.
When it comes to crafting any itinerary, one of the most important things to consider is the time of year. Seasonality can affect everything from the weather to the wildlife you’re likely to see. We’ve put together a month-by-month guide to African honeymoon destinations to help you decide where and when to go.
What you need to know
- The best time for a safari honeymoon in Africa is generally May to October, when many top safari destinations experience their annual dry season.
- The green season falls from November to May in many places, offering quieter parks and reserves, great birdwatching and beautiful scenery.
- If you want to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, the best months to travel are June to September and December to February.
- The Seychelles offer optimal beach weather in April, May, October and November, while Zanzibar’s beaches are at their best from July to September.
African honeymoons in January
January is a great month to go gorilla trekking in East Africa, as it falls within the shorter dry season from December to February.
This month also coincides with the calving season in the southern Serengeti and many other places, so you have a good chance of seeing newborn animals – which can be an especially moving experience. Popular safari destinations tend to be more peaceful at this time of year.
Learn more from our Africa specialists
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African honeymoons in February
February is one of the best months to visit Cape Town: a fantastic destination for couples with an interest in art, culture and cuisine. This is when the Western Cape experiences its warm and dry summer, making it a great time for South Africa food and wine tours.
If you’re hoping to go on safari, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana is one of the best places to visit in February.
African honeymoons in March
March is a rainy month across much of southern and eastern Africa. The upside of this is that many places are less crowded, so you can enjoy more privacy, peace and quiet on your honeymoon.
This is an optimal month for birdwatching and a good time to see migrating zebras in the Makgadikgadi Pans. It’s also one of the peak months at Victoria Falls in terms of water levels, leading to dramatic views.
Where to stay
From our experts
March is a brilliant month for intimate, more private honeymoon stays with a calmer pace on safari. I love recommending Jack’s Camp in the Makgadikgadi Pans for that big-sky, wonderfully away-from-it-all feeling. Or Matetsi River Lodge near Victoria Falls for slow mornings and sunset drinks with front-row Zambezi river views.
African honeymoons in April
April is a shoulder month in many African safari honeymoon destinations, as the seasonal rains start to ease and the dry season approaches. However, some places experience the heaviest rain at this time of year, including Kenya and Tanzania.
You may be able to catch the end of the harvest season in the Winelands. This is also a wonderful time to visit the Seychelles, where you can escape to your own private island or overwater villa.
African honeymoons in May
One of our top suggestions for a honeymoon in Africa is combining Victoria Falls with a safari in Zimbabwe or Zambia. The best months to do this are May and June, when the falls have high water levels and the dry season is just beginning in nearby wildlife areas.
May is also a good time for a honeymoon in Morocco, with relatively mild springtime temperatures and good conditions for hiking in the High Atlas Mountains.
A Zimbabwe safari
On safari in Zimbabwe, you can spot giraffes moving across wide open plains, where their height makes them easy to see from afar.
Contact us to chat through Africa’s incredible wildlife and the best time to go.
African honeymoons in June
June is the beginning of safari season in many African destinations – including Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya – so it’s ideal for honeymooners in search of exceptional wildlife viewing.
Because it’s the beginning of the season, you may be able to avoid the larger crowds of the peak months. This month also marks the start of whale watching season in South Africa and gorilla trekking season in Rwanda and Uganda.
African honeymoons in July
Safari season is in full swing across southern and eastern Africa in July. This is when the Great Migration river crossings begin in the Maasai Mara, attracting lots of visitors; we can help you find a quiet place to stay so you and your partner can experience this natural marvel without the crowds.
July is also a wonderful month to combine safaris in the Serengeti with a trip to Zanzibar for sun, sand and snorkelling.
African honeymoons in August
August is one of the best times of year for a honeymoon in Namibia, with great game viewing and ideal conditions for romantic stargazing experiences. It’s also among the top months for a safari in the Kruger and surrounding areas like Sabi Sands.
Water levels are peaking in the Okavango Delta, making August a great time for boat trips, mokoro rides and mobile safari expeditions in Botswana.
African honeymoons in September
Peak safari season extends into September across much of Africa. This is still a great month to visit Zanzibar or the Whale Coast in South Africa for seaside relaxation and marine wildlife viewing.
In Rwanda you can spot both gorillas and chimpanzees; the latter are especially common in Nyungwe National Park. If you’re headed to Volcanoes National Park, we suggest staying at the beautifully romantic Wilderness Bisate Lodge.
African honeymoons in October
The dry season is now coming to a close in most safari destinations, but you can still enjoy phenomenal game viewing in South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania throughout October.
Temperatures are quite high in Zimbabwe and Zambia, as well as Botswana – which offers especially good birdwatching at this time of year. It’s also a top month for whale watching in Namibia and tropical honeymoons in the Seychelles.
African honeymoons in November
The rainy season returns to Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana in this month. One of our favourite African honeymoon destinations for November is South Africa, where you can expect lovely beach weather on the Western Cape and in KwaZulu-Natal.
It’s also a good time to explore the Garden Route and to go scuba diving in the Seychelles. Adventure-seeking couples can head to the Zambian side of Victoria Falls for river rafting and swimming in the Devil’s Pool.
African honeymoons in December
December is an optimal month for green season honeymoon safaris, and the landscapes are especially lush across southern and eastern Africa.
The beginning of the month usually has smaller crowds, though some destinations start to fill up as the holidays approach. Head to Cape Town for festive celebrations and sunny summer weather, or visit Etosha National Park for birdwatching and baby animals.
Africa inspiration
Get inspired with two of our curated travel guides. We share our favourite countries to combine in Africa and the top ten private game reserves and conservancies that offer unforgettable activities, vast wilderness and incredible animal sightings.
Our favourite safari lodges
Across Africa, our favourite safari lodges are places we come back to again and again. For instance, we love Lion Sands Ivory Lodge for their atmosphere, setting and the way the experience is carefully considered at every step.
It’s crucial to build trips that combine excellent wildlife areas with quieter, more private camps providing you with a real sense of space, variety and time to slow down. Each lodge is chosen because it adds something different to the overall experience.
Ready to start planning?
Whatever you want from your honeymoon in Africa, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
