Honeymoon safaris in Botswana

Almost all lodges and camps in Botswana are romantic in their way, being beautifully located and elegantly designed (whether simple or luxurious).

Almost all properties have one or two rooms that they usually use for honeymooners. These are typically the last room at either end of the camp, to provide privacy. But they can feel quite isolated, especially when a herd of elephants or a pride of lions comes through in the middle of the night.

The rooms in most camps are large and comfortable. Some of the high-end properties have lavish rooms, which could definitely be described as romantic, but they also tend to be extremely expensive.

If you were hoping for a private plunge pool on your veranda, then you’re in the wrong place. Safari in Botswana is focused on authenticity and remoteness. This kind of novelty is more commonly found in the Kruger area of South Africa.

To choose specific lodges for your honeymoon, have a chat with one of our Safari Experts, let them know what you have in mind and let them show you the best options.

Alternatively, you can use the Explore button to research all the best camps in Africa and beyond.

just a thin layer of canvas between you and the animals

Almost all the camps and lodges in Botswana offer communal dining as their default setting, which is a major positive for most guests.

All camps will also go out of their way to offer private dining, either at a separate table in the dining room, or at a number of different locations around the lodge.

For honeymooners, most camp managers will try to deliver a special private dining experience at some point during your stay. Please don’t feel bad about telling them if you are not interested in that, it’s not compulsory!

The one private dining experience that we would really recommend is a bush breakfast or bush lunch, set in a scenic location away from the lodge. Actually, this doesn’t have to be just the two of you, it can be great in company too.

a lazy romantic lunch out in the bush

Almost all camps and lodges in Botswana operate their safari activities as shared experiences with other guests. If you are on honeymoon, you might like to get out on your own (with a guide) every now and then.

Most camp managers, if they have a spare vehicle/boat and guide available, will try to offer honeymooners a private outing at some point. However, this can be a big ask, especially during high season, so you should consider it a bonus rather than an expectation.

If you want a private safari experience throughout your stay, then it is usually possible to book a private vehicle and guide, in which case you will be on your own on every outing (except that you may encounter other vehicles at major sightings. However, this luxury comes at a very significant additional cost. It is usually not possible to book a private vehicle by the day, it has to be done for the duration of your stay.

The best way to get private safari experiences for free is to learn how to work the system a little. If the other guests in camp are planning to head out in the vehicles next morning, then ask the camp manager if you can go out on the boat. If the other guests are less mobile, then ask for a walking safari. It may not be possible, but most camp managers will go out of their way to try to make it happen, at no additional charge.

get out in the bush on your own

Lodges that specifically specialise in honeymoons are almost always worth avoiding, for the cheese.

The most important aspect here is the mix of other guests at each lodge.

Spending time with other people is one of the greatest joys of being on safari. We strongly recommend that you don’t cut yourselves off too much.

However, we do recommend that you check the guest age profile of the lodges you choose. Most camps cater for a decent range of ages, but some specialise catering for older guests. We have been in camps where a single honeymoon couple is sat around a lunch table with a dozen octogenarians. Actually, it’s always fun, but perhaps not ideal.

Our best tip is to look for camps that offer more serious safari activities, notably including walking safari.

Another option is to head to camps which specifically cater for families with kids. Ironically, some honeymooners specifically choose to avoid camps with kids, thinking they might be a nuisance, but this is rarely the case on safari. Kids bring an energy, enthusiasm and sense of wonder to the safari experience.

surprisingly, camps with kids can be a good idea

If you are short on time, then it is possible to do a single week on safari in Botswana. But most honeymooners combine their safari with nights in other parts of Africa.

The most popular option is to combine with the tropical beaches of the Indian Ocean. Actually, these are rather awkward to combine with Botswana, necessitating a bland overnight at Johannesburg Airport on the way through. This is the main reason safari in Tanzania is more popular with honeymooners, since it can be so easily combined with Zanzibar and the other islands off the coast.

If you do choose to stay overnight in Johannesburg in the middle of your trip, then you have a wide choice of beach options. The best option is usually the Mozambique coast, which is closest and has a fabulous range of romantic lodges to suit all budgets. Other options include Madagascar (for more wildlife), Mauritius (for resorts), Zanzibar (for Swahili culture) and even the Seychelles (for the cachet). The Maldives are much more distant and necessitate a connection via the Persian Gulf.

The next most popular option is the Cape (Cape Town, Whale Coast, Cape Winelands), which is a fabulous area to explore, with loads of diversity, quality lodges and incredible value. Flights are direct, so it couldn’t be easier.

If you are planning to honeymoon directly after your wedding, then you might like to precede your safari with a few nights in Victoria Falls, which is a great place to slide gently into Africa, ensuring that you make the most of your safari.

Obviously there are lots of other locations which are further afield, we are always happy to look at any number of combinations with you.

bush and beach is a honeymoon classic