The ideal combination of relaxation and adventure, it’s easy to see the appeal of South Africa as a perfect destination for romance and honeymoons.
Natural scenery of enchanting beauty, an extravaganza of wildlife both on land and at sea, spectacular wines, vibrant cities, romantic beaches, glorious weather plus world-class luxury hotels, the rainbow nation is certainly a land of diversity.
There isn’t a best time to visit as it's a year-round destination due to regional climates and wildlife opportunities.
The Cape has beautiful, hot, dry weather in its summer months between November and February, with average temperatures around 25℃. If you want to see whales, then the best time to visit is between July and November, and the cooler winter period from May to September brings superb conditions for viewing big game.
Cape Town has a worthy reputation as one of the world’s most beautiful cities and you'll see why when taking in the fantastic views from the top of Table Mountain.
The port has been redeveloped into the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and offers a rich variety of shops, restaurants and entertainment as well as boat excursions, including those to infamous Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years.
An hour east of Cape Town lies South Africa’s Winelands region, one of the first areas of the country settled by Europeans and today a haven for gastronomes.
Franschhoek is its prettiest town and the brilliant hop-on-hop-off Wine Tram is one of the best ways to discover the picturesque vineyards, breathtaking scenery, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine, fine wines and the 300-year history of the Franschhoek Valley.
The vintage-style open-air tram-bus is a unique and leisurely way to journey through the rolling vineyards, stopping in at some of South Africa’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates. You can experience the activities on offer, be it wine tasting, a cellar tour, lunch or simply a stroll through the vineyards; and when you are ready, hop back on to continue the tour.
A highlight of any South African adventure is a never to be forgotten African safari experience and I would highly recommend spending at least three nights at the Pumba Private Game Reserve.
Located an hour from Port Elizabeth in the malaria-free Eastern Cape, Pumba is a proud member of the Green Leaf Conservation Initiative and is consistently recognised as a world-class destination, providing an intimate and ideal retreat for honeymooners.
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The reserve is home to Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo), hippo, hyena, cheetah, giraffes, various antelope and more than 300 bird species, as well as being home to only the second known free-ranging, self-sustainable population of white lions in Southern Africa.
The awe-inspiring thrill of seeing all these creatures in their natural environment and the feeling of being so close to the heartbeat of nature as you explore the reserve in custom land rovers or on guided walking safaris, is very special indeed.
Pumba offers two unique five-star lodges, combining luxury accommodation and exceptional service. From candlelit dinners through to romantic turndowns, it is the little extras that make guests feel pampered and cherished.
Water Lodge, set amongst dense bushveld, consists of 12 stone walled, thatched waterfront chalets overlooking Lake Cariega while Msenge Bush Lodge is set on a flood plain with scenic mountain views offering glassed enclosed, luxury thatched chalets.
All chalets feature dreamy bathrooms with magnificent views and opulent bedrooms opening onto private timber viewing decks with plunge pools and outdoor showers that combine to create a tranquil, intimate and romantic hideaway.
It doesn’t get much better than waking to the sounds of the bushveld as the sun appears on the horizon and winding down the day by stargazing romantically under the clear night sky.
On the culinary front, whether dining indoors or under the starlit sky, meals at Pumba are simply sublime, fusing African cuisine with an Eastern Cape flair complemented by a superb selection of local wines.
In addition to game viewings, you can indulge in bass fishing, bird watching, archery, enjoy a workout in the glass-enclosed gym or a rejuvenating couples spa treatment at Msenge Bush Lodge’s Soul Spa. Additional nearby activities include horse-riding, golf, coastal helicopter flips and Frontier War tours.
If a total chillout at the end of your adventure is appealing and time allows, then South Africa can easily be combined with Mauritius too.
Here is a summary of one of my typical recommended itineraries:
3 nights in Cape Town
Visit the top of Table Mountain, take a full-day tour around the Cape Peninsula and stop at Boulders Beach to see the resident colony of African penguins
2 nights in Franschhoek
Spend a full day riding the Wine Tram visiting a selection of wine estates and indulge in the food delights of the country’s gourmet capital
1 night in Swellendam
Sitting in the shadow of the Overberg Mountains halfway between Cape Town and the Garden Route, the town is reached by a short drive through spectacular mountainous scenery
3 nights in Plettenburg
Known for its beautiful white-sand coastline and around a four-hour drive along the scenic Route 62, with many places to stop including a visit to an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn, Plettenburg is an ideal base for exploring the Garden Route's many attractions
3 nights ultimate safari experience
Waking to the sounds of the African bushveld at the Pumba Private Game Reserve & Spa.
Whichever way we construct your dream South African adventure, you can be sure of great value for money and a collection of fairy-tale memories to share.
