Tag: Africa

35 African Experiences You Need to Have Before You Die

Experiences,Top Lists
18 comments
By Matthew Sterne on

There is something mystical about Africa. Its grand scale, epic landscapes, and magnificent animals are the usual catalysts for this feeling. But there is something more, something intangible which can spark this intoxicating feeling. Our top experiences in Africa enable you to appreciate our continent with all your senses.

As Karen Blixen wrote, “There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne — bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive.” Africa is the continent which makes you feel most alive. And these are its most exhilarating experiences…

1. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Experiences in Africa: Memorable experiences await at Kilimanjaro
Image credit: Bednarek

It will take you between five and nine days to scale the 5,895 metres of Kilimanjaro. If you would like to see the famous snows of Kilimanjaro, go sooner rather than later as they are slowly disappearing.

2. Chill out with a chimpanzee in Mahale National Park

Chimpanzee experiences in Mahale National Park in Tanzania - one of the best experiences in Africa
Image credit: Mahale National Park

Chimpanzees share 98 percent of our genetic blueprint. Spend time with these incredible animals in Tanzania’s Mahale National Park and marvel at their facial expressions, gestures and use of tools.

3. Ride in a mokoro through the Okavango Delta

Mokoro trip experiences through reeds in the Okavango Delta
A relaxing water safari

On a mokoro, there is no noisy engine to disturb the peace. Instead, you’ll glide silently through the world’s most beautiful wetland in the midst of elephants, crocodiles, hippos and more.

4. Climb some of the world’s tallest dunes at Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei Dunes await - an unforgettable experience in Africa
A dune walk is an unforgettable experience

Sossusvlei is the top destination in Namibia with monumental dunes up to 325 metres when measured from the base. These star-shaped dunes are a sought-after subject for artists and photographers.

5. Get in Devil’s Pool at Victoria Falls

Devils Pool in Victoria Falls
Image credit: Joe Pyrek

This seasonal pool on the cusp of Victoria Falls is goose-bump-inducing just by looking at it. Swim out to this pool between August and September.

6. Visit the gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Mother gorilla with tiny baby in Central Africa
Face to face with Africa’s gorillas

Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to the endangered mountain gorillas, and is considered one of the best places in the world to come face-to-face with these magnificent animals.

7. Spend a day in the Ngorongoro Crater

Top experiences in Africa: Panoramic view of the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania
A haven for Africa’s wildlife

8. Spend a night on a sleep out platform

Sleep out deck experiences with lanterns in Africa
Sleep out deck experiences with lanterns in Africa

Sleeping under the stars on a deck above prowling predators is one Africa’s greatest thrills.

9. Leopard spotting in the Kruger National Park

Leopard walks across path in front of safari vehicle
Image credit: andBeyond Kirkman’s Camp

Nocturnal, stealthy and famously elusive, leopards are a real challenge to find in the wild. Visit the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in the Kruger National Park to increase your odds.

10. Whale watching in Hermanus

Man watching whale jumping from cliff
Hermanus is only a 90 min drive away from Cape Town

Hermanus is a town near Cape Town in South Africa that is considered one of the best places in the world to see whales. Between June and November, whales frolic just offshore while visitors sip coffees and admire them from the cliff tops above.

11. Have a glass of pinotage in Stellenbosch

View of Stellenbosch wine region and Simonsberg Mountain
Image credit: Delaire Graff

Pinotage is a red wine grape that is South Africa’s signature variety. Visit Stellenbosch, the spiritual home of wine in South Africa, to taste the best.

12. Explore the deserted town of Kolmanskop

Sand house in Kolmanskop, Namibia
Sand in buried house in Kolmanskop

Kolmanskop in Namibia is a deserted mining town that has slowly been reclaimed by sand. This is a popular stop due to the haunting scenes that can be captured.

13. Go in search of the lemurs of Madagascar

A group of ring-tailed lemurs in Madagascar
Image credit: Glenn Weston

The oldest island in the world is like nowhere else, and its animals are like nothing else too. Lemurs are the perfect example of this, unique and charming, these furry creatures are one of Africa’s most enthralling animals.

14. Track wild dogs in Northern Botswana

Wild dogs on the hunt in Botswana
Wild dogs on the hunt in Botswana

Packs of wild dogs can run distances of 50km a day, so it will be tough to keep up with this ‘ultimate predator’ in Botswana, but to find these social creatures in their natural habitat is a true delight.

15. Catch a ride on the world’s most luxurious train, Rovos Rail

Train going over mountain pass
Image credit: Rovos Rail

Recapture the romance and atmosphere of a bygone era while you sip on fine wines, dine on excellent cuisine and travel through the African wilderness. Popular stops are Namibia, Cape Town and Victoria Falls.

16. Visit the historic Robben Island

Aerial view of Robben Island with Cape Town in the background
Aerial view of Robben Island

One of the world’s great icons, Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in jail on Robben Island. Visit the cell where he would write the beginnings of his memoir, Long Walk To Freedom.

17. Go on a micro-light flight above Victoria Falls

Microlight flight above Victoria Falls
Image credit: Batoka Sky

David Livingstone described Victoria Falls as, ‘scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.’ Find out what he was talking about with a micro-light flight.

18. Explore Lake Malawi

Kayak on an African lake
One of Africa’s most fascinating lakes

This African Great Lake is home to more species of fish than any other lake in the world – about 1,000. Snorkeling and kayaking here are two of the most popular activities.

19. Go island-hopping in Seychelles

Girl floating in water in the Seychelles
Turquoise waters and sandy beaches await you

The Seychelles, with its archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, is perfect for island-hopping. Seychelles is known for its beaches, coral reefs, diving, nature reserves and rare wildlife.

20. Walk down the Avenue of the Baobabs in Madagascar

Avenue of baobabs at sunset
Image credit: Dennis Van De Water

The Avenue of the Baobabs is a collection of baobab trees lining the dirt road between Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina in western Madagascar. Its striking landscape draws travellers from around the world.

21. Go hiking in Reunion Island

Reunion Island aerial view
Keen for an island adventure?

With its dramatic landscape of pristine beaches, emerald forests, cascading waterfalls, soaring mountains and deep ravines, Reunion has been dubbed ‘Little Hawaii’. Hikes exploring the volcanoes and calderas are the most popular activity.

22. Dive with great white sharks 

Cage diving with a great white shark in South Africa
Image credit: Alban

Gansbaai, near Cape Town, is considered the best place in the world to dive with great white sharks. In a cage, that is.

23. Watch the sunset over the savannah

Amazing sunset with zebras
Image credit: Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge

Africa has a startling array of attractions and activities, but at the end of the day, it’s best to just stop what you’re doing and admire the show.

24. Go on a walking safari in South Luangwa

Walking safari in South Luangwa, Zambia
Image credit: Puku Ridge

The South Luangwa National Park is said to be the birthplace of walking safaris and you’ll find the widest choice of reliably excellent walking safaris here.

25. Go hot air ballooning in the Serengeti

Hot air balloon rides over savannahs? Yes, please!
Image credit: Saulius Peckaitis

Considered the most beautiful place in the world for a balloon flight, the Serengeti offers sunrise rides where you can float over herds of animals as you sip your morning tea.

26. Go diving in Mauritius

Turtle in shallow coral reef
Discover colourful coral reefs

Mauritius is home to some of the world’s finest coral reefs and marine life. Teeming with hundreds of vibrantly-colored fish, the underwater world of Mauritius can be deemed a natural wonder in its own right.

27. Go whitewater rafting down the Zambezi

Whitewater rafting in Zambezi rapids
Image credit: Wild Horizons

The Zambezi is acclaimed to be the ‘wildest one-day whitewater run in the world’ and is recognised by rafting enthusiasts as one of the top ten paddling rivers on the planet. The only difference is there are crocodiles in this river.

28. Stargaze in the Kalahari

Stunning experiences in Africa: Star-studded night sky in the Kalahari with quad bikes
Star-strewn sky in the Kalahari

Wonderfully isolated and so far-removed from any form of pollution, crystal clear Kalahari skies provide the perfect conditions for desert stargazing.

29. Stake out a waterhole

A young boy peers out of a hide to see a baby elephant
Image Credit: Jozibanini Camp

There is nothing like that sense of anticipation at a hide. Sitting quietly, you wait patiently and scan the bush and then you see it, a lumbering elephant sidles into view and it’s all worth it.

30. See the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Adolescent male lion in a tree
Image credit: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Or in the Serengeti or Lake Manyara National Park. No one can quite explain why some prides climb trees but it’s not common and is one of Africa’s strangest sights.

31. Swim with whale sharks in Mozambique

Experience swimming with whale sharks
Image credit: Fiona Ayerst

Swim with the largest fish in the sea at Tofo Beach in Mozambique, which is home to one of the largest concentrations of whale sharks in Africa thanks to a seemingly never-ending supply of plankton.

32. Ogle at San rock art in the Cederberg

A great experience in Africa: Rock art in the Cederberg
Photo credit: Bushmans Kloof

Bushman tribes have lived in the Cederberg mountains for the past 120,000 years. Some of the ancient art sites go back 10,000 years.

33. Hike down the Fish River Canyon

Fish River Canyon in Namibia
One of Namibia’s most scenic landscapes

The Fish River Canyon hiking trail is one of the more popular hiking trails in Southern Africa. The five-day route winds its way down Africa’s largest canyon.

34. Catch the cable car up Table Mountain

Cape-Town-cable-car
Table Mountain offers stunning views over Cape Town

This popular attraction and natural wonder receives almost one million visitors a year. It’s a great place to watch the sun setting over the Atlantic Ocean or spend an entire day exploring. The cable car will have you up to the top in five minutes.

35. Witness the Great Migration

The Great Migration is one of the most spectacular experiences in Africa
The Great Migration is one of the most spectacular experiences in Africa

Of course the “Greatest show on earth” makes our list. Every year, over a million wildebeest, zebra and antelope migrate clockwise around the Serengeti/Masai Mara ecosystem and is one of nature’s most amazing spectacles.

If you’d like to find out how you can see some of these for yourself, to see Africa’s great animals and natural wonders, send us a message and we’ll put you on a path to the best experience of your life. To get started why not visit two of these iconic destinations in one tour?

Header image credit: Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge

Big Adventures for small Safari Adventurers at… Ulusaba

Safari,South Africa
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By Melanie Du Toit on

Ulusaba Rock Lodge’s name translates to ‘the place of little fear’, given by ancient Shangaan warriors who used the boulder-strewn koppie on which part of it rests as a lookout post in centuries gone by. Today it not only welcomes new and veteran safari-goers but those visitors who come in a more ‘diminutive’ form, reaffirming Ulusaba’s status as a haven promising plenty of discovery while leaving little to fear. Ulusaba’s Cub’s Club features specially tailored activities for children and ensures that a dizzying amount of excitement is in store from the minute their tiny feet touch the savannah in this private sector of Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

Children are welcome at Ulusaba
Children are welcome at Ulusaba

Safari holidays have had a reputation in the past for not being conducive to a family holiday. At Ulusaba, a dedicated team of staff and a comprehensive kids programme ensure that this most certainly is not the case, proving that a safari can be enjoyed by even the smallest of enthusiasts. While parents are trundling through the wilderness in search of the Big 5 and making the most of their well-deserved break, kids are kept busy and entertained back at the lodge. Cubs can make their days their own and decide on their itineraries for their stay in the bush.

Upon arrival at Ulusaba, cubs are greeted with a safari backpack filled with everything they’ll need for their whirlwind safari adventure. With an Ulusaba cap protecting little heads from the harsh sun, these small adventurers embark on a treasure hunt around the lodge designed to familiarise cubs with their new surroundings.

Under the careful and friendly gaze of a guide and tracker, cubs may find themselves trekking (not too far) into the 13,500ha Ulusaba Private Game Reserve which forms part of the Greater Kruger Area on a mini-rangers course and bush walk. Here they will learn about the bush and how to identify animals from the tracks and dung droppings they’ve left behind.

Ulusaba Safari Lodge has many surprises to keep children entertained
Ulusaba Safari Lodge has many surprises to keep children entertained

Even dinner time turns into a fun affair with Safari MasterChef courses allowing little ones to try their hand at making pizza and baking cookies (the latter of which can be enjoyed at tea time or while listening to African-themed bedtime stories). Kid-friendly meals are also on offer as the staff at Ulusaba understand that cubs don’t have quite the same appetite as full-grown members of their pride might.

At night, parents can rest easy knowing that there are 24/hr security guards patrolling the premises who will pay extra attention to any peeps and murmurs that might come from rooms with cubs in them.

Other activities around the lodge include afternoons at the swimming pool, with an experienced swimmer on hand to supervise; as well as rock painting and coloured sand art. For those days when cubs would rather stay in than out, Ulusaba boasts an array of current and classic DVDs, CDs, and even a Nintendo Wii—ensuring that kids can still be active, even when indoors.

Ulusaba's zebras are sure to be a treat to spot for children
Ulusaba’s zebras are sure to be a treat to spot for children

Between board games, puzzles, cards, and learning traditional South African games that cubs can take home with them—there won’t be a moment of fun to spare. And when the little tykes are tired out from a hard day spent adventuring? A unique cub’s spa treatment is sure to help them unwind.

Are you ready to take your family on the adventure of a lifetime? Contact one of our worldly Rhino Africa consultants today to find out more, and visit Ulusaba’s website to see what else they have to offer.

Please note

Ulusaba’s Cub’s Club is open to cubs between the ages of 0-11 years and babysitting services are available at no extra charge.

Children over the age of six may accompany their family on game drives.

We do advise pre-booking as this activity may be subject to season and availability.

9 Travel Tips for Tanzania

Tanzania
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By Matthew Sterne on

Tanzania must have had some Kellogg’s for breakfast because it’s got it all. The country is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 metres, the vast plains of the Serengeti, the animal paradise of the Ngorongoro Crater and the picture perfect beaches of Zanzibar and the Indian Ocean Coast.

Tanzania is an amazing destination, but it does still hold certain challenges for visitors. One of our consultants, Leigh-Ann, recently travelled to Tanzania and came back with these practical travel tips.

Language

All the guides and transfer drivers generally speak good English and are always eager to give information. But most of the population speak Swahili and very little English. Swahili is one of those languages where for the most part you say it like you spell it, so it is extremely easy to pick up a few key words to help you through. Jambo – hello, Karibu – you’re welcome, Sante – thank you, and so forth. Ask your guide about some key words and keep a short diary of these to use along your travels.

Currency

Currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling, but US Dollars are widely accepted as long as the print run is past 2005. I found that most places will give you change in USD if you pay in USD, and TZ Shilling if you pay in Shilling, even the smaller shops and vendors. All tourism services will accept US Dollars and guides welcome tips in USD. If possible, travel with smaller denomination notes. Credit cards are also accepted at most properties with telecommunications signal.

Airports

Arusha, a city in the north of Tanzania and the main hub for safari tourists, has two airports – Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Airport. Arusha Airport is mainly used for regional (internal) flights and is about 10 minutes from the city centre. Kilimanjaro Airport is used for the international flights and is about an hour from the city.

If you have an international departure flight with a delay of more than five or six hours at Kilimanjaro Airport we recommend returning to Arusha city and arranging a day room at one of the properties close by, such as Legendary Lodge or Arusha Coffee Lodge, and then transferring to Kilimanjaro Airport closer to your departure time. Kilimanjaro Airport has one restaurant and a few kiosks, but no comfortable areas for guests in which to spend a considerable amount of time.

Tipping

Tipping has become a way of life for all involved in the tourism industry in Tanzania. As visitors, it is important to attach the correct value to service and not encourage an expectation for tips. For example, locals have learned to ask for money whenever their picture is taken, so it is good to check with your guide first before you snap away. You will need to allow a certain budget for tips throughout your trip though. Your consultant will give you some brief information about tipping before you travel, do check if there is anything you are unsure about. Tips are accepted in US Dollars as well as Shillings and preferably in cash.

Sundowners in the Serengeti

Tour Inclusions

Always check the inclusions and exclusions carefully for your trip. There are various packages available at every lodge and the inclusions differ throughout. Many lodges can only offer complimentary services within the confines of their lodge grounds. Experiences such as bush dinners, bush sundowners, even bush walks require special permits and are charged separately. Chat with your consultant about experiences which are high on your to-do list and your consultant will try as best as possible to accommodate your requests before you travel.

Water

Don’t underestimate hydration on safari. Guides will always supply water on vehicles and in camps, but it is worth it to travel with your own sturdy water bottle and bring rehydration salts. Changes in elevation and wind chill factor on safari are often factors overlooked for dehydration. Water is not necessarily always safe to drink at the tented camps, but mineral water will be provided instead. Most camps in the Serengeti do not have permanent status and their water is not considered safe to drink. They will provide bottled water for consumption and to brush teeth.

Tsetse Flies

Tsetse flies are a nuisance and there is currently no prevention for their painful bites! They will bite through thick material. Locals have found that a mixture of equal parts Dettol (antiseptic solution), water and baby oil in a spray bottle sprayed directly on the skin may work the best as a deterrent. It may be worth preparing a solution before you travel, although it is never foolproof. They are attracted to dark colours like black or blue, so sticking with neutral light colours is your best preventative. To alleviate bites, the best bet seems to be a natural astringent oil like tea tree oil. It is worth chatting with your GP before you travel, particularly if you are susceptible to insect bites to ensure you travel with the correct antiseptic creams and antihistamines specific to you.

Road Travel

Prepare yourself for long stretches on the road, even if transferring between airstrips and lodges. Most airstrips service several lodges and are not private. In some instances, the transfer can be up to two hours. Much ground is covered during game drives as well so guests can expect to be out of camp for a considerable amount of time. If you find you tend to get a little hungry between meals it is advisable to keep snacks in your bag. If you can’t bring your own snacks chat to the lodge about preparing a small snack pack for you before you head out for the day. Many vehicles may not stop in the national parks for bush breakfasts or coffee stops without special permits so they tend not to pack any mid-morning or mid-afternoon snacks.

Binoculars

Binoculars are extremely handy on all game drives as well as a good zoom lens of some sort on your camera. This is because there is no off-roading permitted in the national parks and game can sometimes be a fair distance from the road. While there is generally a decent road network in place, it is not always possible to get up close to a sighting.

Related Articles


The Ultimate Guide to an East African Safari
My Trip | The Secret Life of Tanzania

 

African Cats – A Photo Blog By Niki Duncan

Photography & Videos
4 comments
By Tamlin Wightman on

Meet Niki Duncan

Our travel consultant Niki Duncan has been with us for over 6 years and gone on numerous safaris with Rhino Africa. She considers her Canon EOS 7D her best travel companion (after her husband – after all, a camera isn’t going to help you carry your bags and massage your tired toes).

Her favourite thing to peer at through the lens is none other than Africa’s wild cats.

Take a look at these beauties she photographed on her travels to Londolozi Private Game Reserve, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve and Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve.

Tswalu

At the local waterhole in Tswalu

Meal time

Stalking in Tswalu

Londolozi

Mama Lion and cub at Londolozi Private Game Reserve

Belly Kisses

A leopard slinks itself leisurely in a tree

Leopards at Londolozi

Sanbona

White Lion at Sanbona Game Reserve

10 Adventures For The Man of the House

Cape Town,General,Rwanda,Uganda
1 comment
By Tamlin Wightman on

It’s Father’s Day this Sunday and in the spirit of all things manly, rugged and wild, we’ve compiled a list of adventure musts for the man of the house to enjoy on this day – or any other occassion the desire to beat your hairy chest while swinging on a vine in a loin cloth arises. Or something in that vein.

Whether you take the wife, family or mates or go it alone, Bear Grylls-style, Africa has plenty on offer to bring out the man in you. Or at least that feeling…

10 Mancations for Father’s Day

1. Go Glamping on a Mobile Tented Safari

– It’s camping but not the way you did it as a kid. Spend nights in a luxury tent in the African wild while lions roar around you and hyenas come in for a sniff! Read more about luxury camping in our blog.

Botswana Under Canvas

Think Mozambique, Botswana and the Serengeti… Follow the Great Migration across the Serengeti, experience a walking safari in South Luangwa Park, learn how to track wild animals in the wilderness (it’ll impress your lady and the lads), and see plains game and predators in the heart of bush.

>> Alternatively sleep under the stars and ditch the tent – take a look at our photo album on Facebook here.

2. Man VS Ape – Go Gorilla & Chimp Tracking

– Think you have anything on Tarzan? Meet the guys he grew up with – man’s closest relatives – in the forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda and Uganda as well as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You’ll have a guide so don’t worry if it takes a while to find your inner ape. Read more here!

Gorilla VS Man

3. Prove yourself and climb Mount Kilimanjaro

– Wild landscapes, wild animals and wild memories… if you survive.

Crack open a cold beer

Mount Kilimanjaro really is one of the iconic images of Africa. Who would have thought that a mountain almost 6000m high could exist so close to the equator? Formed by massive volcanic eruptions some 750 000 years ago, Kili is a dormant, rather than dead, volcano. There are a number of routes up though the most popular is the Marangu Route – at least 5 days of climbing. Celebrate the achievement with an ice cold bottle of Kilimanjaro beer.

Do you have what it takes?

Climb Mount Kili

4. Fly in a Helicopter – We dare you to take the wheel

Always wanted to play army soldiers as in Black Hawk Down or Forest Gump and jump out of a chopper, guns adding bulk to your uniform and bombs going off in the palm tree jungle around you? Now’s your chance – fly in a Huey from Vietnam over Cape Town. There’ll be no guns or bombs, thankfully, but it’s a thrilling experience all the same.

Read more here and find out about other African destinations to fly over in a helicopter – from the Okavango Delta to the Victoria Falls.

Helicopter over Victoria Falls

5. Cast Your Rod in Africa

Go fly fishing in KwaZulu Natal’s Drakensberg and Midlands or catch and release in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, which is great for catching tiger fish! For a list of Delta properties offering fishing, visit our website.

6. Swing your club

Go on a golfing holiday! If your idea of fun male bonding is hitting the green with your golf club and mates, then South Africa is for you. It’s one of the world’s top golfing destinations. Follow in the footsteps of golfing legends such as Gary Player, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Louis Oosthuizen.

7. Chase white water rapids

Get your heart racing on a white water rafting trip down the mighty Zambezi River! This one-day low water trip is considered the best one-day white water experience available in the world. Stay near the Victoria Falls on either the Zimbabwean or Zambian side and let your guard down with several white-knuckle adventures in the area!

Get wild in a raft down the Zambezi

8.Visit the Battlefields

The history of Kwazulu Natal is one of bloodshed and conflict. It’s peaceful now and you can explore the famous sites of Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift, Spionkop and Blood River and relive these epic battles between the Boers, British and Zulus! Find our more on out website.

9. How about a Man Spa?

Hey, it’s the metrosexual generation… If you’re keen for some pampering after all this Grizzly Adams adventure, visit Cape Town‘s exclusively-for-men Glasshouse Rejuvenation Spa and enjoy several treatments.

10. Surf’s Up in J-Bay

– Jeffreys Bay is one of the five most famous surfing destinations in the world and hosts the annual Billabong Pro ASP World Tour surfing event in July. The Jeffreys Bay surf break is a fast, powerful, hollow and consistent wave. Don’t talk about surfing until you’ve ridden your board here.

Jeffreys Bay is a town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, just off the N2 Highway, about an hour’s drive southwest of Port Elizabeth.

Surf Jeffreys Bay like a champ!

Ready for your Mancation?

Contact one of our expert travel consultants to discuss these adventures in more detail and to start planning your manly trip of a lifetime! There are several other exciting options and our consultants have been, seen and done it all, so you’ll be in experienced hands.

Getting Hitched? Weddings in South Africa

Honeymoon,South Africa
9 comments
By Tamlin Wightman on

Over the years, we at Rhino Africa have planned several romantic and exotic honeymoons in Africa for couples from around the world. But we don’t just do honeymoons. No siree. We have expert wedding planners too!

Take a look at the South African weddings section of our website for more information and inspiration. There is little more inspiring than Khalil Gibran’s writings on Marriage…

Marriage

Then Almitra spoke again and said, ‘And what of Marriage, master?’
And he answered saying:
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

How about a beach wedding in Cape Town?

We specialise in weddings in Southern Africa but really Africa is your oyster. As the Afrikaans say ‘”‘n boer maak ‘n plan” (a man makes a plan, or in this case, probably a woman). If you’ve been to South Africa you’ll know how beautiful and unique the landscapes are – there’s everything you could hope for: beaches, oceans, rivers, mountains, vineyards, cities and countryside. And you can do just about anything too – helicopter rides, catamaran cruises, cable car rides, vintage car drives and horse riding.

Combine these with your special wedding day and you are bound to have an occasion to remember forever.

Take a drive in a Bentley MKV1 along Oudekraal, Cape Town

Our Wedding Division is headed up by Kirsty Marmarellis – wedding planner extraordinaire. Kirsty has many years of experience in arranging weddings in Africa under her garter. She has so far assisted with the planning of almost 1000 weddings including the stunning celebrity nuptials of Countess Victoria Spencer in Cape Town in 2005.

“I am a romantic at heart. There can be no greater job satisfaction than combining my love of planning a romantic occasion with my passion for African travel. Planning an itinerary is such a pleasure when I know that each couple ends up falling in love with this country. My responsibilities have included travel reservations, consulting, sales, marketing and function coordinating. I have planned functions varying in size from 10 to 1000 people.”

– Kirsty Marmarellis

Beach Dance

Our Role

We can organise everything – from the cake to the photographer to the photographer who jumps out of the cake. Your special day is safe in our hands! We offer bespoke wedding and travel planning for couples who live overseas. We choose locations with extreme care, using our extensive travel knowledge, so you can relax and enjoy your wedding and honeymoon without stress. Each wedding is tailored to your requirements, style and budget. Whether the ceremony is private or there are hundreds of guests, we give all clients the same personal service and unrivaled attention to detail.

Bentley Ride

 Wedding Ideas

  • Winelands – Definitely my favourite choice, the world famous Cape Winelands offer a selection of fantastic hotels and guesthouses. Many estates are steeped in heritage, offering gabled Cape Dutch farmsteads with stunning vineyards. We often recommend La Residence in the Franschhoek valley.
  • Beach Ceremony – Cape Town, in particular, has several great beaches, many up there with the best in the world. For your wedding day, the beach will be dressed up as you like – select your own floral arch, flower choice and any hired equipment, such as chairs, umbrellas and more.
  • Cape Point – Say your vows in a private setting in Cape Point, with its beautiful scenery, surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and a few inquisitive penguins.
  • Forest or Garden Wedding – The Western Cape has many stunning forest and garden settings that create a magical atmosphere – not least of which is the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
  • Luxury Yachts – Cape Town offers a vast array of luxury yachts catering for up to 60 guests. Many smaller yachts allow for an overnight experience.
  • Safari Lodge – South Africa boasts a huge selection of fantastic game lodges. Spectacular settings and an opportunity to enjoy a safari experience with your family and friends.
  • Mountain Ceremonies –  If you like Mountains, we’ve got Mountains. Table Mountain offers a unique setting, with breathtaking views over the city and coast, but there are many other spectacular ranges in South Africa such as the Drakensberg.
  • Sea Views – Tintswalo Atlantic lodge is the ideal venue for an intimate celebration, at the base of Champman’s Peak near Hout Bay. The Twelve Apostles Hotel is another great option, with views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Visit the Honeymoon Travel section on our website for more information about where to go in Africa after the big day… At Rhino Africa we’ll help tailor-make the perfect wedding and/or honeymoon suited to your needs, interests and budget.

Contact one of our expert travel and wedding planners now to chat about the options available and to start planning your big day!

Private Villas & Lodges in Southern Africa

Cape Town,General,South Africa
7 comments
By Tamlin Wightman on

How To Stay Alone In The Wild

Well, not entirely alone, and not only in the wild…

Exclusive-use villas and lodges – they’re “the next big thing” when travelling to Africa. Instead of sharing Africa with others, and their screaming children, do it alone, or with a few special family members, or a lover or two. Whether staying on a luxury game reserve or in a bustling city, Southern Africa’s private-use villas and lodges afford privacy, flexibility, space and freedom.

We all love to be pampered, served in bed and waited on with hot towels and silver tray deliveries of caviar and champagne. Right? But there’s something special about going away on holiday and having the place all to yourself. If you still want to be slightly spoiled and the self-catering element puts you off, don’t worry – most of these properties can provide you with your own private chef, butler, housekeeper, driver, game ranger, tracker or masseuse – you name it!

View of Table Mountain
Cape Town is a beauty, day and night

Cape Town in particular has some of the most spectacular villas, mansions and apartments in the world. Private villas and lodges have become a popular way to enjoy the sunny South African lifestyle. For family holidays and groups of friends travelling together, renting a comfortable and lavish holiday home can be extremely cost-effective.

Below are some of our favourites that we recommend. Feel free to contact one of our expert travel consultants to discuss the various options available, such as including your stay with other destinations, accommodation and tours, in a greater African itinerary.

Safari Lodges

  • Ulusaba Cliff Lodge – For those seeking the utmost in exclusivity, look no further than Ulusaba Cliff Lodge, part of the Ulusaba Portfolio – a private concession inside the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve adjacent to Kruger. There are two suites. Cliff Lodge is linked to Rock Lodge by a raised walkway giving you access to all the facilities of the main lodge. If you hire out Cliff Lodge exclusively (it can accommodate up to 5 adults and 4 children) you will get your own private chef, ranger and game vehicle!
Ulusaba Cliff Lodge
Ulusaba Cliff Lodge
  •  Lion Sands 1933 Lodge – Lion Sands 1933 Lodge is right on the banks of the Sabie River in the exclusive Sabi Sand Game Reserve in the Kruger National Park. It makes a great home away from home, if your home had a private chef and ranger and private 4×4 Land Rover for safari game drives.
Lion Sands 1933
Lion Sands 1933
  •  Londolozi Private Granite Suites – With a level of privacy and luxury that defies all notions of a safari lodge, the Londolozi Private Granite Suites are the most exclusive suites in a remarkable portfolio of safari accommodation in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. The three suites are available individually or as a whole camp so you and the family can have private and exclusive use of the whole camp.
Londolozi Private Granite Suites
Londolozi Private Granite Suites
  • Londolozi Pioneer Camp – This is the most secluded of Londolozi’s Luxury camps and can be converted into a private bush home for family groups of 6 – 14 through linking glass sky walkways.
  • Singita Castleton Camp – An exclusive-use property in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve adjacent to the Kruger National Park, this is the ideal place to go to with a group of friends or family. It can be booked as a complete safari lodge for a maximum of 12 guests in a single group. You will have your own private chef and a personal ranger who will be at your beck and call for game drives and bush walks.
Singita Castleton
  • Tswalu Tarkuni – Built in a remote and beautiful valley in The Kalahari, offering guests a secluded and luxurious experience, Tarkuni is available for exclusive use only and is ideal for small groups and families of up to 10 guests. There are five luxury bedrooms each with en-suite bathrooms and outdoor showers. You’ll have a private game viewing vehicle and a dedicated chef.
Tswalu Tarkuni
Tswalu Tarkuni
Tswalu Tarkuni
Tswalu Tarkuni
  • Africa House – This is the exclusive-use bush villa at Royal Malewane, in the Thornybush Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger Park, which sleeps up to 12 guests in one of the most spectacular, luxurious and unique ‘houses’ in South Africa. You’ll get your own private game ranger, tracker, chef and butler. Privacy, personalised service and great game viewing – sound good?
  • Phinda Homestead – Part of the Phinda Private Game Reserve, this luxury bush villa provides an intimate and private retreat for up to 8 people, ideal for groups, families or those seeking their own piece of pristine wilderness. You will have your own private ranger and tracker, butler and chef.

Villas

  • Grootbos Villa – The latest addition to the Grootbos portfolio, this luxury villa is hidden in the natural wonderland of the Grootbos Nature Reserve with six elegant suites, a private butler, chef and guide. It has mesmerising 180°views of the whale-watching haven of Walker Bay. The villa is for exclusive use only, and is truly one of the most luxurious villas in South Africa.
Grootbos Villa
Grootbos Villa
  • Kanonkop Guest House‘s Knysna Heights Villa – Up the hill from Kanonkop is a new addition to the guesthouse, Knysna Heights Villa. It is an exclusive-use villa with three double en suite bedrooms and a relaxing beachside feel. It has sensational views of the Knsyna Lagoon and offers utter privacy.
  • Cape Blue is a stylish, contemporary villa in a magnificent location in trendy Camps Bay. Situated on a quiet road in the suburb, it is within easy walking distance to the beautiful Camps Bay and Clifton beaches, local shops, bars and restaurants.
  • Mwanzoleo – George Michael, yes, George Michael, once booked this breathtaking villa in the heart of Cape Town’s magnificent Clifton beaches. In the summer, this is the place to be and if you choose to stay in this Villa, you’ll be the envy of Cape Town!
  • Seasonsfind – Seasonsfind is an immaculate two-bedroom apartment with what is probably the best view of Camps Bay beach anywhere in the suburb. Designed with the holiday visitor in mind it has everything that you could want for in a vacation apartment.
Seasonsfind
Seasonsfind
  • Camps Bay Terrace Suite – Camps Bay Terrace Suite is an ultimate one bedroom accommodation in Camps Bay that offers the perfect retreat for a couple looking for some privacy. The apartment has fantastic views of Bakoven Bay, the Twelve Apostles and the Atlantic. It has an en-suite bedroom, lounge and open plan dining room and kitchen.
  • Bali Luxury Suite – Bali Luxury Suite is a modern and ultra-luxurious three-bedroom apartment situated in one of Camps Bay’s most prime positions. You can bask in the sunlight on the terrace with views of the Atlantic Ocean, or take a dip in your private rim-flow pool. In winter snuggle in front of the warmth of the gas fire and watch as the crashing waves in the bay.
  • Bond House – It’s as slick as the name would suggest and it’s in the heart of Camps Bay – a prime location and a villas that will have your friends turning green with envy!
Bond House
Bond House
Bond House
Bond House
  •  Bakoven Sunsets – Bakoven Sunsets on the slopes of the Cape Peninsula’s famous coastline. Nestled against the sheer beauty of the Twelve Apostles Mountain range, overlooking the magnificent Atlantic Ocean a rare luxury retreat awaits!
  • Birkenhead Villa – Situated on a private cliff overlooking Walker Bay, next door to Birkenhead House in Hermanus on the Whale Route, this stunning villa has five bedrooms and is completely child friendly – ideal for exclusive use.
Birkenhead Villa
Birkenhead Villa
  • Vos House – As one of the most prominent buildings in all of De Waterkant, Vos House has been completely rebuilt with meticulous attention to design solutions and clever detail. This magnificently renovated period house is immaculate, opulent and brimful of character.
  • Bridge House – The recipient of numerous design awards, Bridge House is an icon of Cape Town’s best contemporary architecture. It has separate suites with numerous private decks set in the indigenous garden.
  • De Hoogwater Apartments – These apartments are nestled on the slopes of Signal Hill, overlooking Table Bay, in De Waterkant, between the historical Bo-Kaap area and the Waterfront in Cape Town.

For more information, visit the Private Villas section on our website. Alternatively, contact one of our travel experts. We can help you plan your ideal African safari adventure, tailor-making it to suit your needs and interests.

What To Pack For Your Safari – The Essential Checklist

Safari,Travel Tips
1 comment
By Tamlin Wightman on

What kind of packer are you?

There are people, I’ve heard, who love to pack. But, I’m guessing that most of us would rather put our feet up on the couch while someone else does it for us. You’re about to embark on a wild African adventure after all; you need the rest. Well, below is a list of essentials and extras that you’re not going to want to be without on your next safari – feel free to shout the items out to that family member or friend you sneakily roped in to do the dirty work for you.

A suitcase and camera for travelling

Tips from Our Consultant, Monique Vally

  • Baggage on safari should be carefully considered. One soft-sided bag and one smaller piece of hand luggage per person is recommended, weighing not more than 20kg on small Southern Africa charter flights. You may have to pay for an extra seat on a charter flight if the luggage is heavier than 20 kg. This allowance includes camera equipment.
  • Days on safari are generally hot and call for shorts and t-shirt. In the mornings and evenings, long-sleeved shirts and pants are better and will also protect you from mosquitoes. For those sensitive to the sun, a loose cotton shirt is a good bet during the day, as is sunscreen. For colder mornings, layering clothing helps keep you warm and is a convenient way to ensure you’re wearing what you need as the day heats up. Some lodges have a dress code, but this is quite liberal, with some restrictions on shorts and swimsuits in the evening.
  • Dull and/or neutral colours are suitable for safari; you want to blend in as much as possible with nature. White is not practical. It is best to pack hardy, durable clothing. Best stay away from camo, as in many places in Africa only the military wear camouflage clothing and – in those areas – you might be arrested for it.

Many of the luxury lodges we recommend to our clients have everything you might need, so you don’t need to worry too much – just about the basics and any private items you can’t do without. If you’re travelling with kids, the list will be much longer… You don’t want to forget your young one’s toys or any essential baby products. But feel free to leave the older one’s iPod and Nintendo at home. This is the time to get back to nature. (Watch our video on what to pack for the Kruger Park.)

Group on bush walk with safari guide
Neutral colours, comfortable shoes and cameras are essential

What To Take

  • Sun block, sunglasses, wide brimmed hat, lip balm with an SPF of at least 15
  • Blouses/ shirts with long sleeves (even in summer, they will protect you from the sun and from mosquitoes)
  • Khaki, green, beige and neutral colours
  • T-shirts; shorts or a light skirt; cotton pants or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days
  • Fleece or sweater and a warm jacket for game drives (necessary, even in summer)
  • Sandals or rubber thongs (for showers and boats, not for general use in the bush as you’re going to want to protect your feet from poisonous snakes, thorns and rocky terrain.
  • Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days
  • Some hotels and country clubs require gentlemen to wear a jacket and tie and women to be suitably attired for dinner
  • Comfortable hiking or walking shoes
  • Light, compact raincoat is a good idea for the summer
  • Swimsuit, as most hotels and lodges have swimming pools
  • Binoculars and a camera are a must
A lion charges at safari vehicle in Londolozi
Photo credit: Londolozi

We Also Recommend

  • Cellphone
  • Chargers for your cell phone, camera, video camera, etc
  • Batteries for small electronics and cameras
  • Flashlight
  • First aid kit
  • Personal toiletries
  • Tissues (for when the dust gets up your nose on a game drive)
  • Insect repellent and malaria tablets, depending on where you’re going

The andBeyond Safari Shop

If you don’t have any safari kit of your own yet and want to invest in quality, top-of-the-line gear and clothing, try andBeyond‘s new online safari shop. They are a luxury safari travel provider and their shop specialises in gear that is waterproof, windproof, insulating, sun-protective and quick-drying. They use green shipping practices in order to promote sustainable tourism.

A set for safari by andBeyond
andBeyond offers packages on their online shop
Image credit: andBeyond

The Nitty Gritty

  • Credit and ATM cards – check to see if your bank has international ATM locations to avoid high fees, and let your bank know you’ll be traveling abroad before you leave
  • Contact information
  • Driver’s license
  • Health-insurance card
  • Local guidebooks, bird and animal guidebooks, maps, translation dictionary, etc
  • Passport and photocopies of passport
  • Photograph of luggage contents in case of loss
  • Printouts of reservations
  • Travel journal
  • Yellow Fever Inoculation certificate – if travelling to Zambia or East Africa, you need to have a yellow fever inoculation (no less than 10 days prior to travel) and will need to have a certificate/card as proof when entering the country.
A passport, map, money and camera
Image credit: Francesca Tirico

Ready, set, go! Contact us for more information and to start planning your African safari of a lifetime! Read more about what to pack for a safari in the Kruger National Park on our website.

Quotes to Inspire the Traveller in You

General
2 comments
By Tamlin Wightman on

From the Traveller’s Mouth

We consider ourselves travellers here at Rhino Africa. You know, as opposed to “tourists”. We travel Africa and beyond for the experiences and sights, not for bragging rights at the bar after work. Travel is personal. Travel is life. Here are some of our favourite quotes about travel and adventure from the great travellers of the world and classic travel books and films to inspire you:

  • “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
  • “Not all those who wander are lost.” – J. R. R. Tolkien
  • “Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.” – Benjamin Disraeli
  • “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” – Aldous Huxley
  • “Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” – Jack Kerouac
  • “A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” – John Steinbeck
  • “I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” – Mark Twain

How many pages have you read?

  • “Once in a while it really hits people that they don’t have to experience the world in the way they have been told to.” – Alan Keightley
  • “Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you traveled.” – Mohammed
  • “I can’t think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything. To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” – Bill Bryson
  • “Life is either a great adventure or nothing.” – Helen Keller
  • “Traveling is like flirting with life. It’s like saying, ‘I would stay and love you, but I have to go; this is my station.'” – Lisa St. Aubin de Teran
  • “There is a pleasure in the pathless woods. There is a rapture on the lonely shore. There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar. I love not man the less, but Nature more.” – Lord Byron

Image from thewanderlustproject.com

  • “One of the gladdest moments of human life, methinks, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of habit, the leaden weight of routine, the cloak of many cares and the slavery of home, man feels once more happy.” – Sir Richard Burton
  • “Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey.” – Fitzhugh Mullan
  • “It is good to have an end to journey toward but it is the journey that matters in the end” – Ernest Hemingway
  • “If you reject the food, ignore the customs,
fear the religion and avoid the people,
you might better stay at home.” – James Michener
  • “Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life.” – Michael Palin
  • “All things considered, there are only two kinds of men in the world: those that stay at home and those that do not.” – Rudyard Kipling

Wanderlust

  • “To get to know a country, you must have direct contact with the earth. It’s futile to gaze at the world through a car window.” – Albert Einstein
  • “I love waking up in the morning not knowing what’s gonna happen or who I’m gonna meet, where I’m gonna wind up.” – Jack in Titanic
  • “Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.” – Jack Kerouac, On the Road
  • “When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.” – Susan Heller
  • “What is that feeling when you’re driving away from people and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing? — it’s the too-huge world vaulting us, and it’s good-by. But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies.” – Jack Kerouac, On the Road
  • “Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.” – Paul Theroux
  • “Nobody ever forgets their first night in the bush. It’s among the precious, meagre handful of life firsts that remain indelible.” – AA Gill, Previous Convictions

Christopher McCandless

Did it work? Are your feet itchy now?

If you’re keen for an adventure, to immerse yourself in the world and have new experiences of foreign worlds, Africa has it all. Contact us and we’ll tell you why.

How To Say “I Love You” Throughout Africa

General
4 comments
By Tamlin Wightman on

Next time you’re travelling to Africa with a loved one and want to tell them how you feel, use one of these terms – depending on the country you’re in. Or if you happen to fall for a local… This is how to say “I love you” in the different parts of Africa. We’re sure it’ll win you brownie points. (It’s a pleasure…)

Botswana
Setswana: Ke a go rata

Kenya
Swahili: Nakupenda

Madagascar
Malagasy: tiako ianao
French: Je t’aime

Malawi
Chichewa: Ndimakukonda

Mozambique
Portuguese: Eu amo-te

Namibia
Damara/Nama: INam tsi ta ge a (from Female to Male)/ INam si ta ge a (From Male to Female)
Herero: Mbeku suvera
Oshivambo: Ondiku hole
Afrikaans: Ek is lief vir jou
German: Ich liebe dich

Have a sunset dinner in Mozambique

Rwanda
French: Je t’aime

South Africa
Zulu: Ngiyakuthanda
Xhosa: Ndiyakuthanda
Afrikaans: Ek is lief vir jou

Swaziland
Swati: Ngiyakutsandza

Tanzania
Swahili: Nakupenda

Uganda
Swahili: Nakupenda
Luganda: Nkwagala
English: I love you

Zambia
Nyanja: Ndikukonda
Bemba: ni nkutemwa

Zimbabwe
Shona: Ndinokuda
Ndebele: Ngiyakuthanda

Couples Retreat

Did You Know

The love birds in the header image are native to the African continent, with the Grey-headed Lovebird being native to Madagascar particularly. They are social and affectionate little parrots and their name originates from their strong, monogamous pair bonding and the long periods the birds spend sitting together. They could teach us a thing or two about love…

Our Favourite Romantic Spots In Africa

Honeymoon,Indian Ocean Islands,Safari
4 comments
By Tamlin Wightman on

February is the month of love and at Rhino Africa we’re ahead of the curve when it comes to romance. Probably because we’re surrounded by so much beauty here in Africa. There are so many magnificent destinations that will ignite that starry-eyed look in you and your partner.

Best be careful who you take to some of these places because many are so romantic that you might just end up proposing. Here is a list of some of our favourite, most romantic destinations, lodges and experiences in Africa. What are you planning for Valentine’s Day?

If you’re planning on a proposal – see how one of our Rhino Africans, Craig Harding, did it in his blog, “How I bagged a future wife” – PART 1, 2, 3.

Spend quality time in the Maldives

Top 5 Romantic Destinations

  • Cape Town and the Winelands – Cape Town has it all and wins over hearts with ease. From its natural beauty and views with the ocean and mountains to the romantic restaurants and intimate drinking spots (see our favourites here), you’re sure to get a little sentimental. The Cape Winelands are the perfect Valentine’s Day setting. There are several places to stay and get amorous while restaurants and wine estates are in abundance such as La Petite Ferme and Delaire Graff Estate, which both offer exquisite views.
  • Mozambique – It’s the perfect beach destination with white sand and warm water beaches to lounge on all day with your dearest. Skimpy bikinis and topless men by day and intimate sunset cruises and dinners on the beach at night, ending the day together in luxury king-size beds… Has you wild-eyed already, hey? Find out more about Mozambique on our website and read about the exotic and private Quirimbas Archipelago on our blog.
Medjumbe Island Lodge in Mozambique
Image credit: Siyabona Africa
  • Maldives – We here at Rhino Africa swoon every time we come across a photo of this magical Indian Ocean island, admitting that we’d probably accept a wedding proposal from just about anyone who was nice enough to take us there… Any takers? Exclusivity is key here and the resorts and lodges on offer are otherworldly (just take a look). Beach dinners under the stars, luxury cruises arm-in-arm, spa treatments… you’ll be weak at the knees.
  • Botswana – This destination epitomises the idea of the romantic African safari (also, if diamonds are a girl’s best friend you’re sure to win with Bots since it is one of the world’s largest diamond producers, with annual revenue streams in the tens of billions of dollars). There are some truly wild places, including the Okavango Delta, Chobe, Makgadikgadi Pans and the Kalahari. See the Big 5 together with your beau, go on a private mokoro ride, sleep in luxury beds and enjoy special treats like massages and picnics.
  • Samburu National Reserve – Situated in Kenya, this is place where “Born Free”, the movie, was filmed. The film tells the tale of Elsa the lioness who is raised to adulthood and successfully reintroduced into the wild by the famous Adamson couple. There are several places to stay here amid the wild and vast plains. For example, there is the intimate Elsa’s Kopje which has a bath tub with the most enticing view and great spots for sexy sundowners.

The Maldives is filled with romantic possibilities

Top 5 Romantic Lodges

  • Mnemba Island Lodge – Mnemba Island is renowned as one of the most romantic ocean destinations in the world. So it’s a good bet, then? Enjoy rustic luxury on a private island, just 4,5 kilometres off the north-eastern tip of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean, surrounded by an atoll of breathtaking coral reefs. It’s great for honeymooners and couples looking to get away together – with perks like romantic candle-lit dinners on the beach with waves gently lapping at your feet and some of Africa’s most wonderful dive sites.
Stay on Mnemba Island in Zanzibar
Image credit: Mnemba Island Lodge
  • Tswalu Kalahari – The Malori Sleepout Deck is especially romantic as you get to sleep with a full view of them starry night skies. The Tarkuni and Motse lodges are also an exceptional setting for romance, here in South Africa’s largest private Game Reserve, with luxury bedrooms and heated swimming pools. Enjoy sundowners on lantern-lit dunes, boma dining and mountain lookouts under the umbrella thorn acacias.
  • Singita Pamushana – Singita in general is a favourite with couples. We suggest you give Pamushana a try; it’s one of Africa’s best kept secrets. It is situated beneath the trees within the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in south-eastern Zimbabwe and has a magical ambience, great riverside views, lush gardens and luxury accommodation.
Enjoy time together at Singita Pamushana
Image credit: Singita Pamushana Lodge
  • Banyan Tree – This accommodation is situated in Intendance Bay on the island of Mahe in the Seychelles, one of the world’s best 10 beaches. It boasts an array of luxury villas, each with its own swimming pool and private outdoor Jacuzzi – the perfect place to spend quality time. Tropical paradises don’t not come much better than this.
  • Londolozi Private Granite Suites – take a dip in your own private heated plunge pool with your sweetheart and gaze into each other’s eyes over romantic candle-lit dinners. This is luxury and exclusivity in the extreme, all enjoyed under African skies.
Enjoy al fresco dinner at Elsa's Kopje, Samburu National Reserve
Image credit: Michael Poliza

 Top 5 Romantic Experiences

  • Camping under the stars – such as in Lion Sands’ Chalkey Tree House. Feel totally alone with your loved one in the remoteness of the wild surrounding you. You will be taken here at sunset to welcome drinks and a delicious picnic dinner. The following hours of African dusk are wholly yours to enjoy as you sleep under the stars and hear the sounds of the bush.
  • Dinner on the beach/ bush.
  • Couples massages – enjoyed at most lodges mentioned above with an array of spa treatments to boot.
  • Sundowners with a view – especially from a hot air balloon with a glass of champagne in hand… For a list of restaurants with great sea views in Cape Town, read our blog.
  • Sharing a bubble bath…
Enjoy soaking in the tub with your partner
Image credit: Elewana Collection

If you’re planning a honeymoon in Africa, be sure to check out the Honeymoon section on our website. View more romantic lodges and destinations in Africa that we recommend.

Contact us for more information or to plan your perfect honeymoon or simply an exciting and romantic African getaway.

Victoria Falls – Explore The Smoke That Thunders

Zambia,Zimbabwe
4 comments
By Tamlin Wightman on

Chasing Waterfalls

Scottish missionary and well-known explorer, David Livingstone stood on the small island in the middle of the falls – now known as ‘Livingstone Island’ in Zambia – and looked on at the roaring curtain of water bustling over the cliff. ‘Victoria Falls‘, he named it, in honour of his Queen. We thought we’d take a closer look ourselves at ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – the indigenous name for the falls, literally meaning the ‘Smoke that Thunders’.

Here’s what we saw:

Victoria Falls is one of the seven wonders of the natural world and is on The World Heritage List – so probably worth seeing, right? It might not be the highest or widest waterfall on earth, but it is the largest, based on the fact that its width is 1,708 metres and height 108 metres. You can access it from either the Zimbabwean side or Zambian. On the Zimbabwean side, the falls are always flowing, even in the dry season, while the Zambian side is much drier and less impressive during dry season, but better and wetter in high water season.

For more information about when to visit, click here and on the Falls in general, here!

Our Favourite Vic Falls Places To Stay

  • Royal Chundu – Here you will stay right between Victoria Falls and the Chobe National Park on the mighty Zambezi River in Zambia. Stay in either the River Lodge or Island Lodge. It’s about 70 kilometres from the falls but is luxurious with great service, accommodation and attention to detail.
  • Tongabezi – This five star property was the first ever river lodge on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls, about 30 kilometres upstream from Victoria Falls and 18 kilometres from Livingstone.
  • Toka Leya – This property is tucked away on the banks of the Zambezi River in the western sector of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, about 12km upstream from Victoria Falls. It’s a Wilderness Safaris’ property and has a great focus on being eco-friendly, for example by recycling water, using a worm farm, having their own greenhouse, running tree-replanting project and more.
  • Royal Livingstone – On the edge of the Zambezi River, this hotel is the closest accommodation to Vic Falls on the Zambian side (you even have your own private entrance to Devil’s Pool).
  • Victoria Falls Hotel – At this hotel, situated inside Victoria Falls National Park, you can enjoy the luxury of having a private footpath leading directly to the entrance gate of Vic Falls. From the front lawn of the hotel you can see along the second gorge to the bridge over the Zambezi River with the spray from the waterfalls wafting up behind. Classic, colonial luxury.
  • Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma – Exclusivity and luxury are big here at this upmarket five star Sanctuary lodge, named after David Livingstone’s faithful friends. There are two spacious cottages, both of which take full advantage of their river bank setting.

Jump in - we dare you!

Don’t Miss Devil’s Pool

Devil’s Pool on the edge of the Victoria Falls is located along the Zambezi River on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. It’s adjacent to Livingstone Island, where David Livingstone first saw the Victoria Falls and remarked: “scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight”.

When to go: At its peak flow around June, a mile-wide chasm 100m straight down is filled with the roar of water falling at a rate of 3,000 tonnes per second. For most of the year, you’d be swept to your death if you entered the waters of Devil’s Pool. But from September to December, when the river flow is at a safe enough level, you can swim as close as possible to the perimeter within the pool without falling off. This is because the natural rock walls are more exposed and form a barrier, stopping you from being carried over.

Keen to jump into it? Find out more here!

Dive into Devil's Pool overlooking Victoria Falls

Keen to feel the spray of the mighty Vic Falls?

We can help you plan the perfect Victoria Falls vacation including exciting activities such as micro-lighting, white water rafting, helicopter flights and more. We are experts at building African itineraries and can easily combine a trip to the Vic Falls with a beach holiday or a Big 5 Safari. For more information, take a look at the Victoria Falls Tours and the Victoria Falls Accommodation sections on our website.

Just contact us to get the ball rolling… or the water falling, as the case may be. We can tailor make it to suit your every need and desire.

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