romantic africa
FEATURE 57
and North West Province offer a malaria-free bush experience and Shamwari Game Reserve (in the Eastern Cape) provides plenty of romantic add-ons. The reserve is a popular venue for weddings
while ‘extras’ aimed squarely at loved-up couples include fi ve-star deluxe adults-only lodges, candlelit dinner served in-room or alfresco on the terrace, a private picnic for two in the bush, spa treatments and even a ‘sleep out’ under the African stars. In Botswana, a mokoro ride for two through the Okavango Delta’s game-fi lled waterways is another experience that is better shared. At Sanctuary Baines Camp in the
Delta, couples can sleep under the stars in a four-poster, mosquito-netted bed on the deck of their safari suite. In Namibia, share special memories amid the secluded dunes and unique wildlife of the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Couples wanting to see the Great Migration
unfold should head to Tanzania’s northern parks, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. The best time to witness the migration is February - March when the wildebeest and zebra have their young and the predators are at their highest number too.
June to November is Tanzania’s dry season and is the best time to visit all the parks (and you can always hop over to Kenya’s Masai Mara to witness the Great Migration during this time). Or suggest Rwanda and Uganda for mountain gorilla and chimpanzee safaris and memories to last a lifetime. Out of the bush, the unhurried pace and unhurried grace of rail journeys, particularly of the luxury kind, is a timelessly romantic way to travel – and South Africa has two such experiences. “The luxury Blue Train and bygone-era Rovos Rail, which both travel between Cape Town and Pretoria, are high on clients’ bucket lists; there’s no more romantic way to travel through South and Southern Africa,” said Africa Collection’s Chris Fortescue. Rovos Rail also takes passengers to Durban, Victoria Falls and Namibia. Hot air balloon safaris are also popular in the Namib Naukluft National Park in Namibia, Masai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Mozambique, with its miles of unspoilt white
sandy beaches, will appeal to couples looking for a beach getaway and a barefoot sunset stroll. They can enjoy both at properties such as White Pearl Resort, Coral Lodge 15.41, Machangulo Beach Lodge and Massinga Beach Resort, which
“Combining a safari with a beach stay is the ultimate romantic experience. Relaxing on a beach with the Indian ocean lapping away at your feet is the perfect way to unwind after the
excitement of a safari” STEVE HARTRIDGE, SELLING LONG HAUL
Opposite page: Dinner with a view at Shamwari Game Reserve; Chef’s choice at Selati Sabi Sands, South Africa; This page: Clockwise: Singita Castleton, South Africa; ‘Love Nest’ at The Retreat in Selous, perhaps Tanzania’s most remote spot? The luxurious Blue Train. Next page: Ulusaba Private Game Reserve and Lodge, South Africa
all feature in Africa Collection’s new programme. Your clients can look forward to walking out of their beach villa and straight into the ocean for a midnight Mozambique skinny dip, picking up the shells that have washed up on the beach. Malawi is another country that although largely under the radar has plenty to offer couples. Added Africa Collection’s Fortescue: “Malawi is relatively undiscovered and something a bit different. Its lake, which dominates the country, teams with aquatic life and is fantastic for scuba diving and water-based activities. Other attractions in Malawi include national parks and game reserves, beautiful mountains and plateaux and a rich cultural heritage – it’s a great choice for couples wishing to experience the combination of lake, landscape, wildlife and culture in one of Africa’s most beautiful countries.” Heart-shaped Mumbo Island in Malawi’s south is perhaps the ultimate setting for romance,
www.sellinglonghaul.com
perfect for honeymooning, or a castaway-style wedding ceremony. Remote and ideal for barefoot Robinson Crusoe types, the island offers something unique with its combination of pristine beaches and clear waters of Lake Malawi. The whole, accommodating just 14 guests, features furnished tents with pure cotton bedding, shaded decks, hammocks and cane chairs.
What’s new Activities: Adventurous couples can track
carnivores in Zambia by joining the Robin Pope Safaris Zambian Carnivore Programme team at South Luangwa’s Nkwali camp during Carnivore Week in November (15-22). They will learn about anti-poaching activities, habitat maintenance, lion identifi cation, prey surveys and enjoy game walks. Priced from £2,316 pp, it includes seven nights’ full board, all safari costs and transfers (international fl ights are extra).
robinpopesafaris.net Accommodation: Azura Retreats (reservations@
azura-retreats.com), which owns and manages luxury boutique hotels in Mozambique, opens its fi rst Tanzania property on June 1. Azura Selous Game Reserve, on the banks of the Ruaha River, will have 12 luxury oversized tented suites, each with a river view, indoor stone bathroom, outside showers and a large terrace with a plunge pool. Dining locations will include ‘romantic set-ups’ for honeymooners. Operators: Africa Collection (africacollection. com) is including a complimentary sunset
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