South Africa Honeymoon Guide: Luxury Safaris, Cape Town & the Winelands

What Type of Couple Would a South Africa Honeymoon Suit?

 South Africa is a honeymoon destination for couples who enjoy adventure, wildlife, incredible scenery, good food and wine, but also appreciate luxurious hotels and upmarket experiences.
It's ideal for couples who want a bit of everything rather than spending their entire honeymoon on a beach. From bucket-list safaris and beautiful sunsets to exploring the Winelands at your own pace, there's so much variety.
And if you do want some beach time to finish off your honeymoon, South Africa combines fabulously with Mauritius, Zanzibar or Dubai.

This was my second time visiting South Africa, and this time round I visited three safari locations along the Eastern Cape, Cape Town, Camps Bay and the Winelands.

Safari in South Africa: A Bucket-List Honeymoon Experience

There are lots of safari options in the Eastern Cape region, and best of all, it's a malaria-free safari area.

From the Big Five to the Ugly Five, and not forgetting Addo Elephant National Park, there are some incredible animal experiences in this part of the world. A real bucket-list experience. I loved every minute of it. Here are some of the main animals you can see while on safari or exploring the oceans.

The Big Five: African lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants and Cape buffalo.
The Ugly Five: Hyena, marabou stork, vulture, warthog and wildebeest.
The Marine Big Five: Great white shark, southern right whale, bottlenose dolphin, Cape fur seal and African penguin.

Hermanus is the spot for southern right whale watching, particularly during whale-watching season.

The Cape Winelands: Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek

There are three main areas: Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, and for me, Franschhoek is the quaintest.
The village of Franschhoek itself is so pretty, with its mountain backdrop and streets filled with cafés and restaurants. I definitely recommend staying two nights minimum, but stay longer if you would like to enjoy more than one day on the Wine Tram.

The Franschhoek Wine Tram is a must if you enjoy wine.
I absolutely would do it for two days. There are so many vineyards you can visit, and it's nice not to have to rush and just enjoy the scenery of the vineyards as you sip wine.
Trams tend to leave at regular intervals, often around every hour depending on the route, so it can be a bit rushed. Take your time and enjoy. But you do need to book in advance.

My Favourite Vineyard on the Franschhoek Wine Tram

So, what was my favourite vineyard on the Franschhoek Wine Tram? Grande Provence.
I totally loved all the outdoor seating areas in the garden, all under shady trees, and the sculptures dotted around the gardens just added to the elegance.
Highly recommend getting the cheese board here. It was fab!

Table Mountain: Incredible Views Over Cape Town

Table Mountain is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. It's worth doing, even if it's just coming for the views from Camps Bay.
What makes this cable car unique? It holds up to 65 people, and it continuously rotates so everyone gets a great view.
There are incredible views from the top on a clear day. But be warned, the clouds come in very fast and look fantastic as they roll over and down the mountain, but not so nice if you are at the top!

Camps Bay: Romantic Sunsets and Beachfront Dining

Camps Bay is on the beach and approximately 20 minutes from Cape Town on the hop-on hop-off bus. It's worth booking a restaurant for sunset drinks followed by dinner.
Some days the sunsets here would take your breath away. Ive been many places but these sunsets are something else entirely.
It's also a nice spot to chill out for a few days before you go home.

When Is the Best Time to Visit South Africa for a Honeymoon?

South Africa can be visited year-round, but the best time depends on what you would like to experience.
For Cape Town, Camps Bay and the Winelands, November to March generally offers the warmest weather and plenty of sunshine, ideal for enjoying the scenery, vineyards and outdoor dining.

If you'd love to see southern right whales in Hermanus, whale-watching season generally runs from June to November, with August to October particularly good months.

Safaris in the Eastern Cape can be enjoyed throughout the year, although wildlife sightings and weather conditions vary with the seasons.
If you're combining South Africa with Mauritius, it's worth planning your dates carefully to make the most of the weather in both destinations.

Why I Highly Recommend South Africa for a Honeymoon

This is my second time visiting South Africa, and I've loved every minute.
South Africa is so easy to get around. The sights and experiences just keep getting better, with so many bucket-list adventures here.  The food and wine are gorgeous and amazingly good value. Plus, everything is so upmarket.
A highly recommended honeymoon destination!

Plan Your South Africa Honeymoon with me.

If you're considering South Africa for your honeymoon, I'd love to help you plan an unforgettable trip.
Having visited South Africa twice, I can share my personal experiences, favourite places and honeymoon recommendations to help you make the most of this incredible destination.