Four Corners of South Africa

South Africa is amazingly diverse, and your research to date has revealed that this country is indeed an ideal honeymoon destination. Yet you still wonder how to step outside the boundaries drawn by Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast. There must be more to this country than Cape Town and a handful of uber luxurious safari lodges, right?

In addition to must-visit locales, this itinerary takes you to a number of off-the-beaten-path spots that offer pristine beauty, relative lack of tourism, and special lodges that for some reason, the rest of the world has not yet discovered en masse. Always interesting, often luxurious and definitely geared for the adventurer within, this honeymoon can be considered unique in the context of an already unique destination.

Your honeymoon is already different...

for the moment you've bypassed Cape Town in favor of a different and more secluded starting point. You can't wait - exhausted after a busy wedding and one of the longest travel days you can remember, you arrive at Bushman's Kloof, in the Western Cape Province, a 3.5 hour drive or short flight north of Cape Town.

Your first three days in this lovely Relais & Chateaux enclave is meant to reenergize your bodies and minds, and prepare you for the excitement of the days ahead. Things will become busy, but for now, Bushman's Kloof, and its spiritual setting amongst the red rocks of the Cederberg Mountains, invite you to relax. This of course is easy when you have their wonderful spa at your doorstep - be sure to enjoy one of their signature massages. If weather permits, the treatments can be performed outdoors amidst the cool rock formations as you gaze across the vast plains.

When not sleeping, sampling gourmet food, or spa-ing, the nature reserve offers hours of fascination, starting with the many prehistoric rock art sites, thought to be older than 10,000 years. If you are lucky enough to arrive in August or September, the unbelievable carpet of wildflowers begs a gourmet picnic on a lazy afternoon. Or, take a game drive to view the local species and the stunning scenery.

Refreshed and ready to dive into...

the rest of your trip, you make the short journey back to Cape Town. This incredibly beautiful coastal city is a requisite stop on any South African itinerary, but you are nonetheless glad to be here - it has a buzz that it is uniquely its own. Enjoy great restaurants, venture south one day with a private driver to the Cape Peninsula, and do a bit of souvenir shopping - shopping opportunities are fewer and far between after this! While in Cape Town your home will be Kensington Place, a hip boutique guesthouse set in the city bowl at the top of trendy Kloof Street, with its numerous nightspots and restaurants. Away from the bustle of the waterfront and its throngs of tourists, Kensington Place offers an aesthetically pleasing place to start and end your day - and the breakfasts are terrific!

While there is much to love about Cape Town...

this trip is not so much about city time as it is about new experiences in the great outdoors. With this anticipation, you'll take a private charter flight a short 30 minutes along the southern coast towards the town of Gaansbai. If you are fortunate, your pilot will point out pods of Southern Right Whales that use this area as their annual breeding and calving grounds. But more on the creatures of the deep in a moment - you have arrived at Grootbos Nature Reserve. From the moment you enter your villa, you gaze out across Walker Bay and its beautiful sweep of coastline. In between is a type of vegetation called fynbos, comprised of thousands of different plant and flower species, of which the Grootbos Reserve is dedicated to preserving.

You'll learn a lot about fynbos, through 4WD safaris across the reserve, extended hikes, and horseback excursions. Recent naturally occurring forest fires have also unlocked some of the secrets of the fynbos, allowing dormant plant species to finally germinate, leaving the reserve in a riotous state of wildflower-induced color. Stunning! Look for the King Protea, South Africa's national flower. But the land is not the only attraction at Grootbos - gentle and not so gentle giants are just offshore. In fact, we highly recommend a whale watching safari, where you may also spot the rest of the "Marine Big 5": penguins, dolphins, seals and great white sharks. Yes, that's right - great white sharks. And if you dare, shark cage diving in this area is an unforgettable experience, and may even dispel some of the common myths about these creatures. Imagine the photos!

Upon leaving Grootbos...

you will take a quick charter flight back to Cape Town, then another flight to the northeast of the country, and a final air hop to the amazing Sabi Sands Reserve. Suddenly, things feel very different, more wild, even farther away from civilization as you've known it to this point. Yes - the best has been saved for last, and it's time to embark upon the first of your two official safari experiences.

Your small plane is met at the landing strip...

by a ranger from Savanna Safari Lodge, your home for the next three days. Driving along the dirt track back to the lodge, your ranger spots a rhino just off the road - throwing the vehicle into low gear, you leave the road and creep across the bush for a better look. You are so close now that you can see the ox-picker birds on his back, and you can look into his eyes. Welcome to Sabi Sands, and welcome to Savanna!

In Savanna you have chosen one of the Sabi Sands' friendliest lodges - the owners have taken great care to develop an environment where guests are treated as family. Meals are communal and rangers dine with guests, allowing for opportunities to rehash the day's excitement, learn more about the flora and fauna, in the end creating a bond with the lodge and its people you won't soon forget. SavannaAnd if you prefer some privacy, it's no trouble to set up a special dinner on your verandah - simply ask!

Accommodations here are lovely...

featuring incredibly oversized bathrooms with soaking tubs, indoor and outdoor showers and in many cases, private plunge pools on wooden decks. Expect to see the "Big 5" here, and you'll do so under the care of an expert tracker and ranger whose sole purpose is to share his love and incredible knowledge of this part of South Africa. Expect to shed a tear or two when you leave - how can anything else possibly compare to the last three days?

Ah, but it can, albeit in a different way. You'll take a charter flight bound for the northeast corner of South Africa, in the remote northern extreme of the famous Kruger National Park. This secluded section of the park is home to a lodge called Pafuri Camp, at the crossroads of "Crooks Corner", or namely the intersection of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana, as well as the Limpopo and Luvuvhu Rivers. The terrain here is rich and varied, making it one of the best places for bird watching in South Africa, and a treasure trove of flora and fauna which the camp's knowledgeable rangers unlock for visitors in a magical way.

This is not necessarily a "Big 5" camp (white rhino have only been re-introduced in this area in recent years and are not abundant, for example), but it is a place for people who appreciate the finer details of the natural environment. You've already seen the Big 5 in the Sabi Sands, and a natural extension of your safari experience is to focus on the fascinating subtleties of the bush that now begin to draw your interest.

The camp is also run in cooperation with the local Makuleke tribe, with a percentage of the profits given back to the community. The lodge itself is comfortable and charming - honeymooners often receive the benefit of a special bungalow, on it's own island, reached by a special bridge. The seclusion is complete with its own boma for romantic outdoor dining by firelight.

Three days in Pafuri Camp won't seem near enough. As half the staff come to bid you goodbye and best wishes on your new marriage, you reflect that 15 nights in South Africa doesn't seem near enough either. You are incredibly glad that you've chosen to experience South Africa on your honeymoon, and on top of that, you've chosen well; the strength and warmth of your memories will continue to confirm that for months and years to come.

Who will enjoy this trip:

Those who enjoy visiting places of unique value and interest, but not necessarily of international fame, while still seeing South Africa's highlights. Couples who wish to incorporate some luxury as well as outdoor adventure into their honeymoon. This is a good itinerary for those who wish to avoid lots of driving.

Who should avoid this trip:

Those who have a hard time with small planes. If you prefer not to visit several places during the course of one trip. If you need beach time other itineraries or destinations will be will be a better fit.