Spectacular Days and Luxurious Nights in South Africa

Cosmopolitan Cape Town, the rugged coastline of the Garden Route, and the private reserves of Kruger National Park - can one ask for a more wonderful combination of destinations on a South African honeymoon? It only gets better as you realize you will stay at some of the very best and most luxurious accommodations in each, with the opportunity to be pampered at every turn as you explore the wonders that South Africa offers to honeymoon travelers.

The first stop is...

Cape Town - a simply stunning city with jaw-dropping scenery that will captivate your eyes and hearts as you uncover its charms over the next several days. As you'll be tired on arrival, you'll want to take advantage of your hotel, the luxurious Cape Grace, located on the lively Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Allow yourselves a day or two to adjust to the time zone, to the environment, and to being married. Sleep late, have a gourmet breakfast in bed, and find an hour or two to visit the hotel's inviting spa for a stress reducing massage that is sure to work out all the kinks from your long flights.

When the spirit stirs you...

Cape Town offers untold opportunities for exploration, dining, art and adventure. One day you'll have a driver at your beck and call to take you to the Cape Peninsula to see the national park's wild coastal scenery. In town, a visit to trendy Kloof Street for dinner can liven your nights as you sample cuisine that rivals any around the world. The shopping is terrific too! All the while you'll be in awe of the ever-present Table Mountain and surrounding peaks - one evening you must take the opportunity to go to the top and watch the sun sink below the horizon and gaze down as the city lights shine below. Incredibly romantic!

If you enjoy fine food and wine...

Spending some time in the Cape Winelands is an absolute must! Your private driver will whisk you away from the animated waterfront to the traditionally French town of Franschhoek, the wine and gourmet capital of South Africa, just 45 minutes away. As you arrive, you'll see rugged mountains underscored by vineyards at their base, accented by the incredibly charming Cape Dutch architecture of the wine estates.

Your base for exploring this picturesque region will be the palatial La Residence. Surrounded by vineyards, plum orchards, olive groves and fragrant, manicured gardens, La Residence's suites are uniquely and exquisitely decorated, and offer incredible views from every angle.

The Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl Wine Routes all offer a great variety of wine estates where you can meet winemakers and taste excellent New World wines, including South Africa's signature vintage, Pinotage. Franschhoek in particular is famed for its wonderful gastronomic adventures, and La Residences Chef's Table is an educational and interactive dining experience that will engage all of the senses.

While you could surely spend half a lifetime...

unlocking the pleasures of Cape Town and the Winelands, it's on to the coast along the famous "Garden Route". Your home for the next few days will be The Plettenberg, located in the bustling seaside town of Plettenberg Bay.

This Relais & Chateaux hotel features traditional, understated decor, oversized rooms, and sea views over the beautiful beaches on either side of the promontory on which it sits. You'll arrive by charter flight into the nearby Plettenberg airport, and perhaps, along the way, you will have been fortunate enough to see whales from the air! If not, be sure to take a whale watching excursion to view these magnificent creatures up close.

There may be opportunities to spot fur seals and dolphins as well. Here you can unwind by the pool, try your hand at surfing, hit the links, take a fabulous hike on the Robberg Peninsula, or participate in any number of relaxing or adrenaline seeking activities. You soon come to understand why this part of South Africa is appealing to the local population!

While you've loved the city...

Winelands and the coast, you've chosen South Africa as your honeymoon destination in large part because of the amazing opportunities for safari, and you won't be disappointed. You'll fly to Johannesburg and then directly onto Singita's airstrip, where you'll be met and taken to the exclusive Singita Boulders Lodge. In the world famous Sabi Sands, on the edge of Kruger National Park and with access to the park and nearby private reserves, it offers you the best of all safari worlds. Talented rangers track and find game, including the "Big 5", with expert precision. Every game drive brings a new experience and an incredible window onto the animal kingdom.

The lodge itself is one of the most luxurious retreats in Africa, if not the world! Suites are contemporary in decor and feature private plunge pools for hot African days and dual sided fireplaces for cool African nights. Your bathroom is remarkable with indoor and outdoor showers - perfect for washing the dust away after a fulfilling day on safari. Indulge in a private gourmet bush dinner, accompanied by the sounds of nocturnal animals and the warmth of your bonfire that takes the edge off the evening's slight chill. All of this and more is possible at Singita.

One day you'll take a quick air hop to the nearby Camp Jabulani where you will enjoy "Elephant Backed Safari." Here you can sit astride an African Elephant as you make your way (silently) through the bush, with views of giraffe, zebra and other creatures. At sunset, you'll have a romantic glass of champagne overlooking the bush. Incredibly memorable!

The lodge and your safari experience have been phenomenal, and you may shed a tear or two when it's time to leave this wonderful environment and the many animals you've come to love in such a short time. It's been a fun, fascinating and above all a fulfilling two weeks in South Africa, and now you return to Johannesburg for your international flight home. What a perfect beginning to your marriage - you'll be energized to continue discovering the world over the next years, and will no doubt swear to return to South Africa one day.

Who will enjoy this trip:

Couples who want the highlights of South Africa combined with world-class accommodations. Those who value and seek luxury and pampering as part of their honeymoon.

Who should avoid this trip:

Couples on a tighter budget may still like these destinations but would likely choose different accommodations. Those who prefer not to take malaria medication. Those who prefer a more conventional and active beach destination may wish to add Mozambique or an Indian Ocean Island, or reconsider Africa altogether.