10 most romantic safaris

Located in an exclusive-use area within the park, Magashi is a safari-lover’s dream. Eight intimate tents lie dotted in lush vegetation and boast uninterrupted views of Akagera National Park’s scenic Lake Rwanyakazinga.

As the sun rises across this East African savannah you may encounter rare species such as sitatunga. The Park is home to a healthy lion population, which were reintroduced in 2015 after a 20-year absence, while elusive leopard may be seen on your afternoon game drive, before you soak in the African sunset with a G&T.

Fall in love with the bush as you drive through the wonder of this savannah. A sensorial overload, with sights, sounds and smells that will always remind you of a love of Africa that has to be experienced to truly understand.

There are few places on Earth that match the experience that is offered at Bisate Lodge, close to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. While many people stay at Bisate to experience a life-changing gorilla trek, the lodge itself is reason enough to visit.

 
Bisate is steeped in Rwandan culture and every part of your experience brings you closer to the vibrant people, the delicious food and the unique wildlife of the country. Trek to visit with a gorilla group, as well as a golden monkey family – both experiences are profoundly moving. A community visit at Bisate is another highlight. Along with a guide, meet locals and view the wonderful work being done by the community.

After the stimulation of a trek, or moving encounter with village residents, indulge in a rejuvenating treatment at the Sanctuary, a wellness space that celebrates Rwanda’s natural heritage, striking a balance between pampering and connection to place.

 
Finally, leave your mark… Bisate’s pioneering reforestation project invites all guests to plant a tree in honour of their stay. Get your hands dirty planting a sapling and directly contribute to the restoration of the area’s habitat.

Intimate Little DumaTau, along with its sister camp DumaTau, is located in arguably the best game-viewing area in the Linyanti.

With just four spacious and tastefully designed rooms, Little DumaTau delivers exclusivity at the highest level and is perfect for couples travelling together. The spa and wellness space looks over Osprey Lagoon, itself the scenic setting for a sunset boat cruise. Set in an IBA (Important Bird & Biodiversity Area), the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve offers a rich diversity of bird and wildlife sightings including lions, wild dogs, and elephants crossing the many channels.

Both Mombo and Little Mombo guests have extraordinary views of an Okavango Delta floodplain that hosts an world-renowned variety of wildlife. The abundance of life found here has earned the area its name, Place of Plenty. With just four tents, Little Mombo is ideal for couples and small groups.

Enjoy twice-daily game drives, delicious bush brunches, private dining, and, if you feel like working up a sweat, make use of the gym, or enjoy quality time unwinding with a treatment at the exquisite Sanctuary wellness centre. At night, sink into a bubble-filled bath, or cool off in your private plunge pool.

Little Kulala enjoys the closest private access to Namibia’s legendary Sossusvlei and its iconic dunes.

Your villa’s private pool, shaded sala and secluded rooftop area lend themselves to romantic evenings spent stargazing and al fresco dining, not to mention rolling out the bed to sleep under the Milky Way, and waking up at dawn to a gently lit desert-scape. The spa offers a range of pampering treatments, ideal for relaxing after a day spent exploring the glorious Namib Sand Sea surrounds.

The fluid rooflines of award-winning Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp are a softly-spoken tribute to its almost inexpressibly beautiful desert surrounds.

Guests seeking a romantic interlude cannot get further ‘away from it all’ than here, in Namibia’s world-famous Skeleton Coast National Park. Generously appointed tented suites offer every little luxury a couple desires, accompanied by discreet service, mindful cuisine and a thoughtfully curated wine list. And for those seeking added seclusion, the honeymoon suite is the perfect spot – tucked out of sight of the rest of the camp and isolated from everything except the one you love.

Nature drives in the ephemeral, dry Hoanib River bed serve up rewarding sightings, including desert-adapted megafauna – from the area’s ponderous elephant and giraffe to even the occasional lion.

For couples seeking a balance of classic romance and adventure, Toka Leya delivers, and then some. Drift along the mighty Zambezi River as hippos yawn within metres of your boat and elephants gather on the banks. Or simply sit in silence gazing at the sun setting over this legendary African watercourse.

Your safari here can unfold in many ways: wildlife viewing on the water, slow guided nature walks, or a short walk in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park to view white rhino with expert scouts. It’s just a short drive to Victoria Falls, one of the world’s great natural wonders, and nearby Livingstone, Zambia’s adventure capital, where white-water rafting and bungee jumping add an exhilarating spark to your journey together.

Elegant Shumba, named after the prides of lion seen in the area, is found on a wooded island in the centre of the Kafue’s million-hectare Busanga Plains. Home to hundreds of red lechwe, puku and other plains game – and their predators – the wild and remote floodplains seem to go on forever. Standing sentry over these endless plains are six luxury tented units raised on wooden platforms. Each spacious room is a tranquil retreat for observing the wilderness – either from your bed, the various seating areas and even the indoor and outdoor showers.

Game drives in the area bring you up close to the wealth of wildlife, from prolific herds of buffalo and elephant, to the drama of the lion prides, and other carnivores that lurk nearby.  

In the heart of a large private concession at the edge of the Zambezi Valley’s Mana Pools National Park, Ruckomechi looks out from the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. Ruckomechi’s location means that our guests not only enjoy daily game drives but can explore the river by boat – either on a magical sunrise or sunset river cruise. The camp also offers canoeing on the legendary river, as well as catch-and-release fishing.

Ruckomechi’s Star Bed is an outdoor sleeping platform situated about 400 metres from the camp. Fall asleep under a blanket of stars while the sounds of the African night soothe you to sleep. Guests can request dinner or breakfast – a delightful indulgence to enjoy at this romantic and secluded spot.

Linkwasha’s clean, contemporary appearance is neatly juxtaposed against the rugged wilderness of Hwange’s most productive concession. Design elements pay homage to the area’s Ndebele culture, and mealtimes offer an appetising profusion of culinary imagination. A seclusion-seeking pair might take in the wildlife parade without moving from the privacy of their roomy suite, watching the herds head over to the waterhole in camp. Alternatively, enquire about a night at the sublime Scott’s Pan Star Bed, for a sleep-out at this busy wildlife-magnet.

Closer to the action, from the sunken hide an afternoon siesta becomes a photographer’s dream, capturing thirsty elephant matriarchs and their playful calves taking their share of the much-appreciated fresh water.

The legendary Ngamo Plains are just one of the stops on a game drive that may well produce more than 100 bird species, antelope specials including roan, sable and wildebeest, and of course, Hwange’s majestic big cats, from lion to cheetah and leopard.