Romantic South Africa: Pampering Plus Adventure
by Robin Amster /South Africa offers the kind of attractions that are the gold standard of romance travel: luxury accommodations, beautiful beaches, gourmet dining and gorgeous scenery.
But the country has become an even more attractive romance destination as a growing number of honeymooners and romance travelers choose to make adventure a part of their experience.
“South Africa is a great honeymoon destination,” says Karin Jones, managing director, Anastasia’s Africa. “Clients are usually looking for something romantic, of course. That often means beaches.
“But more honeymooners are looking for adventures these days. They want to have experiences together.”
Beth Karlicek, senior vice president of operations and planning for Alexander+Roberts, agrees. “Lots of honeymooners these days are looking for excitement,” she says. “You can go diving in a shark cage or have some other nature encounters aside from safaris.
“For many people there’s romance inherent in those active experiences. That’s the beauty of South Africa. I truly believe it’s got a little something for everyone.”
Lions and tigers and . . . romance
In Kruger National, the continent’s oldest national park, and other game preserves, luxury lodges offer private suites, spa treatments, fine dining and the thrill of spotting the Big Five—elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard—a thrill enhanced by sharing the experience with a loved one.
“South Africa offers the ability to deliver so many more romance options,” said Jones. “They’ve got beautiful lodges with private plunge pools. They have private tree houses. At the end of a game drive we can surprise a honeymoon couple with a tree house stay for the two of them.
“We can have dinner and a bottle of wine waiting for them. The treehouses were featured recently on the TV show “The Bachelor.”
Beautiful landscapes
Couples can find romance not only in South Africa’s game parks but throughout South Africa, according to Sthu Zungu, president of South African Tourism North America.
“American couples are choosing South Africa because we offer settings that will forever inspire and enrich their lives,” she says.
The country has a diverse landscape of mountains, deserts, bush lands and savannas as well as 1,800 miles of coastline along the Atlantic and Indian oceans.
Urban pursuits
South Africa’s sophisticated cities like Cape Town are a good bet for romance clients interested in an urban experience. Nestled beneath Table Mountain, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, Cape Town boasts a magical setting.
The city has great shopping along the V&A Waterfront and at local markets along with museums and five-star hotels.
“You can give honeymooners an amazing time in a great city,” Jones says of Cape Town. “It’s comparable to San Francisco, Sydney, Seattle and incredibly beautiful. There’s a vibrant cultural scene, food and wine scene as well.”
Vintage romance
Karlicek also suggests the country’s Winelands for honeymoons or romantic get-a-ways. “There are some incredibly charming little towns there that make for a romantic visit,” she adds.
From Cape Town, 14 wine routes fan north and west into the countryside. The Stellenbosch, South Africa’s oldest and longest wine route, is only a 45-minute drive from Cape Town.
At Cape Dutch-style wine estates, surrounded by vineyards, mountains and rivers, couples stop to sample prime vintages, including pinotage, South Africa’s unique red wine created from a blend of pinot noir and cinsaut (or hermitage) grapes.
The Stellenbosch also hosts festivals, horseback rides and walking tours including a 15-mile Vineyard Hiking Trail.
Romantic rail journeys
For romance hearkening back to an earlier era, agents can book luxury suites for clients aboard South Africa’s luxurious Blue Train or Rovos Rail.
The Blue Train travels between Cape Town and Pretoria, 30 miles outside Johannesburg. Spacious wood-paneled suites feature individual air-conditioning, marble and gold-fitted baths and lavish beds with goose-down duvets.
With Royal Suites half the length of a rail car, Rovos Rail offers a three-day luxury journey between Cape Town and Pretoria.
Clients can also take a three-day Durban Safari from Pretoria to Durban, a seaside resort city known for its “Golden Mile,” a three-mile-long swath of sand along the Indian Ocean.
Ana Figueroa and Monique Burns contributed to this story.