21 Day Romantic Getaway Honeymoon

A representative of African Sky will meet you in the arrivals hall of O.R. Tambo International Airport and assist you with walking between terminals and checking in for your flight to Mbombela (Nelspruit). Here, you will be met and transferred to Summerfields Rose Retreat, an intimate owner-run property on the banks of the Sabie River in the Lowveld. At Summerfields, a collection of secluded tented suites and a forest suite with river and forest views provides an ideal romantic escape, surrounded by orchards of macadamia, litchi, and granadilla.

The first day will probably be spent relaxing after the long journey, enjoying the peaceful setting and perhaps a leisurely dinner at the renowned farm-to-table restaurant. On the second day of your stay, you could hike through the orchards, take a gentle nature stroll along the riverbanks or through the lush forest, savor the pampering treatments available at the Rose Spa, or relax at the river pool deck, where you can sometimes spot hippos in their natural environment. It is an unhurried introduction to South Africa’s Lowveld and to time together.

After breakfast and a relaxed morning, you will be met at 10 am for a transfer to Lukimbi Safari Lodge, built on a private concession in the southern Kruger National Park. The lodge blends harmoniously with the surrounding bush in a riverine setting and enjoys exclusive traversing rights over roughly 15,000 hectares of pristine wilderness. Elevated walkways link the spacious suites and central areas, while a swimming pool, library and viewing decks offer comfortable spaces from which to appreciate the landscape and wildlife between activities.

Your days at Lukimbi focus on safari experiences. Two open 4x4 game drives are conducted daily by experienced rangers and trackers who interpret the environment and help you find the Big Five and a variety of other species. Antelope such as kudu, wildebeest, zebra, waterbuck and impala are commonly seen, alongside giraffe, hippo and crocodile along the river. Birders will delight in the rich variety of birdlife, many of which can be spotted from your room’s veranda or from the lodge’s main deck. Evenings are often rounded off with dinner under the stars and the distant calls of the African night.

Your last morning at Lukimbi is again devoted to a safari excursion into the surrounding wilderness, followed by a hearty breakfast. Thereafter you are transferred to the airport near Mbombela (Nelspruit) for a scheduled flight to Cape Town, where mountains meet the Atlantic Ocean. On arrival, guests are met and transferred to their hotel at the V&A Waterfront, within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants and the harbor. Comfortable rooms, warm hospitality and convenient access to many of the city’s highlights make this an excellent base for exploring Cape Town.

During your four-night stay you have ample free time to explore at your own pace. A short stroll brings you to the Two Oceans Aquarium and the V&A’s many boutiques and eateries, while the city center, with the Company’s Garden, Houses of Parliament, Castle of Good Hope and museums, lies only a few kilometers away. Beaches like Camps Bay and Clifton invite lazy afternoons in the sun, and weather permitting, a cable car trip to the top of Table Mountain offers iconic views. One full day is reserved for a privately guided Cape Peninsula tour, visiting Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope and the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Please confirm your preferred date for this tour with us before arrival.

On the first day of your Cape Winelands visit, an African Sky guide will meet you after breakfast for a full-day Winelands tour en route to your next destination. Your first stop is the historic university town of Stellenbosch, regarded as the heart of South Africa’s wine industry. Here you can admire some of the country’s finest examples of Cape Dutch architecture, set along oak-lined streets, and enjoy the relaxed small-town atmosphere. You then visit two well-known wineries in the area, where an introduction to the winemaking process is included and you have the opportunity to sample some of South Africa’s finest wines.

In the late afternoon, you continue to Franschhoek, the “French Corner” of the Cape. The area was settled by French Huguenots in the late seventeenth century, and their winemaking heritage continues today in vineyards that produce acclaimed wines. The second and third days are spent at leisure in Franschhoek, where you can stroll between galleries, boutiques and cafés, ride the local wine tram, or visit additional estates for tastings and leisurely lunches against a backdrop of dramatic mountains. Your accommodations are centrally located, with many attractions and activities within walking distance, making it easy to enjoy the valley at your own pace.

Honeymooners are met at 10 am for a transfer to De Hoop Nature Reserve. The route crosses the scenic Franschhoek Pass before traversing the apple-growing region around Grabouw and joining the N2 highway. From there, you travel through the rolling farmlands of the Overberg before reaching the town of Swellendam. A final stretch on a good gravel road brings you to De Hoop, one of South Africa’s most celebrated coastal conservation areas, known for its fynbos, dune-fringed coastline and the productive De Hoop Vlei wetland.

The reserve is home to antelope such as bontebok and eland, along with an impressive array of birdlife. From June to November, Southern right whales can often be seen close to shore as they come to calve and mate, making De Hoop one of the world’s premier land-based whale-watching destinations. Your days are spent relaxing in this tranquil environment, hiking along trails, exploring tidal pools or booking one of the many optional activities, which may include guided nature drives, marine walks, boat trips on the vlei, vulture experiences in the Potberg Mountains, mountain biking, stargazing or spa treatments.

Optional Activities (Will incur an additional charge)

Activities are Subject to Availability. If you know which activities you want to include, we will gladly pre-book them.

Guided Nature Drives

These drives are in open vehicles, led by a local guide, and explore the reserve's rich flora and fauna.

Marine Walks

On a guided walk with a knowledgeable guide, discover intertidal zones and learn about the coastal ecosystem and marine life.

Vulture Experience

On this guided tour, visit the Potberg Mountains to view the endangered Cape vulture and learn more about these magnificent birds.

Eco Boat Trips

Savor a boat trip on De Hoop Vlei to observe the landscape and spot various bird species.

Mountain Biking

Mountain Bikes can be rented to enjoy the many trails that crisscross the reserve.

Guided Whale Watching

From June to November, you can join a whale-watching tour to view Southern right whales that come close to shore to calve and mate.

Stargazing

Visitors can participate in an hour-long stargazing experience with a local expert.

Spa Treatments

Various massages and spa treatments are available.

Bird Watching

Enjoy an accompanied bird-watching tour in search of the 260 species identified at the de Hoop.

On your last morning at De Hoop, you will be met for a transfer to the coastal town of Mossel Bay, considered the western gateway to South Africa’s Garden Route. The drive passes through the agricultural towns of Heidelberg and Riversdale before descending to the Indian Ocean. Your hotel is located near the Bartolomeu Dias Museum complex and overlooks the bay, with distant mountain ranges framing the horizon. It is perfectly placed for exploring both the town and broader region.

Many shops and restaurants lie within walking distance of the hotel, while the blue-flag Santos Beach, less than a kilometre away, invites relaxed days of swimming and sunbathing. Guests who prefer more activity can arrange optional excursions such as shark cage-diving, seal island cruises or fishing trips that depart from the nearby harbor. The wider Garden Route offers additional golf courses, hiking trails and coastal viewpoints, with renowned courses like Pinnacle Point and Fancourt reachable by short drives. It is an ideal setting to unwind and reflect on your journey toward the end of your romantic interlude.

After a final unhurried breakfast overlooking the bay, there is usually time for a short walk along the waterfront or one last visit to the nearby Diaz Museum complex before departure. Take a moment to soak up the sea air, browse for a few last souvenirs, or simply relax at the hotel and reflect on the highlights of the past three weeks spent exploring South Africa together. Your driver will meet you at a pre-arranged time at the hotel reception.

You are then transferred to George Airport in good time for your flight to Johannesburg. On arrival at O.R. Tambo International, you will connect with your onward international arrangements, marking the end of a honeymoon that has combined safaris, city experiences, wine country, coastal wilderness and the Garden Route. Though the journey concludes here, the shared memories of sunsets, wildlife encounters and quiet moments together should endure long after your return home.