Where to Go on Safari in South Africa: Best Regions for a Honeymoon

South Africa safari regions at a glance

Where to go on safari in South Africa

Greater Kruger: South Africa’s most iconic safari region

If you’ve always dreamed of waking up in an ultra-luxury safari lodge, heading out on game drives in search of lions and leopards, and ending the day with sundowners overlooking the bush, Greater Kruger is probably what you’re picturing!

This region is widely considered the gold standard for safaris in South Africa.

Greater Kruger includes Kruger National Park along with a collection of private reserves that share unfenced boundaries with the national park. 

Wildlife moves freely between them, creating an enormous wilderness area that has some of the best game viewing on the continent.

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is South Africa’s flagship safari destination. The park offers incredible wildlife viewing and is popular with self-drive travellers. 

The park is huge and is amazing for travellers who want freedom to explore at their own pace.

However, if you want a luxury safari honeymoon, I generally recommend looking beyond the national park itself and towards the private reserves that border it.

Compared to Kruger National Park, staying in a private game reserve will give you a much more exclusive and luxury experience.

If you’re trying to decide between the two, make sure you read my guide comparing Kruger National Park and private game reserves.

The private reserves of Greater Kruger

If you’re trying to decide where to go on safari in South Africa, the private reserves bordering Kruger National Park generally offer the bucket list experience.

These reserves share unfenced boundaries with the national park, meaning wildlife moves freely between them, but the safari experience is far more exclusive.

Instead of sharing sightings with dozens of vehicles, you’ll often have more intimate encounters with wildlife alongside expert guides and trackers who know the landscape inside out. 

Many reserves also allow off-road driving, which can make a huge difference when tracking elusive animals like leopards or getting closer to sightings.

For honeymooners, the lodges here are also incredible! You’ll get private plunge pools overlooking the bush, outdoor showers, candlelit dinners under the stars and beautifully designed suites that feel completely immersed in nature.

Private reserves typically offer:

• Off-road game viewing for closer wildlife encounters
• Smaller numbers of vehicles at sightings
• Expert guides and trackers
• More exclusive and personalised safari experiences
• Luxury all-inclusive lodges with exceptional service
• Honeymoon-friendly extras such as private dining and romantic room set-ups

Private reserves come at a higher price point than staying inside Kruger National Park, but many couples feel the elevated experience is well worth the investment – particularly for a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon!

Most famous reserves in Greater Kruger

Sabi Sands

If you’re dreaming of a classic luxury safari honeymoon, Sabi Sands is often considered the best of the best.

This private game reserve borders Kruger National Park and is world-famous for offering some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa. It’s also considered one of the most reliable places in the world to see leopards!

Sabi Sands is home to South Africa’s most luxurious safari lodges. Many properties have private plunge pools, beautiful suites overlooking the bush, exceptional dining experiences and ultra-personal service. 

Sabi Sands is the ultimate luxury safari honeymoon destination. It’s the kind of place where you can spend the morning tracking lions and leopards before returning to your suite for a couples’ massage or a private dinner under the stars.

If you want a bucket-list safari honeymoon with exceptional wildlife viewing and world-class accommodation, Sabi Sands is pretty hard to beat and one that I’ll recommend again and again!

Recommended honeymoon lodges:

• Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
• Leopard Hills
• Singita Boulders Lodge

Timbavati

Timbavati is located just north of Sabi Sands and shares the same unfenced ecosystem as Kruger National Park but with a slightly different atmosphere.

Wildlife viewing is impressive in Timbavati and it is famous for its rare white lions. The reserve also feels a little wilder and quieter than Sabi Sands.

A lot of travellers are drawn to this reserve because it offers a more authentic bush experience while still giving five-star luxury and comfort.

Timbavati can be an excellent choice for honeymooners if you want brilliant game viewing and beautiful lodges, but prefer a safari experience that feels slightly more remote and less exclusive in the traditional luxury sense.

Recommended honeymoon lodges:

• Tanda Tula Safari Camp
• Kings Camp

Thornybush

Thornybush is another of Greater Kruger’s best-known private reserves and is a good choice if you want to balance luxury and wildlife viewing with value.

Like Sabi Sands and Timbavati, Thornybush has unfenced boundaries with Kruger National Park, allowing wildlife to move freely throughout the reserve. 

The area is home to the Big Five and offers amazing game viewing with experienced guides who will help you track everything from lions and elephants to leopards.

Thornybush has a collection of contemporary lodges that are perfect for couples. Many have private plunge pools, outdoor baths, beautiful bush views and romantic dining experiences so it’s a great setting for a honeymoon.

This private game reserve doesn’t have the same international reputation as Sabi Sands, but it offers a similar luxury safari experience at a more accessible price point! 

Recommended honeymoon lodges:

• Saseka Tented Camp
• Monwana Game Lodge

Why choose Greater Kruger?

For a lot of honeymooners, Greater Kruger delivers the classic, bucket list safari. This is the region that most people picture when they plan an African safari.

You’ll find the most luxurious lodges on the continent and some of the country’s best game viewing.

Greater Kruger is best for couples who want:

• Exceptional Big Five sightings
• Luxury and ultra-luxury safari lodges
• The widest choice of private reserves and accommodation
• High chances of seeing predators, including leopards
• A classic bucket-list honeymoon experience

If wildlife is your number one priority and you want to invest in luxury – this is probably where I’d send you!

The Eastern Cape: The most accessible safari region in South Africa

Greater Kruger gets a lot of the attention in South Africa but the Eastern Cape is actually one of my favourite safari regions. I volunteered here in 2023 and saw first-hand what makes it so special!

The Eastern Cape has conservation-focused private reserves and the most beautiful landscapes, but it also wins when it comes to location and seasonality.

If you’re planning on visiting other destinations in South Africa like Cape Town or the Garden Route, the Eastern Cape can make a lot more sense as your safari destination. It’s much easier to combine the Eastern Cape with these destinations than it is Greater Kruger.

Another major benefit of the Eastern Cape is that the region is malaria-free so it’s a good choice if you don’t want to take malaria medication during your honeymoon.

Plus, the Eastern Cape is more suited to year-round safaris than Greater Kruger. Unlike Kruger that experiences more distinct dry and green seasons, the Eastern Cape is brilliant at most times of the year.

I visited in January / February which is typically considered out of season for a South African safari, but it was still perfect for game viewing and we had lovely warm temperatures.

Like Greater Kruger, you’ll find amazing private game reserves in the Eastern Cape with luxury all-inclusive safari experiences. There are also fewer international visitors than Greater Kruger, so a safari can feel more intimate and less crowded.

The Eastern Cape offers brilliant value, too. In most cases, you can experience a luxury safari lodge at a much lower price point than an equivalent property in Sabi Sands or Timbavati.

Why honeymooners love the Eastern Cape

• Malaria-free
• Easy to combine with the Garden Route
• Shorter transfer times
• Excellent luxury lodges
• Strong conservation focus
• Great value compared to some Greater Kruger reserves

Top private reserves in the Eastern Cape

Amakhala Game Reserve

I volunteered at Amakhala and spent a lot of time with the rangers, anti-poaching team and conservationists here and I absolutely recommend it for a South African safari! 

This private game reserve is located just an hour from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). It’s one of the most accessible safari destinations in the Eastern Cape and is fantastic for first-time safari visitors.

The reserve is home to the Big Five (although when we visited the leopards hadn’t been seen in a while). The reserve is also on a smaller scale so it has a more intimate safari experience than some of South Africa’s larger options.

What I particularly love about Amakhala is its strong conservation focus and the opportunity to experience a safari that feels genuinely connected to the landscape and the people working to protect it.

Amakhala offers a perfect balance of wildlife, luxury and value. It’s a good choice if you want to incorporate a luxury safari into a wider South Africa itinerary without stretching the budget too far.

Recommended honeymoon lodges:

• Bukela Game Lodge
• Amakhala Safari Lodge
• HillsNek Safari Camp

Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Shamwari is often viewed as one of the best safari destinations in the Eastern Cape. The reserve is one of the largest in the area and is home to several luxury lodges, each offering a slightly different style of safari experience.

Shamwari is known for its conservation work and rehabilitation programmes. It also has beautiful landscapes and offers excellent guiding, so it’s a fantastic option if you want a luxury safari with strong eco credentials.

Recommended honeymoon lodges:

• Shamwari Eagles Crag
• Bayethe

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Kwandwe is one of the most exclusive safari reserves in the Eastern Cape. It’s set across 30,000 hectares of private wilderness and offers a wild and authentic safari experience.

The landscapes in Kwandwe are particularly beautiful with rolling hills, river valleys and grassy plains that create a dramatic backdrop for game drives. The reserve is also known for its luxury lodges and highly personalised service.

Recommended honeymoon lodges:

• Ecca Lodge
• Great Fish River Lodge

Kariega Game Reserve

Kariega is one of the Eastern Cape’s most scenic safari reserves. The reserve is centred around the Kariega and Bushmans Rivers, which creates a landscape that feels a little different from other traditional safari destinations.

This setting also means you can enjoy more than just game drives. Depending on where you stay, you’ll be able to add activities like river cruises and canoeing, too!

Recommended honeymoon lodges:

• Kariega River Lodge
• Settlers Drift
• Ukhozi Lodge

Why choose the Eastern Cape?

In my opinion, the Eastern Cape is a brilliant choice if you want to combine a safari with some of South Africa’s other highlights.

The location of the Eastern Cape means it’s easy to incorporate into itineraries that include Cape Town and the Garden Route. It makes it a much more seamless journey than Kruger, while still balancing wildlife, scenery and relaxation.

Choose the Eastern Cape if you:

• Are exploring the Garden Route
• Want a malaria-free safari
• Value convenience alongside exceptional wildlife experiences
• Are looking for excellent value for money
• Want to support conservation-focused reserves
• Prefer a less crowded safari experience

Even though Greater Kruger is considered South Africa’s most iconic safari destination, the Eastern Cape absolutely needs to be on your list to consider.

For many couples, the combination of malaria-free reserves, outstanding lodges, conservation-led tourism and easy logistics makes it one of the best safari choices in South Africa!

Madikwe Game Reserve: One of South Africa’s most exclusive, malaria-free safaris

Madikwe Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s best-kept safari secrets. This private game reserve is located close to the border of Botswana and is one of the country’s largest private wildlife reserves.

Even though Madikwe offers amazing Big Five game viewing and exclusivity that’s becoming difficult to find in some of the more well-known safari destinations, this reserve remains relatively under the radar.

One of the biggest advantages of choosing Madikwe is that it’s malaria-free so you don’t have to worry about anti-malarial medication on your honeymoon. 

The reserve also offers many of the benefits travellers associate with Greater Kruger (like incredible wildlife viewing and beautiful lodges) in a more secluded setting.

Recommended honeymoon lodges

• Madikwe Safari Lodge
• Tuningi Safari Lodge
• Impodimo Game Lodge

Why choose Madikwe?

Madikwe is an excellent choice for honeymooners who:

• Want a malaria-free safari
• Are looking for luxury and exclusivity
• Prioritise excellent wildlife viewing
• Prefer fewer vehicles and quieter game drives
• Are travelling via Johannesburg
• Want a more intimate alternative to Greater Kruger

If you’re looking for a high-end safari experience with a more exclusive feel, Madikwe is one of the best places to go in South Africa!

KwaZulu-Natal: The best safari region for conservation and coastlines

Not many international visitors think about visiting KwaZulu-Natal even though it has one of South Africa’s most diverse safari experiences.

If you like the idea of variety, you definitely need this region on your list! 

This is a part of South Africa where wildlife, beaches, wetlands and conservation come together. It offers a different experience from the classic safari destinations of Greater Kruger and the Eastern Cape.

KwaZulu-Natal is one of the few places in South Africa where you can spend the morning on a game drive and the afternoon enjoying the coastline.

Top game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal 

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa. The park is best known for its role in saving the white rhino from extinction and remains one of the country’s most important wildlife areas today!

Phinda Private Game Reserve

Phinda is KwaZulu-Natal’s flagship luxury safari destination. It’s known for its diverse ecosystems, brilliant guiding, strong conservation ethos and high-end lodges.

Phinda offers a safari experience that feels different from Greater Kruger. The reserve covers seven unique habitats, so you’ll find incredible biodiversity and opportunities to see a wide range of wildlife.

Phinda’s location is also brilliant if you want to combine a beach destination in Mozambique. This combination is difficult to replicate elsewhere in South Africa so it creates a honeymoon that feels both adventurous and relaxing.

Recommended honeymoon lodges

• Phinda Mountain Lodge
• Phinda Forest Lodge
• Phinda Rock Lodge

Why choose KwaZulu-Natal?

KwaZulu-Natal is an excellent choice if you:

• Want to combine safari and beach time
• Are interested in conservation and biodiversity
• Have already visited Greater Kruger
• Are looking for a safari experience that’s slightly different from the norm

If you want variety, few regions in South Africa can compete with KwaZulu-Natal. The combination of wildlife, coastline and conservation makes it one of the country’s most amazing yet underrated safari destinations.

The Waterberg: South Africa’s most convenient malaria-free safari escape

The Waterberg region is located just north of Johannesburg and is another great malaria-free safari option for honeymooners.

Designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the region is known for its dramatic landscapes, rugged mountains and beautiful luxury lodges.

This region doesn’t have the same international profile as Greater Kruger, however, I sell a lot of safaris to this region!

Many reserves can be reached by road from Johannesburg so it’s particularly great if you don’t want to travel far into South Africa’s more remote wildlife regions.

Top private reserves in the Waterberg

Marataba

Marataba is a privately managed section of the Marakele National Park and is one of the Waterberg’s most famous luxury safari destinations. 

Surrounded by dramatic mountains, vast plains and winding river valleys, the scenery here is beautiful. It’s often the landscapes that guests remember most – even though the wildlife is incredible, too! 

Marataba offers a polished luxury safari experience with exceptional guiding, beautiful accommodation and a strong focus on conservation. It’s a standout choice if you want amazing wildlife and stunning scenery. 

Recommended honeymoon lodges:

• Marataba Safari Lodge
• Marataba Mountain Lodge

Welgevonden Game Reserve

Welgevonden is northeast of Marakele National Park in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve. 

Welgevonden is home to the Big Five and a wide variety of wildlife, but what I love most about this choice is that it’s committed to conservation and limits its visitor numbers. This means you can expect more exclusivity!

Welgevonden also has quality luxury lodges, many of which offer private plunge pools, panoramic bush views and highly personalised service. It’s a brilliant classic luxury safari experience without travelling to Greater Kruger.

Recommended honeymoon lodges:

• Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway
• Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa

Mabula Game Reserve

Mabula Game Lodge is one of the closest private reserves to Johannesburg, so it’s a convenient choice for a lot of travellers.

As a travel agent, I’ve sold a lot of holidays to Mabula. I’ve found that customers really love the accommodation, the service and the accessibility.

The reserve combines comfortable luxury lodges with a wide range of activities, making it appealing for first-time safari travellers. It also offers experiences like horseback safaris, guided bush walks and stargazing.

The safari experience feels different from more remote destinations such as Greater Kruger or Madikwe, but its accessibility and variety still make it a strong option.

Recommended honeymoon lodges:

• Mabula Game Lodge
• Safari Plains
• Kingfisher Villa

Why choose the Waterberg?

The Waterberg is an excellent choice for honeymooners who:

• Want a malaria-free safari
• Are travelling via Johannesburg
• Prefer dramatic scenery alongside wildlife viewing
• Have limited time in South Africa
• Are looking for a luxury safari without additional domestic flights

This region doesn’t have the same reputation as Greater Kruger, but it still offers a combination of beautiful landscapes, luxury lodges and easy logistics.

If you want a shorter safari experience or a convenient addition to a wider South Africa itinerary, it could be a brilliant option for you.

Pilanesberg National Park

Pilanesberg National Park is located around three hours from Johannesburg so it’s one of South Africa’s most accessible safari destinations and a popular choice if you have limited time.

The park is home to the Big Five and offers an opportunity to experience a safari without travelling to some of South Africa’s more remote wildlife regions.

Pilanesberg itself is a public national park, but you could stay in Black Rhino Game Reserve, which offers a more exclusive safari destination. 

This reserve is located on the North West side of Pilanesberg. It has its own secured private entrance, but has no boundary fences so wildlife can roam freely across both areas.

I would say that Pilanesberg is better as a convenient safari option rather than a dedicated safari destination in South Africa. 

If wildlife viewing and luxury lodges are the primary focus of your trip, I’d generally recommend the other regions mentioned in this list first.

However, if you’re short on time and want to experience a South African safari without taking additional domestic flights, Pilanesberg could work well.

Recommended honeymoon lodges

• Black Rhino Game Lodge
• Lush Private Lodge

Why choose Pilanesberg?

Pilanesberg is best suited if you:

• Have limited time in South Africa
• Are travelling via Johannesburg
• Want to avoid additional domestic flights
• Are looking for a shorter safari experience
• Prefer convenience over remoteness

If you’re planning a shorter honeymoon or adding a safari onto a wider South Africa itinerary, Pilanesberg can offer an accessible introduction to the country’s wildlife.

It doesn’t deliver the same level of exclusivity as Greater Kruger or Madikwe, but its proximity to Johannesburg makes it one of the easiest safari destinations to incorporate into a trip to this part of the country.

How much does a safari in South Africa cost?

The cost for a safari in South Africa will vary significantly depending on the region you choose, the time of year you travel and the level of luxury that you’re looking for.

As a rough guide, luxury safari lodges in South Africa typically range from around £500 to £2,500+ per person, per night. Ultra-luxury properties in Sabi Sands sit at the higher end of this scale.

For a detailed breakdown of safari costs, including realistic honeymoon budgets, read my guide to how much a South Africa safari honeymoon costs.

When is the best time to go on safari in South Africa?

One of the great things about South Africa is that you can go on safari year-round, but the best destination for your honeymoon can vary depending on when you’re travelling.

The dry winter months (May to September) are generally considered the best time for wildlife viewing in regions like Greater Kruger, as animals gather around water sources and vegetation is less dense. 

However, destinations like the Eastern Cape offer amazing game viewing throughout the year. This makes it a great choice during the South African summer when other safari regions are greener and hotter.

The best time to go on safari will depend on both your chosen destination and what you want from your honeymoon. For a detailed month-by-month breakdown, make sure you read my guide to the best time for a South African safari honeymoon.

Save for later!

Share this post: