In many ways, love is a celebration of smaller acts. But, every now and then, a bout of bravado beckons and nothing screams epic romance quite like an African adventure.
Also read: Tranquility meets adventure on these Western Cape safaris
Luxury eco-safari company, Green Safaris is, in many ways, a love project. Their mission is not only to introduce visitors to a more conscious method of exploration but also to help them fall in love with the environment while falling in love with each other – be it for the first time or all over again.
Their portfolio includes nine destinations across Zambia and Malawi, offering travellers seeking romantic safari escapes a hearty bundle of options.
Guests are encouraged to explore their itineraries as inspiration, although custom packages are welcome, too. The introduction of their Wings and Wheels programme reduces travel admin, with transfer flights and drives covered and included in your booking fee when you stay for four nights or more.
In true Green Safaris spirit, the only thing you need to do is pick your paradise.
Here are five romantic offerings to consider while planning your trip:
1. Love Island
If feeling like the only people on Earth is what you’re after, Kaya Mawa‘s secluded location in a bay off Lake Malawi will do the trick.
Here, on Likoma Island, privacy takes precedence with access to pristine beaches and tucked-away accommodations. Between bubble baths and sundowners, Green Safaris has curated a host of experiences that Cupid himself would envy.
Enjoy a romantic dinner on the beach, accompanied only by the gentle lapping of the lake. Head chef Cephus brings his expertise from his time at a 2-star Michelin restaurant in Holland, ensuring that your time here is spent deliciously.
Beyond these lakeside rendezvous, romance permeates every aspect of your stay, from indulging in treatments at Kaya Spa to taking a midnight dip in your private plunge pool.
Romantic room recommendations: Ngani, Makungulu, Nkhwazi and Mbamba, and their honeymoon house, Madimba.
2. Kafue Connection
Far from the crowds that Kafue National Park draws, you’ll discover a private piece of paradise, located on the Kafue River. At Ila Safari Lodge, silence is celebrated, offering you the space to disconnect from chaos and reconnect with each other.
Green Safaris has gone the extra mile to ensure uninterrupted serenity with the inclusion of experiences like a silent safari, made possible with the introduction of electronic game vehicles.
When you’re not exploring the landscape, loll in some alone time with a special dinner, set up and serviced by the Green Team on your private deck. Or head to the infinity pool, where cocktails for two always seem to taste better.
Romantic room recommendations: The Luxury Couples tents, all fused with the outdoors, have outdoor showers and baths – the perfect place to soak, glass of bubbly in hand, and watch the sunset.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Unwind on the white-sand beaches of the Maldives with a 7-night getaway for R10 999 (valued at 19 999). Get it here.
3. Love on the Plains
Got love on the brain? Make that love on the (Busunga) Plains, where one-of-a-kind nests are waiting at Chisa Busanga Camp. ‘Lovebirds’ is given tangibility here, where you have the unique opportunity to live like a swallow in a nest – a very opulent nest, that is.
The nests themselves cater to travellers seeking seclusion and intimacy. Revel further in romance with a sundowner on your private deck. If you do decide to leave the nest; fly the coop; spread your wings, it will be oh-so worth it. An exclusive dinner or picnic on the Plains awaits, where witnessing thousands of antelope (lechwe) on the move isn’t uncommon.
Each nest includes all the creature comforts of home, plus that private deck overlooking the landscape, perfect for stargazing after dark. There is also a nest with an electric lift.
4. Riverside rendezvous
At Sausage Tree Camp, located in the Lower Zambezi National Park, incredible game viewing retains value as an authentic safari destination. But it’s Green Safaris’ attention to detail and emphasis on luxury that elevates. This is the pinnacle of bush chic, and there’s plenty of room for romance.
There are few experiences more magical than enjoying a meal in nature, which you can do when staying here. Level up with a river lunch, during which you can dine with your toes dipped in the Zambezi.
Sandbank locations are handpicked by the expert team and move depending on the season and the height of the river.
If the allure of the water gets under your skin, get even closer to it with a privately guided boat or canoe safari, where you can see – in unobstructed detail – the life that thrives alongside (and in) the Zambezi. Then cool off at the lap pool, where sundowners are accompanied by the hum of hippos and passing wildlife, before retreating to your Luxury Tented Suite.
5. Victoria Falling
First love, for many, is accompanied by sweaty palms and a racing heart. Victoria Falls tends to have the same effect, not only for her good looks but mighty aura. Green Safaris’ Livingstone Island Experience offers you the chance to soak it all in – quite literally if a dip in Devil’s Pool is up your alley.
Located on the Zambian side of the chasm, you’re not only offered a completely safe way to swim, but a collection of experiences that makes the Falls so much more than a pitstop. A short distance (15 and 12 kilometres) upstream from this natural wonder is Tongabezi Lodge and Sindabezi Island Lodge, where you’ll find a lot to love at both properties.
The Honeymoon House at Tongabezi promises tranquility with its boho-chic decor and outdoor bathtub overlooking the Zambezi River, while the Honeymoon Chalet at Sindabezi, complete with a four-poster bed and hammock on your private deck, is the epitome of an island hideaway.
Both lodges celebrate the best of the Zambezi River while retaining all things adored about a traditional safari holiday. The proximity of the water elevates with experiences like a sampan dinner, where you can indulge while bobbing on the river, beneath the stars, and sandbar sundowners on the riverbank.
The New York Times once described the Falls as ‘a place worth getting married for’, if you needed another reason to swoon.
Details:
- Website: greensafaris.com
- Reservations: +26 097 931 2766
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under R100 000. Find car listings here.
Also read:
Romantic hotel stays for Valentine’s Day in the Western Cape
Picture: Supplied
