Perhaps the most significant vacation of your life is your honeymoon, which you will want to cherish forever. The ideal components for making treasured memories that will last for years to come are romance, indulgence, stunning locations, starry skies, and memorable moments.

Whether you want to see a peaceful giant silverback in Rwanda’s jungle, glide over the Masai Mara in a hot-air balloon, or sleep under the stars in the surreal Okavango Delta, an African safari vacation may provide it all. Here are some ideas for places to go on your ideal honeymoon safari in Africa.

The following locations are not listed in any particular order of merit.

1. An Unusual Honeymoon Safari in Botswana

One of Africa’s most romantic spots for a safari vacation is Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Part of its charm is observing the tiniest frogs and the largest hippos while discreetly navigating a seemingly infinite maze of rivers in a mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe. With more than 400 species, the birding is amazing, and the animals is captivating. Lions, giraffes, wild dogs, and hundreds of elephants are among its inhabitants.

2. Kenya: The Masai Mara Offers a Genuine “Out of Africa” Experience

Safaris in Kenya’s Maasai Mara are known for being crowded and busy, especially during the Great Migration when millions of zebras and wildebeests swarm over the plains from the Serengeti. However, it is easy to get away from the hoards and just enjoy its beauty. Check out Angama Mara, a modern-chic lodge perched high on the Rift Valley escarpment, if you’re a sucker for nostalgia. Situated on the set of the iconic film Out of Africa, it evokes the romance of a bygone era.

At sunrise or sunset, staff will organize a lavish champagne picnic at the same kopje where Meryl Streep and Robert Redford stood for the iconic poster. Or take a hot air balloon ride above the Mara River and land at a champagne breakfast. By booking a stay, you support the lodge’s Foundation, which collaborates with nearby communities on conservation, healthcare, and education.

3. A Once-in-a-Lifetime Gorilla Safari in Rwanda

Looking into the eyes of a silverback gorilla in the middle of the rainforest must be the most memorable experience of all time, and there’s no better time to do it than during your honeymoon. Spending time with these captivating creatures in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is an expensive but invaluable experience, as a tracking permit costs US$1500. Sharing this incredible wildlife experience with a loved someone is essential.

The trek to see the mountain gorillas might be challenging. When you arrive at their location, you will have only an hour to spend with them after hiking through thick bamboo forests or jungle. However, the hour will pass quickly as you observe baby gorillas swinging through trees, playing, and squealing while mothers tenderly care for their young and the large silverback keeps watch over everyone.

When your stay is over, check out Volcanoes Safaris’ Virunga Lodge, which was recognized by the World Boutique Hotel Awards as “Africa’s Best Romantic Retreat.” It’s hard not to fall in love with this beautiful location, which offers breathtaking views of the park’s lakes and the towering volcanoes of the Virunga range.

4. Zanzibar and the Tanzanian Mainland: Beach and Bush Classics

Tanzania offers a honeymoon that will never be forgotten, making it the most popular African safari destination. As wildebeest follow their centuries-old cyclical trek from the Serengeti into Kenya’s Masai Mara in search of better grazing, witness the most breathtaking natural phenomena on earth.

From the terraces of the charming AndBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, you can also enjoy breathtaking views of the world’s biggest complete caldera, Ngorongoro Crater, which is home to some 30,000 wild creatures, including the Big Five.

After that, take a plane to the exotic Spice Island of Zanzibar, explore Stone Town’s winding streets and Swahili culture, and relax on the white sand beaches of Matemwe, Jambiani, or Bwejuu. For the utmost luxury, however, travel to Pemba Island, Zanzibar’s younger sister, and spend the night in a special underwater room at The Manta Resort, surrounded by the romanticism of the Indian Ocean.

5. Zambia: South Luangwa Walking Safaris

South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is the place to go if you want a genuine back-to-nature experience and peaceful seclusion during your African safari vacation or honeymoon. Without the limitations of a 4X4, South Luangwa, the origin of walking safaris, provides incredible up-close and intimate experiences.

Things you would never experience in a car are smelled, seen, touched, and heard when you are walking in the bush. Your senses are heightened, allowing you to connect with nature in the most fundamental and exquisite ways.

The excitement of tracking elephants on foot while staying downwind to prevent them from detecting your scent is something you’ll never forget. Or waiting for a leopard to return to its prey, safely hidden in a tree’s boughs, while hunched over in stillness. Remain in stunning, rustic lodges with plenty of amenities.

Or stay in basic fly-camps and walk to a new spot each day for a real bush experience. After that, travel to Livingstone and have a helicopter ride above the roaring Victoria Falls, where you can take in the majesty and might of the powerful Zambezi.