FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Planning honeymoon-- first safari trip

Oct 3, 2018 | 7:48 am

#2

SilverSpoon

Join Date: Nov 2017

Location: London

Programs: Avios

Posts: 165

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmrivera

Hi everyone!

I've lurked around Flyertalk for a while, but have finally decided to post to get some advice from the experts! My fiance and I are in the process of planning our honeymoon and first safari trip. Our wedding is in March 2019, but we are taking our honeymoon in August/September 2019 so we can have a longer (2 week) vacation. Right now we are considering a few different itineraries--

Option 1: Cape Town/Kruger/Seychelles
- 4-5 nights in Cape Town and Franschhoek - stay at Cape Grace (or Westin if we wanted to use points) and either La Residence or Leeu Estates
- 6 nights Sabi Sands / Kruger - stay at Singita Boulders + Lebombo/Sweni
- 3-4 nights in Seychelles - stay at Six Senses or FS?
* This option might be too aggressive since we want to do a Friday-Sunday 2 week trip. I am using my miles on United for our flights in Business, but none of the itineraries (at least those online) seem <2 stops to get to Cape Town.
* Is it worth going to the Seychelles? I don't want to spend too much time traveling between destinations, but I also have in my mind having some beach component during our honeymoon. Not sure if Seychelles is quite worth the price tag of some of the resorts, as some reviews seem mixed? I am not really excited about Zanzibar, Mozambique or Mauritius as I haven't heard positive reviews about these places vs. Seychelles - but let me know if I should reconsider

* Thoughts on the safari lodges? Also considering Lion Sands (the treehouse!), Londolozi Private Granite Suites, or Royal Malewane - all seem to have great reviews around here

Option 2: East Africa Safari / Seychelles
- 1 night arrive in Tanzania
- 6 nights Grumeti - Singita Sabora + Sasakwa
- 5 nights in Seychelles
* This one would be more manageable in terms of travel. Really wanted to do Giraffe Manor in Kenya but it's totally booked so I just took that leg out, and it'll give us extra time to recuperate between work + honeymoon
* In August / Sept would there be many animals around the Singita Grumeti area? I'm worried that most of the migration would have already headed north, and that would be really disappointing... that said, I like the idea of the beautiful landscapes of the Serengeti, and many friends are doing Tanzania for their safari trips, so I wanted to make sure to at least consider it

Anything else I should be considering or thinking about?
Thank you!!

I have done similar to you South Africa option and was one of my favourite holidays of all time.

We did six days in Cape Town, split between Ellerman House (highly recommended and I believe popular on here) which is a little out of town and The One and Only which is on the V & A Waterfront. I believe Cape Grace is a better option though as One and Only is a little soulless. We popped into Cape Grace for a drink and it's lovely. Have you looked at the Silo? I've not been but it looks interesting.

Winelands are only about a 45 minute drive - we did two days there at La Residence. It's a beautiful property with exquisite service but the decor is an acquired taste. I preferred more modern look of Delaire Graff estate (we went for lunch) which has very beautiful views. However the latter is less private as the restaurant and winery are open to the public. The lodges however are separate.

We also did Lebombo and Boulders (two nights in each) they are two of the most sensational properties I've ever stayed in. I would recommend Lebombo first in order to save the best for last. Boulders is my favourite hotel ever.

I can't comment on the Seychelles element as I've never been.

The Tanzania option looks incredible too. I've stayed at Giraffe Manor, I hope you get to one day. Perhaps also look a Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, it's on my bucket list.

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