On Saturday 25th October my I set off to cycle to Eastbourne as part of my fundraising for Malawi next year. I chose this destination as the mileage, via cycle paths, was almost the same distance as the width of Lake Malawi. It was certainly a challenge! The start of the journey was great; my dad and I set off on the Forest Way to Groombridge full of spirits and relieved the weather was on our side.

That part was accomplished with ease and we were still feeling fresh, which was just as well when we had only covered a fraction of the journey. The next part of the journey took us on to more bridleways than smooth cycle paths and certainly made for a more difficult, hilly and tiring ride. It was with relief that we arrived at Heathfield and after stopping for some well needed refreshments we headed off on the lovely, smooth, quiet, Cuckoo Trail. It was a much easier ride for the next 14 miles and soon we were approaching Hampden Park in Eastbourne. Leaving the cuckoo trail behind, we cycled the last couple of miles to the seafront where we were met by Mum and the promise of fish and chips.

Thank you to the many staff at school who have sponsored me, as well as the staff and Partners at Place Campbell & Co Accountants, Karen and Alison at Acorn Recruitment and Paul and Tracey at Travel Butlers, African Safari holiday specialists. To date this ride has raised over £350 which is amazing.

Following the very moving Ebola appeal that was aired on all major TV channels in the UK last night, we have been contacted by a number of clients asking the same questions: should I cancel my trip to Africa? It is easy to understand the worry and distress that the Ebola coverage is causing in the UK, however Africa is huge and the whole of Southern and East Africa is literally thousands of miles away from the outbreak and all the countries that we book for our clients are considered safe from the disease.

To put this into context, the outbreak in West Africa is over 3500 miles away from Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa, and over 3,000 miles from Botswana and Namibia – London is about 3000 miles from the affected area, so many of these places are further from the centre of the outbreak than the UK.

Whilst the situation in West Africa is very serious, the disease is not airborne and does not spread quickly or easily – a fact that can be confirmed when we consider that the outbreak remains contained in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.  Of course, it is true that it did extend briefly into Nigeria, however the country responded quickly to the challenge of containing the disease and safely treating those suffering from it, and  Nigeria was declared free from Ebola on the 20th of October.

In fact in terms of the geographic spread of the disease, the situation has not changed much since early August.  Our thoughts and prayers remain with all those currently fighting the the outbreak in West Africa, however Southern and East Africa are a very long way from the outbreak and are completely unaffected at present.

So is it still safe to travel to Africa or should you consider cancelling your trip? We would suggest that if you are travelling to Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, or any of the other countries in Southern or East Africa, you can consider these as safe from Ebola as anywhere else in the world might be.

We were asked whether we wanted to include one night on Denis Island, as part of our recent educational trip to the Seychelles in August. I think it took me less of a second to say yes please! Who would not say yes to the idea of spending one night on your very own private island in the middle of the Indian Ocean? It is not something I get to do every day, I will admit!

Our night to Denis Island was scheduled towards the end of our week in Seychelles, on the Thursday. We waited in anticipation at Mahe Airport for our flight to arrive, and I spent a pleasant 40 minutes trying to work out who, out of the assembly of passengers waiting there, looked as if they were off to the same idyllic Robinson Crusoe island as I was. When we eventually boarded the small light aircraft, there were just 7 of us on the flight. Already off to an exclusive start, I thought!

The flight takes a mere 30 minutes. The pilot approached the island, and you flies over it, before banking back and heading down towards the grassy runway and his landing. From the air, the runway stretches right across the island, and the closer you get, you find your feet starting work imaginary brake pedals as it looks just too short for the plane to be able to stop! But the pilot is a pro, he has obviously done this many times before, and after a very smooth landing, the plane turned around well before the end of the runway and coasted back towards the welcome committee of staff waiting for their new guests.

We were greeted and whisked off to the main lodge by golf buggy, where we were warmly welcomed with a cold drink, and the offer of a late breakfast if we wanted it, as we had arrived right at the tail end of the breakfast serving. We declined, as we were eager to just get to our room and relax a bit before lunch.

Back on the golf buggy again, and less than a minute later we were pulling up in the sand round the side of our cottage. We walked around the side, and you just felt any stress and strain immediately drain from you. The cottage was beautiful – a huge bedroom, and an en-suite bathroom completely open to a tiny garden area. A verandah with 2 chairs were just begging for us to sit in them, but we were too excited about running up the tiny sandy slope and onto ‘our’ beach. And what a beach it was. Whichever way you looked you just saw white sand, lapped by the blue Indian Ocean. It really was the stuff that dreams are made of. So the sun loungers under the shade of a palm tree won the battle for our attention, and for half an hour we stretched out there just listening… to nothing. Just the sound of the ocean.

Then there was a shout from the cottage, and our welcome ‘masseur’ had arrived to give us each our complimentary 30 minute massage. Thankfully, my husband didn’t want to leave the sun lounger, so I persuaded the masseur to give me a full hour instead, which she happily did. Lying on the verandah, I was treated to a head to toe full body massage. Never again will a massage at the gym spa be the same, listening to ocean music being piped through the speaker, when I have had ‘the real thing’. It was amazing.

It was then time to go up for lunch at the main lodge. We walked back, holding our sandals as this is what you do on your private island – walk around barefoot? I did put my sandals on when I went into the restaurant, but I probably didn’t need to be so formal – but I am British, after all.

Lunch was a buffet style affair – my husband opted for fresh sushi, I went for a healthy buffet salad plus grilled freshly caught fish. And then home-made ice cream for pudding. And this was a light lunch? I was starting to think that after more food like this, I may need to book an extra seat on the plane back for the extra weight I was undoubtedly about to pile on.

Our afternoon was spent in the company of Andre, the resident guide, who took us on a full tour of the island, about 2 hours. We saw the farm animals and where the furniture is made – this island is truly self-sufficient. We explored forests and beach coves and found wild bird nests. We learnt so much about the island and its wildlife in those 2 hours, my head was reeling with all the new knowledge it was trying to keep in!

Then it was back to our cottage to get changed into suitable attire for the obligatory dip in the ocean. Running again up and over the sandy slope, we just did not stop until we were in the ocean – ok, I admit, it was only about a 2 second run – we were on holiday, after all, you don’t want to exert yourself too much. I couldn’t have run further anyway if I had wanted to – the ocean literally is ‘just there’.

Then it was time to retire back to the sunloungers. Clutching our room delivery of 4 very cold beers, we settled in with our cameras for the next 90 minutes to watch the sun set. So peaceful. Just us and the setting sun and a few birds flying around. Not another person in sight. You really do start to believe that this is your very own private island, and you are the only people that exist on it.

Dinner was lovely, a 5 course affair which was delicious as to be expected. We laughed with the waiters, we said hi to other guests, and it was amazing to think that everything on our plates was from this very small island.

Then it was back to the cottage again, and this time, the verandah got our attention for about an hour, while we sat and just reflected on what it would be like to live here forever, and I even started working out the logistics of getting my cat flown out. I think Denis Island has that effect on you – after only a few short hours, you feel as if you have been there for ages, and you just do not want to leave.

The morning came too quickly, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, then it was back to the airstrip for our flight back to the main island of Mahe. To say I was sad to say goodbye was an understatement, and I had been on the island for less than 24 hours. If you stay there longer, it must feel as if you are leaving a part of yourself there. Probably a bit of your heart. It is an easy place to fall totally in love with.

Given the long association that we at Travel Butlers have had with Southern Africa, we were delighted to hear that Conor Dickson, the nephew of Paul Campbell of Travel Butlers, is going to Malwai next year to do some volunteer work with Inspire Worldwide.

The aim of the project is to work closely with rural and township communities in Malawi to help develop and improve living conditions for Malawian children and their families.  The volunteers, including 14 year old Conor, will be providing support to communities in the rural areas surrounding Blantyre in Malawi, and helping them renovate a crumbling feeding and community centre which currently provides the orphaned children with their one meal each day.

As with all trips of this nature, the volunteers need to raise funds to cover the cost of their own transport and living expenses, in addition to raising money to donate to the local charities in order to fund the work they will undertake.

Conor’s target is £2700, and so far he has raised money through cake sales, a raffle and car boot sale, as well as earning money from family and friends for car washing, gardening etc. But he still needs to raise another £1000, and as Conor says “Now it’s time for me to quite literally ‘get on my bike’ and cycle the width of Lake Malawi, approximately 46miles. I will do this by cycling from my home to Eastbourne (41.5 miles on the cycle paths) and then along the seafront to cover the additional miles. This will take place on Saturday 25^th October.”

Conor continues “I am hoping the local press will cover my story and I will be sure to promote any businesses and organisations that are kind enough to sponsor me.  I would also be happy to discuss the trip with a upon my return next year, as I’m sure there will many experiences to share. ”

We think this is a fantastic cause, and Paul Campbell of Travel Butlers adds, “School trips were certainly not like this in my day! I am very proud of the generous and adventurous spirit that Conor shows in doing this amazing trip, and we are delighted to sponsor him to help him on his way. I know that any other donations that our friends in the industry are able to make would be greatly appreciated, and please get in touch with me or your usual contact at Travel Butlers if you would be interested in making a donation or sponsoring Conor in any way.”

The islands of the Seychelles are little slices of heaven on earth. Scattered throughout the remote reaches of the Indian Ocean, they’re the place to live out all of your desert island daydreams. The beaches really do take the tropical biscuit, but there’s so much more to the Seychelles than their silky white shores. Scratch beneath their perfect sandy surface and you’ll find fascinating culture, untamed jungle, endangered wildlife and the world’s sexiest nut!

There are hundreds of reasons to hop on the next plane to the Seychelles, but, to keep it simple, we’ve whittled it down to seven. So, here you have it, whether your are looking to go island hopping or include these magical islands as part of a safari and beach holiday, here are seven reasons why you’ll be in seventh heaven in the Seychelles:

1. MIND-BOGGLINGLY BEAUTIFUL BEACHES
You won’t be sorry to be stranded in the Seychelles. The beaches are more perfect than you can possibly imagine, with powdered ivory sands sliding into crystal clear waters and coconut palms rustling in the warm breeze. Dotted across the coastline of every tiny island, you’ll find sun-kissed coves giving way to blue lagoons and pastel pink boulders hugging the edges of the beach. A handful of these pure shores are rated amongst the most beautiful beaches in the entire world. Step off the plane and you’ll soon see why.

2. JAW-DROPPING JUNGLE TRAILS
The castaway beaches and impossibly clear waters may get all the press, but these spellbinding islands have far more in store. If you peek behind the curtain of swaying coconut palms, you’ll find sprawling jungles bursting with strange, scented blooms. In the Vallée de Mai National Park on peaceful Praslin Island, you’ll find mist forests filled with coco de mer, the world’s heaviest (and sexiest) nut, shaped like a lady’s pelvis. You’ll also stumble across Jellyfish trees, tumbling vanilla vines, rare orchids, carnivorous pitcher plants and more. It really is paradise untamed.

3. WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WILDLIFE
In addition to the bizarre flora, the jungle-rich interiors of the Seychelles are home to some fantastical fauna. The Aldebra giant tortoise, one of the largest in the world, plods across these islands, with a whoppingly long neck that measures up to a metre. Incredibly, these tortoises can live for over a century and each one weighs up to 500 pounds. At the other end of the scale, the Seychelles are also home to the Soogloassid frog, which may well be the smallest in the world.

Not only this, but the birdlife is bountiful, with 250 species twittering in the jungle canopy. Some of the rarest birds in the world nest here, amongst them the Seychelles paradise flycatcher, the Seychelles black parrot, the Seychelles bulbul and the fruit pigeon. You’ll also find the sunbird, the Aldabra drongo and the Seychelles fody on these shores. If you’re a twitcher, you’re in for a treat.

4. A MATCHLESS MARINE WORLD
The land-dwelling wildlife of the Seychelles is certainly eye-popping, but the underwater world is equally as astounding. You can swim with wild dolphins, snorkel through coral reefs amongst hawksbill sea turtles and dive into sea caves filled with gorgonian fans and sleeping nurse sharks.

There are over 2,000 different species of fish swanning about in the translucent waters of the Seychelles, including parrotfish, angelfish, pufferfish and moray eels. And, when you need a break from exploring the world beneath the waves, you can wash up on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches for a cocktail or two. Bliss.

5. MAGICAL MULTICULTURE
The Seychelles is a magical melting pot when it comes to culture. With a mottled history of slavery, piracy and spice traders, the Seychellois people have ancestry drawn from all four corners of the earth. It’s fascinating stuff. First French, then British and now Creole, the islands are a colourful collage of international influences. Troublemakers from the British were sent here in exile, pirates hid their bounty in these jungles, spice traders stopped here between India and Africa and Europeans settled here to restart their lives in a peaceful paradise. The diversity, and especially the harmony, is inspiring.

6. FANTASTIC FUSION CUISINE
With such a rich cultural patchwork, it’s no surprise that the Seychellois cuisine is deliciously diverse. A mix of spicy, fruity, tangy and fresh flavours, it is sure to take your tastebuds on a wild ride. There are coconut curries, vibrant green papaya salads, giant crab soups and an overwhelming choice of fruit chutneys. Fresh fish is served in a thousand different ways – grilled with garlic, curried, poached in Creole sauce or spiced and baked in a banana leaf. There are also some startling delicacies on the menu, such as Rousettes (fruit bats), shark chutney and Seychelles beef (sea turtle).

7. THE SUN-KISSED SIMPLE LIFE
The Seychelles really is the place to let time slow down and get back to some serious basics. It’s all about nature and nurture, so just succumb to the magic. soak up the sunshine and snooze in the shade of a coconut palm. Many of the islands, La Digue, for example, have few roads or none at all. Luggage is ferried about my horse and cart while the locals get around on bicycles. The Seychelles is the perfect place to switch off the iPad, get lost offline and take a much-needed break from modern life. It’s rare, barefoot bliss that is harder and harder to find in our hectic world. So enjoy it.

Our friends over at SATOA have prepared a handy printable guide to the new Regulations For Travelling To South Africa With Children.

The new rules affect everyone who has children younger than 18 years when travelling to or from South Africa after 01 June 2015, and the requirements apply regardless of nationality. The highlights are:

Effective from 1 June 2015.

Requirements apply regardless of nationality.

Parents travelling with children into or departing from South Africa must produce an unabridged birth certificate (ie providing full details of the child’s parents) for the child (certified copies are acceptable).

If both parents are not travelling, the one travelling parent must show an unabridged birth certificate for the child, and consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent, or a court order, or (where applicable) a death certificate for a deceased parent.

Where a person is travelling with a child who is not their biological child, he/she must produce an unabridged birth certificate for the child (certified copies are acceptable), affidavit from the child’s parents or legal guardian giving consent and copies of the identity documents or passport of the parents or legal guardian.

There are also additional rules for unaccompanied minors – available on request.

For more information see:

SATOA guide to the new Regulations For Travelling To South Africa With Children

Guide to getting a duplicate birth certificate for births registered in the UK

For more information, contact the South African High Commission (https://southafricahouseuk.com/) or the South African Department of Home Affairs (https://www.dha.gov.za/).

Mixing a Big Five safari with a stint in the tropical sunshine is a hard-to-beat holiday cocktail. Bush and beach holidays really do offer the best of both worlds, whisking you off into a world of wildlife and then delivering you straight into a comfy sun lounger. It’s a perfect balance, giving you both a safari adventure and a blissful chance to recharge your batteries before returning to reality. They’re twin-centre trips with a toe-tingling, tropical twist and we can’t get enough of them ourselves.

While you’re on safari, you’ll set off at sunrise each morning, racing across the savanna in search of the Big Five. If the crisp morning air doesn’t ping your eyes wide open, a herd of elephant gathered around a waterhole will do the trick! You’ll get closer to the wildlife that you would ever imagine possible, sending your adrenaline soaring and your camera working overtime.

You’ll head out again at sunset, stopping for an atmospheric sundowner in the bush and looking out lion in the long grass. At night, you can stand around a traditional blazing boma – bonfire – and gaze up at a blanket of stars. Whether you opt for a thatched chalet perched on a riverbank, a tented lodge in the heart of the wilderness or a treehouse up high in the forest canopy, you’ll feel millions away from the working world.

Whilst unbelievably exhilarating, this rhythm of safari life can be a little exhausting. After a a string of dawn game drives, you’ll be hankering after some heavy-duty relaxation. This is the perfect time to escape to a barefoot retreat where your to-do-list will consist of no more than an afternoon massage and a Mai Tai at sunset. Here, you can bury your alarm clock at the bottom of your baggage and abandon yourself to unlimited beach laziness. No more 4am wake-up calls for you – just lazy days and lapping shores.

So, where are the best places for a bush and beach holiday? While Kenya has traditionally taken the top spot when it comes to safari and sun adventures, there’s a jeep-load of other options available. All of them will give you a breathtaking safari and a brilliant bronzing on the shores of the Indian Ocean. To help you set you off in the right direction, we’ve compiled our current tropical twin-centre top three:

1. South Africa and Mauritius

This is a killer combination, kicking off with a Big Five safari in Kruger National Park and ending up on the sun-kissed sands of Mauritius. What’s more, you can easily turn it into the ultimate triple-centre holiday by adding a few nights in Cape Town into the mix. By doing this, you’ll get wonderful wildlife, world-class culture and wow-factor beaches, all wrapped up in one unforgettable trip.

Mauritius is a beach paradise worthy of any postcard, with endless stretches of pure white sands fringed by swaying palms. It’s the perfect place for lazy breakfasts, barefoot strolls, sunset cocktails and romantic seafood meals overlooking the Indian Ocean. As safari and sunshine holidays go, you can’t get better than this…

Tempted? Take a closer look at our South Africa and Mauritius holidays.

2. South Africa and Mozambique

Mozambique is THE place to live out all of your Robinson Crusoe fantasies. Its quiet, castaway beaches are the sands-less-travelled, so you’ll feel deliciously marooned in a peaceful paradise. Getting away from it all doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Mozambique is a brilliant place to unwind after the excitement and early mornings of a Big Five safari. Here, you can sink your toes in the sand and lie back in your little nook of beach nirvana. The snorkelling is wonderful, the seafood is impossibly fresh and the sand is silky soft. Think secret coves, crystal waters, fiery sunsets and strictly no stress allowed.

Itching to go? Find out more about our South Africa and Mozambique escapes.

3. Tanzania and Zanzibar

If you’ve been dreaming of endless African plains packed with wandering herds, Tanzania will tick every box. Tanzania is Africa at its most epic and one of the top wildlife-viewing spots on the planet. From the sun-baked savanna of the Serengeti to the giant caldera of the Ngorongoro Crater, it’s an eye-popping, jaw-dropping choice for a safari.

A safari in Tanzania is a hard act to follow, but topping off your trip with a few days on Zanzibar will definitely do the trick. It may be pocket-sized, but Zanzibar packs a real tropical punch. It’s a sultry, romantic chunk of paradise, where traditional dhow boats sail across the horizon at sunset and warm breezes rustle through the coconut palms. Here, the only pressing decisions are sunbathe or snorkel, Margarita or Mojito, and massage or manicure. It’s a hard life eh…

Ready to pack your bags? Here’s the full rundown of our Tanzania sunshine and safari holidays.

If you’re looking to put your escape plans in motion, feel free to give us a call with any questions at all. We’ll be delighted to help send you off on your bush and beach adventure!

Given the alarming coverage of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, it is not surprising that we have had a number of people asking if it is safe to travel to South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana and other destinations in Eastern and Southern Africa.

The short answer is ‘yes – you can still safely travel to Africa’, and there are three key points that lead us to this conclusion at the moment.

1. Africa is huge, and the outbreak in West Africa is over 3500 miles away from Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa, and over 3,000 miles from Botswana and Namibia. To put this into context, London is about 3000 miles from the affected area, so many of these places are further from the centre of the outbreak than the UK is.
2. The disease is not airborne and can only be contracted by contact with body fluids from an infected person – this means that it can be more easily contained than airborne deseases, and will spread more-slowly.
3. Most countries in Africa have not had a single case of the disease since records began. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there have been no reported cases of Ebola since records began in 1976 for Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia or Zimbabwe amongst others. The only case in South Africa since 1976 was a medical professional came into contact with the virus whilst treating Ebola-infected patients in Gabon and then flew to Johannesburg where the disease was diagnosed. You can see a full history of outbreaks since 1976 here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ebola_outbreaks

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those currently fighting the the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, however the safari and beach destinations of Southern and Eastern Africa are unaffected at present, and history suggests that they may well remain unaffected througout this outbreak.

Travel Butlers will continue to monitor the situation and the FCO travel advice, and if we have people travelling to an area that is considered unsafe for travel by the FCO then those people will be entitled to alternative travel arrangements or a refund.

You can read more about this on the SATOA website: Ebola – is it still safe to go to africa?

Nevermind off the map, Namibia seems off the planet. With lunar-like desert landscapes, upside down trees, giant shifting sand dunes, vast abandoned canyons, shipwreck-riddled coasts and cracked white salt pans packed with African wildlife, it really is an out-of-this-world destination. Strangely beautiful and completely surreal, there’s a dreamlike quality to Namibia that will leave you completely speechless. So, if you need a break from reality, there’s nothing better than a holiday in Namibia.

Namibia can certainly top any list of places to get some perspective. With one of the world’s smallest population densities and vast expanses of epic emptiness, there’s a kind of captivating nothingness about Namibia. The landscape is simply super-sized here, from the staggering dune seas of Sossusvlei to the endless Etosha Pan, the far-reaching Fish River Canyon, the infinite stars of the Namib night sky and the beautiful desolation of Damaraland where rare desert elephant roam. Wandering amidst this over-sized scenery, you’ll feel wonderfully tiny. Not only this, but you’ll have all the thinking space you need – and far, far more.

Sossusvlei is the sweetheart of Namibia’s tourism and its colossal sand dunes are amongst the most photographed natural phenomena in the world. Here, giant bright orange dunes stand in dazzling contrast to pure blue skies and the sun casts magical moving shadows over the land. The dunes really do have a life of their own, constantly shifting as the wind sculpts their shape. Spooky, serene and spectacular, it’s bound to take your breath away.

You can clamber over the gigantic dunes to your heart’s delight, drift above the dune sea on a sunrise balloon ride or take a scenic flight – there’s a never-ending menu of activities available. Concealed between the dunes, there are ancient dry vleis bleached white by the blazing sun and dotted with peculiar petrified trees, amongst them the Dead Vlei and the Hidden Vlei. It’s a pinch-yourself place that you’ll never forget.

Etosha is a truly remote reserve, making it perfect for an off-beat safari adventure. Hidden away in northern Namibia, it offers world-class wildlife viewing across stunning and strange scenery. Home to four of the Big Five – lion, leopard, rhino (black and white) and elephant, as well as over a 100 more species of mammals and 400 species of bird, it’s a brilliant spot to whip out the binoculars. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a very dinky Damara dik-dik, Southern Africa’s smallest antelope!

The centrepiece of the National Park is the vast and peculiar Etosha Pan, which covers a whopping 20% of the reserve. The Pan is packed with wildlife all year round, but during rainy season it occasionally becomes a salty sludge that attracts huge flurries of bright pink flamingoes and other wading birds – something really special to behold. The remainder of the reserve is sweeping savanna and bushland, making it terrific terrain for game drive adventures and fiery sunsets alike.

Namibia’s culture is equally as fascinating as its fantastical landscapes, with quirky pockets of German colonial culture marooned on its misty coastline.

Swakopmund, Namibia’s second largest city, is a bizarre vestige of German culture surrounded by desert sands, with traditional beer houses, oompah bands and locals wearing Leiderhosen on special occasions. This seems to jar so much with its surroundings that it makes for a weirdly wonderful night out and the residents really are some of the friendliest people in Africa.

The far north west of the country still serves as a home to the remarkable Himba people, one of the last remaining truly nomadic tribes in Africa.

In Damaraland, there are all kinds of bush paintings and engravings by the early tribesman of the region that date back as far as 300BC, giving you a glimpse into Namibia’s ancient natural heritage. Both of these places are home to a handful of excellent eco-resorts and community initiatives, making them perfect if you want to meet the long-standing original locals.

All in all, a self-drive trip in Namibia really is an adventure of self-discovery. Driving across the country is an experience all of its own and you’ll encounter only a couple of cars over hundreds of kilometres. This will give you the epic feeling of exploring untouched Africa completely alone, soaking up the strange lunar landscape that unfolds before you. As you drive, the scenery will leap out at you like the pages of a children’s fantasy novel, with topsy-turvy upside down trees and gigantic shifting dunes – so you really have to see it to believe it. As holiday destinations go, it’s a life-changer.

Africa is hopelessly romantic, with an endless stock of sweeping savanna, a bottomless supply of starry skies and a generous sprinkling of postcard-perfect islands. So, if you’re looking for somewhere sensational to say ‘I do’ or you’re after a heavenly honeymoon hideaway, you’ve come to the right continent. It’s a brilliant place to live out your own personal love story and start a lifelong affair with Africa.

From the moment you set foot on African soil, you’ll be enchanted by its epic romance. Huge and humbling, it’s a a surefire way to feel deliciously tiny and totally tucked away from the rest of the world. A cocktail of rolling wildlife-packed plains, forested mountains, castaway beaches and thundering waterfalls, Africa has everything you could possibly desire – and probably more. By combining a Big Five safari with a barefoot beach escape, you’ll be able to indulge all of your faraway fantasies at once. What better way to begin a life together?

Bush weddings are beautifully simple, back-to-nature ceremonies in heart-meltingly scenic settings. Just imagine the plains of Africa as your wedding aisle, a safari jeep as your wedding car, exotic birdcalls as your wedding bells and a roaring boma for your reception! It’s something quite incredible and, who knows, you might even be visited by some uninvited four-legged guests! Or, if you’re not bowled over by the prospect of a bush wedding, why not take your vows overlooking Victoria Falls? Here, adrenaline junkies can seal the deal with a bungee jump to celebrate their matrimonial bliss!

We believe that there’s nothing quite like being buried in the African bush. It’s remote and wildly romantic, making it tantalising honeymoon territory. Standing on a ridge overlooking the savanna with a sparkling sundowner in hand, you’ll be rocked by an ‘Out of Africa’’sensation that will stick with you forever. Racing across the plains in search of wildlife at sunrise and sunset, you’ll swiftly be spellbound by Africa. You can even sprinkle some added magic over your honeymoon with a hot air balloon ride across the Serengeti, Kruger or Victoria Falls, to see herds roaming below you as the sun peeps up above the distant horizon.

The safari lifestyle itself is riddled with romance, from blazing campfires under a canopy of stars to four-poster beds perched on open-air platforms and vintage luxury tents surrounded by the sounds of the bush. So, if you’re looking for something intimate, exclusive and exciting, a safari is the answer. South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania are all rich with remote, beautiful reserves, so you’ll be truly spoilt for choice. Between game drives, you can sip on something bubbly as you look out over the camp waterhole, take heart-thumping walks in the bush and relax with your beloved in your personal plunge pool deep in the bush.

There’s a safari lodge out there to suit every couple, so you’re bound to find your perfect bush getaway, whether you dream of a treehouse up in the branches, an elegant suite with a private pool, a rustic retreat lit entirely by flickering gaslights, or a thatched chalet secluded in a green forest. Many African lodges are very petite, with only a handful of rooms, making them deliciously private retreats for starry-eyed lovers. Equally, plenty of camps don’t accommodate kids, ensuring that the atmosphere remains adult and the romance remains unbroken throughout your stay. These are wonderful honeymoon hotspots, so it’s worth choosing your lodge as carefully as your chosen one.

Giving your honeymoon a tropical topping by heading for the golden shores of the Indian Ocean will be the icing on your wedding-trip cake. The coast of South Eastern Africa is fringed with soft, white sands sloping into an azure sea, making the whole peninsula a postcard-worthy paradise. After the early mornings on safari, you can retreat to a dreamy, deserted beach and enjoy lingering lie-ins and long breakfasts overlooking the Ocean. There’s an amazing assortment of sun-drenched spots to stretch out and do sweet nothing, so you certainly won’t be disappointed.

The beaches of Kenya are classic choices, with killer sunsets, tempting cocktail menus and a wealth of water sports up for grabs. Mozambique is a wonderland for exotic explorers, as its coast is still somewhat undiscovered and it has plenty of tropical pockets that are truly pristine. Dotted along the Garden Route in South Africa, there’s a series of sun-soaked sands with quiet coves for doe-eyed couples.

Offshore, there’s an extraordinary number of exotic islands scattered across the sparkling seas, making them excellent for Robinson Crusoe style honeymoons. Zanzibar is an isolated island paradise, with sultry sunsets complete with the silhouettes of traditional dhow boats passing across the horizon. It’s a barefoot bliss with beautiful boutique resorts hidden away on secluded stretches of pure white sand.

For the ultimate castaway sensation, the Bazaruto Archipelago of Mozambique is a honeymoon heaven, where you can open your door and dip your toes directly into the Indian Ocean. The waters are crystal clear, there’s a world of colourful coral beneath the shimmering surface and the seafood is fresher than you could ever imagine. It’s one of the most beautiful spots on the planet, let alone the continent, and the great news is that the word is not yet out! Here, you can relax in your own private paradise, far from the prying eyes of the world.

Overall, a thrilling African safari followed by a stint of tropical sunshine is the perfect recipe for a wedding or honeymoon. It will kickstart your marriage in the most epic and romantic way, so it really is nirvana for newlyweds. The only thing left to do is say ‘I do’!