Africa and the Middle East: safaris and desert escapes

A safari honeymoon is unlike any other trip. The days begin before sunrise, the landscapes are vast, and the moments that stay with you are often quiet ones: an animal stepping out of the long grass, the sound of the bush at night, a sky thick with stars. Add the deserts, ancient cities and coasts of North Africa and the Middle East, and this corner of the world offers some of the most unforgettable journeys a couple can take.

What a safari is

The word itself sets the tone. Wikipedia's article on the safari explains that the word comes from Swahili, meaning "journey", and originally from an Arabic word meaning "to journey", and describes a safari as an overland journey to observe or hunt wild animals, especially in East Africa. Today, a honeymoon safari almost always means watching and photographing wildlife, whether from an open vehicle, on foot with an experienced guide, or from a boat on a river.

Safari styles vary widely. Some couples choose a lodge with a pool and a spa, returning from morning and evening drives to comfort and fine dining. Others prefer tented camps, where canvas walls let you hear the night sounds around you. Some camps move with the seasons; others sit in private reserves where group sizes are small. Each style changes the feel of the trip, so think about how much comfort and how much adventure the two of you want.

Choosing the season

Seasons matter enormously on safari. In many regions, the dry season makes wildlife easier to see, as animals gather near water and the vegetation thins. The wet or green season brings lush landscapes, fewer visitors and newborn animals, but some roads and camps may close. Ask about seasonal patterns in the specific region you are considering, because they vary from one part of the continent to another.

Remember too that safari days start early. Most game drives leave around dawn and again in the late afternoon, with a long rest in the middle of the day. That midday break is a gift for honeymooners: time for a swim, a nap, a book and a long lunch.

Pairing a safari with a beach

One of the most popular honeymoon plans is to combine a few days on safari with a stay on a beach. The contrast is wonderful: after early starts and dusty drives, a few days of warm sea and soft sand feel like the perfect reward. The beach also provides a gentle end to the trip, giving you time to rest before the journey home.

If you plan a beach stay, check the local conditions and swim where it is safe to do so. The practical side of combining two very different stays, including packing light for small aircraft, is covered in the romantic travel tips page.

Desert escapes

The deserts of North Africa and the Middle East offer a different kind of romance: silence, space and light. Couples can spend a night in a desert camp, ride out to watch the sunset across the dunes, and eat dinner under a sky full of stars. Ancient medinas, souks and courtyard guesthouses add culture and colour to the trip. Evenings in the desert can be surprisingly cold, so pack a warm layer even in a hot month.

As with any trip, respect local customs, including dress codes in religious and traditional areas. Learn a few words of greeting, and follow the lead of local guides and hosts.

Practical preparation

• Check visa, passport and health requirements for every country on your route, well in advance.
• Small safari aircraft often have strict luggage limits, so plan to pack soft bags and fewer clothes.
• Pack neutral-coloured clothing, a warm layer for early mornings, a hat and good sun protection.
• Bring binoculars. Sharing a pair is part of the fun, but two pairs saves arguments.
• Consider travel insurance that covers the kind of trip you are taking.

The long journey

Flights to Africa and the Middle East can be long, though many run mainly north to south with fewer time-zone changes than a trip across the Pacific. The guide to jet lag and sleep explains why the direction of travel matters to your body clock. For a completely different long-haul honeymoon, compare this page with the South Pacific, Asia and Australia.

Why it is worth it

A safari or desert honeymoon asks more of you than a week on a lounger. The rewards are memories that feel shared in a particular way: moments you saw together, in places few people ever go. For couples who want their first trip as a married pair to feel like a real journey, it is hard to beat.