For most, romance means escaping civilisation and retreating to a private completely secluded world. Tourism Update rounds up some of the best options where couples can experience total privacy amidst nature.

 

1.Kanga Under the Stars, Mana Pools National Park

Honeymooners staying at Kanga Camp in Zambia’s Mana Pools National Park can spend a night at Kanga Under the Stars, on wooden platforms that overlook a dry riverbed. Guests can enjoy dinner, surrounded by lanterns, in the dry riverbed. The platforms each have a mattress, pillows, duvet and hot water bottle, surrounded by mosquito netting. They link to a camp toilet, canvas-protected bucket shower and wash basin accessible from each of the platforms. For guests who prefer not to sleep under the open skies, Kanga Camp also has a honeymoon unit that features an outdoor bathtub built on wooden decking overlooking a pan.

2.Lion Sands treehouses

Lion Sands offers three treehouses, or what it refers to as “ultimate bush bedrooms”. Guests will arrive at sunset for a picnic dinner, before sleeping under the stars. Chalkley’s Treehouse and Kingston Treehouse are situated in the Sabi Sand, while Tinyeleti Treehouse is in the Kruger National Park. The treehouses all come with five-star comforts and have been constructed well above the ground so that animals remain at a comfortable distance away from guests. The field guide will provide a full orientation and remain on call via a radio.

3.Linyanti Bush Camp, Chobe Enclave

Linyanti Bush Camp is well-suited for couples looking for an authentic safari experience, as it is limited to small groups who would like a personalised experience away from the main tourist routes. The camp has one honeymoon tent, which features an outdoor bath tub overlooking the Linyanti Marsh. In addition, from April through to November, honeymooners are offered a half-hour helicopter flight as part of the experience, with an option of including an intimate picnic in a remote location within the private concession.

4.Pezula Castle, Knysna

Located on Noetzie Beach, Conrad Pezula’s Beach Castle is totally private and features an open-plan living area with a dining room, fully equipped kitchen, two living rooms with a wood-burning fireplace and bathroom. The living area opens on to a terrace with a heated plunge pool. The upper level includes a bedroom with fireplace, as well as a seating area with a daybed. The en-suite bathroom has heated marble floors, double shower room, free-standing bath, dual vanities and a walk-in wardrobe.

5.The River Club Princess Mary Suite, Livingstone

Located on the Zambezi River, near the Victoria Falls in Zambia, The River Club is set on 20 hectares of privately owned land, offering couples ample space for privacy. The property includes a few extra touches for honeymoon couples. For example, as all guests arrive at the lodge by boat from a location further upstream, honeymooners will be taken for a drinks stop on ‘Honeymoon Island’ in the river in front of the lodge before checking in. In addition, there are no early wake-up calls and guests can book a private boat for an evening sunset cruise on the Zambezi. The double-storey Princess Mary Suite ups the level of seclusion as it is situated within a walled garden, with a private pool and views over the Zambezi. It features two en-suite bedrooms, lounge area, library, bar and dining area so that couples can enjoy their meals in a private setting.

6.Constance Tsarabanjini, Madagascar

This property is located on its own 35-hectare island off the coast of Madagascar. It features 25 villas, each thatched and airy and furnished with four-poster beds facing the Indian Ocean. The resort is all-inclusive, with cuisine comprising fresh local produce. Activities include snorkelling and scuba diving, as well as spa treatments.

7.San Camp, Makgadikgadi

Situated right on the edge of the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana, San Camp runs mostly on solar power and is also known for its family of habituated meerkats. Facilities include a mess tent with a small natural history museum and library, tea tent spread with cushions and a tented yoga pavilion. The camp is in one of Africa’s most remote locations, and guests can travel for kilometres on four-wheel-drive quad bikes without encountering anything but the Kalahari Desert.

8.Kapama Karula, Kapama Game Reserve

Set on the banks of the Klaserie River, Kapama Karula has 12 superior suites, each measuring at least 90 sqm, with glass sliding doors providing views of the river. Facilities include an en-suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, his and hers basins and a bath. Each suite also features a minibar stocked with wine and champagne, a Nespresso coffee machine, WiFi and an iPod docking station. Rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with a gas-heated fireplace and the outside deck area has a full-size swimming pool.