So you’ve scratched your last coins together for the perfect wedding, but you still haven’t planned the honeymoon. Stop. Take a deep breath and relax. There are many ways to plan your romantic escapade without blowing through your lifetime savings. After all, memories are priceless. LekkeSlaap has some exceptional ideas for honeymoons on a budget.
Molopo Lodge, Northern Cape
The Molopo Kalahari Lodge is a magical oasis 200km north of Upington and 60km from the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Stylish accommodation is available in a variety of options, including camping, chalets, rondavels, and tented chalets. Facilities like a bar, braai area, swimming pool, and restaurant will complete your comfort after an exciting day of game viewing with your loved one.
Misty Mountain Reserve, Eastern Cape
Misty Mountain Reserve lies on the edge of a dramatic escarpment in Storms River. Choose between family, luxury, and superior chalets each with their own spa bath, fireplace, and captivating views of the Indian Ocean, Tsitsikamma Mountains, and indigenous forest. Enjoy 3-course country dinners, English breakfasts, picnics to order, as well as use of the lounge, pool, and bar. Spend your days birding or exploring the hiking and mountain bike trails in the area.
Sugarbird Manor, Western Cape
Sugarbird Manor is tucked away within a 21.6 hectare working protea farm on the outskirts of Stellenbosch. With uninterrupted views across vineyards and valleys to the Simonsberg, Stellenbosch, and Helderberg Mountains, there is no setting more romantic to seal your wedding bliss. Take a dip in the infinity pool, explore the 3 hiking trails, or sip your way through the surrounding wine farms. Room options range from classic rooms and suites, to superior rooms.
JBay Zebra Lodge, Eastern Cape
JBay Zebra Lodge is a fairy-tale lodge set at the top of a hill just 20 minutes from Jeffrey’s Bay. With 360˚ views of the Indian Ocean, bushveld, and mountains, the lodge offers visitors the option of luxury safari tents, lavish suites, and a self-catering house. While away your first hours as a couple in the Jacuzzi or swimming pool, enjoying sundowners at the bar, or fine dining at the restaurant.
Crocodile Bridge, Mpumalanga
Crocodile Bridge is a charming lodge on the banks of the Crocodile River in Komatipoort, bordering the Kruger National Park. Spend your first few days of wedded bliss in luxury safari and river tents with spectacular views over the Kruger and Crocodile River. Set just 200m from the Crocodile Bridge entrance, you can enjoy game viewing to spot the Big Five. End your day with sundowners and dinner in the thatched boma.
Witwater Safari Lodge and Spa, Limpopo
Witwater Safari Lodge and Spa is set on the banks of the Phalala River in Naboomspruit, offering luxury lodge rooms, tents, and river chalets. Make use of the spa, heated pool, sauna, and swimming pool. Executive chefs will prepare romantic meals, from breakfast in the bush to dining in the boma, so you can focus on one another…
Emdoneni Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal
Emdoneni Lodge, situated in Hluhluwe in the heart of Zululand, offers enchanting chalets, a honeymoon cottage, and rondavels with treats like fluffy bathrobes and slippers. Newlyweds can relax by the pool, visit the big cat sanctuary, and keep an eye out for zebra, duiker, and impala in their natural sand forest habitat. Evenings are joyful affairs with dinner in the boma and vibrant Zulu dancing.
Bateleur Tented Safari Lodge, Limpopo
Bateleur Tented Safari Lodge is a luxury game lodge in Lephalale, at the foothills of the Waterberg Mountains. Experience the romance of the Limpopo bushveld from the seclusion of your lavish tented suite. Enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives, guided walks, dinners around the campfire, relaxing in the Jacuzzi, and sundowners cruises on the Palala River.
Stornoway Lodge, Gauteng
Stornoway Lodge is sandwiched between the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site and the prestigious Blair Atholl golf estate in the West Rand. Accommodation is available in a variety of barn rooms, executive suites, superior suites, and a lakeside cottage. Honeymooners are invited to relax around the swimming pool, soak in the Jacuzzi, stroll the scenic gardens set under 100 year old combretums, and explore the cultural surrounds, including the Sterkfontein Caves and the Rhino and Lion Park.
Bundox Safari Lodge, Limpopo
Bundox Safari Lodge is tucked between the trees in the Guernsey Conservancy in Hoedspruit. Newlyweds can relax in a variety of safari tents and chalets, linked by boardwalks to the main lodge facilities, including a guest lounge, bar, and swimming pool. Activities include self-guided trails, birding, and game viewing at a nearby watering hole.
Black Mountain, Free State
Black Mountain is an elegant hotel located in the heart of the Maria Moroka Nature Reserve, around 80km east of Bloemfontein. Visitors can choose between a variety of lavish rooms and suites with private gardens and balconies. The Moroka Restaurant offers buffets, a la carte, and light meals with room service 18 hours a day. Enjoy facilities like a heated swimming pool, tennis court, sauna, saloon bar, and cinema.
Homtini Guest Farm, Western Cape
Homtini Guest Farm is an idyllic honeymoon retreat, nestled within an indigenous forest in Knysna. Choose between a sheltered forest cottage, bungalows, or secluded tented lodges enveloped in complete tranquillity. Spend your days exploring the forest reserve, lazing beside the pool, or relaxing in the sauna, and your evenings enjoying the flickering stars in the night sky.
Which of the above takes your fancy for a budget honeymoon stay? Let us know in the comments below.
