Honeymoon: Africa
WHERE TO STAY: Wilderness Safaris lodging is divided into classic and premier categories — and while premier is more luxurious, classic is still a far cry from anything that might even resemble roughing it. In all camps, you’ll get a private tent, which really isn’t so much a tent as a spacious canvas-walled retreat with amenities like a cozy bed, an outdoor shower, a private plunge pool just outside the door, and, of course, full plumbing and electricity. Common areas at the camps are beautifully appointed, with details like overstuffed couches, polished teak floors and full-service bars.
WHAT TO PACK: For game drives, a good camera with an excellent zoom lens is a must, as is a good pair of binoculars. If you go in the African summer (our winter), you’ll need nothing warmer than a light fleece; a bit more if you go in winter. When it comes to dress, neutral colors (bright can unpleasantly distract the animals on game drives) and casual rule the day. Dinners are a chance to dress up a tad; pack a light cotton dress or two for those.
BEST TIMES TO GO: Winter (our summer) is the high season in southern Africa — when the great migrations happen, and you’ll see large herds of animals. But a trip in January still offers excellent game viewing, without the big herds of people.
NEWLYWED NEWS: Each Wilderness Safaris lodge offers chances for romance. In Botswana, arrange a trip on the Okavango Delta in a mokoro, a gondola-style canoe complete with your own poler to guide the vessel. You’ll mingle with other guests on game drives, but you can also book a private outing for just-you-two time.
GETTING THERE: Wilderness Safaris bookings can be made through local Premier Tours (21 South 12th Street, ninth floor, 800-545-1910, premiertours.com). There are decisions to be made about countries to visit and camps to select, and the Premier team has extensive knowledge about the whole WS operation. All-inclusive packages that include your round-trip flights to Johannesburg range from around $3,600 to $25,000, depending on how trip-of-a-lifetime you want to get.
