If you’re a couple who gets bored lying on the beach and you want to make the most of your honeymoon time with a once-in-a-lifetime experience, there are plenty of great options for you.
Do you like soft adventure (for instance going on an African safari, going on a road trip or heading off-the-beaten-track) or are you adrenalin junkies looking for heart-pumping thrills (like bungee-jumping and trekking through the jungle or diving with the whales)? Here are some of the great ideas on how you can plan and enjoy a memorable honeymoon holiday away from home;
Go on an African Safari
If the thrill of seeing animals in the wild is what you’re after, then head to South Africa, Botswana, Kenya or Tanzania on safari. One of the most stunning places to see a wide range of African wildlife is the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania – you feel like you have stepped into a Hollywood movie set, with elephants, hippos, zebras, lions, wildebeest, flamingoes and many more all co-existing in this beautiful World Heritage site.
Swimming with Humpbacks in Tonga
Imagine swimming with whales among the beautiful tropical islands of Vava’u Tonga. The South Pacific humpback whales migrate from their feeding grounds in the Antarctic to the warm northern islands of Tonga each year to mate and give birth. They stay in the area for about 15 weeks (early July – late October) before their 8,000km swim back to the southern oceans of Antarctica for the summer months.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Uganda safaris offer a greater diversity of wildlife, people and landscapes than any other African destination, placing Uganda safaris amongst the richest experiences Africa has to offer.
Uganda is at the crossroads where the West African jungles meet the East African savannahs and thus home to quickly varying landscapes: semi-deserts in the northeast, lush lowlands fringing the shores of Lake Victoria, and the mountain rain forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Rwenzoris (the Mountains of the Moon) in the southwest.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a magnificent verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley – one of the few in Africa to have flourished throughout the last Ice Age – is home to roughly half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Forest Camp or Buhoma Community Camp.
After an early breakfast, you will gather at the park headquarters for a briefing prior to the gorilla tracking activity. Together with a knowledgeable guide, you will head off into the thick rainforest forest to track these gentle giants. The time taken to search for these apes takes from between 1 hour to an entire day. This is because the gorillas do not stay in one place for very long. The gorilla trek involves moving up and down a steep mountainous terrain hence you need to be physically fit. Once you look into the eyes of these gentle giants, you will forget your aching limbs as this is a once in a lifetime experience! Later you may opt to have a Village walk around the Buhoma Community.
Hiking in Bhutan
Along the lofty ridges of the Himalayas lies the Kingdom of Bhutan, a place that has remained blissfully untouched by the rest of the world. Bhutan’s people are gracious, the culture is rich, and spirituality is prevalent. Every visitor to Bhutan feels giddy and lightheaded. It might be love but it’s probably the altitude – 20,000 foot peaks are a dime a dozen in this tiny Himalayan kingdom.
Whether you are looking for a one day hike or gruelling 31 day adventure, trekking in Bhutan is unlike anywhere else in the Himalayas. Pristine mountain lakes, imposing glaciers, and some of the world’s most endangered animals await you in the mountainous ampitheatre of the Himalayas.
Elephant Safari in Thailand
It’s the “regal arrival” option at Anantara Golden Triangle that really lets your fellow travellers know that this is no ordinary vacation. Guests who choose this option arrive via long tailed boat and elephant ride to be toasted on arrival with champagne. The three day elephant safari brings you closer to nature and teaches you how to be a mahout (elephant driver).
Take a ride to the top of a nearby mountain for sunset cocktails and dinner overlooking Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and the Mekong River. Staff can also arrange a private breakfast in one of the nearby 600 year old temples.
Exploring the Ruins in Cambodia
Thailand and Indonesia certainly are obvious tourist destinations, but what about Cambodia?
Make your way to Siem Reap for a truly unique experience where you can explore the twelfth-century ruins of Angkor Wat, which is the largest religious monument in the world. The best time to visit the temple is at sunrise, where you can photograph the ruins with the sun coming up behind.
There is a myriad of Hindu temples with impressive towers and sculptures located in the middle of the jungle. The include the Bayon temple with its mysterious faces, and the Ta Prohm temple, entangled by the jungle. You can either immerse yourselves in the grandeur of the temples on your own, or hire a guide to learn about the sites’ amazing history and be shown the most remote temples while hiking in the thick forest. After a long day of jaw-dropping scenery, enjoy a relaxing time at one of Siem Reap’s luxurious hotels and have dinner and drinks at one of the numerous restaurants in town. After all, a beer only costs $1 while a cocktail is just $3!