So you have said your vows or have them memorized for the best, and on the biggest day of your life, you have mentally pictured your bride and wiped a stray tear or two rolling down your cheeks in anticipation of the joy and loving beauty you have been blessed with.
As you walk down the aisle and make your way toward the “Just Married” carriage, you both have high hopes regarding the trip of a lifetime. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we refer to the first trip of conjugal coupledom that marks your entry into the bliss of marital peace and the joys of never having to seek another date on the 14th of February every year!
People spend months planning their wedding and sometimes even longer planning their honeymoon destination. May we go so far as to say that a considerable percentage marry just for the bliss of a superlative honeymoon!
Wedding faux pas can be overlooked, but the honeymoon has to be picture-perfect. This is the time when you get to snuggle in peace, away from the prying eyes of the world, and get to know each other just a little bit more. Laying a solid foundation for future round table get-togethers at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners with your loved ones when you are all old and frail, and then getting to look into the eyes of the love of your life with the same loving intensity as you first met them, is an ineffably beautiful feeling.
Wedding faux pas can be overlooked, but the honeymoon has to be picture-perfect. This is the time when you get to snuggle in peace, away from the prying eyes of the world, and get to know each other just a little bit more. Laying a solid foundation for future round table get-togethers at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners with your loved ones when you are all old and frail, and then getting to look into the eyes of the love of your life with the same loving intensity as you first met them, is an ineffably beautiful feeling.
Going Off The Beaten Track ~ Surrendering To The Charms Of Kenyan Bush & Beach Honeymoons
“Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
This gem from Robert Frost makes so much sense even as you set out to seek destinations where you can sweep your partner off her feet once more! Going with the trend may be the mool mantra in the social media sphere. Still, in the personal space, it’s the thought, the uniqueness, and the romantic magic of a destination that many may not have deigned to explore as a honeymooner’s love nest.
When cliched proposals at the Eiffel Tower just don’t make the cut anymore, and you desire something as bespoke as your love, you need to explore destinations that may have been veiled in the garb of some other pursuit!
One such destination is Kenya. While many equate East African holidays as a safari-fixated rendezvous with the quest to “shoot” (on polaroid, of course!) the Big Five, there is a lot more in the offing! While spotting the pride of Kenya’s animal kingdom lazing around or engaging in friendly tussles is undoubtedly a sight to behold, you can enjoy African bush sundowners, watch time pass by at a leisurely pace, soak in the vibrant and colorful escarpments, hot air balloon rides, candlelight dinners with your beloved, and last but not the least the inimitably romantic act of stargazing under the open skies.
It’s time to look beyond the likes of Bali and Maldives as quick-fix honeymoon destinations and seek other parts of the globe that offer luxurious experiences and serene escapades, and of course, memories that will last a lifetime! The South Coast of Kenya offers visual and sensory delights that will strum the perfect chords on the guitar of your au nouveau marital rendezvous.
For instance, the Watamu Beach, about seven kilometers long, which might be less explored yet is a gem of a place in Kenya, has the right amount of beach vibes, and scenic delights to offer to love-struck honeymooners. Located 15 km to the south of Malindi, it is the epitome of class and perfection, married with a vintage sense of exclusivity. At a distance of 120 km from Mombasa, Malindi can be accessed easily by either the Mombasa-Lamu highway or incoming domestic flights from various counties such as Nairobi, Diani, and Masai Mara.
If turquoise blue waters and an exotic diversity of marine life and water sports get you excited and geared up, Watamu Beach is the perfect choice for you as it checks all your boxes. Ubiquitously renowned for its azure waters, local reefs and soft whites sands, you can enjoy sunbathing with your partner amongst utmost privacy, however do remember to lather up each other with tons of sunscreen! (We don’t want sunburns, now do we?!) Accessible all around the year with no entry fees, you can spend the whole day and evening lounging on the beach and strolling hand-in-hand with the love of your life. Go surfing, raise toasts to a happy and blessed life ahead, experience bliss at its unadulterated best.
Once you feel rejuvenated, you may proceed to partake in a host of water-based sports and activities such as water skiing, diving, sea fishing, and snorkeling. If you and your partner love exploring the wilderness and nature’s ineffably beautiful range of biodiversity, we recommend planning a visit to the Watamu Marine National Park. Encompassing the resplendent Mida Creek mangrove forests, the pneumatophores (aerial roots) of the mangrove trees support generations of fauna such as crabs, prawns, fish, and oysters, and legend has it that they are responsible for the genesis of the famous coral reefs!
Explore the historical richness of the place as you pay a visit to the Vasco De Gama pillar, which offers a sneak peek into the legends of eras bygone.
Once back at the hotel, you can request the management for a private sundowner cocktail and dinner amongst the backdrop of the scenic landscape, as you call it a day in “high” spirits (pun intended!).
If you plan to explore more of Mombasa county, we suggest booking a luxurious experience in the Nyali Beach. Replete with premium hotels, dainty residential houses and of course breathtakingly beautiful white sand beaches. The sub county is connected to the Mombasa Island by the concrete New Nyali Bridge. Do you fancy feeding some crocodiles? Yes, we are absolutely serious! Gather up some delicious bites and proceed towards the Mamba Village (the largest crocodile farm in Africa). If you have a sweet tooth and fancy some freshly baked cake, try the Cafesseire for some of the best baked goods on the coast. On a no or low-cal diet? Not an issue! Indulge in locally produced fresh fruit juice. Once you are done feeding the crocs, and yourself try a game of beach valley with your partner or others on the beach, yes the happy mood is infectious and we are sure people would love to join in! Adrenaline junkies can also experience a plethora of fun-filled activities such as scuba diving, windsurfing, kite surfing etc.
Were you looking for more romantic avenues along the South Coast of Africa? Well, allow us to present the nonpareil marvels of Diani Beach ~the most beautiful beach in Kenya, which is also renowned as the hottest spot for pursuing water sports and other daredevilry at varying levels of expertise in the whole of East Africa. Begin your sojourn as you check into the opulent and extremely private AfroChic Diani.
Though the beach is the epitome of beauty in itself, Diani has no shortage of attractions to explore and things to do! You can begin with a visit to the Diani Beach Art Gallery Exhibitions which hosts bespoke art pieces curated by highly skilled African artisans that can be bought at affordable prices. Proceed to the Bora Bora Wildlife Park to sight some awesome Kenyan wildlife just a kilometer away from the seashore. In its vicinity lies another tourist attraction that reeks of Portuguese remnants. As the sun starts setting, proceed towards The Forty Thieves Beach Bar to soak in the soothing magic of the sound of waves, the company of your beloved, and the taste of your favorite liquor served with sumptuous food.
Author’s special ~ When in Diani, remember to dine at the magical Ali Barbours Cave restaurant. Dating back to 120,000- 180,000 years and, as the name suggests, located in a cave, it renders a mystical aura to the fine art of wining and dining. Replete with soft candles lighting up the place, romance is evident in every bite you take and every breath of air you inhale.
Whether you and your betrothed seek adrenaline rush-filled adventures or the squishy feeling of white sand between your toes as you carve out your initials in the sands of time, Kenya has something for every kind of honeymooner out there. So put on your traveler’s hat and wear the scent of Rumi as we explore breathtakingly beautiful love nests in the realms of the rich heritage and scenic rhapsodies; your heart just might wanna break into a happy dance. With a multilingual staff, language shouldn’t be a barrier!
The Elysian Laikipia Plateau
Relatively unexplored, pristine, and home to several indigenous tribes (Samburu, Kikuyu, and Boran) and endangered wildlife, Laikipia offers aesthetic landscapes coupled with leisurely stroll safaris as opposed to vehicular game viewing.
Walk hand in hand with your beloved as you spot the Grevy’s Zebra or a reticulated giraffe stretching its neck majestically overlooking the Masai Mara’s richly interwoven cultural fabric and unfettered wildlife repertoire.
The perfect destination for those looking for a break from the regular touristy drills, Laikipia offers experiences for shoestring with more lavish budgets. If the wedding rigmarole and festivities have left you with little resources to spend on the trip, you can choose to glamp under the balmy African skies with an active water hole in plain sight as you deign to draw the curtains and let the sunrays tickle your toes. Soak in the virginal views from the sprawling conservancies, both privately and community-run. Stolen kisses and sweet nothings are the perfect accouterments to such idyllic locales. Sample local fruit, drink your champagne and raise your flute of Chardonnay as you feed each other a smattering of the famous tilapia and camembert. The epitome of fine dining, it will not only make your honeymoon Instagram-worthy but also carve a special place in the caverns of your heart.
To experience an authentic, opulent and intimate African experience book a stay with the Loisaba Star beds. Sleep under the starlit African skies on handcrafted four-poster wooden beds rustically curated to merge effortlessly with the naturally rocky topography. Soak in the warmth of African hospitality and wake up to a day full of adventures with a complementary hot beverage to fuel you up.
After your game drive, you can enjoy the famous African bush dinners and sundowners, where your tour guide will stop for a “happy hour” near breathtaking landscapes replete with delicious bitings. Take loads of photographs and indulge in tons of banter as you prepare to take home a suitcase filled with not just souvenirs but also a heart full of timeless memories.
The Nairobian Adventure
If psithurism and vast expanses of sprawling greenery are your cups of joe, Nairobi will open the gateways to your soul’s personal haven. Night owls can rejoice amidst lively Swahilian beats and colorful acrobatics; you can shake a leg and shimmy up the night. Then, tuck into mouthwatering Kenyan culinary delights with a platter of barbecued meat and jacket potatoes, and wash it down with liquor of your choice (on the rocks, we suggest!)
If you and your partner share a soft corner for the gentle, lovable, and oh-so-cuddle-worthy pachyderms, we recommend a trip to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Twice during the day, from sunup to sundown, treat yourself to the heartwarming sight of rescued baby elephants fed milk from gigantic milk bottles. Watch them frolic in their playpen and spray the visitors with friendly squirts of muddy elly treats! Fun fact ~ if a particular elephant appeals to your heart, you can go ahead and adopt it. When you leave the shores of this holistically beautiful retreat replete with caring keepers and cute ellies, you will feel a sense of harmony and all that is good in the world! So bid adieu to any residual feelings of monachopsis and welcome the warm and secure feeling of sondrous harmony.
Summing Up
Where there is love, there is hope; and where there is hope, there is the promise of a beautiful tomorrow. So go explore the heart of the Maasais, wrap yourself in those warm shukas, and share tales of love and longing as you listen to the soothing symphony of your partner’s breath on your chest as someone plays your favorite song on the guitar around a lovely bonfire. The night is yours to behold, and the days are brighter when you choose to give in to the scenic delights of Kenya’s best offerings.
