Honeymoon Secrets: Make the most of your safari

You can’t beat a safari as a wildly romantic honeymoon. Liz Peacock, co-founder of bespoke safari company Cheli & Peacock is here to help you make the most of it…

1. Relax first...

Shh… Most couples plan their honeymoon to start with a safari and then end up on the beach. It's more sensible to plan this the other way around, especially if you've had a big or stressful wedding. A safari can mean early mornings and long game drives so if you want to relax into the holiday after the hectic wedding build up it's best to plan to have their four or five days on the beach first, and do the safari second.

Tell me more… Galu Beach, south of Mombasa, is the perfect hideaway. Our tip is the Andersson's Suite at Kinondo Kwetu - it's located on a pristine stretch of sand and it's responsible for maintaining the local school and building a clinic.

2. Extra special?

Shh… Avoid choosing a lodge that offers lots of 'honeymoon extras,' because if they are offering it as a honeymoon extra, it means that they don't do these things on a regular basis. The beautiful star-gazing beds at Loisaba, where couples can sleep out under the stars, come at no extra charge but do have to be reserved in advance.

Tell me more… Do still tell the lodge (in advance) that you're on honeymoon as there might be a room that's more romantic than another or champagne available, which is often not included in the price.

3. Tea for two

Shh… Tell your travel agent if you want to be dining separately or if you would like to be mixing with the other guests. Often lodges arrange completely separate dinners next to the pool etc when actually couples are happy to mingle with other guests on a few nights. Alternatively you should also state if you want to be kept separate.

Tell me more… Most lodges offer romantic sundowners, bush breakfasts, and separate meals for two. These come at no extra charge at all Cheli & Peacock properties.

More about the experts:

Liz Peacock started Cheli & Peacock with her husband Stefano Cheli in 1985. Liz grew up in Kenya and, previous to forming Cheli & Peacock, was a well-known safari guide. Cheli & Peacock originally operated as lavish private tented safaris with professional guides, often Stefano or Liz themselves. Today the couple are responsible for building some of Kenya's best camps and lodges including Tortilis Camp in Amboseli, Elsa's Kopje Lodge in Meru National Park, Elephant Pepper Camp in Masai Mara and Joy's Camp in Shaba National Reserve.

For more information visit www.chelipeacock.com