Travel  |  Weddings

A Peek Inside the Royal Honeymoon Destination—And Three More Vacation Spots We Think Are Equally Worthy

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly heading to Namibia after they tie the knot on May 19

Hoanib Valley Camp; photo courtesy Natural Selection.

Royal wedding 2.0 is just weeks away, and it has the couple’s biggest fans wondering where they will be whisked away for their first vacation together as husband and wife. After Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot on May 19 at Windsor Castle in London, England, the world is their oyster for a luxe royal honeymoon.

Hoanib Valley Camp; photos courtesy Natural Selection.

Travel + Leisure magazine reports that the newlyweds will head to a royal honeymoon in Namibia, a country in southern Africa that borders the Atlantic Ocean. The choice makes sense, muses Teresa Belcher of Honeymoon Islands travel agency in Haymarket, Virginia, because it’s ideal when it comes to privacy—Namibia is one of the least-densely populated countries in the world. The two will reportedly stay at Natural Selection’s Hoanib Valley Camp, the country’s newest luxury camp, which officially opens to the public in June 2018. Of course, that means the Meghan and Harry will be the first and only guests on the property at the time. 

Hoanib Valley Camp; photos courtesy Natural Selection.

These aren’t your typical rustic African safari accommodations—this is a stylish, six-bedroom tented camp nestled in the remote, wild environment of Kaokoland that’s surrounding by towering mountains, sand dunes, and massive expanses of desert. Sign us up!

But official accommodations aside, Belcher (who can be reached here for more info) dishes on a few other up-to-par destinations that are giving us wanderlust.

For travelers inspired by destinations like Namibia’s dramatic deserts and remote wilderness, African safaris offer an extraordinary way to experience landscapes that remain largely untouched by modern development. Across the continent, safari regions range from vast savannahs teeming with wildlife to rugged valleys and desert ecosystems where rare species have adapted to extreme conditions.

These journeys often combine guided wildlife viewing, conservation-focused experiences, and immersive stays that place visitors directly within nature’s rhythms. Whether watching elephants traverse dry riverbeds at sunrise or tracking elusive predators across open plains, safari travel provides a perspective that blends adventure with a deeper appreciation for fragile ecosystems and the cultures that exist alongside them.

For those looking to explore these environments through thoughtfully organized itineraries, services such as African Budget Safaris highlight how travelers can access a wide range of safari experiences without sacrificing authenticity. Carefully planned routes often connect multiple parks and conservation areas, giving visitors the chance to witness diverse habitats and wildlife populations while traveling with knowledgeable guides who understand the terrain and its ecological significance.

From multi-day overland expeditions to more intimate wildlife-focused journeys, these safaris emphasize the same sense of wonder that draws visitors to remote camps and hidden valleys—where the vastness of the landscape, the rhythm of wildlife, and the quiet of the wilderness create memories that extend far beyond a single destination.

1. Even before the official announcement, Belcher had a suspicion that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would be drawn to Africa. At the Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in Ulusaba, South Africathe newlyweds could choose from two lodges: one featuring panoramic views from the top of a small mountain or another in the heart of the bush, close to the action. From either, Harry and Meghan could escape to the vineyard at Mount Rochelle near the town of Franschhoek—the self-proclaimed food and wine capital of South Africa.

The Safari Lodge at Ulusaba Private Game Reserve; photo courtesy of Virgin Limited Edition.
The Safari Lodge at Ulusaba Private Game Reserve; photo courtesy of Virgin Limited Edition.
The Safari Lodge at Ulusaba Private Game Reserve; photo courtesy of Virgin Limited Edition.
The Safari Lodge at Ulusaba Private Game Reserve; photo courtesy of Virgin Limited Edition.

2. The South Pacific would have been a royal curveball, but no doubt the accommodations are fit for a king and queen. Laucala, an exclusive private retreat in the Fijian Islands, combines white sandy beaches with mesmerizing rainforest-laced landscapes. 

Photo courtesy Laucala.
Photo courtesy Laucala.
Photo courtesy Laucala.

Here, vacationers can enjoy one of 25 Fijian-style villas set amid coconut plantations, next to deserted beaches, and even atop a volcanic mountain—one that overlooks endless jungles and gorgeous coral reefs. The privacy ranks high—in fact, the details of this dream resort only recently became available to the public on the internet—the resort’s owner is the co-founder of Red Bull, Dietrich Mateschitz, and Laucala was once his personal retreat open only to celebrities looking to escape paparazzi.

Photo courtesy Laucala.
Photo courtesy Laucala.
Photo courtesy Laucala.

3. And if Harry and Meghan were Caribbean-island-bound? The 2017 hurricane season wasn’t exactly kind to this region, but the Necker Island private residence team is “rebuilding it stronger and more modern than ever,” reports Belcher. As Sir Richard Branson’s private island estate in the British Virgin Islands, this choice would support the newlyweds’ homeland—in a British territory and owned by a Brit. It can be booked with an exclusive island buyout, and it just happens to be where the Obamas went on vacation just after leaving the White House.

Necker Island; photo courtesy Virgin Limited Edition

 

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