Yesterday I published the first half of Becky and Bryce’s incredible African honeymoon.  The second half is below – enjoy!

[A continuation of “The best part about our honeymoon was…“]

Benguerra Island, Mozambique – Marlin Lodge

Again so many amazing moments so here are a couple:

We arranged to take a tour of the island with two locals who worked at the lodge. We took a jeep around the entire island – saw where all the villagers lived and how they lived (all in grass huts). It was a very humbling experience to say the least. Every time we drove by the kids on the sand streets they would run behind the jeep smiling, waiving and laughing. We also visited their local school and got to talk with and meet the headmaster and some of the children. The children were a bit shy at the beginning but once we showed them the picture we took sitting with them at their desks, we instantly bonded!!!

Hanging out with the kids of Benguerra Island, Mozambique

Maybe my favorite moment was a private picnic lunch the lodge put on for us. They boated us to the other side of the island where they had the most incredible arrangement waiting. There was an umbrella with a blanket and chairs set up as we arrived. They had a gourmet lunch laid out as well along with our drinks of choice – Rosé and Mozambican beer, Manica! There was nothing around us but warm Indian Ocean and white sand – it was surreal! They then left us there all afternoon – we really felt like it was our private island at this point. We liked it so much we did it again the next day!

A private picnic on Benguerra Island

If I knew then what I know now, I’d change…

Nothing, other than we would have gone for 3 weeks instead of 2!

How much planning did you do in advance?

A lot!! I give all the credit to my amazing husband, Bryce, who put a lot of time and effort into making this the best trip of our life!!!!! He found all the hotels and lodges we stayed at and worked with a travel agent to set up the logistics.

A beautiful Mozambique sunset

What was your biggest honeymoon splurge?

Once we got there everything was already paid for which was very nice. The only place to shop was in Cape Town where I bought some jewelry and my husband got an African warrior shield.

Where do you want to go on your next big trip?

Now that we’ve come to grips that it will be next to impossible to top this trip, we can’t wait for our next adventure. We’re thinking about Russia, Colombia, Sri Lanka or Antarctica.

Where did you stay, and would you recommend the hotels to other honeymooners?

We cannot say enough amazing things about where we stayed!!

Nottens Bush Camp (Sabi Sands Reserve) – was an incredible experience. We were literally in the bush with wild life all around us! We had an amazing 2 bedroom suite with our own balcony and outdoor shower! There was no electricity – so at night everything was lit by candles and lanterns. It was incredible! Everyone who worked at this lodge made you feel so comfortable – like a family. Breakfast, high tea (their lunch) and dinner were all family style – so we got to know everyone staying at the lodge very well! They cooked us amazing meals and were so welcoming!

Rawrrr

We had two safaris per day. One in the morning and one in the late afternoon. In between the morning and late afternoon safari there was plenty to do! We went on a walking safari one day (I was quite scared), laid by the pool the other and got an amazing massage! There was so much to do and see I wish we could have been there longer. It was pretty crazy being in the bush like we were. We saw a hyena one night lurking around while we were eating dinner and elephants were drinking from the pool the following night! It was crazy!

Marlin Lodge – We went from being spoiled to more spoiled! We got picked up at the airport then drove to the beach where we got on a boat that boated us out to Benguerra Island. As we were pulling up – the entire staff was on the beach in all white singing and dancing, welcoming us to the island. It was a pretty incredible moment. They then showed us to our villa – which was a beautiful, private wooden “hut” on the beach. We had an amazing amount of white sand and ocean to look out at the second we arrived. It was like we were the only people on the island.

A very island welcome at Marlin Lodge

It was actually a pretty incredible feeling when we arrived here because we had been on the go for so long with the wedding then in South Africa, we were able to finally relax! The staff at this hotel was amazing. There are 3 villages on the island and 3 lodges. Each village represents a lodge. The people we met and saw every day were so kind and it was such an honor to have met them. The food was also incredible and the rosé was flowing!! Every day was something new and unique!