A honeymoon hideaway in Tanzania

The Retreat, located in Northern Selous, Tanzania, is a rustic and romantic honeymoon choice for couples looking to make their trip of a lifetime extra special.

Not only do they offer firm favourites done to perfection such as indulgent dining, couple’s spa pampering and game adventures, but The Retreat goes above and beyond expectations. Couples can spend the night in a secret love nest, go deep in the bush and fly camp and set out on adventures with a difference where they meditate with the sounds of the bush and learn to laugh with the hippos.

The Retreat offers twelve exquisite suites that lie in total seclusion seven hours away from the nearest camp in The Selous Game Reserve. The reserve is the largest protected wildlife sanctuary in Africa and is one of the last remaining areas where nature remains virtually undisturbed. The beautiful tented suites are mounted on raised teak wood platforms and each comes with its own private deck and outdoor bath allowing couples to savour their own experience of the surrounding wilderness.

Each suite uses natural materials including silk mosquito nets and curtains and locally sourced crafts creating the ultimate feeling of laid back luxury. The canvas interiors are handmade to reflect the stars of the African sky so couples feel romanticised by their surroundings whether inside or out. The Lion River Suite is ideal for honeymooners with its own dining room, plunge pool and secluded chill out zone with designer rattan loungers. Here couples can enjoy a sumptuous private sunset dinner while game simply strolls by.

The Retreat provides the perfect setting for honeymooners with its very own ‘tree top love nest’ under the roof of a huge evergreen tree. Located four metres above ground, the love nest has a spectacular view onto the Great Ruaha River and is located just above a hippo path. Separated from the wilderness by only a silk mosquito net, the love nest comes complete with its own bathroom, shower and small dining area and offers a night’s accommodation that couples will never forget. This is the perfect spot for guests to soak up and experience the thrill of the African bush.

For those that want to sleep under the stars and experience unrivalled closeness to nature, The Retreat offers the romantic and thrilling experience of ‘fly camping’. A nomadic tent is set up in a secluded part of the bush and an open fire is lit creating a magical and unforgettable atmosphere. Couples can enjoy a private bush dinner, cooked fresh by their own chef and served by their very own bush butler.

Game drives deep into the African bush, safari walks, boat excursions on the Great Ruaha River, fishing and spa treatments are among the choice of activities offered at the Retreat and guests can choose two complimentary activities per day. Honeymooners can also take part in activities such as ‘Bush Walking with Meditation’, ‘Painting the Sound of the Bush’ and ‘Laughing with the Hippos`. The service concept of The Retreat is to capture every guest’s individual needs and wishes and to create a tailor made journey with many unexpected surprises and added values. As well as accommodating lion, African hunting dog, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, antelope and hippo, the Selous is home to the largest number of elephants in a single park anywhere in the world, and the highly endangered black rhino can be spotted near the lodge.

‘Senses to Africa’ is the Retreats natural outdoor spa romantically situated on the shores of the Ruaha River. After a day in the bush, the treatments will enhance and re-awaken the senses and experiences of African nature and wildlife as well as balancing the body, soul and mind. Couples can delight in treatments such as the ‘Hippo Scrub’ or the ‘Monkey Head Massage’ whilst listening to birdsong and the sounds of the river.

The Retreat will take couples on a wild and romantic journey exploring this unique and beautiful part of untouched Africa.

Rooms start from $495 per person per night.

For more information and bookings, visit retreat-africa.com.