SUPER ROMANTIC PLACES TO SPEND YOUR VALENTINES DAY IN AFRICA

Valentines Day is around the corner, Mainland Africa and the Indian Ocean tropical islands nestling offshore offer some of the World's most intimate and romantic destinations.

1.       Romantic Private Islands in the Seychelles: The Seychelles Islands (in the Indian Ocean) have long been one of the world's most romantic destinations. Prince William and Kate spent their honeymoon there recently. In 2007 William took Kate on a trip to Desroches Island, which is absolute paradise for couples looking for a romantic beach vacation.  Situated about 150 miles (240km) from the Seychelles capital Mahe (a 35 minute flight), the private island of Desroches boasts several miles of sparkling white beaches and fantastic coral reefs. The Desroches Island Retreat is the only accommodation on the island. 20 luxury villas are nestled under shady coconut palms. Tracks all over the island lead to secluded beaches. You can dive, ride a bike, enjoy the spa and swimming pool and then dine under moonlight

2.       The Victoria Falls are of the world`s most spectacular waterfalls: one of the seven wonders of the natural world, is famous as a classically romantic spot. The largest curtain of falling water on Earth! If you`re looking for a quiet and romantic getaway, a few action and sun-filled days then the Victoria Falls is the ideal place to include in your holiday itinerary. As David Livingstone said,   "On sights as beautiful as this, Angels in their flight must have gazed" Nearby, is one of the dreamiest ever places to stay, Tongabezi Lodge, where you can savor a sumptuous candlelit dinner on a private sampan floating in the beautiful Zambezi River. Your waiter will ferry the courses to you via canoe. On the shimmery water, under a moonlit sky, after a satisfying spread, it’ll be a cinch to get your hold-out to take the plunge (not into the river).

3.       An African Safari is one of the most intimate experiences for a romantic vacation and hideaway. Enjoy breathtaking golden sunsets over Africa, romantic African evenings and sumptuous food, while staying in some of the most idyllic camps and lodges in Africa. A luxury safari is also an incredibly romantic affair. Tented camps that cater to romantic couples include hot baths, butler service, gourmet dining and of course several daily game drives, so you can see the stunning African wildlife.

4.       Cape Town: Indeed a city with a diverse range of attractions, sights and activities. Cape Town has become an extremely popular romantic getaway destination with many couples choosing to have a honeymoon here or tie the knot with the beautiful Cape as their backdrop.

5.       Bazaruto Archipelago and Quirimbas Honeymoons and Romantic Getaways: The Bazaruto Archipelago islands offer true tropical paradise escapes, with white sandy beaches and tall tropical palm trees offering a tranquil setting for pure relaxation.

6.        The Quirimbas is an exclusive island paradise, still unknown and pristine: The area has never been developed and remains an unexplored tourist paradise.

7.       Mauritius Honeymoons and Romantic Getaways: It`s name conjures up all that is romantic; an island of beautiful beaches fringed with palm and casuarina trees, protected by a coral reef forming lagoons of crystal clear water. The Lagoons, surrounded by beaches of silvery sand, a holiday maker`s dream, have nowadays some of the best hotels in the world on their shore.

8.       Lake Bunyonyi, Paradise in Uganda: One of the scenic wonders of Uganda, like a picture from Lord of the Rings. It is amazing what an volcanic explosion can create, Lake Bunyonyi was birthed by a volcanic explosion.  Today it is one of the deepest lakes in Africa, from 44 meters to 900 meters in depth. The name in the local language is "the place of little birds" and there are many that you will find here, the beauty that these volcanic explosions created many years ago is breathtaking.  Surrounded by mountains in what is called “the Switzerland of Africa”, or "the little Switzerland."  Terraced hills where people till the soil and grow food.  The climate is perfect, the temperature of the lake a pleasant 25 degrees, perfect for swimming and bilharzia free.

How to Say “I Love You” Throughout Africa

Next time you’re travelling to Africa with a loved one and want to tell them how you feel, use one of these terms – depending on the country you’re in. This is how to say “I love you” in the different parts of Africa.

Botswana

 Setswana: Ke a go rata

Kenya

 Swahili: Nakupenda

Madagascar

 Malagasy: tiako ianao

 French: Je t’aime

Malawi

 Chichewa: Ndimakukonda

Mozambique

 Portuguese: Eu amo-te

Namibia

 Damara/Nama: INam tsi ta ge a (from Female to Male)/ INam si ta ge a (From Male to Female)

 Herero: Mbeku suvera

 Oshivambo: Ondiku hole

 Afrikaans: Ek is lief vir jou

 German: Ich liebe dich

Rwanda

 French: Je t’aime

South Africa

 Zulu: Mena tanda wena

 Xhosa: ndiyakuthanda

 Afrikaans: Ek is lief vir jou

Swaziland

 Swati: Ngiyakutsandza

Tanzania

 Swahili: Nakupenda

Uganda

 Swahili: Nakupenda

 Luganda: Nkwagala

 English: I love you

Zambia

 Nyanja: Ndikufuna

 Bemba: ni nkutemwa

Zimbabwe

 Shona: Ndinokuda

 Ndebele: Ngiyakuthanda

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Africa's "Little Five"

Most travelers who have been on safari can name the "Big Five", but can you list their diminutive counterparts, the "Little Five"? Five species from the bird and insect world, with names the same as the ‘Big 5’ are known as the ‘Little Five. However the "Little Five" is just a fun idea not based on anything beyond the fact that there are five little animals found in Africa, with names corresponding to the "Big Five". The Little Five are: Rhinoceros Beetle, Buffalo Weaver, Elephant Shrew, Leopard Tortoise, and the Ant Lion. So when you are having your holiday in Africa, be sure to ask your safari guide to include the birds and insects, flora and fauna too. You will be amazed at how fascinating a small creature like a dung beetle can be!

The Little Five in Africa:

 1. The Leopard tortoise has markings on its carapace (shell) that resemble a leopard's blotching. With a lifespan of approximately 100 years, it is the largest tortoise species in South Africa and 4th largest in the world. It is also the only tortoise that can swim.

 2. The Ant-Lion, commonly called a "doodlebug", is the predatory larval stage of an insect that resembles a dragonfly. The larvae, which can live for 3 years, excavate pits in loose, sandy soil. Ants walking across the "trap" slide down the slippery slope, and while trying to escape, are bombarded by sand flicked upwards from the bottom of the incline by the awaiting ant-lion. The cunning predator uses its powerful jaws to drag its prey under the soil.

 3. The Rhino-beetle is part of the Scarab family and is so named for the rhino-like horn on its snout. This beetle is one of the great recyclers of the bushveld, and is proportionally one of the world's strongest creatures. It is able to carry 850 times its own weight!

 4. Red-billed buffalo weavers are small birds with black feathers and distinctive red bills. They are a little bigger than house sparrows. The species builds distinctive communal nests with multiple chambers. In South Africa these nests generally face north or northeast, making them good navigation tools on cloudy days

 5. Elephant shrews are not true shrews - they are more closely related to aardvarks. These tiny, diurnal, mainly insectivorous mammals, so named because of their long, mobile, trunk-like noses, are very active but are seldom seen. Both males and females are extremely territorial and when two of them come into contact, snarling and vicious fighting can take place.

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