Pop the Question in Africa

by Alison Westwood, 1 December 2005

It's a good thing I'm not in the least bit romantic, or I'd have a problem with my job. Because I travel for work, I get to explore Africa with colleagues and strangers.

But if you have a single sentimental bone in your body, you really have to see Africa with someone you love. Or, better still, someone you are madly in love with and with whom you are contemplating spending the rest of your life choosing furniture.

A Fiancé in the Family

That's what my brother thought last Christmas when he came out from England to visit Cape Town.

I'm not sure if he had the idea before he got onto the plane with his girlfriend, but after a few days of horseriding on the beach, paddling with the penguins, and disappearing on my motorbike at silly speeds to take her breath away with peninsula views, it was definite. He was going to pop the question.

The news was communicated to the family in an urgent council of war, held while Julie was safely out of the way trying to get the knots out of her hair. There are three things, apparently, that you have to get right when you want to propose: someone to ask (check), a ring, and a romantic opportunity.

Shopping For the Rock

The ring was easy. South Africa is an excellent place to buy jewellery. The precious stones and metals are all fresh out of the ground and very attractively priced if you've got pounds (or indeed any foreign currency). If you want something seriously special, like, say, an engagement ring, you can even look at having it custom made.

I promptly got put on "girls' day out" duty and spent a delightful morning shopping in Long Street with the unwitting fiancée-to-be. The men went and did the real shopping at Jewel Africa, a fantastic jewellery emporium in Cape Town.

Jewel Africa is worth a visit even if you have no intention of buying sparkly objects. It's like a museum of jewellery, but you can actually buy the bits you like or sit with a jeweller and create something unique. It's also surprisingly good value for money.

A Place to Propose

With a rather large rock now burning a hole in his pocket, it was time for my brother to consider where and how. To be honest, the possibilities for proposals in Cape Town are endless.

It's so full of spectacular sunsets and breathtaking scenery, that even men are inspired to flights of poetry (and proposal). Our systems administrator proposed to his wife 'in the shadow of Table Mountain with the sea as our song and the stars as our witnesses'. Those are his words.

A Deserted Beach at Sunset

I don't think my brother wanted any witnesses if he got it wrong, so he hired a more comfortable motorbike, stuffed the rock in his jacket, and a picnic in a backpack, and took his love to see the sunset at Cape Point.

They had a white sandy beach all to themselves; the air was balmy and the surf whispered softly. It was an incredibly romantic setting and it must have done the trick. Because even though my brother popped the question with his mouth full of sandwich, she said 'Yes'.

Best Romantic Holidays

Where I might consider saying 'Yes'...

Floating around the Okavango Delta

Arrange a mokoro (dugout canoe) ride for just the two of you so that the beauty and silence can soak in.

My bet for the best place to try this is Xugana Island Lodge. On a shady island overlooking a deep lagoon, the setting is spectacular. When the lodge isn't very full, they serve dinner on a candlelit raft that is left to float around the lagoon under the stars. Heavenly!

In the desert in Namibia

There's something about the Namib that makes your soul stand still. In the desert you're perfectly aware of where you are - and who you're with.

Wolwedans Dunes Lodge in Namibia is out in the middle of nowhere. Your moment may come when you're watching the sun create shadows on red sand dunes with the sand sifting through your toes, or as you drift over the desert in a hot-air balloon. When night falls you can lie back and dream under the bright blanket of stars.

At the bottom of Mount Kilimanjaro

After making it to the top first, of course! The adventure of climbing Africa's highest mountain together creates a bond that lasts a lifetime.

Take the road less travelled and try the Lemosho Shira route. This nine-day tour uses the trail on the remote western slopes of the mountain, where wild elephant and buffalo roam. A team of experienced guides and porters carries all your personal belongings and heavy loads.

On a private island in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is the perfect tropical paradise with long lonely white beaches and a magic world of colourful creatures under the warm clear waters.

If the main island sounds like it might get a little crowded, you could always elope to Mnemba Island Lodge. Mnemba is a private island, so your stay here will be a completely secluded romantic getaway. In fact, Mnemba is known as one of the most romantic island destinations in the world. It's also famous for the spectacular coral reefs in the marine reserve around the island.

Watching wildlife in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve

It's a wonderful experience to see the Big Five together. Learning the secrets of the bush, you might also learn the secrets of each other's hearts.

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is all about over the top luxury in some of the best game country in the world. Have a massage on your deck overlooking the river and gaze at the stars through your telescope. With a service hatch in the side of your house, the two of you can spend your entire stay without seeing anyone else at all.

Article © Copyright 2005 Go2Africa.

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