Have the costs of your wedding left you high and dry, with no prospect of that dream honeymoon? A world cruise or overseas trip may be out of reach right now, but a short break and change of scenery here in South Africa isn`t going to break the bank.

South Africans are blessed with a country that offers virtually every type of getaway possible, from its game reserves to both Indian and Atlantic Ocean beaches, quiet mountain retreats, desert camping trips, Cape wineland tours or the delights of a city far away. Before you write off your honeymoon altogether, visit your local travel agent where you can pick up brochures on resorts countrywide, that offer activities and opportunities you never dreamt possible.

The Cape
South Africa`s oldest city nestles beneath majestic Table Mountain and offers visitors a myriad of activities, including Cape Town`s historic sightseeing tours and breathtaking scenery. Seafront holiday apartments and quaint guest houses are abundant throughout the western Cape and offer traditional hospitality. Centrally situated for restaurants, the beach and the heart of the Mother City, this is the ideal base from which to explore both the city and peninsula, with the attractions of the V&A Waterfront close by.

The Garden Route offers some of the country`s most spectacular scenery, with lovely holiday resorts along its resplendent coastline. Situated in Knysna`s enchanting forest, the quaint town of George offers some delightful, remote getaways perfect for honeymooners, set in the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains.

The Eastern Cape coastline boasts many lovely towns including historic Graaff-Reinet, famous for its architectural heritage. Port Elizabeth is a delightful city, with a beautiful beach and historical, theatrical, sporting and leisure attractions.

KwaZulu-Natal
With its festive atmosphere, Durban is South Africa`s never-ending summer city. The Indian Ocean laps its honey beaches lined with hotels and inns to suit all tastes and pockets. Along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, from Ballito to Port Shepstone, and inland to Pietermaritzburg, visitors can savour the tropical appeal this province offers, no matter what time of year.

A popular destination for that winter honeymoon retreat, the Drakensberg Mountain Range is home to unspoilt nature reserves with delightful resorts such as Little Switzerland, Champagne Castle and Cathedral Peak (left). Nature walks, hikes and helicopter rides offer visitors breathtaking views of this magnificent mountain range.

The Free State
Perfect for that mid-way stopover for the long drive between Gauteng and the Cape, Bloemfontein and Kimberley offer visitors modern cities with exciting histories, beautiful parks and gardens and many reasonable and comfortable hotels to choose from.

Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga presents the untamed appeal of Africa, with rustic landscapes and game reserves aplenty. The Kruger National Park is of course the largest of all game reserves, and is surrounded by game lodges and resorts that range in price and can work out to be very reasonable during off-peak seasons. Other attractions in the area include Pilgrim`s Rest, Mac Mac Falls and Sudwala Caves.

The North West Province
Sun City and the Lost City, with the Pilanesberg Game Reserve close by remain a very popular holiday destination. Less than an hour`s drive away, Rustenburg offers some lovely hotels and resorts at a fraction of the price of that of Sun City. The Magaliesberg is a beautiful area situated in the North-West Province and Gauteng, perfect for a travelling honeymoon, with quaint guest houses and resorts, ideal for one night stopovers. The area is situated close to both Johannesburg and Pretoria and offers the attraction of Hartebeespoort Dam.

Gauteng
Pretoria is a particularly colourful city, with a wealth of culture and history. Reasonably-priced hotels are available in the city, as well as a number of attractive lodges nearby. Johannesburg is South Africa`s international city, with attractions including Gold Reef City, the Randburg Waterfront, Zoo Lake and many others. Resorts and country retreats on the outskirts of Johannesburg are ideal for short stays, with easy access to the city and Pretoria.

Outside the borders... nearby
Outside our borders, inexpensive getaways are available in the form of wilderness camps and safaris throughout southern Africa. If you`re a romantic adventurer, Zanzibar offers a historical and cultural experience and is a haven for water sports. The `Roof of Africa` - Mt Kilimanjaro - is the perfect destination for a memorable honeymoon with a challenge.

The houseboats unique to Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe are ideal if you want to spend your honeymoon as close to nature as you`ll ever be, at astonishingly reasonable rates. Reduce your accommodation costs with a Zimbabwe trip on the Zambezi Rail Safari which runs from Bulawayo, through the Hwange Game Reserve to Victoria Falls (above) and back.

Self-catering beach chalets are the way to go if you want to cut costs in Mauritius and the Seychelles. They also allow you more freedom to enjoy your honeymoon on your own time in these unspoilt islands. Inha?a Island is a somewhat unknown paradise in the Indian Ocean and tours can be arranged there at a surprisingly low cost.

So don`t give up on that honeymoon. With a little investigation, you`ll find that a honeymoon can be enjoyed on the very tightest of budgets. It`s worth it - after all, your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and no matter how short, you`ll find the break rewarding as you shed your pre-marital stress!

Article source: LifeWorld