S12E4: African Honeymoons: From Adventure to the Ultimate Relaxation Retreat
African honeymoons can be the ultimate safari and a relaxing beachside retreat, but they go well beyond that.
Are wineries and waterfalls more your style? South Africa offers incredible food and wine in addition to a safari. We're covering everything from guerrilla treks and sleeping outdoors to luxury retreats.
Michelle and Cayley paint a picture of what romantic getaways can look like in Africa. I'm booking my ticket right now!
Guests: Michelle and Cayley, Journeys by Emerge
This week on The Wedding Dish podcast, we’re dishing about…
Why is a safari a good romantic getaway and honeymoon destination?
Africa is a huge continent - what are some recommended places that you would suggest for honeymooners, or folks looking to visit?
What goes into the planning process for an African safari?
What are some of the travel trends you are seeing in Africa?
Are safaris only for the super-rich with huge budgets?
Aside from a safari, what else could be incorporated into a trip to Africa?
... and more!
Listen to The Wedding Dish on any of your favorite podcast platforms!
Meet Journeys by Emerge!
Journeys by Emerge specialises in crafting unforgettable African honeymoons, with a particular flair for the art of the safari honeymoon. Co-owned by Michelle Cerruti and Cayley Christos, we design seamless, romantic journeys that allow couples to celebrate their love surrounded by Africa’s breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife. Our combined experience in African travel allows us to specialise in crafting bespoke romantic journeys across Southern and East Africa.
As a conscious and sustainability-focused company, we take pride in curating extraordinary experiences that leave a positive impact on the environment and support local communities. Our intimate knowledge of destinations, hotels, and lodges enables us to handpick the most exceptional and exclusive locations for your romantic adventures.
“When planning a honeymoon, many couples envision beaches, historic cities, or tropical islands. But for those seeking something truly extraordinary, Africa stands out as a honeymoon destination offering an unparalleled range of experiences that can be tailored to any couple’s dreams. There are so many reasons why an African honeymoon, in particular a safari honeymoon, can be a superb option to consider.” - Michelle Cerruti
Business Details
What areas do you serve?
UK; USA; Germany; Southern Africa
Why did you decide to start your own business?
Our business partnership stems from a 15-year friendship. Cay and I met at a contemporary dance that we did for many years together. Cayley worked for a high-end travel company, Wilderness Safaris, for a decade. I worked in finance and marketing but had a passion for the bush (the outdoors) and wine – even investing in a lodge outside the Kruger National Park just before Covid! As female travellers ourselves, we saw a gap for romantic travel – we can offer more to our clients looking for romantic travel and adding romantic touches than, say, a typical safari company run by a guide or birding expert.
What's the coolest thing about owning your own business?
Flexibility and the satisfaction of seeing some success directly from our actions. I have a poster in my home office that says "Don't stop until you're proud", and that's something I strive towards. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so getting every detail perfectly aligned is important to me. I also just really like working with couples to plan an incredible trip. The people in the travel industry are genuinely or naturally hospitable, and so we tend to deal with really nice people, which just makes your week that much nicer.
Follow, rate, and review The Wedding Dish on your preferred podcast platform. Follow us on Instagram @theweddingdishpodcast.
This episode is brought to you by:
Photos from the Harty, internationally acclaimed wedding photography
District Bliss, the support you need to skyrocket your business with ease
Sprout Creative, marketing for entrepreneurs
17hats. Business just got easier. At The Wedding Dish, we use 17hats for scheduling guests, questionnaires, to develop our show notes, and for our all of guest management. It’s the CRM that makes it easy to run two businesses and two podcasts seamlessly.
Chill Paws, human-grade CBD for your furry pals (use CLOU15 for a discount)