Summer is wedding season … which means that summer is honeymoon season as well. Sure, Hawaii and Venice are beautiful places, but for what’s supposed to be the most memorable trip of their lives, shouldn’t newlyweds be heading somewhere a bit more off the beaten path? And between the economy and the environment, isn’t blowing thousands of dollars (and an airplane’s vast carbon emissions) on a purely hedonistic trip a little, well, selfish?
That’s where the folks at Elevate Destinations come in. This travel coordinator does all the planning for you — lodging, itinerary, the works — and makes a charitable donation to a nonprofit in your destination country for every trip. Trips include stays at eco-friendly luxury hotels and lodges whenever possible, and also offer up volunteer and community opportunities during each journey. And instead of taking travelers to the world’s most predictable destinations, Elevate’s itineraries include trips to the likes of Bhutan, Laos and Mongolia.
Just in time for newlywed travelers, Elevate is offering the Kenya Honeymoon Safari, a two-week trip where you’ll see zebras, giraffes and elephants … and stay in lodging that’s as green as the verdant African forests you’ll see. The trip also includes windsurfing, snorkeling and sailing — just like you’d have on a Hawaiian honeymoon, although you’ll probably hear jaguars in the background instead of, well, honeymooners in Jaguars.
After a safari this memorable, you’ll be really sad when the honeymoon’s over, but you’ll probably travel with Elevate again!

