10 Day Luxury Honeymoon Safari and Zanzibar
Six days of luxury private safari with an optional sunrise balloon flight over the Serengeti, followed by four indulgent nights at a Zanzibar beach resort.
- Duration
- 10 days
- Route
- Arusha – Tarangire – Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater – flight to Zanzibar – Zanzibar beach
- Start / end
- Starts in Arusha (pick-up from your hotel or Kilimanjaro Airport) and ends at Zanzibar Airport
- Best time
- June to October and December to February offer the best combination of safari wildlife and sunny beach weather.
- Trip style
- Fully private 4x4 Land Cruiser with senior driver-guide. Luxury lodges, a luxury tented camp and a five-star beach resort.
Tour overview
This is our most indulgent honeymoon: ten days that pair Tanzania's finest safari lodges and camps with a luxury beach resort on Zanzibar. From the moment your private guide meets you, every detail is taken care of, leaving the two of you free to enjoy each other and the extraordinary places around you.
The safari begins in Tarangire, then spends three nights in a luxury tented camp in the Serengeti, with the option of a sunrise hot-air balloon flight followed by a champagne breakfast. A night on the Ngorongoro Crater rim leads to a final crater game drive, after which you fly to Zanzibar for four nights of white sand, turquoise water and sunset cocktails.
It suits couples who want a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon or milestone anniversary with exceptional comfort, service and privacy throughout.
Highlights
- Three nights in a luxury tented camp in the Serengeti
- Optional sunrise hot-air balloon flight with champagne breakfast
- Night at an iconic lodge on the Ngorongoro Crater rim
- Private vehicle and senior guide throughout the safari
- Four nights at a luxury Zanzibar beach resort
- Flight from the safari to Zanzibar included
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Your private guide welcomes you at your Arusha hotel or Kilimanjaro Airport and drives you about 2 hours to Tarangire National Park. Enjoy lunch at your lodge, then set out on an afternoon game drive among baobab trees and herds of elephants, zebras and giraffes. Tarangire's lions and leopards are often found resting in the shade along the river. Return to your elevated treehouse suite for sundowners and a candlelit dinner on your first night together in the bush.
Day 2Tarangire to the Serengeti
After a morning game drive in Tarangire, head west across the Rift Valley and through the Ngorongoro highlands, pausing to look down into the crater. Descend onto the golden plains of the Serengeti and enjoy a picnic lunch at Naabi Hill. Your afternoon game drive leads into the heart of the park, where lions, cheetahs and big herds are often seen. The journey takes about 6 to 7 hours with stops. Arrive at your luxury tented camp for a warm welcome and dinner.
Day 3Serengeti: Optional Balloon Flight
Before dawn, you have the option to drift over the Serengeti in a hot-air balloon, watching the plains light up as the sun rises and herds move below you. After landing, enjoy a champagne breakfast in the bush before joining your guide for a game drive. If you prefer to stay on the ground, set out early in search of big cats. Afternoons are for relaxing at camp, followed by a sunset drive and dinner beneath the stars.
Day 4Full Day in the Serengeti
Take a full-day game drive with a gourmet picnic lunch to explore further afield. Your guide may head toward the Moru Kopjes, with their ancient rock paintings and chance of black rhino, or toward the migration herds if they are nearby, depending on the season. Spend as long as you like with a cheetah family or a lion pride. Return to camp in the late afternoon for a sundowner, a hot shower and a romantic dinner for two.
Day 5Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti, then drive back across the plains and up into the Ngorongoro highlands, about 4 hours with stops. In the afternoon you arrive at your lodge on the crater rim, an extraordinary property with opulent suites, butler service and views straight into the caldera. Relax in front of the fire, soak in a bath with a view or walk along the rim before an elegant dinner.
Day 6Ngorongoro Crater and Flight to Zanzibar
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater at sunrise for a morning game drive. The crater floor is one of the best places in Africa to see black rhino, as well as lions, elephants, buffalo and hyenas. After a picnic breakfast or early lunch on the crater floor, you climb out and drive about 1.5 hours to the Lake Manyara airstrip for your flight to Zanzibar. On arrival, you are met and transferred to your luxury beach resort on the island's northwest coast.
Day 7Zanzibar Beach Relaxation
Your first full day on Zanzibar is all about rest. Wake to views of the Indian Ocean, take a leisurely breakfast and spend the day swimming in the clear water, lounging by the infinity pool or enjoying a couples' treatment at the spa. The northwest coast is known for its beaches that stay swimmable through the tides and for spectacular sunsets. End the day with cocktails on the beach and dinner at one of the resort's restaurants.
Day 8Zanzibar: Optional Stone Town Tour
Today you might join an optional private tour of Stone Town, the island's historic heart and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander narrow lanes lined with carved doors, visit the old fort, the House of Wonders area and the bustling Darajani market, and learn about Zanzibar's history as a trading hub. Stop at a rooftop restaurant for lunch with ocean views. Alternatively, stay at the resort and enjoy another day of sunshine and relaxation.
Day 9Zanzibar: Optional Snorkeling and Sunset Dhow
Enjoy your last full day in paradise. For something special, take an optional boat trip to snorkel the coral reefs around Mnemba Atoll, home to turtles, reef fish and sometimes dolphins. Back on shore, relax through the heat of the afternoon. In the evening, an optional private sunset cruise on a traditional dhow is a beautiful way to celebrate your honeymoon, with drinks on board as the sky turns gold over the ocean. Farewell dinner at the resort.
Day 10Departure from Zanzibar
Savor a final breakfast and a last swim before checking out. Depending on your flight time, you may have time to relax on the beach or enjoy one more spa treatment. Your private driver then collects you for the transfer of about 1 hour to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport for your flight home or onward journey. You leave with memories of the Serengeti plains and Zanzibar sunsets to treasure for years to come.
What is included
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and senior English-speaking driver-guide on safari
- All park entry and conservation fees, including the Ngorongoro Crater service fee
- Five nights in luxury safari lodges and camps and four nights at a luxury Zanzibar resort
- Meals as listed: full board on safari, breakfast and dinner in Zanzibar
- Scheduled flight from Lake Manyara or Arusha to Zanzibar
- Private airport transfers in Arusha and Zanzibar
- Unlimited bottled drinking water, binoculars and charging in the vehicle
- Government taxes and fuel
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips for your guide and hotel staff
- Premium drinks unless included by the lodge or resort
- Optional hot-air balloon flight in the Serengeti
- Optional Zanzibar excursions
- Zanzibar hotel levy collected locally
- Spa treatments and personal items
Good to know
- Balloon flights must be reserved in advance and operate weather permitting.
- Domestic flights have a soft-bag luggage limit of around 15 to 20 kg (33 to 44 lb) per person, depending on the airline.
- Zanzibar's north and northwest coasts have smaller tidal ranges, making them ideal for swimming at most times of day.
- Share your wedding date when booking so properties can prepare honeymoon touches where possible.
Frequently asked questions
Is the balloon flight worth it?
Many couples say it is the highlight of their honeymoon. Gliding silently over the Serengeti at sunrise and landing for a champagne breakfast is a truly unique experience, though it is entirely optional.
Can we fly between safari parks instead of driving?
Yes. We can replace the longer drives with light-aircraft flights between Arusha, the Serengeti and Lake Manyara, giving you more time to relax.
Can we choose a private villa in Zanzibar?
Certainly. Many luxury resorts offer villas with private pools, and we can also suggest exclusive island retreats. Let us know your preferences and we will tailor the beach stay.
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