12 Day Romantic Tanzania and Zanzibar Honeymoon
A private honeymoon pairing Tarangire, three Serengeti nights and Ngorongoro Crater with a night in Stone Town and four slow days on Zanzibar's beaches.
- Duration
- 12 days
- Route
- Arusha – Tarangire – Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater – Stone Town – Zanzibar beach
- Start / end
- Starts at Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha; ends at Zanzibar Airport
- Best time
- June to October offers the driest safari weather and great beach days, while late December to February is also excellent; the long rains of roughly March to May are best avoided.
- Trip style
- Private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and your own driver-guide, staying in comfortable mid-range lodges and tented camps, followed by a beach resort on Zanzibar.
Tour overview
This is the classic Tanzania honeymoon done at an unhurried pace. You begin among the coffee plantations outside Arusha, then set off with your own guide in a private Land Cruiser to Tarangire's baobab-studded plains, the endless grasslands of the Serengeti and the wildlife-packed floor of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Three nights in the Serengeti give you time to settle into the rhythm of safari, with long game drives, bush lunches and quiet evenings under the stars. After the crater, a short flight carries you to Zanzibar for a night in historic Stone Town and four days of white sand, warm water and nothing on the schedule.
It suits couples who want both adventure and real rest, with comfortable mid-range lodges chosen for their setting and atmosphere, and every transfer handled for you from arrival to departure.
Highlights
- First night at a coffee plantation lodge on the edge of Arusha
- Elephant herds and giant baobabs in Tarangire National Park
- Three nights and unhurried game drives in the Serengeti
- A morning on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater
- Sunset in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Four relaxed nights on a Zanzibar beach
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrival in Arusha
Welcome to Tanzania. Our team meets you at Kilimanjaro Airport and drives you about an hour to your lodge on a working coffee estate on the outskirts of Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, you can stroll through the plantation, enjoy a drink on the veranda with views toward Mount Meru, or simply rest after the long flight. In the evening your guide drops by to brief you on the safari ahead and answer any questions before a quiet dinner together.
Day 2Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, set off with your guide on the drive of about 2 to 2.5 hours to Tarangire National Park. Pop the roof and spend the day exploring the Tarangire River valley, where large elephant herds gather and ancient baobab trees dot the landscape. Look out for giraffe, zebra, buffalo, lions resting in the shade and an impressive variety of birds. You stop for a picnic lunch inside the park and continue game driving before checking into your tented lodge for sundowners overlooking the plains.
Day 3Tarangire to Central Serengeti
Today is a long but rewarding journey. Drive through the farmland around Karatu and climb the forested slopes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, pausing at the crater rim viewpoint for your first look into the caldera. Continue across the Maasai grasslands and enter the Serengeti at Naabi Hill Gate, where you have a picnic lunch. The afternoon is spent game driving toward the central Seronera area, famous for big cats. Expect around 7 to 8 hours on the road including stops and game viewing.
Day 4Full Day in the Serengeti
Wake early for a morning game drive when predators are most active. The Seronera River valley is one of the best places in Africa to see lions and leopards, while cheetahs often hunt on the open plains. Depending on the season, your guide will also follow the movements of the great wildebeest migration. Return to camp for lunch and a rest, or take a picnic and stay out all day. The pace is yours to set, and there is always time for a sundowner on the way back.
Day 5Serengeti at Your Own Pace
A second full day lets you explore further afield, perhaps the kopjes of the Moru or Gol areas, the hippo pools along the river, or wherever your guide hears about the latest sightings. Early risers may like to add an optional hot air balloon flight at dawn, followed by a champagne bush breakfast, which can be arranged on request. The afternoon is free for game driving or simply enjoying the views from your tent before a final romantic evening in the Serengeti.
Day 6Serengeti to Ngorongoro
Enjoy a last morning game drive as you leave the Serengeti, stopping at the Olduvai Gorge area if you would like to learn about the region's early human history. The drive to the Ngorongoro rim takes around 3 to 4 hours with game viewing along the way. Arrive at your lodge on the crater rim in the afternoon, where the views down into the caldera are spectacular at sunset. The highlands are cool at night, so a warm layer is welcome by the fireplace.
Day 7Ngorongoro Crater, Fly to Zanzibar
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater early in the morning, when the light is soft and the animals are active. The crater floor is home to lions, buffalo, elephants, hyenas, flamingos and one of the last strongholds of the black rhino. Crater visits are limited to about six hours, so after a morning of game viewing and a picnic by the hippo pool, you drive to the Lake Manyara airstrip, about an hour away, for your afternoon flight to Zanzibar. You are met and taken to your hotel in Stone Town.
Day 8Stone Town to the Beach
Spend the morning on a guided walk through Stone Town's narrow lanes, past carved wooden doors, bustling markets, the Old Fort and the House of Wonders, learning about the island's Swahili, Arab and Indian heritage. After lunch, transfer about an hour to your beach resort on the north coast. Check in, change into something light and head straight for the sand. The north of the island is known for beautiful sunsets and a tide that usually stays swimmable for much of the day.
Day 9Zanzibar Beach Day
A day with nothing to do but enjoy each other's company. Swim in the turquoise Indian Ocean, read in the shade of a palm, or book a couples' spa treatment at the resort. Many guests like to take a short walk along the beach to watch the local dhow builders at work or the fishing boats coming home in the afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a relaxed dinner as the sun sets over the water, a highlight of staying on this side of the island.
Day 10Zanzibar Beach Day
Another free day at the beach. If you feel like adventure, we can arrange optional excursions such as a snorkeling trip to Mnemba Atoll, a spice farm tour, a visit to Jozani Forest to see the rare red colobus monkeys, or a sunset dhow cruise. Otherwise, the pool, the sea and a long lunch may be all the plan you need. Our local team is available by phone throughout your stay should you want to arrange anything extra.
Day 11Zanzibar Beach Day
Your last full day on the island is yours to savor. Take a final swim, try stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking from the beach, or treat yourselves to a private dinner on the sand, which many resorts can set up on request. It is a good moment to look back over the photos from the Serengeti and the crater and reflect on how far you have traveled in a short time, from the open plains of the mainland to the slow rhythm of island life.
Day 12Departure from Zanzibar
Enjoy a final breakfast with a view of the ocean and some last moments on the beach. Depending on your flight time, check out and meet your driver for the transfer of about 1 to 1.5 hours to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport for your onward or international flight home. If your flight is late in the day, a late check-out can often be requested, subject to availability. We wish you a lifetime of happiness and hope to welcome you back to Tanzania.
What is included
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and professional driver-guide on safari
- All park and conservation fees, including the Ngorongoro Crater service fee
- Accommodation as listed in double rooms
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water in the safari vehicle
- Flight from Lake Manyara or Arusha to Zanzibar
- All airport and hotel transfers on the mainland and Zanzibar
- Guided Stone Town walking tour
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Personal travel insurance and Zanzibar's mandatory inbound insurance
- Tips for guides and hotel staff
- Drinks unless stated
- Optional activities such as the balloon safari, spa treatments and Zanzibar excursions
- Personal items and laundry
Good to know
- Light aircraft to Zanzibar usually allow around 15 kg of luggage per person in soft-sided bags; extra luggage can be stored in Arusha.
- Let us know you are on honeymoon when booking, as many lodges add a small celebration touch.
- Zanzibar requires foreign visitors to hold the island's official inbound travel insurance, which can be bought online before arrival.
- Nights in the Serengeti and on the Ngorongoro rim are cool, so pack a fleece alongside your beachwear.
Frequently asked questions
Can we upgrade to luxury lodges for our honeymoon?
Yes. The itinerary works just as well with luxury properties such as Four Seasons Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Tell us your wishes and we will tailor the lodge selection.
Is the drive from Tarangire to the Serengeti very tiring?
It is the longest day on the safari, usually 7 to 8 hours including stops, the crater viewpoint and game driving. The roads in the Serengeti are unpaved, but the scenery changes constantly and your guide will pace the day comfortably.
Can we change the number of beach nights?
Absolutely. You can add or remove beach nights, split your stay between two resorts or swap the north coast for the east coast. We will adjust the transfers to match.
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