8 Day Honeymoon Safari and Zanzibar
Four days of private safari in Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, followed by four relaxing nights on a Zanzibar beach, the perfect bush-and-beach honeymoon.
- Duration
- 8 days
- Route
- Arusha – Tarangire – Serengeti – Karatu – 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 offers dry-season safari and sunny beach days; December to February is also excellent for both.
- Trip style
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with driver-guide on safari. Comfortable mid-range lodges and a beach resort in Zanzibar.
Tour overview
This eight-day honeymoon combines the two experiences most couples dream of in Tanzania: an exciting private safari and slow, sunny days on the white sand beaches of Zanzibar. It is a well-paced trip that fits neatly into a week and a bit of leave, with comfortable mid-range accommodation throughout.
The safari covers Tarangire, the central Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater in four days, traveling in your own Land Cruiser with a private guide. After your crater game drive, you fly to Zanzibar for four nights at a beach resort, with time to swim in the warm Indian Ocean, explore historic Stone Town or snorkel on coral reefs.
It suits honeymooners and couples celebrating anniversaries who want a memorable mix of adventure and relaxation without overspending.
Highlights
- Private safari for two in Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro
- Night inside the Serengeti with sunset game drives
- Ngorongoro Crater game drive before flying to the coast
- Four nights at a Zanzibar beach resort
- Optional Stone Town tour, spice farm or snorkeling trip
- Internal flight to Zanzibar included
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Your guide meets you at your Arusha hotel or Kilimanjaro Airport and drives about 2 hours to Tarangire National Park. Enjoy your first game drive together among giant baobab trees and the elephant herds the park is known for. Giraffes, zebras, buffalo and lions are frequently seen, and birdlife is spectacular. Lunch is a picnic in the park. In the late afternoon you check in at your lodge, which overlooks the bush, and enjoy dinner as the night sounds begin.
Day 2Tarangire to the Serengeti
Today you head to the Serengeti, crossing the Rift Valley and the Ngorongoro highlands, with a stop at a viewpoint overlooking the crater. Descend onto the endless plains and enter the Serengeti at Naabi Hill, where you have a picnic lunch. Your afternoon game drive takes you toward the central Serengeti, looking for lions, cheetahs and leopards along the way. The journey takes about 6 to 7 hours with stops. Arrive at your tented lodge in time for a sundowner.
Day 3Serengeti to Karatu
Rise early for a sunrise game drive in the central Serengeti, the best time to see predators on the move. Return for a late breakfast, or take it with you to enjoy in the bush. Around midday, begin the drive back across the plains to the Ngorongoro highlands, with game viewing along the way, about 4 to 5 hours in total. In the late afternoon you arrive at your lodge in Karatu, set on a coffee farm with gardens and a pool.
Day 4Ngorongoro Crater and Flight to Zanzibar
Leave early and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning game drive. The crater floor is home to black rhino, lions, elephants, buffalo, hyenas and flamingos, all within a stunning volcanic setting. After a picnic lunch, ascend the crater wall and drive to the Lake Manyara airstrip, about 1.5 hours away, for your afternoon flight to Zanzibar. On arrival you are met and transferred about 1 hour to your beach resort on the island's northeast coast.
Day 5Zanzibar Beach Day
Wake to the sound of the Indian Ocean and spend the day as you please. Swim in the warm turquoise water, relax on a sun lounger under the palms or enjoy a couples' massage at the spa. As the tide goes out, walk the long white sand beach and watch local women farming seaweed in the shallows. In the evening, enjoy a cocktail as the sun sets and dinner at the resort, perhaps with your toes in the sand.
Day 6Zanzibar: Optional Stone Town or Spice Tour
Today you might take an optional excursion. Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a maze of narrow alleys, carved wooden doors, busy markets and historic buildings that tell the story of the island's trading past. Combine it with a visit to a spice farm to see and taste cloves, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg growing. If you would rather stay put, simply enjoy another day of sunshine at the resort and a romantic dinner in the evening.
Day 7Zanzibar: Optional Snorkeling or Sunset Dhow
Spend your final full day on the island. For an active morning, join an optional boat trip to snorkel the coral reefs around Mnemba Atoll, where turtles and colorful reef fish are common and dolphins are sometimes seen on the way. In the late afternoon, an optional sunset cruise on a traditional wooden dhow is a beautiful way to celebrate your honeymoon. Otherwise, savor a lazy day by the pool and on the beach before a farewell dinner.
Day 8Departure from Zanzibar
Enjoy a final breakfast overlooking the ocean and some last moments on the beach. Depending on your flight time, you can relax at the resort until it is time to leave. Your driver then collects you for the transfer of about 1 hour to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar for your flight home or onward journey. You leave with memories of lions on the plains and sunsets over the Indian Ocean to start your married life together.
What is included
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and English-speaking driver-guide on safari
- All park entry and conservation fees, including the Ngorongoro Crater service fee
- Three nights in mid-range safari lodges and four nights at a Zanzibar beach resort
- Meals as listed: full board on safari, breakfast and dinner in Zanzibar
- Scheduled flight from Lake Manyara or Arusha to Zanzibar
- Airport transfers in Arusha and Zanzibar
- Unlimited bottled drinking water on safari
- Government taxes and fuel
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips for your guide and hotel staff
- Drinks at lodges and the beach resort
- Optional excursions in Zanzibar and the Serengeti balloon flight
- Zanzibar hotel levy collected locally
- Spa treatments and personal items
Good to know
- Domestic flights have a soft-bag luggage limit, usually around 15 to 20 kg (33 to 44 lb) per person.
- The flight to Zanzibar may depart from Lake Manyara airstrip or Arusha Airport depending on schedules.
- Zanzibar is a mainly Muslim island; dress modestly in Stone Town and villages, and keep swimwear for the beach and resort.
- Let us know your wedding date so hotels can prepare honeymoon touches where possible.
Frequently asked questions
Is four days long enough for the safari part?
Four days covers Tarangire, the central Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater at a comfortable pace. If you can add a day, a second night in the Serengeti is the most rewarding extension.
Can we upgrade the beach hotel?
Yes. We work with a wide range of Zanzibar hotels, from boutique beach lodges to luxury resorts and private villas. Contact us and we will tailor the beach stay to your style.
Which side of Zanzibar is best for a honeymoon?
The north coast has less tidal variation and great sunsets, while the east coast offers long, quiet beaches and lagoons. We will recommend the best area based on your preferences and travel dates.
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