10 Days | Wild Luxury Honeymoon Safari & Beach

Tommy MO
Jan 3, 2020
9 min read

Updated: Jan 8

Breakfast Served in the wilderness of Serengeti National Park during Luxury Tanzania Safari — Classic Honeymoon Safari Dinner In the Wilderness

At a glance:

A fabulous luxury honeymoon combining the timeless romance of an East African safari with the palm-lined beaches and laid-back vibe of Zanzibar. Landing in Tanzania by the slopes of Kilimanjaro, spend a night relaxing outside of Arusha before a short hop to the wildlife strewn plains of the Serengeti. Then, fly out to the spice island of Zanzibar, a sultry melting pot of Arabian and African culture with a storied past. Soak up sun along the coral-ringed sands and warm Indian Ocean waters.

Trip highlights

Experience the incredible wildlife of the Serengeti
Learn from the best trackers and guides in the safari business
Stay in one of our favourite hand-picked camps
Fall asleep to the sound of the bush in your luxury camp
Relax on Zanzibar's white sandy beaches
Swim, snorkel and sail in the Indian Ocean

TRIP COST – Starts at $ 10,800 Per Person

SAFARI ITINERARY

DAY 1 –– Arrive Arusha, Tanzania

Arrive in Arusha and transfer to your lodge, situated on a working coffee plantation. Your private chalet near Mount Meru features a log fireplace and a balcony. Arusha in Africa is your gateway to Tanzania's treasure store.

The charming town of Arusha rests underneath the mighty gaze of Mount Meru and is an ideal base to explore Tanzania Northern Safari Circuit. It's hard to think of another place in the world that is in close vicinity to such a variety of national parks and game reserves!

Here, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are only a short flight away from Arusha's beloved coffee plantations. Savoir the beautiful sceneries of Arusha, taking a short tour of the city and its amazing people, landscapes, foods etc.

Favorite Lodges in Arusha

ARUSHA COFFEE LODGE

Ideally situated on the outskirts of Arusha, this lodge is a brilliant spot to stay either before, or after your safari in Tanzania. Hidden on the grounds of one of Tanzania’s largest coffee farms, with wonderful views of the Tanzanian countryside and away from the hustle and bustle of the city of Arusha.

The cottages offer you a homely space to either relax after a long international flight, or to flick through your photos before you head home again. In the main lodge you can enjoy the warmth of open log fires while sipping a well-earned gin and tonic or spend time in the gardens breathing in the smells of the coffee bushes around you.

GRAN MELIA ARUSHA

A tranquil connection to your Tanzania safari. Little under an hour from Kilimanjaro Airport and few minutes from Arusha Airport, Gran Melia Arusha is the perfect stopover on your way to or from a Tanzanian safari.

Featuring views of Mount Meru, this refined hotel is set on 7 hectares of coffee and tea plantations. It's 10 km from Arusha Airport.

Featuring balconies, the polished rooms offer Wi-Fi, minibars, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Upgraded rooms add mountain views, and club level quarters have access to a private lounge. Suites feature separate living rooms, and upgraded suites include butler service.

There are 5 chic restaurants and bars (1 is poolside and another is rooftop). Other amenities consist of a spa, an outdoor pool and a 24-hour gym, as well as a running track, gardens and a business centre. Breakfast and parking are available.

DAYS 2 & 3 – Tarangire National Park

Nimali Tarangire - Dinner under the stars with Elephants on the Vicinity

Explore the the incredibly diverse landscape of Tarangire National Park.

Famous for its magnificent Baobabs and high numbers of elephants and with the largest populations of animals migrating here between June and September, the dry season provides an awe-inspiring spectacle of wildlife. Spend your days on both day and night game drives out into the African bush tracking and witnessing the variety of predators and mammals such as dry-country antelope; this is the one place in Africa where the fringe-eared oryx and long-necked gerenuk are regularly observed.

Favorite Lodges in Tarangire

NIMALI TARANGIRE

Located on its own concession on the eastern edge of neighbouring Tarangire National Park, Nimali Tarangire is within easy driving distance of Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. The camp is inspired by the local Maasai culture which is reflected in artfully curated artefacts and soft furnishings.

Designed to blend effortlessly into the surrounding environment, Nimali Tarangire is home to an underground hide where you can witness animals at close quarters as they come down to drink.

TARANGIRE TREETOPS

Tarangire Treetops sits secluded in a private game reserve bordering Tarangire National Park and the Maasai Steppe. It offers spectacular views of Lake Manyara, Mount Kilimanjaro and the beautiful Rift Valley wall. Distinctively furnished, blending natural materials and modern décor, the 20 treehouses provide magnificent views from expansive private balconies. Sumptuous suites each boast an ensuite bathroom (with a double shower), a private balcony, ceiling fans and ample mosquito netting.

The guest areas in the Main Lodge, which is built around a thousand-year-old baobab tree, include a superb restaurant, bar, an inviting swimming pool (which overlooks a nearby watering hole) and a boutique store for guests’ convenience. Adventures include morning and evening game drives, informative bush walks and visits to a nearby Maasai village. Romantic bush meals and sundowners can also be arranged.

DAY 4 –– Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge - Watching Zebras in the Vicinity of the Crater

A Full Day Private Tour of Ngorongoro Crater is your next experience in this wonderful Tanzania luxury safari. Alongside your personal guide, explore the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world. Magnificent geography and fertile soils lure huge herds of plains game and predators in what makes for a multi-coloured and thrilling amphitheater of wildlife. The Big Five are all present here and you can spot flamingos on the central soda lake, zebras grazing along the plains, lions lazing in the tall grass and leopards in the trees of the crater rims.

Favorite Lodges in Ngorongoro Area

THE HIGHLANDS LODGE

The spectacular Highlands Lodge combines a cutting-edge, open design with an intimate setting within the lush forest that sprawls along the slopes of the Olmoti volcano. Stylish and contemporary, The Highlands balances its striking design with a deeply authentic wilderness experience in an exclusive setting. Just eight canvas-and-glass domed suites draw their inspiration from the enchanting Maasai bomas that dot the landscape. Guests can expect warm and contemporary interiors that offer the perfect atmosphere to unwind after a successful day of game viewing.

Guest areas include a well-stocked library, cosy bar area and luxuriously comfortable sitting areas that surround an indoor fireplace. Hearty gourmet meals are prepared with only the freshest organic ingredients and are served in a variety of dining areas. Adventures include game drives in the Ngorongoro Crater, community and cultural visits and hiking along Maasai cattle trails through the various habitats of the Olmoti volcano.

NGORONGORO CRATER LODGE

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge has been called the game lodge at the top of the world. Between the natural riches of the Crater spread out at its feet and the incredible architecture, it’s easy to believe that you have entered a realm of pure fantasy.

Nowhere else on earth can you wake up among all the trappings of an elegant baroque châteaux that transports you into one of the most famous African landscapes. An eclectic blend of teak panelling, Victorian furnishings and whimsical African touches creates a sumptuous atmosphere that is as elegant and unique as the Crater itself. In this place of dramatic contrasts, anything is possible and the natural luxury of the beautiful setting ensures the dramatic interior of your suite blends perfectly with its stilted thatch architecture.

Divided into three camps, 30 suites with banana leaf ceilings and grass roofs provide an intimate and exclusive experience. Each camp has its own sitting and dining areas, with private butlers who provide warm, personal service. With ever-changing views as mists swirl over the huge wildlife cauldron below, the location is truly breathtaking. Guests can be forgiven for losing track of which era, or even continent, they are experiencing at this lodge. Everything is chosen to delight the imagination and enhance the spectacular views of the magnificent surroundings.

DAY 5 & 6 –– Explore The Serengeti National Park

Luxury Safari Game Drive in Serengeti National Park with Amara Safari

Two Days on Safari in the North Serengeti––Spend your days mostly exploring the northern section of the Serengeti on safari tracking the great array of game and wildlife that this vast area offers.

If you're there at the right time for the great migration (depending on the season), this is the region where the herds are at their most concentrated because the North Serengeti forms the border with the Famous Maasai Mara of Kenya, and it’s where (if you’re lucky) you’ll see the infamous river crossings. It’s also an area of untamed natural beauty, of rolling hills, rivers, forests and open plains.

Favorite Lodge in Serengeti National Park

NIMALI MARA

Tucked into the kopjes, Nimali Mara is a chameleon, blending effortlessly into its surroundings. An infinity pool set within the natural rock formations offers the perfect place to cool down during the heat of the day.

The eight tented suites and two honeymoon suites immerse guests seamlessly Into their environment. Private decks afford our guests with exceptional views out over the Serengeti. Enjoy a luxurious bath in view of the grassy plains. Nimali Mara's interior design is a mix of slick and contemporary elements with more earthy textures and fabrics and styling elements.

MELIA SERENGETI LODGE

In harmony with the fabulous natural surroundings of the Serengeti National Park, this hotel offers an intense wildlife experience accompanied by all the comforts of the most exclusive accommodation. Elegant rooms inspired by Maasai traditions with spectacular views of the hotel gardens or Serengeti plains. A cuisine that reinterprets local dishes with ingredients inspired by international cuisine. And magnificent, sustainable facilities that include an incredible infinity pool, gym and spa.

The magic of Africa permeates every corner of the Meliá Serengeti Lodge, Meliá Collection. Savor the experience on the fabulous terrace of your room and marvel at the immensity of the Serengeti National Park. If you've always wanted to go on a safari, you've come to the right place. Visit with your family. Kids will also enjoy their own little African adventure in the kids' club.

DAY 7 TO 10 –– Four Nights of Romance on Zanzibar

Zanzibar is the place to relax on palm-fringed beaches and switch off from the world as dhows sail silently by, enjoying a genuine Indian Ocean paradise where life slows right down to an East African rhythm. With four nights here, there’s plenty of time to soak up the stunning desert-island scenery – powder-white sands fringed by emerald palms and twisted mangroves – and swim in the shallow turquoise seas bedded with rainbow coral reefs. The air is scented with cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg and there’s a rich cultural past and history of spice traders from India and Indonesia.

Favorite Resorts in Zanzibar

ZURI ZANZIBAR RESORT

Zuri Zanzibar is a brand new resort based on the beautiful white sandy beach of Northern Zanzibar offering a tranquil and relaxed environment. The resort comprises of bungalows, suites and villas looking out over the turquoise waters of the Indian ocean.

Zuri Zanzibar puts a huge emphasis on being a tranquil and relaxing haven based on the sandy white shores of Zanzibar. Sheltered in a large lagoon, all bungalows, suites and villas are only a short walk away from the beautiful turquoise water of the Indian Ocean. Zuri Zanzibar is the only African beach property which is member of Design House and is innovative and stylish with a mix of contemporary and curated local furniture. With five different room categories it is able to cater to guests' various requirements.

Based in Kendwa, a huge draw for Zuri Zanzibar is its white sandy private beach. Due to its location in the lagoon this beach is not tidal so guests can swim all day in the clear calm water. This location is also a fantastic spot to sit with a cocktail in hand and experience the very best sunsets Zanzibar has to offer. With its focus on wellbeing, Zuri Zanzibar is able to offer personalized yoga classes, a spa, a beautiful infinity pool, gym and tranquil spaces to just relax and read. It is truly a place to restore and unwind. Zanzibar is of course home to some amazing spices and seafood.

TULIA ZANZIBAR BEACH RESORT & SPA

Nestled on the east coast of Zanzibar, Tulia offers a luxurious retreat for families and honeymooners alike. With only 16 rooms, the service and overall experience is very intimate and you are sure to be well looked after. The villas are appointed in great privacy in the luscious gardens which take you in to a tropical haven. The pool is large, with many cosy spots in the main area to curl up in with a book and a cold drink.

There are four room categories available at Tulia; Deluxe Garden Bungalow, Deluxe Garden Bungalow with partial sea view, Royal Garden Villa and Seafront Luxury Villa. The great thing about Tulia is that it is fantastic for all types of travellers. Families can enjoy these excellent villas – a set up which really are quite hard to come by on Zanzibar.

Honeymooners can relax and enjoy in the Bungalows at one of the better value, yet happily luxurious hotels in Zanzibar. Although it is a small complex, it marries families and honeymooners together well because the main area is pretty large for the number of rooms, so it never feels too crowded.

DAY 10 –– Last Day on Your Program

After a leisurely breakfast at the resort, you will go on a morning walk before travel to Zanzibar Airport or Kilimanjaro airport where you will arrive around mid morning. You will be dropped off at the airport for your next flight, then back home.