Matt Davison
Your honeymoon is a special occasion and a continuation of your celebration of love. You want to make sure that you choose a great destination to visit. A honeymoon in Tanzania is an excellent option.
If you are looking to plan a Tanzania safari for your honeymoon, look no further. This article contains everything you need to know for your trip, including what to expect and where to visit.
Tips For Planning Your Tanzania Safari Honeymoon
Getting ready for a trip is always stressful, especially if the trip is your honeymoon. Planning your trip does not have to be daunting, though. With these guidelines, your trip to Tanzania will be just as magical as you expect it.
You can’t go wrong with a Tanzania and Zanzibar honeymoon. The country offers diversity in terms of activities and experiences.
What To Expect on Your Honeymoon to Tanzania and Zanzibar
If you plan your trip carefully, you will be able to do everything within your itinerary. Understand when the high season is and book your accommodation early as Tanzania is a sought-after safari destination.
Morning and afternoon game drives are everyday safari activities, but some lodges also offer night game drives, guided bush walks, and hot-air balloon safaris for the adventurous. Ensure you know which places offer this as they are only allowed in certain areas.
The Tanzanian Shilling is Tanzania’s currency, but it’s better to use US Dollars in cash. Although most establishments accept credit cards and traveler’s cheques, they often incur a transaction fee.
Check first to see if your lodge adds a service charge to your bill. Otherwise, it is customary to tip lodge staff and tour guides. A 10% tip in restaurants and bars is standard in major Tanzanian cities if a service charge is not included.
When Is the Best Time To Go on Safari
The best time of the year to go on a safari is in late winter to early spring. This is usually from late June to October. During this time, the climate is dry but still cool so that you won’t be burning in the sun. The dry season is best for visibility, so binoculars are a must.
January through to March is also a good time for a safari. The weather in most African countries is dry and mild during this period. October to December is the short rainy season, but it still provides excellent views if you are looking for a quieter and cheaper trip.
Early morning game drives are great for viewing animals as this is when they are active. You could catch a glimpse of predators returning home from hunts. If you prefer to see nocturnal animals, consider an early dinner and head out after sunset. This is the perfect time to spot some nighttime creatures.
Tanzania Honeymoon Itineraries
When planning your honeymoon to Tanzania, you need to decide if you want to visit North Tanzania or South Tanzania.
Northern Tanzania is popular, which means places are busy and have higher prices.
Southern Tanzania offers you the same experiences as Northern Tanzania, and the rules are more relaxed. If you are looking for a more intimate safari experience, the south is your best bet.
Zanzibar is also an option to throw in a beach break. It has several seaside options with varying prices, so there will be something in your price range. You can plan for a dual safari and beach honeymoon.
The Best of Zanzibar and Tanzania Honeymoons
Whether you’re looking for an adventurous safari, an intimate experience as a newlywed, or more of a luxury honeymoon, Tanzania has it all.
Northern Tanzania offers popular spots like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Whereas in Southern Tanzania, there are places like Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park.
Each place has its defining characteristics and caters to the differing needs of its clients.
Where To Stay in Tanzania
Tanzania offers a wide range of accommodation options. Do you prefer to camp out in the Serengeti? Or does the idea of your private pool entice you more?
Camping is an excellent option if you want to travel on a budget. It may also be something you and your partner enjoy doing already. The campsites offered in Tanzania are public and have communal kitchen and bathroom facilities. Also, what’s more romantic than sleeping under a starry sky?
If you are on a budget, but still want a bit of luxury, lodges outside park boundaries offer affordable accommodation. You may just have to travel a little further than you would if you stayed within the park’s properties.
If you’re feeling a little fancy (it is your honeymoon, after all) and looking for a luxury African safari, Tanzania has you covered. These lodges provide amenities like air-conditioned rooms, flat-screen TVs, and swimming pools. And onsite restaurants mean an array of Tanzanian food.
Best Destinations For a Honeymoon Safari in Tanzania
Tanzania is one of the best honeymoon destinations in Africa and is excellent if you are looking for a safari getaway. Both Northern and Southern Tanzania offer great animal viewing experiences and a variety of activities.
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park is famous worldwide for the Wildebeest Migration each year.
This park is split into different regions, each providing something different. The Seronera region has a sizable big cat population, and the annual calving season occurs in the Ndutu region.
An often-overlooked gem is the Grumeti Region which hosts the river crossing. This event takes place annually in August. Herds move over the river, following the rain, and travel to greener areas.
From July through August, the Northern Serengeti is also a great place to visit as this is when the wildebeest cross the Mara River.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to the Ngorongoro Crater. This 20km-wide crater was once a volcano and is the world’s largest intact caldera. Now nearly three million years old, the crater is home to various wildlife.
It is an excellent spot for a honeymoon in Tanzania as it provides you with outstanding game viewing. The area also has Tanzania’s largest rhinoceros population. You can also spot elephants, buffalo, lions, hippos, etc.
Nyerere National Park
Formally known as Selous Game Reserve, this national park is Africa’s largest protected game reserve. In 1982, it was declared a UNESCO world heritage site due to its diversity of wildlife and untouched nature.
Nyerere National Park offers a lot of diversity and animal viewing opportunities. You can take a game drive and watch the wild dogs on their hunt. Or you could cruise on the river and pass a pod of hippos as they cool off. The park also offers walking tours to learn more about the flora.
Ruaha National Park
Although one of the largest national parks in Tanzania, Ruaha is one of the least busy places. If you are looking for a safari that feels remote and exclusive, it might be worth checking it out.
During the dry season, the savannah is golden and littered with baobabs. After the rains, these grasslands become green, and the baobabs bloom.
Impala, waterbuck, and gazelle often go to the river to drink, which means predators are never too far behind. You may be lucky enough to see a lioness hunting or a hyena looking for its next target.
Lake Manyara National Park
If you are thinking of visiting Tanzania in the rainy season, this park is the best place for it. The waters are at their peak during this time, and you can spot hippos and flamingos.
It is also one of the few parks where you can do night drives and check out some nocturnal creatures on the prowl.
Lake Manyara is also well-known for its tree-climbing lions and the 400 species of birds that it attracts. Visiting the park is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Tarangire National Park
This park is famous for its ancient baobab trees and having the country’s largest herds of elephants. Tarangire National Park is also great for birdwatching as it attracts over 500 species of birds.
There are also hundreds of rock paintings in the vicinity of Kolo where you can take a step back in time. The northern side of the park is busier, but the southern provides camps that specialize in walking tours, so you can immerse yourself in exploring the African bush.
Tarangire National Park is an excellent option if you are looking at intimate Tanzanian honeymoons.
Final Thoughts on Tanzania Safari Honeymoons
Tanzania has various options for an exciting safari, and nothing beats seeing the beautiful wildlife in person. If you follow the guidelines and regulations of the parks, you are sure to have a great time.
Your dream Tanzania honeymoon safari is just a few clicks away. Don’t wait any longer. Book your trip now.
If you are looking for other African getaways with your spouse, check out this list of Africa trips for couples.
