A 11 Day Northern Tanzania Safari And Zanzibar Honeymoon
A 11-day Northern Tanzania safari and Zanzibar honeymoon typically includes a visit to Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Crater, followed by a flight to Zanzibar for beach relaxation. The itinerary combines adventure with romance, offering wildlife viewing, including the “Big Five,” and beach activities like snorkeling and relaxing on white-sand beaches. The trip ends with departure from Zanzibar.
On this Northern Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar vacation, you’ll see the top attractions in the northern safari regions before unwinding on the beach in Zanzibar.
Arriving in the lush town of Arusha, your thrilling journey to Tanzania begins with an overnight stay at Rivertrees Country Inn. Here, you can unwind and recuperate after what could be lengthy international flights.
Lake Manyara is renowned for its birdlife and populations of tree-climbing lions; the next morning, meet your own guide and begin an introductory safari in this area. Staying close to Karatu will prepare you for a breathtaking drop into the Ngorongoro Crater the next day, an unparalleled natural beauty.
The next stop is the Serengeti, where you’ll spend three nights in a luxurious tented camp right in the middle of the park. This animal hotspot is usually full of surprises, but depending on when you visit, you might even see the Great Migration passing through.
Once your Northern Tanzania Safari is over, you may unwind on Zanzibar’s picture-perfect white sands and take it easy.
An expert with personal travel expertise to Tanzania and Zanzibar is available by phone to tailor your vacation to your preferences.
A Complete 11 Day Northern Tanzania Safari And Zanzibar Honeymoon
Day 1 – Airport transfer & rest day in Arusha
You will be greeted by a helpful local driver at Kilimanjaro International Airport and driven to the Rivertrees Country Inn in Arusha in an air-conditioned vehicle.
The amount of time you have to explore Rivertrees’ expansive grounds, unwind in the pool, or begin checking off wildlife species depends on when you arrive. In the mature trees, you can see vervet and blue monkeys, along with a plethora of bird species.
Day 2 – On safari in Lake Manyara and finish at Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge
Your privately guided safari will begin after breakfast, when you will be met by your guide. Today you’ll be visiting Lake Manyara National Park, where you can have your first safari experience, en route to your destination in Karatu.
As you wind your way through the thick forest, you’ll be greeted by a variety of primates, such as nocturnal bush babies, common monkeys, vervet monkeys, and baboons, all set against the backdrop of the Great Rift Valley’s western wall. With an area of about 230 square kilometres, this alkaline, shallow lake was once dubbed “the loveliest I had seen in Africa” by Ernest Hemingway. A variety of birds and resident hippos call the lake home.
In the afternoon, you’ll depart from the park and make your way to the Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge. Spend the night there before your early morning descent to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater the following day.
Day 3 – Enjoy a full day in the Ngorongoro Crater
You will leave the resort at the crack of dawn and make your way through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority’s entrance gates. Then, you will begin the long, winding ascent up the crater’s edge. From the rim lookout, take it all in, and then descend to the caldera floor, a veritable wildlife paradise.
As a one-of-a-kind natural wonder, the Ngorongoro Crater has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the plentiful wildlife, which includes a plethora of plains game, hyenas, lions, and the elusive black rhino population, as you explore the many crater habitats over the course of a whole day.
Get some fresh air and a picnic lunch by the lake before continuing your exploration of the Crater in the afternoon. Get back to Rhotia Valley Lodge for some dinner and a nightcap when the light starts to go down.
Day 4 – Drive to the Serengeti
Get out of Ngorongoro early today for a game drive into Ndutu, in the southern Serengeti. The journey takes about five hours, give or take depending on the sights you encounter.
Located in the Seronera area of the Serengeti, the magnificent Kiota Camp will be your home for the following three nights. Kiota, or “nest” in Swahili, is a permanent camp on Banagi Hill that offers a comfortable stay with breathtaking views of the Serengeti Plains. As a base, you can explore the area at your own pace with the help of your private guide.
Whether you’re in the mood for a morning game drive and an afternoon game drive or a full day of exploration complete with a picnic lunch, the choice is yours every day.
Days 5 & 6 – Enjoy two days on safari in the Serengeti
Spend the next two days venturing right into the park’s core. With lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos (though the latter are more common in the park’s northern regions), the Serengeti is ideal hunting ground for those seeking the ‘Big5,’ as its expansive, lush landscape is home to all five.
The centre Serengeti is a fantastic place to watch wildlife at any time of year, but between April and June and November, you might be lucky enough to witness the great migration’s hundreds of zebra and wildebeest passing through. On the other hand, as the herds travel across regions, they are more likely to spread out.
Having your very own private guide and vehicle allows you to tailor your experience to your interests and spend more time with the animals that pique your curiosity. Making sure your guide knows exactly what you want them to see requires constant two-way communication.
Day 7 – Fly to Zanzibar
Your last chance for a wildlife drive with your guide before they say goodbye and you take an internal flight to Zanzibar will depend on when your flight is. As an amazing journey in and of itself, taking a light aircraft ride over the Serengeti to Zanzibar is a must.
After you touch down at Zanzibar Airport, a representative will be waiting to take you the short drive (about an hour) to the Pongwe Beach Hotel, where you’ll spend the next four nights enjoying half board in a room right on the beach.
The east coast of Zanzibar is home to some of the island’s most beautiful beaches, and this famous beach lodge is right on the water. The lodge was renovated in 2017 and is a great place to unwind and enjoy the sunshine because it is basic, peaceful, and easygoing. You can choose between a stunning pool in the main area and an upgrade to a Sea View Suite with its own private plunge pool.
Days 8, 9 & 10 – Relax and enjoy Zanzibar
You are free to do as much or as little as you like during your three full days to explore Zanzibar.
Visits to turtle sanctuary on Prison Island or inland Jozani Forest in search of the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey are just two of the many available activities. Day trips to nearby Stone Town or spice plantations are also quite feasible. You get involved with a very hands-on experience, tasting and smelling the spices for which Zanzibar is notorious, as well as having a fresh, locally cooked lunch as part of your trip.
You can book all of these and more at Pongwe Beach Hotel before your reservation or while you’re here.
Day 11 – Transfer back to Zanzibar Airport
Today you will be taken from Pongwe Beach Hotel to Zanzibar Airport to check in for your international trip back home.
Your journey across Tanzania and Zanzibar has come to a close; now the question is, what comes next?
End of the 11 Day Northern Tanzania Safari And Zanzibar
Inclusions:
- Activities & transport as in full itinerary
- Local English speaking guide National Park and conservancy fees
- Private 4×4 safari customised vehicle
- Accommodation as stated
- Internal flights and transfers as required
