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Have you decided to spend your honeymoon on a
great safari, but you’d still like a few days
relaxing on that perfect “honeymoon beach” to
start things off? Beach lovers and adventurers
alike will love this itinerary since it takes
both endeavors into account, without
compromising one for the other. A combination
of the exotic ambiance of Zanzibar as an entrée
to your honeymoon, followed by the best
locations in northern Tanzania may indeed be the
answer!
After a quick transit night in Dar es Salaam at
the lovely Oyster Bay Hotel, it’s on to
Zanzibar! You couldn’t have asked for a more
exotic place to start your honeymoon – there are
of course amazing beaches and world class
snorkeling and diving, but the mystique and the
romance this island offers makes it
honeymoon-worthy, absolutely.
 You’ve
chosen Baraza Resort as your home on the beach.
Immediately you notice the Omani influence in
the resort’s style that is part and parcel of
the island’s culture. Unique archways,
textile-draped beds and flowing curtains mean
you are in for an out-of-the-ordinary stay.
Your individual villa with plunge pool is a
perfect place to relax, and it also offers air
conditioning, still somewhat of a rarity for
resorts on this gorgeous island. You’ll be
steps away from the beach, and you’ll find your
few days at Baraza to be luxurious, enjoyable
and easy. Meals are also included so you
needn’t plan in advance – all is taken care of
for you.
 Be
sure, of course, to take full advantage of the
bright blue waters, and a sunset dhow cruise
with drinks is no doubt in order one evening.
And snorkeling in various locations along the
coast and Pemba channel is a real treat – the
waters here are still in pristine condition, so
you’ll be sure to see plenty of fish and coral.
By all means satisfy your curiosity about the
island and its people, and take a trip into
Stone Town, a throwback to another era. As you
wander the tiny streets you drink in the smells
of the spices and imagine what things must have
been like hundreds of years ago, as traders from
across the region stopped to buy and sell. All
of your predecessors have left some small
influence on Zanzibar, and you are the lucky
recipients of this cultural mélange.
After the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar, are you
ready for some excitement? You’ve had ample
time to relax, but now it’s time to indulge the
real reason you came to Tanzania – wildlife!
You’ll depart Zanzibar for your first safari
stop, and the beautiful and unique Lake Manyara.
One of the country’s smallest national
 parks
at only 127 square miles (330 square km) it is a
microcosm of safaris around Tanzania. It has
forests where you’ll be entertained by baboons
and monkeys. These give way to a grassy
floodplain that has stunning views across the
alkaline lake towards jagged volcanic peaks.
The plains are home to zebra, buffalo, giraffe,
and others. Further inland is an acacia
woodland that is home to Lake Manyara’s famous
tree climbing lions, whose curious behavior
seems to be passed inherently between
generations. Encircling the lake on a game
drive, it’s also not unusual to see more than
100 of the areas 400 species of birds, including
stunning flamingoes. While you may not see
yourselves as birders, surely you’ll be
enchanted by the lake’s diverse ornithology.
 While
here you’ll stay at Lake Manyara Tree Lodge,
which pays homage to the forest and the life
within its branches through its “treehouses”.
It’s a pleasure to relax on your deck at
canopy-level and feel as though you are part of
the ecosystem. But let’s not forget that the
lodge and the rooms are luxurious – not like the
treehouses of your youth! The staff will take
excellent care of you and ensure the continuity
of that honeymoon feeling that was so evident in
Zanzibar.
You’ll depart early morning from Manyara to the
Ngorongoro Crater, winding your way up to the
rim of the caldera and then down again onto the
crater floor, in search of some of its 30,000
animals. Rhino are more abundant here than
elsewhere in Tanzania, so this is a good place
to look for these thundering beasts, and as a
result one of the better places to seek out a
“Big Five” game viewing experience. You’ll also
enjoy numerous
plains animals along with their predators in
tow. Have a picnic in the crater and continue
your game drive, searching for elephant,
leopard, jackal and others. From here, if you
like, there are opportunities to visit nearby
Masai villages. You’ll make a mid-afternoon
return to the eclectic and posh Ngorongoro
Crater Lodge, where you’ll check into your suite
and be drawn immediately to your terrace. No
doubt this is where you’ll choose to have
sundowners tonight as you admire the view across
the crater. No less spectacular in the morning,
enjoy a private breakfast outside your suite,
soaking in the view and the bizarre landscape
around you.
 Early
afternoon, you are on your way again, this time
via short flight to the northern Serengeti.
Perhaps you’ve already been lucky and will have
encountered parts of Tanzania’s famed
“migration” at the crater, but if not, the
Serengeti may be your
 chance.
Tucked up in the far northern reaches of the
Serengeti near the Kenya border is Sayari Camp,
which offers a very authentic and first class
tented safari experience. Your Masai guides
seem born to track animals, and are able to show
you the best of the area’s flora and fauna,
whether that includes thousands of wildebeest
and zebra, or cheetah, giraffe, buffalo,
elephant and others endemic to the Serengeti.
This is a place to really focus on the animals
for there are many many just waiting to be
found! Since you will have seen most species by
now, you’ll take pleasure in watching the
animals on an extended basis to observe their
behaviors.
 Across
the Serengeti to the east is your final safari
stop, Klein’s Camp, located in a private
concession just adjacent to the national park.
You have the opportunity to enjoy a night game
drive if you choose, and as a private
concession, you’ll be allowed off-road to more
easily pursue game sightings. But Klein’s is
also a very luxurious camp, and you’ll
definitely want to enjoy the comfort of your
suite, even sleeping in one morning and taking a
few hours to enjoy their excellent spa. The
staff will arrange spectacular bush dining
venues, replete with silver tray service, comfy
pillows, and gourmet selections. While you’ll
still have access to all of the ecosystem’s
animals, the comfort and pampering you’ll feel
at Klein’s will offer a perfect high note upon
which to end such a special trip and incredible
experience.
When it’s time to head home, you’ll leave
tanned, relaxed and elated from your Zanzibar
and safari adventures. We are willing to bet
you will have also been bitten by the Africa
“bug”. You’ve touched upon a very special
corner of the planet, and this first trip will
undoubtedly set the stage for others to come.
Who will enjoy this trip:
Couples who enjoy gorgeous beaches and cultural
experiences. If you want to see as much of
Tanzania as possible in a short period of time.
For luxurious accommodations across a variety of
destinations.
Who should avoid this trip:
If you may prefer a more conventionally
luxurious beach locale such as the Seychelles.
The northern circuit is well traveled by many
people, so if you’d rather be away from others,
you might enjoy our itinerary
Beyond the
Circuit: The Secret Honeymoon in Tanzania. If you
prefer not to move around so much, a more
moderately paced itinerary can be designed.
Couples on a tighter budget may prefer to choose
other lodges. |
