Safari Honeymoon Ideas??

We're doing it the other way round - wedding on Zanzibar then a few days there followed by Tanzanian safari honeymoon. We're doing it mostly (all except 3 nights accom at the wedding venue) through Imagine Africa. They've been brilliant - we're working with Alistair there - getting us free upgrades and not batting an eyelid when we had to move everything back 5 months.

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Thats great thanks for the tip! I will look into them right now!

Wedding on Zanziabr - WOW that will be amazing!

Hi,

For our honeymoon last year we did a safari staying at 4 nature reserves we stayed in the Samburu, Mount Kenya, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara. Then went on to stay in Zanzibar. We had an absolutely fantastic time. The whole holiday was booked through Luxury Safari. The one thing to remember through is when are you planning on going on your honeymoon as you need to consider where the Great Migration will be and if it would be better to go to the Serengeti.

But most importantly ENJOY.

Yikes.

Many thanks Tikes - i will email them now also. Good point about the migration... i need to do some investigating!

MrsH to be - i have had a response back from Imagine Africa and they have sent some great options for me to look over so many thanks for that tip!

Excellent - if you are in touch with Alistair, tell him that Cara and Jez recommended him! He sent us options as well, then when we finalised a vague budget, tweaked things a bit. Not all options are on the website, they have other contacts if needed. For example our return flight to the UK leaves very early - too early to fly out of the safari camp that day, so he's booked us into a boutique retreat type hotel in Dar es Salaam for one night so it's convenient, but doesn't loose the tailored, luxury approach we've gone for

We are doing 2 nights beach then a 3 night safari staying in 3 different locations and then the rest of the 2 weeks back at the beach. We are doing it in Kenya through Thompson. Reasonable and could not have been more helpful xxxx

Tanzania and Zanzibar are fab ideas but then living here I am biased and like MrsH (hi again) we're also getting married in Zanzibar - just a few days before.

Now.............not that I am trying to tout for business but we have recently started up a safari company so can offer a few pointers. Firstly, the safaris you book in the UK will usually just involve one of the National Parks - there are in fact 14 of them in Tanzania as well as 12(ish) Game Reserves - the only difference is that in a Game Reserve they allow hunting.

Now if all you want to do is a bit of animal watching, indulge in a few cocktails and probably gorgeous dinner then it is probably your perfect trip. However, if you are feeling more adventurous and have more time then it's advisable to book with a Tanzanian company and explore more - Mikumi, Selous and Ruaha are doable in a week - 10 days. There are also other great places to go to in the mountains - if you're feeling that energetic and fancy a walk or whatever.

Zanzibar is a MUST - a few days getting lost in the streets of Stone Town, some good restaurants, great hotels etc then head up to the beach. East Coast is quieter, great beaches but not too great for swimming. North West is livlier, great beaches etc........

Think thats everything - let me know if you want any more info.

MrsH (aka fellow Zanz bride ? I'm intrigued as to which hotel he's classed as a 'boutique retreat' - details please.

I have had some great ideas come through from Imagine Africa and think we will be doing 4 day safari in the Masai Mara then flying down to Zanzibar for a week.

Katscamel - can you recommend any good hotels in Zanzibar? Our agent has recommended a few and we were maybe thinking of Breezes as that fits our budget nicely??

I can recommend loads well several budget friendly in Stone Town but by the sounds of things you're just heading for the beach. I've only stayed at very budget friendly places which maybe aren't so good as honeymoon resorts though Mapenzi was quite nice. Just try to get up on the north coast if you want to head into the sea.

Hi

I have just come back from honeymoon on Safari. We booked with Freedom Africa who were brilliant and had people who had been in every camp they offered.We went to kenya Ol Pejeta Conservancy camp Sweet waters - which was brill. You got private drivers, just you and your husband, The camp has conservation programmes so you learns loads about hippo, rhinos and chimps! We then went to masi mara - camp interpids - which was amazing. Completely difference to Ol Pejeta. We saw more rhinos at Ol Pejeta, but more cats at Masi. We then went to Zanzibar which was brill. We stayed at dream of Zanzibar - fantastic for honeymooners. We went sept/october and saw the migration. Amazing!! enjoying planning

Cant wait to go back!

Bx

Without wanting to put a 'downer' on the Tanzania idea, me and my OH were looking at this option and let's say it was a little 'too exclusive' for us. We've ended up with a week safari, starting in Nairobi, including a hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara, then a week on the Mombasa coast. You get more for your money in Kenya, so can afford slightly more exclusive resorts of higher caliber. I'd suggest just going to several agents and seeing what you can get for your budget. If you'd like to know any more detail about our trip let me know.

Kuoni and Virgin turned out to be the best customer service wise, Thomas Cook and others of that ilk seem to be more holiday resellers and aren't so knowledgeable about certain places, plus they have to phone the supplier to get prices etc.

Hope that helps in some way.

Mr J and I went to Kenya this September for a holiday and saw a few honeymooners there! We stayed in 2 seperate conservation areas near the Masai Mara- Mara Porini camp and Lion Porini camp, both are rated as #1 on Trip advisor.The luxury tents were very well equipped and romantic. All game drives were included, including nocturnal safaris and access to the Masai Mara and all inclusive drinks and food. If you can manage it within your budget, I would definitely recommend a conservation area as it is a more intimate experience.

We then moved onto Mombasa and stayed at Diani Reef Hotel, again very highly rated on Trip advisor and a few honeymooners present! We paid just under £4000 but we did go in peak time. We booked with Africa Sky who were very helpful and deal with Gamewatchers.

I enjoyed my time in Africa so much and have definitely go the safari bug so am thinking about incorporating Madagascar or Galapagos Islands into my honeymoon next year! I'm sure you'll have an amazing time =)

Zanzibar has more to offer than just fantastic white tropical beaches! I'm dreaming to go there for i like beach so much. You may book the whole thing through one agent i think.

I haven't been to Zanzibar but I've heard amazing things about it. Seems like a great choice for a honeymoon! I've been on safari in Kenya before and it was amazing, so I'm sure Tanzania will be just as amazing!

I have been on safari before and can highly recommend Richard Branson's lodge Ulusaba in South Africa....absolute luxury, a really special place and would be perfect for a honeymoon. Its on the pricey side but so worth it!!!