6-Day Honeymoon Safari with Hot Air Balloon
trip overview
A romantic safari through northern Tanzania, with a sunrise balloon flight.
This 6-day honeymoon safari takes you through Tanzania's most iconic wildlife areas in your own private 4x4, from the elephants and baobabs of Tarangire to the endless plains of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. You'll stay at Mount Meru Hotel, Lake Manyara Serena Lodge and Moyo Luxury Tented Camp, and float over the Serengeti at sunrise on a hot air balloon flight.
Trip Highlights
day-by-day itinerary
Where you go each day, what you'll see, and where you sleep each night.
You'll stay at Mount Meru Hotel on Night 1, Lake Manyara Serena Lodge on Nights 2 and 5, and Moyo Luxury Tented Camp in the Serengeti on Nights 3 and 4. Drive times are approximate and depend on road and park conditions.
Arrival in Arusha
You'll be met on arrival and transferred to Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania's northern safari circuit. The rest of the day is yours to settle in, rest after your journey and enjoy the hotel.
Your guide will meet you to go over the safari ahead, so you're ready for an early start tomorrow.
Arusha to Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara
After breakfast, you'll set off in your private 4x4 for Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. You'll spend the day on a game drive, with lunch during the day.
In the afternoon you'll continue to Lake Manyara Serena Lodge for dinner and your first night of the safari.
Lake Manyara to the Serengeti
After breakfast, you'll drive through the Ngorongoro highlands and down onto the open plains of the Serengeti, with game viewing along the way. The landscape opens into endless grassland dotted with wildlife.
You'll arrive at Moyo Luxury Tented Camp in the Serengeti for dinner and your first night under canvas.
Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari and Game Drives
You'll start early for your hot air balloon safari, drifting silently over the Serengeti plains as the sun rises and looking down on the wildlife below. It's one of the most memorable moments of the journey.
After the flight, you'll spend the rest of the day on game drives across the Serengeti before returning to Moyo Luxury Tented Camp for the evening.
Serengeti to Karatu
After breakfast, you'll enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti before beginning the drive back through the Ngorongoro highlands towards Karatu.
You'll arrive at Lake Manyara Serena Lodge in the evening for dinner and a relaxed night.
Ngorongoro Crater and Return to Arusha — Safari Ends
After an early breakfast, you'll descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive, one of the best places in Africa to see wildlife in a single day. The crater floor is home to lions, elephants, hippos and many other animals.
After lunch, you'll drive back to Arusha for your departure, marking the end of your honeymoon safari.
what's included
Exactly what's covered — and what isn't.
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- 5 nights' accommodation: Mount Meru Hotel, Lake Manyara Serena Lodge (2 nights) and Moyo Luxury Tented Camp (2 nights)
- All meals during the safari, as listed above
- Hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti
- Park, conservation and crater fees for Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro
- Drinking water during game drives
- Airport and hotel transfers in Arusha
- International flights
- Travel & medical insurance
- Tanzania visa fees
- Tips for your driver-guide and camp staff
- Drinks not listed above and personal expenses
- Hotel nights before or after the safari
- Optional activities and souvenirs
Important to know before booking
- Additional hotel accommodation before and after the safari, or a Zanzibar beach extension, can be arranged for an extra cost — ask us when booking.
- Hot air balloon flights take place at sunrise and depend on weather and operator conditions. We'll confirm the arrangements with you when you book.
- Wildlife sightings depend on the season and conditions, and cannot be guaranteed.
- Some days involve long drives on unpaved roads between parks, so allow for a full day of travel on Days 3 and 5.
- Mornings are cool, especially at balloon time — a warm layer is essential.
- A Tanzania e-Visa is required for most nationalities — apply at immigration.go.tz at least 3 weeks before travel.
- A yellow fever certificate may be required depending on your transit country. Speak to your doctor or travel clinic about malaria prevention before you travel.
what to bring
Your packing list for the safari.
Mornings are cool and the days warm up, so layers are the key. Here's what to pack for the 6 days.
- Light, neutral-coloured shirts and trousers
- Warm fleece or jacket for early mornings and the balloon flight
- Light rain jacket
- Comfortable clothes for travel days
- Smart-casual outfit for evenings
- Wide-brimmed hat or cap
- UV sunglasses
- Comfortable closed walking shoes
- Sandals for the lodges and camp
- Warm socks for early mornings
- Binoculars
- Camera with a zoom lens and spare memory cards
- Power bank and universal adapter
- Small daypack for game drives
- Soft bag rather than a hard suitcase
- Sunscreen and SPF lip balm
- Insect repellent
- Personal first aid kit and any prescription medication
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
- Toiletries
- Passport and Tanzania e-Visa
- Travel insurance details
- Yellow fever certificate, if required
- Small US dollar notes for tips
- Printed or saved copies of your documents
- Swimwear for the lodge pool
- Light jacket for cool evenings in the Serengeti
- Earplugs for the tented camp
- A book or journal for downtime
- Zip-lock bags to keep dust off electronics
Packing tips
- Pack in a soft bag, as space in safari vehicles is limited. We'll confirm any luggage limits when you book.
- Dress in layers: early mornings are cool and the days warm up, so being able to add and remove layers matters more than any one item.
- Stick to neutral colours such as khaki, green and beige, which are better for game drives than bright colours.
pricing
What you'll pay — no hidden extras.
| Option | Price per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6-day Honeymoon Safari with Hot Air Balloon 5 nights in lodges and a luxury tented camp, all meals, park fees and balloon flight included | $2,850 | Per person |
Payment & extras
A deposit confirms your booking, with the balance due before departure. Full terms are on our booking policy page.
Additional hotel accommodation before or after the safari, or a Zanzibar beach extension, can be arranged for an extra cost.
Ready to plan your honeymoon safari?
Reach out and we'll confirm availability for your dates and send you a full quote.
frequently asked questions
Questions we get asked most often.
Your safari starts in Arusha on Day 1, with a stay at Mount Meru Hotel, and ends on Day 6 with a drive back to Arusha for your departure.
You'll stay at Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha on Night 1, Lake Manyara Serena Lodge on Nights 2 and 5, and Moyo Luxury Tented Camp in the Serengeti on Nights 3 and 4.
Yes, the hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti is included in your price. It takes place at sunrise on Day 4 and depends on weather and operator conditions.
Yes. Additional hotel accommodation before and after the safari, or a Zanzibar beach extension, can be arranged for an extra cost — just let us know when booking.
Most nationalities need a Tanzania e-Visa, available at immigration.go.tz. A yellow fever certificate may also be required depending on your transit country — check with your doctor or travel clinic before departure.
We recommend taking out travel insurance as soon as you confirm your booking. Full cancellation and payment terms are on our booking policy page.
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