6 Best Honeymoon Destinations in East Africa
6 Best Honeymoon Destinations in East Africa: Hot air balloon rides set against deep orange sunsets, cozy nights stargazing by the campfire, and days relaxing in a hammock by the turquoise waters and powder white sands of the Indian Ocean make for one of the most romantic African holidays.
A honeymoon in East Africa is the ideal blend of adventure, leisure, and romance, whether you want to embark on a classic Tanzanian safari, hunt mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s tropical forests, or simply relax on the beach on the beautiful island of Zanzibar.
6 Best Honeymoon Destination Ideas in East Africa.
- Kenya Wildlife and Beach Honeymoon Safari
Another East Africa honeymoon idea is to combine a Masai Mara wildlife safari with time on the Kenyan coast. On this Kenya Safari & Beach Honeymoon, enjoy all of the spectacular wildlife-watching safari activities of the Mara, then drive east to relax on the white sands of Diani Beach.
If you schedule your Masai Mara safari well, you’ll be able to see the force of the Great Migration; the historic yearly cycle of wildebeest and zebra as they travel from Tanzania’s Serengeti to Kenya’s Mara and back.
On the gorgeous shores of Diani Beach, you can choose from activities such as waterfall hikes, forest trekking, cultural tours with the Digo people, as well as watersports including diving, snorkeling, paddle-boarding, and kite-surfing. After all, that adventure, treat yourself to a massage right on the beachfront.
- Explore Northern Tanzania and Zanzibar.
This East Africa honeymoon to Northern Tanzania and Zanzibar includes incredible game drives in Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and the Serengeti national parks, as well as the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater Area. You’ll also have a few days of post-safari relaxation on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar.
Follow hundreds-strong herds of elephants in Tarangire National Park, spot species of primates in the dense forest of the Great Rift Valley, see Africa’s Big Five and the Great Migration in the Serengeti, then explore the UNESCO-protected natural phenomenon of the Ngorongoro Crater Area, teeming with numerous wildlife.
After the highlights of northern Tanzania, you’ll head out east to Zanzibar and its surrounding islets. Mafia Island is home to migrating whale sharks and beautiful coral gardens, while quiet Pemba is a remote green oasis surrounded by turquoise waters.
- Visit Selous Game Reserve, Ruaha National Park, and Mafia Island
This custom-designed East Africa honeymoon safari reveals remote safari destinations and hidden beach island gems. On this Remote Tanzania Honeymoon, explore the wilderness in Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park before relaxing for five nights on quiet Mafia Island.
In the Selous, enjoy bush walks, game drives or boat safaris, and spot elusive species such as leopards and critically endangered African wild dogs. Next, you’ll meet the huge lion prides at Ruaha national park, which are infamous for taking on elephants, giraffes, hippos and buffalo for their prey. Ruaha is the most major national park in Tanzania after the Serengeti, but only receives roughly 5% of the tourists, providing for a truly African retreat.
The peaceful and heavenly paradise at Mafia Island is globally recognized as a critical site for marine biodiversity, home to the biggest marine protected area in the Indian Ocean. Discover graceful manta rays, playful dolphins, giant whale sharks, colorful clownfish, and an abundance of sea life in vibrant coral ecosystems.
- Track Gorillas, Chimpanzees and primates in Rwanda.
The beautiful nation of Rwanda, also known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, features undulating mountain landscapes, vibrant rainforests, and amazing primate encounters.
Explore Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city, to learn about the country’s troubled past. Later, see golden monkeys and families of endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park on a rainforest hiking trip. Next, enjoy lakeside tranquility at Lake Kivu, one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes, which boasts some of the best inland beaches in Africa.
For chimpanzee trekking, tracking l’hoest monkeys, and Ruwenzori colobus monkeys, plus 10 other primate species, hike the trails of Nyungwe Forest, where you can also to the famous Nyungwe canopy walkway.
- Explore Uganda the Pearl of Africa (6 Best Honeymoon Destinations in East Africa)
What is a honeymoon safari in East Africa without a visit to the renowned ‘Pearl of Africa,’ in Uganda? Get a chance to track mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is a famous gorilla trekking destination on the African continent and is home to half of the world’s mountain gorilla population.
Combine a gorilla safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park with a wildlife safari to some of the top savannah parks in the country including Murchison falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park. Enjoy guided game drives in the parks, boat cruises, and also bird watching if you are interested in birding safaris.
For chimpanzee trekking safaris in Uganda while on your honeymoon safari in East Africa, you can travel to Kibale National Park which is the best destination for chimpanzee trekking safaris. Other notable chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda include Budongo forest near Murchison Falls National Park, Kalinzu forest, and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Jinja City in Uganda is one of the best honeymoon destinations for newly weds. The city is vibrating with a lot of interesting activities that you can do such as visiting the source of the River Nile, boat cruises on Lake Victoria, Quad biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, river bugging and so many other water sports.
- Explore Serengeti National Park in Tanzania (6 Best Honeymoon Destinations in East Africa )
Serengeti National Park is the oldest national park in Tanzania and a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is home to the spectacular wildebeest migration and offers unique wildlife viewing throughout the year. Honeymooners can get to enjoy game drives in the park, hot air balloon safaris, and guided nature walks with panic lunches or bush breakfasts served as set up by your safari operator.
In summary; East Africa is one of the best places on the African continent to enjoy your honeymoon. With a variety of wildlife to see during your East African honeymoon safari, you are bound to have the experience of your life as you explore the vast savannah lands and immerse yourself in the rich East African cultures.
