THE STOP-BY-STOP GUIDE TO OUR HONEYMOON JOURNEY IN AFRICA
OVERVIEW
17-DAY SAFARI & SEYCHELLES HONEYMOON ITINERARY
When we first started talking about where we wanted to honeymoon, it felt overwhelming to plan. We had a million ideas to sift through and felt a lot of pressure to get it just right. I've got to say I think we nailed it with this trip. It has all the elements you could want in a honeymoon - luxury, solitude, adventure, relaxation, romance, and memories to last a lifetime.
We knew we wanted to go somewhere that was new for the both of us, which knocked quite a few honeymoon destinations off the list - from Italy to Machu Picchu. We also wanted to have a balanced time, where we had things to do but also time to relax and enjoy time to ourselves. We knew if we went to Europe, we wouldn't pull ourselves away from sightseeing, but a strictly beach trip didn't seem quite active enough. That helped narrow our list down, but my Maid of Honor really inspired the idea of safari. She had recently gone to the Serengeti with her sister thanks to a connection to the Four Seasons, and she reported back that it was almost too romantic of a trip for the two of them. The natural pace of game drives in the morning and evening with big breaks mid-day was perfect for us. Adding a hop to the Seychelles was the cherry on top.
On this itinerary, you’ll get a sampling of some of the most iconic places in East Africa where you’ll get up close with big cats, the Great Migration, and other favorite African wildlife. The camps suggested here are perfect for a honeymoon. The staff blew us away with their warmth, attention to detail, and expertise. The food and accommodations were as good, but likely better, than anywhere we’ve stayed in the world, and we got to enjoy it all in relative solitude (all camps had 10 rooms or less).
After the time on Safari, you’ll head to one of the most picturesque tropical destinations in the world. The beaches here are famous - as movie backdrops, screensaver photos, & more - and there are dozens of beauties to explore. The resort we chose (as well as several of the other options) was villa-style, equipped with an unbelievable tub and private plunge pool, meaning we got to have a slice of this paradise to ourselves as well.
I know I’m biased, but if you’re planning a big romantic trip, whether for a honeymoon, a milestone anniversary, or whatever reason, you have to consider this itinerary. Our only regret was that we couldn’t stay longer.
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INTERACTIVE JOURNEY MAP
BUILT ON THATCH
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STOP 1: ARUSHA
1 NIGHT
We planned this stop in Arusha as a gateway stop. This helped ease us into the trip and serve as a buffer for any delays with our long haul flights before starting out on bush flights the next day. That said, we wish we would’ve stayed here longer. The lodge was still working as a coffee plantation where you could explore a different side of Africa than what we’d see on safari. Our room was so nice we almost felt guilty leaving it so quickly. Arusha is situated at the foot of Kilimanjaro, making it a gateway for hiking expeditions. Because of heavy fog we wouldn’t actually see the mountain until we reached the Chyulu Hills, but more time might’ve allowed us to see it up close. While we were sad to leave so soon, we were beyond excited to discover what else was in store.
Where we stayed: Legendary Lodge
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STOP 2: SERENGETI
3 NIGHTS
Arriving in the Serengeti was like stepping into the Lion King. (We learned the lions actually do use the outcroppings of rocks as lookout!) Our guide met us at the airstrip and within minutes we had spotted giraffes, elephants, and too many antelope to count. We didn't know what to expect, but we sure didn’t think game spotting would be this easy! Our guide was excellent, perfect for introducing us to safari. He not only found the animals, but taught us so much about them. Back at camp, we were welcomed with champagne to our tent, which was outfitted with both a deck and an outdoor soaking tub overlooking the Mara. We enjoyed multi-course fine dining and cocktails around the campfire listening to the sounds of the river (perhaps too many cocktails - those 5AM starts come early!)
Where we stayed: Singita Mara River Tented Camp
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STOP 3: MAASAI MARA
3 NIGHTS
As we headed to the Mara, we stayed in the same Serengeti-Mara ecosystem but crossed over into Kenya. So, while many things were the same, we still got a fresh new look at the land around us. Once again, the game spotting was incredible. It only took us minutes to find cheetahs on our first drive, and we saw all of the big cats (lions, leopards, and cheetahs, plus a serval) back-to-back in a single day! And once again, we stayed in a luxury tent with an incredible bathtub. This camp harkened back to the age of exploration with a vintage feel at every turn. Our tent was only accessible by a suspension bridge crossing a small creek occupied by hippos and crocodiles. Epic game drives were perfectly balanced with time spent enjoying sundowners or a nice soak in our tent's copper bathtub.
Where we stayed: Mara Plains Camp
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STOP 4: CHYULU HILLS
3 NIGHTS
For our final safari stop, we headed to a lesser-known part of Kenya, the Chyulu Hills. This area is situated in the shadow of Kilimanjaro near iconic parks like Tsavo and Amboseli. Once again, we were surrounded by animals, but in addition to your traditional game drive, you could head out by foot, by bike, or my personal favorite, on horseback! This lodge also had two hides, one above- and the other below-ground, where you could sit mesmerized by the action at the watering hole. Our room was expansive with plenty of places to gaze out at Kilimanjaro and the wildlife, including a screened in porch, a private plunge pool, and most incredible of all - a rooftop star bed, where you could see the milky way stretching across the sky with your bare eyes and hear the not-so-distant roar of lions.
Where we stayed: Ol Donyo
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STOP 5: NAIROBI
1 NIGHT
We debated whether or not we should add a full day's stop in Nairobi, but I'm so glad we did. Not only did this smooth the logistical challenges of hopping off a bush plane and onto an international flight, but it gave us a much needed break in the action. We were devastated to have to leave the bush and begged to stay another week (or month) but simultaneously started to feel the exhaustion after going non-stop since wedding week. Having this extra day allowed us to hang out in yet another gorgeous hotel room doing nothing more than ordering room service and watching some random movies available on the TV. Had we been more intrepid, we could've explored the pool or some of the sights in Nairobi, but we were perfectly happy with a low-key layover.
Where we stayed: Hemingway's Nairobi
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STOP 6: THE SEYCHELLES
5 NIGHTS
For our last, but certainly not least, stop we headed to true paradise. It was not surprising to us at all that the Seychelles were once thought to be the Garden of Eden. Here you'll find some of the most incredible and photogenic beaches in the world, and there are dozens to choose from, which is part of why even the most popular beaches are still relatively uncrowded. From the perch of our hillside villa and its private plunge pool, you could appreciate the lushness of the tropical landscape. We were pampered with yet another out-of-this-world tub and al fresco spa treatments under the stars. To keep things from getting too busy, we stayed at one resort on Mahe the whole time, but if we went back we'd explore the other islands more. Our day trip to La Digue was a nice taste, but this archipelago has so much to be discovered.
Where we stayed: Four Seasons Seychelles
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