What You Need to Know: Our 11-day Tanzania honeymoon combines Zanzibar's Stone Town, three nights of boat, walking and game-drive safaris in Nyerere National Park, four nights on Mafia Island in the Mafia Island Marine Park and two nights on a beach in north Zanzibar, from US$10,604 per person for 2 travelers, with the light-aircraft flights between them. It is planned for the dry season, June to October; whale sharks arrive off Mafia from October to February, so October gives you both the dry-season safari and the whale sharks.
Who Is This Southern Tanzania Honeymoon For?
It is for couples who would rather have a river and a quiet island to themselves than follow the classic route. Nyerere, the former Selous, sees far fewer visitors than the Serengeti and offers what the northern parks can't: safaris by boat on the Rufiji River and on foot with an armed ranger. Mafia Island is Zanzibar's quieter neighbor, with a protected marine park, small lodges and almost no crowds.
| This honeymoon suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| You want something different from the usual safari | You'd like the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater: our 14-day northern honeymoon safari and Zanzibar |
| You love the water: boats, snorkeling, diving | You want mostly game drives and big herds: see our northern safaris |
| You'd like short flights rather than long drives | You'd rather keep the budget down: ask us for a shorter southern safari, see southern Tanzania safaris |
The 11-Day Zanzibar, Nyerere and Mafia Honeymoon at a Glance
Zanzibar airport – Stone Town – fly to Nyerere National Park (3 nights) – fly to Mafia Island (4 nights) – fly to Zanzibar – Nungwi or Kendwa (2 nights) – departure.
| Day | Plan | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Zanzibar, evening in Stone Town | Stone Town |
| 2 | Fly to Nyerere, sunset boat safari on the Rufiji | Nyerere |
| 3 | Game drives in Nyerere | Nyerere |
| 4 | Walking safari and a last boat trip | Nyerere |
| 5 | Fly to Mafia Island | Mafia Island |
| 6 | Snorkeling in Chole Bay | Mafia Island |
| 7 | Dhow trip to a sandbank | Mafia Island |
| 8 | Chole Island, or a day of rest | Mafia Island |
| 9 | Fly back to Zanzibar, on to the north coast | Nungwi or Kendwa |
| 10 | Beach day, sunset on the west-facing coast | Nungwi or Kendwa |
| 11 | Transfer to Zanzibar airport | — |
11-Day Zanzibar, Nyerere and Mafia Honeymoon, Day by Day
We name two example hotels or camps for each stop; your quotation confirms one for your dates, or a similar place of the same standard.
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Day 1: Arrive in Zanzibar and Spend Your First Evening in Stone Town
Your driver meets you at Zanzibar International Airport for the short drive into Stone Town, Zanzibar's historic old town. Settle into a boutique hotel in a restored old house, then walk the narrow lanes at sunset to the waterfront, or watch the sun go down from a rooftop terrace.
Stay: Emerson Spice or The Swahili House, or similar.
Airport pickupStone TownDinner -
Day 2: Fly to Nyerere National Park for a Sunset Boat Safari on the Rufiji River
A morning light-aircraft flight takes you from Zanzibar to an airstrip in Nyerere National Park, about an hour. Your guide meets you and drives you to a camp on the lakes and channels of the Rufiji River. In the late afternoon you head out by boat among hippos, crocodiles and elephants coming down to drink, with the sun setting over the water.
Stay: Roho ya Selous or Siwandu, or similar.
Sunset boat safariNyerere, Rufiji RiverBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: A Full Day of Game Drives in Nyerere, East Africa's Wildest Park
A day of game drives through Nyerere's woodland, lakes and palm-fringed river channels, looking for African wild dogs, lions, elephants, giraffes and buffaloes, with very few other vehicles. Lunch can be a picnic in the bush or back at camp in the heat of the day.
Stay: Roho ya Selous or Siwandu, or similar.
Game drivesNyerere National ParkBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: A Walking Safari with an Armed Ranger and a Last Evening on the River
Set out early on foot with an armed ranger, the best way to notice tracks, birds and the small details of the bush, then rest at camp. In the afternoon, a last game drive or boat trip, as you prefer.
Stay: Roho ya Selous or Siwandu, or similar.
Walking safariNyerere National ParkBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 5: Fly to Mafia Island and an Eco-Lodge on Chole Bay
A light-aircraft flight takes you to Mafia Island, via Dar es Salaam on scheduled flights or directly on a charter of about 30 minutes. From the airport near Kilindoni it is about 30 minutes by road to your lodge on Chole Bay, in the heart of the Mafia Island Marine Park.
Stay: Pole Pole Bungalows or Chole Mjini treehouses, or similar.
Bush to islandNyerere, Mafia IslandBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 6: Snorkeling and Diving in the Mafia Island Marine Park
The sheltered waters of Chole Bay are the best place on Mafia to snorkel or try an easy dive among reef fish and corals; experienced divers can drift along the outer reef at Kinasi Pass. Your lodge arranges the boat and the gear.
Stay: Pole Pole Bungalows or Chole Mjini treehouses, or similar.
Snorkeling and divingChole BayBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 7: A Dhow Trip to a Sandbank for Swimming and a Beach Picnic
Sail out on a traditional wooden dhow to a sandbank in the marine park, appearing at low tide, for swimming, snorkeling and a picnic on the sand with nobody else around.
Stay: Pole Pole Bungalows or Chole Mjini treehouses, or similar.
Dhow and sandbankMafia Island Marine ParkBreakfast, picnic lunch, dinner -
Day 8: Chole Island's Ruins, Turtles on Juani, or a Day of Rest
Cross to Chole Island to walk among the ruins of an old trading town and see its fruit bats, or visit Juani Island, where green and hawksbill turtles nest. Or simply stay at the lodge; there is no better place to do nothing. From October, ask about a whale shark trip off Mafia's west coast.
Stay: Pole Pole Bungalows or Chole Mjini treehouses, or similar.
Islands or restMafia IslandBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 9: Fly Back to Zanzibar and on to a North-Coast Beach Resort
A flight of about an hour takes you back to Zanzibar, where your driver collects you for the drive of about 1–1.5 hours to the north coast. Kendwa is known for swimming at almost any tide, and Nungwi for its restaurants and lively evenings.
Stay: Gold Zanzibar Resort, or a similar high-end resort in Nungwi or Kendwa.
Island to islandMafia, north ZanzibarBreakfast, dinner -
Day 10: A Last Beach Day and a Sunset over the Indian Ocean
A free day by the sea. Zanzibar's north-west coast faces the sunset, so finish your honeymoon watching the sun go down over the water, from the beach or from a dhow.
Stay: Gold Zanzibar Resort, or similar.
BeachNorth ZanzibarBreakfast, dinner -
Day 11: Transfer to Zanzibar International Airport for Your Flight Home
After breakfast, your driver takes you to Zanzibar International Airport in good time for your flight home.
Airport drop-offZanzibarBreakfast
Where Will You Stay on This Honeymoon?
| Nights | Where | Example lodges | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stone Town | Emerson Spice or The Swahili House | Boutique hotels in restored old houses, in the heart of the old town |
| 3 | Nyerere National Park | Roho ya Selous or Siwandu | Riverside and lakeside camps with boat, walking and game-drive safaris |
| 4 | Mafia Island, Chole Bay | Pole Pole Bungalows or Chole Mjini treehouses | Small, quiet lodges on the marine park, a short boat ride from the reefs |
| 2 | North Zanzibar | Gold Zanzibar Resort, or similar | A high-end beach resort on the sunset coast |
Each is followed by "or similar": if one is full for your dates, we book a place of the same standard and name it in your quotation.
How Much Does the 11-Day Zanzibar, Nyerere and Mafia Honeymoon Cost?
The honeymoon costs from US$10,604 per person for 2 travelers, including the hotels and camps, the light-aircraft flights between Zanzibar, Nyerere and Mafia, the safari activities in Nyerere, park fees and transfers. This is a starting price at our standard level; the exact lodges, the season and the flight routing change it, and your written quotation confirms the final price.
| Honeymoon | Price from, per person (2 travelers) |
|---|---|
| 11-day Zanzibar, Nyerere and Mafia Island | US$10,604 |
| 14-day northern safari and Zanzibar, luxury lodges | US$18,765 |
What the 11-Day Honeymoon Price Includes
- Airport transfers on Zanzibar and on Mafia Island
- Ten nights in the hotels, camps and lodges named above, or similar
- Light-aircraft flights: Zanzibar to Nyerere, Nyerere to Mafia and Mafia to Zanzibar (luggage about 15 kg each, in a soft bag)
- Game drives, boat safaris and a walking safari in Nyerere National Park
- Park and marine park fees and government taxes
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa (US$50 for most nationalities, US$100 for US citizens)
- Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult; one policy covers the mainland and Zanzibar, and we help you buy it
- Your own travel insurance, including medical evacuation
- Diving, a whale shark trip and other optional activities
- Tips, drinks and personal expenses
When Is the Best Time for a Nyerere and Mafia Honeymoon?
June to October, the dry season, is the best time: animals gather at the Rufiji River and the lakes, the bush is open for walking, and the islands have sunny, breezy days. Whale sharks gather off Mafia from October to February, so an October honeymoon gives you both. Avoid April and May, the long rains. See the best time for a Tanzania safari.
Honeymoon Touches Along the Way
- A sundowner on the Rufiji from the boat, at the end of your first safari day
- A treehouse night at Chole Mjini, off-grid with lamps instead of electricity
- A sandbank picnic for two in the Mafia Island Marine Park
- A sunset dhow on Zanzibar's west-facing north coast
- We tell every lodge it is your honeymoon, and many prepare something special
More ideas, and the classic northern honeymoon, are on our honeymoon safari page; more about the islands is on our Mafia Island and Nyerere National Park pages.
How to Book Your Zanzibar, Nyerere and Mafia Honeymoon
Send us your travel dates and wedding date through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our team will reply with a written quotation naming every lodge and flight; we run our southern safaris ourselves, with our own team. A 30% deposit confirms the trip and the balance is paid on arrival; you can pay online by card through Pesapal or by US-dollar bank transfer. Flights to Mafia are small and seats are limited, so book early.
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | 100% |
| 30–59 days | 90% |
| 15–29 days | 60% |
| 10–14 days | 25% |
| Less than 10 days, or a no-show | No refund |
Common Questions About a Zanzibar, Nyerere and Mafia Honeymoon
How much is an 11-day honeymoon in Zanzibar, Nyerere and Mafia?
From US$10,604 per person for two, including the lodges, the light-aircraft flights, the Nyerere safari activities, park fees and transfers.
Is Nyerere National Park good for a honeymoon?
Yes. It is quiet and wild, with boat safaris on the Rufiji River and walking safaris that the northern parks don't offer, and only a short flight from Zanzibar.
How do we get from Nyerere to Mafia Island?
By light aircraft, via Dar es Salaam on scheduled flights or directly on a charter of about 30 minutes.
Can we see whale sharks on Mafia Island?
From October to February, with some sightings into March. On a dry-season honeymoon, travel in October to combine them with the safari.
Do we need to be divers?
No. Snorkeling in Chole Bay and on the sandbanks needs no experience; diving is optional and arranged by your lodge.
Is Mafia Island better than Zanzibar for a honeymoon?
It is quieter, with small lodges and a marine park, while Zanzibar has more beaches, restaurants and Stone Town; this honeymoon gives you both.
How much luggage can we take on the small planes?
About 15 kg each, in a soft bag; we can keep the rest for you on Zanzibar.
Can we change the lodges?
Yes. Every stop can use another lodge of the same or a different standard, and we requote with each change.
The Bottom Line
For a honeymoon away from the crowds, go south and to the islands: Stone Town, three nights of boat and walking safaris in Nyerere, four nights on Mafia's Chole Bay and two on a Zanzibar beach, all linked by short flights, from US$10,604 per person for two. Choose October for the dry-season safari and Mafia's whale sharks.