Tyne & Peter’s African Honeymoon

14-21 Days | October 2025

Here is a first draft of some itinerary options for you to review. As I mentioned, unless you are really trying to see the Great Migration, I recommend focusing your safari energy on Kenya or Tanzania, but not both. Of course, a Nairobi stopover will be part of the trip, no matter what, to see the elephant orphanage.

I have listed your budget as $25,000, not including flights. Ballpark prices for two people are included below, but these are published rates and may not include additional fees and taxes. Safaris are all-inclusive, but only some beach properties are.

Availability is not guaranteed at this point, but we should be able to find alternatives to the properties below if you see something you like that is booked. We may have to shift the days slightly to align availability and flights.

Kenya

Sample Itinerary

• October 1: Depart Chicago
• October 2: Arrive in Nairobi (evening)
• October 3: Explore Nairobi (David Sheldrick, Giraffe Center)
• October 4: Fly to Safari Destination 1
• October 5: Safari Destination 1
• October 6: Safari Destination 1
• October 7: Fly to Safari Destination 2
• October 8: Safari Destination 2
• October 9: Safari Destination 2
• October 10: Safari Destination 2
• October 11: Fly to Lamu or Diani Beach
• October 12: Lamu or Diani Beach
• October 13: Lamu or Diani Beach
• October 14: Fly to Seychelles via Nairobi
• October 15: Seychelles or Mauritius
• October 16: Seychelles or Mauritius
• October 17: Seychelles or Mauritius
• October 18: Fly Home

1. Nairobi

We have talked about this part of the trip. I really like the Karen Blixen Cottages if Giraffe Manor is booked. They are charming and a fraction of the price, starting at $400/nt.

2. Kenya Safari Options

I would pick at least two of the safari destinations below for a Kenya-focused itinerary. You could do three places but the flights start to add up if you are also doing two beach stops.

3. Laikipia Plateau

The Laikipia area is the high-altitude region around Mt. Kenya. It is the second-highest wildlife density after the Maasai Mara. There is great weather and lots of activities like horseback riding.

• Lewa House: This is the first property that came to mind after talking to y’all. Plentiful wildlife and solid stone construction – one of my favorites in East Africa. $2,300/nt
• Moon’s Camp: This is a more basic tented camp if you want to visit the region for less. It is well done and owner-run. $1,245/nt
• Olepangi Farm: This isn’t a safari but a small working farm and guesthouse. It makes a fun addition if you want to stay a couple more nights in the region. $565/nt

4. Maasai Mara

This is the legendary safari area with a ton of wildlife moving around the plains. I try to book the private reserves here to avoid the crowds because it’s a National Park open to the public. This is the only area in Kenya where you can do a balloon safari, though other areas are good for helicopters.

• House in the Wild: This is a great owner-run camp in the northern region. It’s far from the migration in October, but it’s very private, and it is a solid cottage with some canvas elements. $2,300/nt
• Tangulia Mara or Mara Siana: This is one of the rare Maasai-owned camps in the area. It is just outside the park in a small private conservancy. It’s a classic tented camp at a great price. I would suggest it for a short stay to check off the Mara and do a balloon ride before going somewhere like Lewa House mentioned above. $1,460/nt

5. Samburu

This is an arid northern region of Kenya. I like the safari here because it’s a beautiful landscape and not crowded. There are plenty of animals, but not as many as in the above regions. However, it is the premier cultural destination in Kenya and the best place to helicopter.

• Sarara: This is a really cool lodge in a remote location. The views from the rooms (tented with thatched roofs) are stunning. There is another elephant orphanage nearby, and you can do things like hiking here. $2,300/nt
• Saruni: This is a slightly less expensive version of Sarara if we want to save a bit on this stop. The rooms are still cool. It’s just not owner-run and on the edge of the reserve rather than inside a private conservancy. $2,000/nt

6. Lamu

Lamu is like a miniature version of Stone Town in Zanzibar. I like it because it’s accessible from Nairobi but much less touristy than Zanzibar, which can get crowded.

• Manda Bay: This is undoubtedly the best beach resort in the area. It’s on a private island, a short boat ride from Lamu town. $935/nt
• Janah Lamu or Peponi: These are two of the nicer historic Swahili guest houses near Lamu old town that are atmospheric and relaxing. $250-$350/nt

7. Seychelles

Seychelles is a 4-hour direct flight from Nairobi ($800 per person round trip) and a gorgeous blue water destination. Unless you want to dedicate a little more time and budget, I would stay on the main island of Mahe.

• Hilton Northolme Seychelles: The Hilton is one of the better hotels for the mix of price and location. $655/nt (including breakfast), $1055/nt (all-inclusive)

8. Mauritius

Mauritius is about 20 minutes further than Seychelles on a direct flight ($1000 per person round trip), and I initially thought the extra price might not be worth it. However, I remembered that my favorite hotel on the island is part of the Hyatt group. If you can get a free stay with your miles, it might offset the extra expense.

• LUX Le Morne: Beautiful resort on the southwest side of the island near a mountain. Not all-inclusive. Starting at $650/nt

Tanzania

Sample Itinerary:

• October 1: Depart Chicago
• October 2: Arrive in Nairobi (evening)
• October 3: Explore Nairobi (David Sheldrick, Giraffe Center)
• October 4: Fly to Arusha
• October 5: Arusha Coffee
• October 6: Fly to Serengeti
• October 7: Safari Serengeti
• October 8: Safari Serengeti
• October 9: Fly to Ngorongoro
• October 10: Ngorongoro
• October 11: Fly to Chem Chem
• October 12: Chem Chem
• October 13: Chem Chem
• October 14: Fly to Zanzibar
• October 15: Zanzibar
• October 16: Zanzibar
• October 17: Zanzibar
• October 18: Fly Home

1. Arusha

Almost every trip to Tanzania requires an overnight stay in Arusha because of arrival times. You can just use it as an airport layover or stay a day or two exploring coffee farms or golfing.

• Arusha Coffee Lodge: This is one of the nicer hotels in town, and it is connected to a coffee plantation. $520/nt

2. Serengeti

The Serengeti is the same environment as the Maasai Mara, but it is ten times larger. It can get crowded because it is a national park, but some camps can still give you a private experience. Because of the seasonality and Great Migration, many camps are tented here. The Migration is never guaranteed, but it is often in Tanzania in October. For this reason, some of Tanzania is still in high season in October, whereas it is shoulder in some of Kenya.

• Nomad Lamai: This is a more solid camp in the Lamai area at a good price. $3,500/nt
• Olakira Migration Camp: This is a real mobile tented camp that is well-located to catch the migration in October. $1,750/nt
• Namiri Plains: If you want a true luxury camp away from the crowds in October that don’t have exorbitant rates, this is a good option. $2,950
• Serian Lamai: This is a tented camp in the Lamai area that is more affordable than Nomad. The guiding here is really serious and you get your own private vehicle. $2,500/nt

3. Ngorongoro

I don’t often book the Ngorongoro Crater because it is one of the most crowded places in Africa. However, the periphery of the conservation area has some interesting properties to give diversity to your trip.

• Gibbs Farm: This isn’t a safari destination but a working organic farm. Take a couple of days to relax and eat good food here. $2,442/nt
• Highlands Lodge: This is close to the crater and accessible for safaris, but the highlight here is the landscape and ability to hike to nearby Maasai Communities. Because of the elevation, it comprises geodesic domes with fireplaces instead of tents. $2,060/nt

4. Chem Chem Conservancy

Chem Chem is a private reserve between Ngorongoro and Tarangire parks. It’s super private, and the camps are amazing. They emphasize a “slow safari” and connections to local Maasai, so it’s a nice ending to the safari portion of the trip. You can also fly direct to Zanzibar from their airstrip, which is really convenient.

• Little Chem Chem: The tents here are smaller than the main Chem Chem Lodge, but the wildlife here is the best in the whole reserve. They also just put in a pool and a small treatment area.

5. Zanzibar

Zanzibar has a fascinating history, but it can be tricky to do right. It has become very developed and big tides can put your beachfront room 1/4 mile from the water. However, you’ll have a great time at the below options.

• Emerson Spice: Because you like history, it might be fun to stay a couple of nights in a historic Stone Town hotel before transferring to a more remote resort like the ones below. $225/nt
• Kilindi: This is one of the best resorts on the mainland. The sheltered location avoids the worst of Zanzibar’s tidal action, and it is really well done. $1,100/nt
• Bawe Island: This is the new private island hotel we talked about. No reports from colleagues about it yet, but it is more affordable than the other private island hotels on Zanzibar. $1,400/nt (all-inclusive)
• Manta, Pemba: If you want something unique with incredible snorkeling, Manta is the way to go. It’s a short flight from Zanzibar and could be a substitute for going to Seychelles. Pemba has very few resorts and remains an authentic island experience. $1,700/nt (all-inclusive ocean view villa)