South Africa vs Tanzania Safari: Which Is Best for a Honeymoon?
If you’re trying to decide between South Africa vs Tanzania for a safari honeymoon, you’re not alone!
A safari honeymoon is hands-down my favourite type of honeymoon. It’s one of those options that feels totally bucket list, so it’s no wonder it’s such a popular option with couples planning their dream trip.
As a travel agent, I get so many enquiries from couples wanting to go on safari. And often, there are lots of questions about which African country to pick for their honeymoon – South Africa or Tanzania.
I’ve personally been on safari in South Africa, and it’s a destination that I book and plan all the time. Tanzania, on the other hand, offers that vast, cinematic East Africa experience that many couples dream of.
So if you’re wondering where to go on a safari honeymoon in Africa – I’ve got you covered with this post! Let’s break it down properly…
The overall feel: Smaller private reserves vs expansive wilderness
One of the things I hear a lot is that South Africa isn’t as much of a “proper” safari destination as East African destinations like Tanzania or Kenya.
But that really isn’t the case!
South Africa is a brilliant safari destination – it’s probably my top choice for first time safari goers.
What makes South Africa particularly great for honeymooners is how easy it is to go on safari here. South Africa offers incredible wildlife viewing with minimal logistical stress.
It’s also one of the best-value places for a safari in Africa, and a destination with loads of options for extending your trip pre- or post-safari. Think a road trip along the garden route, wine tasting in the Cape Winelands or a luxury beach stay in Mauritius.
In South Africa, most luxury honeymoons are based in the Greater Kruger area, in reserves such as Sabi Sands, or otherwise in the Eastern Cape. In these regions, you’ll find small private game reserves with an amazing choice of luxury lodges and exceptional hospitality.
You’ll also find the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) in most major reserves across South Africa, giving you an excellent chance of wildlife encounters.
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Compared to South Africa, Tanzania’s safari experience is on a much larger scale.
The Serengeti plains are vast and open. Wildlife moves across huge landscapes rather than within smaller private reserves and, depending on the season, you might travel between different areas to follow migration patterns.
Many Tanzania honeymoon itineraries will involve small bush flights between camps. Lodges can be seasonal and repositioned based on wildlife movement, particularly during the Great Migration.
There are also several key places (like the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater) that couples want to tick off their list – so you’ll probably be on the move a lot more on a safari honeymoon in Tanzania.
All of this adds extra adventure and remoteness than a South Africa safari honeymoon. So if you want more of a ‘classic’ East Africa safari feel – wide horizons, dramatic wildlife scenes and tented camps in the middle of nowhere – you’ll love Tanzania!
Wildlife viewing: Consistency vs spectacle
If you’re going on safari, you want to see amazing wildlife. In South Africa’s private reserves, sightings are generally very reliable. Rangers communicate with each other and track animals closely, which increases your chances of encounters.
After a few days on safari, there’s a good chance you’ll have seen the Big 5. That said, it’s not a zoo-like experience. You do still have to search for wildlife and smaller reserves do still have that feeling of being very vast and open… It took us several game drives in South Africa before we spotted lions!
However, if you’re staying three or four nights, that consistency becomes extremely valuable. You’re maximising your time without feeling like you’re relying purely on luck.
In Tanzania, you absolutely won’t struggle to see wildlife either – but the experience feels a bit different.
The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are known for their dramatic wildlife scenes. If your honeymoon coincides with the Great Migration, the scale is extraordinary with thousands of wildebeest, river crossings and predator interactions. It’s considered one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the world.
Because the ecosystem is vast, sightings can feel more expansive rather than concentrated. Seasonal timing becomes more important, and you’re operating within a much larger landscape.
Because of that, South Africa often feels a bit more efficient and close-up. Tanzania feels more cinematic and iconic. Both offer incredible wildlife sightings, just in a different way!
Accommodation styles: Contemporary lodges vs classic tented camps
You’ll get luxury with both a South Africa and Tanzania safari honeymoon, but the aesthetic and feel is different.
South Africa has some of the most luxurious lodges on the continent – especially in regions like Sabi Sands. Across South Africa, you’ll find that lodges are often contemporary with spacious suites and more of a boutique feel.
Lots of luxury lodges also offer extra touches like private plunge pools and spa treatments.
In Tanzania, you’ll find a lot more elegant tented camps with canvas suites, open-fronted lounges and lantern-lit dining areas. Most accommodation options in Tanzania are remote and very much focused on the environment.
However, that’s not to say you don’t get luxury. There are some brilliant lodges in Tanzania that offer both that traditional and immersive feel as well as plenty of comfort.
If you prefer a modern lodge environment with more indulgence and convenience – South Africa might be better for you. But if you’re drawn to the romantic atmosphere of a classic safari camp, Tanzania will probably fit the bill.
Tanzania vs South Africa safety: What first-time safari couples should know
If you’ve never been on safari before, you’re not alone if you’re wondering if it’s actually safe.
The short answer is yes, it is safe! But it’s totally normal to have questions about safety and comfort – I know I did before my first safari!
In reality, these honeymoons are far more structured and well managed than many people initially assume.
Luxury safari experiences in both South Africa and Tanzania are highly structured and professionally managed. Game drives are always led by trained rangers and trackers who understand animal behaviour and safety protocols.
When it comes to accommodation, even tented camps are extremely secure. “Tented” doesn’t mean basic. At the luxury level, these camps are permanent structures with solid foundations, proper security procedures and experienced staff on site at all times.
In South Africa’s private reserves, lodges are particularly well established and often feel similar to boutique hotels — just set within the bush! In Tanzania, even though camps might feel more remote, they operate to very high standards with clear safety guidelines for guests.
You’ll always be briefed on when to have an escort after dark, how to move around camp, and what to expect during game drives. It’s structured, organised and designed to keep you safe while still feeling immersive.
Best times to visit South Africa or Tanzania for a safari
If you have a set date that you want to go on your honeymoon, timings will probably play a part in which destination you choose to visit.
The good news is that both South Africa and Tanzania offer excellent wildlife viewing for most of the year. However, seasonality does affect how your experience feels, particularly in Tanzania.
South Africa is a lot more flexible than Tanzania when it comes to timings. The dry season winter months (roughly May to September) are typically considered the best time for wildlife viewing – especially in the Kruger National Park area. Vegetation is thinner, animals gather around water sources, and sightings are usually brilliant.
That said, a safari in South Africa is possible year-round. Even in the greener summer months (October to April), you’ll still have fantastic game drives.
If you’re travelling at this time of year, I recommend heading to South Africa’s Eastern Cape. I visited in January and had perfect conditions. It’s also the best time for combining a safari with Cape Town and the coast.
If seeing the Great Migration is high on your list, Tanzania is a lot more seasonal. The migration moves through the Serengeti across the year, so the “best” time depends on what you want to witness.
River crossings, for example, typically happen between July and October, while calving season is usually around January to March.
If you visit outside of migration season, Tanzania will still be amazing for wildlife, but the experience might feel less dramatic.
So if your dates are fixed, South Africa generally gives you a little more flexibility – whereas Tanzania needs a bit more seasonal planning.
How many nights do you need on safari?
For most honeymooners, I recommend three to four nights on safari at a minimum. This gives you enough time to settle into the rhythm of safari – early morning drives, afternoon rest, evening game drives – without feeling rushed.
In South Africa, three or four nights in one private reserve is usually perfect. Because wildlife sightings are generally consistent and reserves are more contained, you don’t need to move between multiple lodges to have an amazing experience.
You can base yourself in one luxury lodge, unpack once, and fully relax into the experience.
This works well if your honeymoon is 10–14 days total and you want to combine a safari with Cape Town, the Winelands or a beach extension.
In Tanzania, the structure is often slightly different. Because the Serengeti ecosystem is so vast, many itineraries involve moving between two camps – especially during the migration season. This naturally extends the safari portion of your trip.
For Tanzania, I suggest four to six nights if possible, particularly if you want to experience different regions like the Serengeti as well as Ngorongoro Crater.
If you’re working with a shorter overall timeframe and want to keep logistics simple, South Africa can be the best option. But if you have a little more time and want a multi-camp, immersive safari journey, Tanzania will work beautifully.
Cost & logistics in Tanzania & South Africa
Between South Africa or Tanzania, South Africa will usually be the more affordable and accessible honeymoon destination.
It’s very easy to get around South Africa and there are direct flights from countries like the UK. If you don’t want to travel around so much when you get there, you can also minimise your internal travel and base yourself at just one private game reserve and still have a brilliant experience.
That said – my favourite honeymoon option in South Africa is to combine a safari with either Cape Town and the Winelands, or a beach extension in Mauritius.
Tanzania on the other hand is a lot more of a ‘classic’ adventure experience. If you want to catch the migration or you want to visit a few iconic spots across the country, you’ll likely have additional bush flights between camps.
The focus of a honeymoon to Tanzania is the wildlife and the safari. Whereas in South Africa, you’ll easily be able to mix in a few different experiences.
Honeymoon combinations in South Africa & Tanzania
I don’t recommend combining Tanzania and South Africa into one honeymoon. However there are options you can combine with each.
One of the biggest advantages of South Africa is the variety within a single country. One of the most common honeymoon itineraries I plan combines a safari in a private game reserve with Cape Town and a beach extension in Mauritius.
You also have the option of hiring a car and driving along the famous Garden Route before ending at a beautiful private game reserve in the Eastern Cape.
There are so many options and things you could experience in South Africa. Because of this, South Africa is a brilliant honeymoon destination for couples who want variety and aren’t just interested in the safari aspect.
If you go to Tanzania on your honeymoon, the main focus will be the safari experience. You’ll likely move around a lot while on safari so this will be a big part of the trip. However, many couples choose to pair a safari in Tanzania with a beach break at the end in Zanzibar – so you will still get some relaxation!
Who a South Africa vs Tanzania safari isn’t for
Still need help deciding which one is for you? Sometimes it’s helpful to see which destination might not suit you. It can be just as important as knowing the highlights!
South Africa might not be ideal if…
You’re specifically dreaming of witnessing the Great Migration or seeing vast herds across the horizon.
South Africa offers exceptional wildlife and close-up sightings, but it doesn’t deliver migration-scale drama like you’d get in Tanzania. If your vision of a safari is heavily influenced by those iconic Serengeti river crossing scenes, you might find yourself wishing you’d chosen East Africa.
South Africa can also feel slightly more structured and polished. For some couples, that’s perfect. But if you’re looking for something that feels extremely remote and untamed, Tanzania has the edge.
Tanzania might not be ideal if…
You don’t like the idea of moving around and packing and unpacking.
Many Tanzania itineraries involve bush flights between camps and covering significant distances. That’s part of the adventure, but it does add extra logistics and effort to the trip.
If you’re working with a shorter timeframe or want something more simple, Tanzania can feel slightly more involved.
Tanzania is also typically a bigger financial investment, particularly if you’re travelling during peak migration season.
Which is best? At a glance:
| Category | South Africa | Tanzania |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | First-time safari couples wanting ease and wildlife reliability | Couples dreaming of iconic migration scenes and dramatic landscapes |
| Wildlife style | Close-up, consistent sightings in private reserves | Vast ecosystems with large-scale wildlife spectacles |
| Accommodation feel | Contemporary luxury lodges with a boutique hotel style | Classic tented camps with an immersive safari atmosphere |
| Logistics | Straightforward planning, fewer internal flights | Often involves bush flights and moving between camps |
| Typical budget level | More flexible pricing tiers available | Generally higher overall investment, especially during migration |
| Best combined with | Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, Mauritius | Zanzibar beach extension |
FAQ: South Africa vs Tanzania safari honeymoon
Is South Africa or Tanzania better for a first safari?
For most first-time safari couples, South Africa is the easier introduction thanks to its private reserves, reliable sightings and straightforward logistics.
Is wildlife better in Tanzania or South Africa?
Both offer exceptional wildlife. Tanzania is known for migration-scale spectacles, while South Africa offers more consistent, close-up sightings.
Is a Tanzania safari more expensive than South Africa?
In most cases, yes. Tanzania often involves more internal flights and seasonal pricing linked to the Great Migration. Lodges can also be more expensive in Tanzania.
Can you see the Big Five in both South Africa and Tanzania?
Yes – both destinations offer Big Five wildlife viewing in their major safari regions.
Which is better for a honeymoon?
Both Tanzania and South Africa are exceptional safari honeymoon destinations. The difference ultimately comes down to personality, priorities and how you want your honeymoon to feel.
Personally, I would say that if you’ve never been on safari before, South Africa is your better bet because you’ll get a much easier and accessible safari introduction.
You’ll also have beautiful luxury lodges and you’ll be able to combine your safari with other experiences – like Cape Town, the Winelands or a beach extension.
Having experienced South Africa personally and planned it extensively, I find it delivers everything honeymooners are hoping for – incredible wildlife, gorgeous accommodation and a seamless overall experience. It’s usually what couples want after the stress of wedding planning!
That said, if your dream safari centres around the Great Migration, or you’re a serious wildlife enthusiast wanting vast, iconic landscapes, Tanzania may be the better fit. The scale is incredible and the experience feels immersive and dramatic in a way that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
Likewise, if you’ve already been on safari in other parts of Africa, Tanzania can feel like a deeper, more classic safari journey.
Choose South Africa if:
✔️ It’s your first safari
✔️ You prefer smoother logistics
✔️ You like contemporary luxury lodges
✔️ You want to combine your safari with other experiences
Choose Tanzania if:
✔️ The Great Migration is a must-see for you
✔️ You’re drawn to vast, open landscapes
✔️ You prefer a traditional tented camp atmosphere
✔️ You’re comfortable with slightly more internal travel
There isn’t a wrong choice… both Tanzania and South Africa will deliver an unforgettable honeymoon experience. It simply comes down to whether you want something seamless and varied, or something expansive and iconic.
The most important thing is choosing the destination that fits your style of travel – not just the one that “sounds better” or seems more impressive on paper.
If you’re leaning towards South Africa, I’ve shared a detailed breakdown of what a luxury South African safari actually costs – including lodge tiers and what’s typically included – so you can start planning with real numbers in mind.
Once you’ve got clarity on budget, the rest of the planning becomes much simpler!
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