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Known for its majestic wildlife and picturesque landscapes, Tanzania is the perfect destination for an unforgettable adventure. Here’s how my husband and I are planning a luxury honeymoon safari in this beautiful country inspired by the new Venture X card from Capital One.
As a travel journalist, I’ve traversed the globe in search of the best hotels, the most exciting activities, and the greatest hidden gems to share with readers so they can book their own amazing vacations. I’ve been fortunate enough to go on two stellar safari adventures in Zambia and Kenya and have dreamed of returning to Africa one day with my partner for his first safari experience.
Though there are several amazing nations across the continent that we’d like to explore together, Tanzania reigns supreme when it comes to wildlife spotting and eco-friendly safari options. The country is home to 40 national parks and game reserves, including the Serengeti National Park, which stretches across more than 5,700 acres of land and is home to some 4,000 lions, 1,000 leopards, and 550 cheetahs, making “Big 5” spotting just a bit easier.
So, when my partner and I started planning our honeymoon after our July wedding, a luxury safari in Tanzania quickly made its way to the top of our shared destination list. Taking my partner on his first safari seemed like the perfect way to kick off our journey as newlyweds. Watching the majestic wildlife meander through their natural environment is something I want to experience with him because we are both passionate about preserving our planet and everything that lives on it. Being lucky enough to see the rawness of the African landscape and the animals that live both freely and wildly is something I’ll remember forever. I want to experience the beauty of Africa again with my husband at my side and create more memories there. Luckily, with the new Venture X card from Capital One, booking an unforgettable trip like this one is easier than ever.
After setting our sights on Tanzania, the first step in planning our adventure is finding our flights. As a Capital One cardholder who has access to the Capital One Travel booking experience, I can book flights and hotels using its premium tools that are designed to make planning a trip easy. As a Venture X cardholder, you’ll also earn 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Best of all, Capital One cardholders can book with confidence thanks to free price drop protection: If you book a flight when Capital One Travel recommends and the price decreases afterward, they’ll refund some or all of the difference. Venture X cardholders will also receive unlimited free access to Capital One Lounges and over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges worldwide. This could really come in handy when traveling across the globe to Tanzania with multiple layovers!
Earn unlimited 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
Once we get our flights sorted, we can focus on selecting the perfect safari experience, which we’ll book directly through our desired tour company. By charging the safari tour to a Venture X card, you’ll earn 2X miles to put toward another trip in the future. For travelers like us who would like to vacation comfortably without sacrificing the natural environment, luxury safari outfitters have set up camps across the nation, dotting the map at key points in different parks. One option we’re considering is Abercrombie & Kent, which offers a variety of tours like its small group journey that limits capacity to just 18 guests, taking them through Tanzania’s northern circuit — Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park. Along the way, guests get to experience everything from game drives to personal meetings with the Maasai people.
Kensington Tours has also perfected the luxury Tanzania itinerary with its trip through the nation that includes stops at Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park. On their tour, guests take plenty of morning and evening drives to spot animals both up close and from behind binoculars. Guests also enjoy delicious local dinners and famed “sundowners,” the African version of happy hour.
Perhaps the most ideal option for us is andBeyond, a company that offers bespoke luxury trips through Serengeti National Park and lesser-known parks like Mahale Mountains National Park, which is home to thousands of protected chimpanzees. The company even offers “The Ultimate Honeymoon” trip, an intimate itinerary for two on a nine-day safari that checks all the boxes for our first trip as newlyweds. It stops at picturesque spots like Arusha, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park.
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
On a trip like this, it’s important to make every moment count. By booking a five-star hotel near the airport on our last night of vacation, we can get the most out of our honeymoon and take one last look at beautiful Tanzania before heading home. With Capital One Travel, we can easily search for hotels near the airport if we don’t have a specific one in mind. We can also book a room knowing we’re getting the best deal because Capital One Travel proactively matches or beats hotel rates offered by competitors to give us the best price. Plus, Venture X cardholders receive 2X miles on room service, spa bookings, and other purchases when they pay with the card.
As a travel writer, I’m always thinking about booking my next getaway, and Venture X makes it possible to travel further and smarter. Venture X cardholders get up to $300 back in credits for bookings through Capital One Travel each year, along with 10,000 bonus miles on every account anniversary, which is equal to $100 towards travel. Anniversary trip? I think so! With Venture X, you can make your dream vacations a reality and create unforgettable memories traveling the world. Where will Venture X take you?
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