Queer Tanzania: Safari, Zanzibar & Hidden Histories

Safari through the Serengeti, unwind on the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar, and witness the Great Migration up close.

This trip is intentionally designed to go deeper, from exploring pre-colonial queer histories to connecting with one of the oldest and most hidden LGBTQ+ communities in the heart of the Serengeti.

A rare opportunity to experience incredible nature, rejuvenate in paradise, and explore queer culture and community firsthand. This is the kind of travel that stays with you.

Early Morning

This morning your expert guide will show you the best that Arusha National Park has to offer (including the best Mt Meru views) on a guided game drive.

You won’t find any more beautiful corner of the Rift Valley than Arusha National Park. Yes, you’ll see wildlife from giraffe, zebra and buffalo are present and the birdlife is wonderfully varied. But it’s the scenery here that most travelers remember, from the near-perfect volcanic cone that crowns the summit of Mt Meru to the Ngurdoto Crater, which often goes by the name of ‘Little Ngorongoro’.

You'll also get to focus on the scenery rather than the animals, your visit to Arusha National Park nicely complements the other parks of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit.

Enjoy a scenic picnic in the heart of the park delicious food surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature, with a beautiful view of Lake Momela.

You’ll never get tired of a walking safari. Leaving the vehicle behind and stepping out into the wild gives you a completely different way to experience Tanzania. It can feel a little nerve-wracking at first, but you’ll be walking with an experienced guide who knows the landscape and how to keep you safe.

There’s something incredibly exciting about being on foot, hearing the sounds around you and experiencing wildlife from a whole new perspective. It’s often one of the experiences guests love most.

The park is known for its towering baobab trees and huge herds of elephants, but there’s so much more to discover. Lions are often spotted, while cheetahs and leopards also roam the park. You’ll also have the chance to see wildebeest, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes and zebras.

The landscape is just as spectacular, with a beautiful mix of river woodland, open plains and rolling hills, along with plenty of vantage points to take it all in.

At lunchtime, we’ll stop for a picnic by the Tarangire River, where you may spot wildlife crossing the water or stopping for a drink and a chance to cool off after a long day of grazing.

After leaving Tarangire National Park, we’ll continue to your new lodge, where you’ll have time to relax and enjoy dinner.

If you’d like to join us, you can take part in an optional cultural exchange with a Maasai community in Mto wa Mbu, a diverse area home to people from more than 120 tribes from across Tanzania. Hosted by local community members, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about Maasai traditions, markets, family and community life, the role of livestock, and how cultural practices continue alongside modern life today.

Rather than simply observing from the outside, this experience is about meeting people, listening and learning, while ensuring that the community benefits directly from your visit.

Transfer by road: approx. 90 minutes

After your day in the Serengeti or your visit to the Maasai community, you’ll check into your lodge for the night.

Located close to Karatu, between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Farm of Dreams Lodge offers a welcome respite after a day on the road. Set across spacious, landscaped grounds with manicured lawns and palm trees, the lodge has a restaurant, bar and swimming pool where you can unwind.

The comfortable rooms blend warm wood, terracotta and safari-inspired details, with each room featuring a mosquito net and en suite bathroom.

You’re heading into the heart of the Serengeti. The Central Serengeti is home to large populations of wildlife and is particularly good for spotting all three of Africa’s big cats: lions, leopards and cheetahs. It’s also where you’ll find the classic savannah landscapes of East Africa, with wide open grasslands dotted with acacia trees.

Over the next few days, you’ll experience the Serengeti at its best as we continue our search for any of the Big Five you may have missed so far. After an early breakfast, we’ll make our way into the park, where vast plains, golden grasslands and acacia trees stretch as far as you can see. Keep your eyes open for lions, elephants and other wildlife, and depending on the time of year.

Set in the heart of the Serengeti, Sidai Serengeti Camp puts you close to the wildlife while giving you a comfortable place to slow down between game drives.

Start your mornings with breakfast before heading out to explore the plains, then return to camp for lunch and some downtime. Your spacious tent has a private bathroom, hot shower and wooden deck, perfect for taking in the surrounding landscape.

Later, head out for an afternoon game drive before returning for dinner and drinks around the campfire as the sun sets. During migration season, wildlife is never far away, so keep your eyes open. You never know what might wander past camp.

Long before modern ideas of LGBTQ+ identity, communities across the Serengeti and Mara region had their own traditions around marriage, family and inheritance.

Among the Ikoma, a pre-colonial tradition allowed women without husbands or male heirs to marry other women. These marriages could provide companionship and family support, while allowing women to continue their family line and pass on property and inheritance.

Today, we’ll meet a family connected to this tradition and hear their story firsthand, offering a rare opportunity to learn about Ikoma family life and a tradition that has been passed down through generations.

Head out in the soft early morning light, wrapped in a blanket as the animals begin to emerge from their night’s rest and the shadows of the darkness. The world feels fresh and quiet on an early morning game drive. The sun is still low, the air is cool, and the landscape is just waking up. It may well become your favourite time to be out on safari.

We’ll spend our final night of the safari at Isamilo Grand Hotel in Mwanza, conveniently located close to the airstrip for our flight to Zanzibar the following morning.

Transfer to Mwanza airstrip by car: Approx 1 to 2 hrs | Transfer to Zanzibar by air: Approx 2 to 3 hours

Early this morning, you’ll leave the Serengeti by air, with a final game drive en route to the airstrip. Keep your eyes open for one last glimpse of wildlife and sweeping savannah views before taking to the skies.

After days of safari, Zanzibar is your chance to slow down for the next 5 nights. Think powder-soft white sand, clear turquoise water and long afternoons with nowhere you need to be. Swim, snorkel, wander along the shore or find a shady spot beneath the palms and let the pace of island life take over.

Sunset Kendwa is your home in the tropical paradise of Zanzibar’s north coast. This beachfront hotel sits beside the powdery white sands of Kendwa Beach, with azure waters and coral reefs just beyond the shore.

After your safari, this is the place to slow down and settle into island life. Spend your days swimming, relaxing by the pool or wandering along the beach, then watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean before enjoying a relaxed evening by the water.

Nungwi Dreams by Mantis is a luxury resort-style boutique hotel on the northern tip of Nungwi, offering a secluded retreat away from the bustle of the surrounding area. With direct access to the white-sand beach and views across the Indian Ocean, it’s a peaceful base for your time in Zanzibar.

Spend your days soaking up the Zanzibarian sunshine, cooling off in the infinity pool, unwinding at the Healing Earth Spa or wandering along the beach. In the evening, enjoy freshly prepared seafood and local-inspired dishes with a cocktail in hand, before watching the sunset over the ocean. With its relaxed atmosphere and barefoot luxury, Nungwi Dreams is a beautiful place to slow down and experience the essence of Zanzibar.

Today, you have the perfect opportunity to unwind, indulge and enjoy island life at your own pace. Breakfast included.

There’s something for every type of traveller. If you’re looking to explore the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, join Safari Blue, Zanzibar’s iconic full-day sea adventure.

Sail on a traditional dhow, snorkel in crystal-clear lagoons, discover the marine life below the surface and relax on pristine sandbanks surrounded by endless ocean.

Enjoy fresh tropical fruit and a delicious seafood feast, with plenty of time to swim, soak up the sun and take in Zanzibar’s spectacular coastline.

Morning transfer by Road to Zanzibar Stone Town
Transfer time: Approximately 1 hour

Zanzibar’s Stone Town is a place where history is woven into every narrow alley, doorway and coral-stone building. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old port was once at the centre of Indian Ocean trade, connecting East Africa with Persia, India and beyond. Its architecture and Swahili culture reflect centuries of exchange between different peoples and traditions.

And now, it’s time to say goodbye.

We hope you leave Tanzania with more than photographs and memories. Perhaps it’s the friendships you’ve made, the conversations that stayed with you, the moments of laughter, or that feeling of being somewhere completely different and sharing it with a wonderful group of people.

From the wide-open plains of the Serengeti to the shores of Zanzibar, it’s been a pleasure to share this trip with you. Thank you for bringing your curiosity, openness and sense of adventure along for the ride.

We hope this isn’t goodbye for long. Until we travel together again. <3

Useful Swahili Phrases 🇹🇿

Cancellation Terms for This Trip

If you need to cancel your booking, the following cancellation charges apply:

Cancellation receivedCancellation charge.

121+ days before departure: 10%
91–120 days: 25%
61–90 days: 40%
46–60 days: 50%
31–45 days: 65%
16–30 days: 80%
15 days or less: 100%

Please note: Any non-refundable deposit paid at the time of booking is separate from the cancellation charge and will not ordinarily be refunded, subject to your statutory rights.

Cancellation requests must be made in writing and the applicable charge will be based on the date we receive your request.

We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking to protect you against unforeseen circumstances that may prevent you from travelling.

Please read our full Cancellation Policy before booking.

Queer Travel Club designs culturally rich, intimate small-group trips for queer women, non-binary, and trans travelers. Explore wonders of the world, celebrate global Pride events in new cities,  relax on remote islands or join one of our cruises, all while connecting with like-minded queers. From lesbian & sapphic group trips to Black queer travel experiences, our diverse range of activities lets you connect with local traditions, experiences off the beaten path, and  unique LGBTQ+ culture and history.