4-Day Tanzania Wilderness Safari with Ngorongoro and Tarangire

4 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore Tarangire National Park, known for its elephant families and ancient baobab trees
  • 02 Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcano with dense wildlife populations
  • 03 Look out for endangered black rhino on the crater floor
  • 04 Spot tree-climbing lions, baboons, and flamingos in Lake Manyara National Park
  • 05 Experience diverse northern circuit landscapes, from evergreen forest to sweeping savannah

This 4-day mid-luxury safari showcases some of the highlights of Tanzania's northern safari circuit, with accommodation ranging between mid-range and luxury. Encounter breathtaking wildlife across remarkably diverse landscapes, from monkeys in the forest and tree-climbing lions to elephants moving through the bush. You'll also explore the Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcano that shelters a vast variety of animals in one of Africa's most extraordinary natural settings.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Yes
Cities Arusha, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park
Languages English, French, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival in Arusha

A Lion King Adventures representative will pick you up from the airport and drive you to your accommodation in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, you will have time to relax and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime. Busy Arusha is an essential part of safari life in northern Tanzania, and most travelers pass through here at some stage.

Kahawa House

  • Luxury lodge located in Arusha (City)

Meals & Drinks:

  • Meals at own expense
  • Drinks not included
2
Day 02

Tarangire National Park and Transfer to Karatu

After breakfast, your Lion King Adventures safari guide will collect you from your accommodation. You will then drive to Tarangire National Park, a journey of approximately two and a half hours on good tarmac roads. The park gets its name from the Tarangire River, which runs through it. This "river of warthogs" is the region's only water source for wildlife during the dry season.

The park is well known for its elephant families, which can often be seen congregating by the river. You may also see giraffes, bushbuck, and hartebeest. A range of predators, including lions and leopards, closely follows these animals. The population of birds that breed in the region is more than anywhere else on the planet.

The huge, ancient baobab trees can be seen everywhere, and some are said to have lived for more than a thousand years. Lunch will be at a picnic site inside the park. After your game drive, you will transfer to your accommodation in Karatu.

Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View

  • Luxury lodge located 1-2 hours' drive from Tarangire National Park

Meals & Drinks:

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (other drinks not included)
3
Day 03

Ngorongoro Crater Safari

After breakfast, you will drive to the cooler regions of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. When you first see the Ngorongoro Crater, it looks like a forgotten world. The steep volcanic walls, sweeping savannahs, pockets of acacia woodland, and glistening lakes and swamps conceal a pristine wilderness.

The crater was formed when a giant volcano exploded and collapsed in on itself two to three million years ago. This 260km² crater is famous for its geological delights and for being a natural reserve home to some of the densest large mammal populations on the African continent.

After you descend into the crater, you quickly find yourself among large numbers of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, and more than 500 bird species. The crater provides the best chance of seeing the endangered black rhino. Lunch will be at a picnic site on the crater floor. After your game drive, you will return to your accommodation in Karatu.

Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge

  • Luxury lodge located 1-2 hours' drive from Ngorongoro Crater

Meals & Drinks:

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (other drinks not included)
4
Day 04

Lake Manyara National Park and Return to Arusha

After breakfast, you will drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a small and diverse park 120km west of Arusha. Everything you see here is on a different scale. It is compact, as one of the narrowest parks in Africa, and epic, with the Great Rift Escarpment towering over Lake Manyara's western boundary.

The park's namesake is a shallow salt lake that covers a large area of the park. The lake floods and dries with the seasons and is home to thousands of wading birds, including flamingos, as well as more than 500 other bird species.

You may see baboons and elephants in the park's thick evergreen forest, and keep an eye out for the tree-climbing lions that have become famous throughout Africa. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park. After your game drive, you will say farewell to your guide and be dropped off at a place you choose: Arusha, Kilimanjaro International Airport, or Arusha Airport. We hope you have enjoyed your adventure with Lion King Adventures!

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

  • Breakfast & lunch (dinner not included)
  • Drinking water (other drinks not included)

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Arusha 4 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Park fees (for non-residents)
  • All activities (unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation (unless listed as an upgrade)
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
  • All taxes/VAT
  • Round-trip airport transfer
  • Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinks (as specified in the day-by-day section)

What's Not Included

  • International flights (from/to home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (tipping guideline: US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park fees
  • Some meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)

What to bring

  • Light neutral clothing
  • A warm layer for early mornings
  • Closed shoes
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Binoculars
  • Camera with spare batteries
  • Power bank
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Basic toiletries
  • A small daypack
  • Personal medication

Know before you go

  • Safaris involve early starts, long drives, and changing temperatures, especially in parks like Ngorongoro Crater and nearby northern circuit areas.
  • Wildlife is not guaranteed, so patience is part of the experience.
  • Expect dusty roads and limited phone signal in remote areas.
  • Follow your guide's instructions, stay in the vehicle, and respect park rules.
  • Game viewing is usually best in the early morning and late afternoon.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Arusha, Tanzania
Tour start
Arusha, Tanzania
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 4 days finish where they began, in Arusha.

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USD 1,705 /person
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