4-Day Tanzania Safari through Tarangire Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara

4 Days Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore Tarangire National Park, known for its elephant families and ancient baobab trees
  • 02 Descend into Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcano with one of Africa's densest wildlife populations
  • 03 Look for the endangered black rhino on the Crater floor
  • 04 Discover Lake Manyara's shallow salt lake, wading birds, and thick evergreen forest
  • 05 Watch for Lake Manyara's famous tree-climbing lions

This 4-day mid-range safari takes you through some of the highlights of Tanzania's Northern Safari Circuit. Experience breathtaking wildlife across diverse landscapes, from Tarangire's baobab-dotted plains and elephant herds to the pristine wilderness of Ngorongoro Crater and the forest and lakeshore habitats of Lake Manyara. Look out for monkeys in the forest, lions in trees, elephants moving through the bush, and a huge variety of animals inside a collapsed volcano. With comfortable mid-range lodges and expert guiding, this is a rewarding short safari packed with scenery and wildlife.

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

You will be picked up from the airport by a Lion King representative and driven to your accommodation in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, you may 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 travellers pass through here at some stage.

Arusha Planet Lodge

  • Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City)

Meals & Drinks:

  • Meals at own expense
  • Drinking water (other drinks not included)
2
Day 02

Tarangire's Elephants and Baobab Landscapes

Your Kiliclimb Safari guide will collect you from your accommodation after breakfast. You will then drive to Tarangire National Park. This transit drive is approximately two and a half hours on good tarmac roads.

The park is named after the Tarangire River, which runs through it. This 'river of warthogs' is the only source of water for wildlife in the region 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 giraffe, bushbuck, and hartebeest. These animals are closely followed by a range of predators, including lions and leopards.

There are more breeding species of birds found in Tarangire than anywhere else on the planet. The huge and ancient baobab trees can be seen here, and some of them 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 continue to your accommodation in Karatu.

Eileen's Trees Inn

  • Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Tarangire NP

Meals & Drinks:

  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks
3
Day 03

Ngorongoro Crater Wildlife Safari

After breakfast, you will drive up into the cooler regions of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. When you first see Ngorongoro Crater, it looks like a forgotten world. Concealed by the steep volcanic walls is a pristine wilderness including sweeping savannah, pockets of acacia woodland, and glistening lakes and swamps.

The Crater was created when a large volcano exploded and collapsed in on itself two to three million years ago, and it covers an area of 260 km². The Crater is famous both for its geological delights and for being a natural reserve that is 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 also provides you with 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.

Eileen's Trees Inn

  • Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater

Meals & Drinks:

  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks
4
Day 04

Lake Manyara Safari and Return to Arusha

After breakfast, you will drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a small but diverse park 120 km west of Arusha. Everything you see here is on a different scale. It is both compact - 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. It covers a large area of the park, flooding and drying with the seasons, and is home to thousands of wading birds, including flamingos, as well as over 500 other bird species. You may see baboon and elephant in the park's thick evergreen forest, and you should also watch for the tree-climbing lions that have become famous throughout Africa.

Picnic lunch will be in the park. After your game drive, you will say farewell to your guide and be dropped off at a place of your choosing, such as Arusha, Kilimanjaro Airport, or Arusha Airport. We hope you have enjoyed your adventure with Kiliclimb Africa Safaris.

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

  • Breakfast & lunch (dinner not included)
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
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 increase of taxes and/or park fees
  • Some meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)

What to bring

  • Pack light and practical for safari travel.
  • Bring neutral-colored clothing (khaki, beige, olive), including short- and long-sleeved shirts and lightweight trousers.
  • Carry a warm jacket or fleece for cold mornings and evenings, especially in Ngorongoro or Serengeti.
  • Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for sun protection.
  • Wear comfortable closed shoes or light hiking shoes.
  • Heavy boots are usually not needed.
  • Useful items include binoculars, a camera with extra batteries or a power bank, and a small daypack for game drives.
  • Also pack insect repellent, lip balm, and hand sanitizer.
  • Do not forget your passport, travel insurance, and any personal medication.
  • Optional items include a reusable water bottle and a flashlight.

Know before you go

  • Wildlife is unpredictable, so sightings are not guaranteed, but early morning and late afternoon game drives usually give the best results.
  • Animals are wild and should be observed from the vehicle at all times.
  • Weather can change quickly. Mornings and evenings are often cold, while midday is hot, so layering clothes is important.
  • Roads inside parks can be rough and dusty, so expect bumpy drives and some long travel times between locations.
  • Respect park rules: do not feed animals, keep noise low, and always follow your guide's instructions.
  • Most safaris are safe when you stay with your guide and inside designated areas. Your guide plays a key role in finding animals and ensuring safety.
  • Internet and phone signal may be weak or unavailable in remote parks, especially Serengeti and Ngorongoro.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Arusha, Tanzania
End of the journey

Your 4 days finish where they began.

Watch the tourHQ film Watch the film

Create your own adventure

Can't find the perfect tour? Tailor your dream trip.

  • Tell us your destination, dates and group size.
  • Our travel experts and local guides design a tailored itinerary, just for you.
  • Enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing everything is taken care of.
Plan my holiday

Say goodbye to travel stress.

Starting from

USD 1,505 /person
Book This Tour

When

Travellers

Total