4-Day Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Safari with Karatu Lodges

4 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Lake Manyara's groundwater forest and alkaline lake
02 Descend 600 m into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive
03 Spot wildlife including lions, rhinos, hippos, hyenas, flamingos, wildebeest, and zebra
04 Visit a Maasai village to learn about daily life and traditions
05 Discover Olduvai Gorge, the "Cradle of Mankind"

This 4-day, 3-night safari from Arusha combines wildlife, scenery, and local culture across Lake Manyara National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. Stay in comfortable mid-range lodges in Karatu, well placed for exploring both parks. Look out for elephants, giraffes, hippos, baboons, buffalo, flamingos, lions, rhinos, hyenas, wildebeest, and zebra, while also discovering the Ngorongoro Highlands, a Maasai village, Olduvai Gorge, and Karatu coffee farms.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Arusha, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Lake Manyara and Karatu Lodge Stay

Pick-up: Your driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha at about 8:00 AM.
Drive: Drive for about 2 hours to Lake Manyara National Park.
Game drive: Spend the afternoon on a game drive, looking for elephants, giraffes, hippos, baboons, buffalo, and many birds.
Park highlights: The park is also known for its groundwater forest and alkaline lake.
Lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park.
Drive: In the late afternoon, continue to Karatu.
Dinner & overnight: Have dinner and spend the night at your lodge.

Day 02

Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

Breakfast: After an early breakfast, drive up to the crater rim for wide views.
Game drive: Then descend about 600 m into the crater for a half-day game drive.
Wildlife: You may see lions, rhinos, hippos, hyenas, flamingos, and large herds of wildebeest and zebra.
Lunch: Have a picnic lunch at the hippo pool.
Return: In the afternoon, climb out of the crater and return to Karatu for dinner and an overnight stay at your lodge.

Day 03

Ngorongoro Highlands, Maasai Village and Olduvai Gorge

Breakfast: After a relaxed breakfast, spend the day exploring the highlands around Karatu.
Visit: You can visit a Maasai village to learn about daily life and traditions.
Visit: You can also visit Olduvai Gorge, known as the "Cradle of Mankind", where early human remains were found.
Afternoon: In the afternoon, you can enjoy a coffee farm visit or rest at your lodge.
Dinner & overnight: Have dinner and stay overnight at your lodge.

Day 04

Return from Karatu to Arusha

Breakfast & check-out: After breakfast and check-out, drive back to Arusha.
Drive: The journey takes about 3 to 4 hours, with an optional stop for photos and souvenirs.
Drop-off: You will be dropped off in Arusha around midday or early afternoon, and the tour ends.

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Pick-up and drop-off in Arusha
Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
English-speaking professional driver-guide
Park entrance fees (Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro)
Crater service fee and vehicle fees
Accommodation for 3 nights
Meals as listed
Drinking water during the safari
Government taxes and VAT

What's Not Included

International flights
Tanzania visa
Travel and medical insurance
Drinks (soft and alcoholic)
Tips for the driver and staff
Personal items (laundry, phone, souvenirs)
Entrance fees for the Maasai village and Olduvai Gorge, unless added
Optional activities not listed

What to bring

Documents and money
Passport (valid for 6+ months) and Tanzania visa
Travel insurance papers
Flight tickets or booking confirmation
Some US dollars in cash (small notes) for tips and souvenirs
Yellow fever certificate, if coming from a risk country
Clothes
Light long-sleeve shirts and long trousers
Neutral colours: khaki, green, brown (avoid black, dark blue, and bright colours)
Warm jacket or fleece (the Ngorongoro rim is cold in the morning and evening)
Light rain jacket
Comfortable closed shoes or sandals
Sun hat and sunglasses
Swimwear (some lodges have a pool)
Safari gear
Binoculars
Camera or phone with an extra battery or power bank
Sunscreen and lip balm
Insect repellent
Reusable water bottle
Small day bag or backpack
Dust cover or scarf for the dusty roads
Health and personal items
Personal medicine
Anti-malaria tablets (ask your doctor)
Motion sickness tablets (the roads can be bumpy)
Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
Toiletries
Tips
Use soft bags, not hard suitcases, because they fit the vehicle better.
Charger and a universal plug adaptor (Tanzania uses Type D and G)