Tanzania · Safari

2-Day Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater Safari from Arusha

2 Days Round trip from Arusha Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Experience a thrilling safari through Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater's abundant wildlife
02 Spot one of Africa's largest concentrations of elephants and Lake Manyara's famous tree-climbing lions
03 Witness the Ngorongoro Crater's diverse wildlife, including some of Tanzania's last remaining black rhino
04 Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater

Take a short trip to Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater for an intense Tanzanian Northern Circuit safari experience. Witness the fervor of an African wildlife safari as you keep a photographic record of all you encounter while travelling through two of the most spectacular national game parks in Tanzania. Visit the heart of Northern Circuit wildlife and enjoy remarkable opportunities to spot elephants, tree-climbing lions, flamingos, and the crater's rich concentration of animals.

Have breakfast and descend 600 m into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater for a morning half-day game drive.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Arusha, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park Safari

Meet your professional tour guide/driver in Arusha town for a short safari briefing.
Travel to Lake Manyara National Park, arriving in time for lunch at the lodge.
After lunch, head into Lake Manyara National Park, one of Tanzania's most dramatically located wildlife areas. It consists of a massive but shallow soda lake, covering two-thirds of the park, at the foot of the Great Rift Valley's western escarpment.
Witness the park's varied habitat and a wide variety of animals, including one of Africa's largest concentrations of elephants, Manyara's famous tree-climbing lions, as well as large flocks of flamingos attracted by the algae in the lake.

Travel time: 2 1/2 hours.

Distance: 130 km.

Dinner and overnight as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.

Day 02

Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive and Return to Arusha

Have breakfast and descend 600 m into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater for a morning half-day game drive. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most densely crowded African wildlife areas in the world and is home to an estimated 30,000 animals, including some of Tanzania's last remaining black rhino.
See herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants in the crater. Another big drawcard to this picturesque national park is its dense population of predators, which includes lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and the ever-elusive leopard, which sometimes requires a trained eye to spot.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater, after which you will travel back to Arusha to end the African safari adventure.

Travel time: 2 and 4 hours.

Distance: 60 km and 190 km.

Where this trip takes you

Lake Manyara National Park, tree-climbing lions and flamingos, Ngorongoro Crater

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arusha 3 cities · 2 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transport in 4X4 Toyota Land Cruisers with pop-up roof for game viewing
Park entry fees
Government fees and taxes
18% VAT on tour fees and services
Full-board accommodation whilst on safari in the above-mentioned suite tented camps and lodges
Ngorongoro Crater service fee
Private English-speaking safari guide
All meals while on safari
Enough bottled mineral water throughout the safari
Transfers to and from the International Airport and Moshi
3-man tents for 2 people, chairs, tables, and sleeping mats (camping safari)

What's Not Included

Alcoholic beverages, sodas, and items of a personal nature
Laundry service
Pre- and post-safari accommodation in Moshi / Arusha
Flights
Travel insurance
Other safari add-ons
Optional tours (balloon rides in Serengeti: USD 550 per person, etc.)
Tips to the driver guide and cook. Tipping is per group, not per person.
Driver guide: $20/day
Cook: $10/day (for budget camping safari)

What to bring

Anti-mosquito repellent with a high percentage of DEET

Know before you go

Required documents - A passport is required and must remain valid for at least six months after the date of departure. A visa is required and costs approximately EUR 50.00 or USD 50.00 per person. The visa can be obtained at the Tanzania Embassy in your country or upon arrival at one of Tanzania's international airports, although this is not applicable to all nationalities. For a visa application in Tanzania, you do not need a photograph or a copy of a ticket, which are required by the embassies.
Money - The currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling. You can bring cash in Euros, Pounds, or Dollars and exchange it at the airport, hotel, or lodge for Tanzanian Shillings. In many places, such as accommodations or souvenir shops, people prefer payment in U.S. Dollars, and you will usually receive your change in U.S. Dollars or Tanzanian Shillings at a normal exchange rate. In most places, credit card payments are also accepted. In bigger cities, there are opportunities to withdraw money from ATMs, but when you are on safari there is often no opportunity, so it is better to make arrangements in advance. When buying a souvenir in Tanzania, it is customary to bargain for a good price with the seller.
Vaccinations - When you travel to Tanzania, there are no mandatory vaccinations, but you are strongly advised to get some of them.
DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio): If you were previously vaccinated, such as in childhood, it is sufficient to have one injection every 15 years. If this is not the case, you should get two DTP injections with at least an interval of four weeks before you leave, and a third one after six months. The duration of protection is 15 years.
Yellow fever: The injection must be obtained at least 10 days before departure. The duration of protection is 10 years. When you travel to multiple destinations in Africa, proof of vaccination is mandatory.
Hepatitis A: One vaccination gives protection for a year and is best obtained two weeks before departure. When another vaccination is administered six months after the first one, the protection lasts 10 years.
It is also increasingly advised to include Hepatitis B in your vaccination list. Most of Tanzania is also considered a malaria area, and you can take various types of anti-malarial drugs for prevention. Recommendations may change, so it is important to speak to a specialist for the exact information that applies to you.
Communications -
Internet: Tanzania is a country where Internet is available in many places, and using the web is integrated into daily life. At various accommodations, you can use a computer with internet, but the speed may not always be what you are used to. When you are really on safari, keep in mind that you often cannot make use of the Internet.
Mobile telephones: In Tanzania there are 3 different networks (Safaricom, Zain and Orange), which together have created a fairly strong network. It is surprising that even in the Serengeti or other remote areas you can be reached by mobile phone. However, if you travel to remote areas, do not count on network availability. In and around cities, you usually have excellent opportunities to make a mobile telephone call. When you arrive in Tanzania, you can buy a mobile SIM card at the airport and make calls in East Africa at a good price.
International calls: If you want to make a call abroad during your visit to Tanzania, it can be quite expensive, especially at hotels. It is often a better idea to call with your own mobile phone.
Currency -
The official Tanzanian currency is the Tanzanian Shilling. There are coins for 50, 100, and 1000 shillings, and notes for 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000 shillings.
The US Dollar is widely used, but may not be accepted in some establishments. It is also important to note that most businesses that do accept US currency will not do so if it is torn or wrinkled.
Notes must not be older than 2006, as local businesses will automatically reject them due to a past counterfeiting problem.
Safety -
Tanzania is one of the safest countries in East Africa, but you can never be too careful when you're on the road. While safari areas are generally very safe, the country is no stranger to criminal activity. Like any other country in the world, there is always some risk of theft.
It is advisable to listen closely to your guide's advice at all times, and that is especially true in some urban areas. Either leave your valuables, such as money, electronics, credit cards, and documentation, in your hotel room safe, or carry them with you in concealed inner pockets.
Do not flaunt your valuables in public, as this may draw unwanted attention to you. Pickpockets are particularly active in heavily touristic areas, so it pays to be cautious in cities and places popular with tourists. It is always a good idea to make copies of all your important documents and keep them in your luggage.
Language - Tanzania has two official languages: Swahili and English. Swahili, which has its origins in Zanzibar, is the most commonly spoken language in both Tanzania and Kenya.
English is widely spoken; however, you may wish to bring along a Swahili-to-English phrasebook to help with the basics. Locals always appreciate it if you know a little Swahili.