Tanzania · Safari

3-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara Safari

3 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Track large elephant herds among Tarangire's gigantic baobab-dotted savannah
02 Descend into Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest unbroken caldera
03 Look for the Big Five and more than 120 mammal species in Ngorongoro
04 Spot birdlife along Lake Manyara's lakeshore, including the lilac-breasted roller
05 Watch for Lake Manyara's elusive tree-climbing lions

This 3-day safari tour takes you to Tarangire National Park, where you will enjoy the scenery of the African savannah dotted with gigantic baobab trees and get the rare chance to track the largest herds of elephants. Visit the Ngorongoro Crater, also known as the Garden of Eden, and explore the floor of the world's largest unbroken caldera. Head to Lake Manyara, where you may witness tree-climbing lions, an astonishing variety of birds, and the brightly coloured lilac-breasted roller.

This 3-day safari tour takes you to Tarangire National Park, where you will enjoy the scenery of the African savannah dotted with gigantic baobab trees and get the rare chance to track the largest herds of elephants.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Arusha, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Tarangire National Park Safari

Meet your safari tour guide at the agreed-upon location and depart early from Arusha town at around 07.30 - 08.00 Hrs. You will drive across the beautiful and scenic Masai Steppe towards Tarangire National Park, a journey of about 2 hours. You will be transported in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-top roof.
Arrive at the gate of Tarangire National Park, where your driver will sort out the paperwork for you.
Start the game drives from the gate in a bid to see as many animals and birds as possible. You can expect to see elephants, elands, wildebeests, buffaloes, zebras, gerenuks, giraffes, and many birds.
Have lunch at one of the picnic sites.
Drive out of the park in the afternoon, and your guide will take you to Manyara/Karatu in the Ngorongoro Highlands for dinner and an overnight stay.

Overnight at a budget tented lodge at Manyara/Karatu. For lodge accommodation, send a special request.

Day 02

Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

Start the day with an early morning game drive before heading to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Get a glimpse of the Masai way of life during the drive.
Stop at the entrance gate, where there is a chance to learn more about this fascinating volcanic landscape, then drive around the rim of the crater. Look down and see herds of wildebeest or buffaloes.
Descend into the crater, the floor of the largest unbroken caldera in the world, also called the Ngorongoro Crater. It is home to over 120 species of mammal, including the fabled Big Five.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at the Hippo Poolside Picnic Site, where you can also visit a washroom.
Continue with game drives in the afternoon as you head out of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Drive out of the park, and your guide will take you to Manyara/Karatu in the Ngorongoro Highlands for dinner.

Overnight at a budget tented lodge at Manyara/Karatu.

Day 03

Lake Manyara Safari and Return to Arusha

Drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a day full of game drives. This is one of Tanzania's smaller parks, but it still offers a rewarding and diverse safari experience. The lakeshore at Manyara teems with birdlife, and while you are looking for the birds, you might spot one of the elusive tree-climbing lions.
Drive back to Arusha in the late afternoon.