Tanzania · Safari

3-Day Tanzania Budget Safari with Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara

3 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Pass iconic Arusha National Park landmarks such as the Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater
  • 02 Drive beneath the majestic Fig tree arch large enough for a safari vehicle to pass through
  • 03 Explore Lake Manyara National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions and superb birdwatching
  • 04 Get amazed by large flamingo flocks and the brightly coloured lilac-breasted roller
  • 05 Experience the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater, home to the Big Five and abundant wildlife

Embark on a thrilling 3-day safari from Arusha through some of northern Tanzania's most iconic wildlife areas. Drive past landmarks such as the Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater in Arusha National Park, explore Lake Manyara National Park with its famous tree-climbing lions and abundant birdlife, and descend into the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater, home to the Big Five and a remarkable concentration of wildlife. Along the way, enjoy game drives, scenic picnic stops, and memorable wildlife viewing before returning to Arusha.

After breakfast, you'll enter the Ngorongoro Crater, sometimes considered the 8th Wonder of the World.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Arusha, Moshi, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, Arusha National Park
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arusha National Park Game Drive and Park Landmarks

  • After breakfast, you'll depart from your Arusha or Moshi accommodations and drive to the park. After entering the park, you will embark on a game drive. Your drive will take you past park landmarks such as the Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater, sometimes known as "Little Ngorongoro".
  • Your safari vehicle will also go under the Fig tree (Ficus thonningii), whose roots have grown to form an arch large enough for a safari car - even elephant-sized - to pass underneath. You may stop, get out of the car, and take pictures. During lunch, you will stop at a picnic site where you will have your lunch and then proceed with the game drive. At around four, you will start leaving the national park for Arusha, where you will spend the night.

Overnight at Arusha

2
Day 02

Lake Manyara National Park Wildlife and Birdwatching

  • You'll depart from Arusha after breakfast for the drive to Lake Manyara National Park. The journey takes approximately two hours, but we'll pass through the market town of Mto Wa Mbu along the way. This agricultural and fresh produce market is a melting pot of local cultures and a souvenir hunter's paradise. After a brief stop at the village market, you'll enter Lake Manyara National Park. The park is truly a photographer's playground and offers some of the best game viewing in the world. You can expect to see many of Africa's most well-known animals, with the tree-climbing lions a particular treat.
  • These proud predators lounge in acacia trees, practically begging to be photographed. Birdwatchers will find Lake Manyara an absolute delight, with a huge variety of birds on display in the park. Even the novice can expect to be amazed by large flamingo flocks, circling birds of prey, and the brightly coloured lilac-breasted roller. At around four, you will depart from the national park and drive to Manyara for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at Manyara (Mto Wa Mbu)

3
Day 03

Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Hippo Pool Picnic

  • After breakfast, you'll enter the Ngorongoro Crater, sometimes considered the 8th Wonder of the World. Home to over 120 mammal species, including the fabled Big Five, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most sought-after safari destinations in the world. It's a perfect place to see the endangered black rhinoceros enjoying a lonely meal out on the grass plains and large numbers of hippopotami enjoying the cool water. From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you can observe and photograph some of Africa's most recognisable faces.
  • The crater is home to a large number of predators, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas, as well as a large population of wildebeest, zebras, antelope, cape buffalo, and more. It is truly one of Africa's premier safari destinations. After the thrills and excitement of the day, you will have a picnic lunch by the park's famous hippo pool. After that, you will drive back to Arusha.

Overnight at Arusha

Momella Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater

Where this trip takes you

Momella Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Arusha 5 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • 4x4 safari car
  • Park fees
  • All accommodations, as stated in the itinerary
  • All taxes/VAT
  • All meals, as specified in the day-by-day section
  • Drinking water on all days

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Additional park fees
  • Tipping the crew
  • Visas

Know before you go

  • All activities are included unless labelled as optional.
  • All transportation is included unless labelled as optional.

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 3 days finish where they began, in Arusha.

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