Tanzania · Safari

3-Day Tanzania Safari to Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara

4 Days Round trip from Arusha Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Witness diverse wildlife congregating around the Tarangire River
  • 02 Explore the unique coexistence of wildlife and Maasai people
  • 03 Descend into the crater for close encounters with the Big Five
  • 04 Discover tree-climbing lions and abundant birdlife

Embark on a 3-day Tanzanian safari adventure through Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Lake Manyara National Park. Witness diverse wildlife gathering around the Tarangire River, explore the unique coexistence of wildlife and Maasai communities in Ngorongoro, and descend into the crater for remarkable game viewing. Complete your journey at Lake Manyara, known for its abundant birdlife, dramatic Rift escarpment scenery, and elusive tree-climbing lions.

The crater walls create a natural sanctuary for the animals, providing abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, including lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, and, if fortunate, leopards.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park
Languages Arabic, Armenian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Cambodian, Cantonese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Esperanto, Estonian, Filipino, Finnish, French, Galician, Georgian, German, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Jurchen, Kalmyk, Kannada, Kazakh, Korean, Latin, Lithuanian, Nepali, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival in Arusha

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will enjoy an expedited visa application process, skipping the lines. You will be met by your Marvel African Expeditions & Safaris guide, who will accompany you for the rest of your safari. They will be waiting for you outside the arrival lounge and drive you to your accommodation in Arusha, a journey of 45-60 minutes. Afterwards, savour a great meal and unwind, preparing for the start of your safari the following day.

2
Day 02

Safari in Tarangire National Park

Today, we embark on a drive to Tarangire National Park, offering excellent game-viewing opportunities. Tarangire, though relatively small in size, provides captivating sights. During the dry seasons, Tarangire comes to life as wildlife and birdlife gather around the Tarangire River, a permanent water source. Later in the day, we head to the campsite or lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

3
Day 03

Ngorongoro Crater Safari Experience

We kick off the day with an early morning game drive before heading to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Ngorongoro holds a unique status as a Conservation Area rather than a National Park, where the area is managed for the benefit of both wildlife and the local Maasai people, who share the land with indigenous wildlife. While driving to Ngorongoro, we catch glimpses of the Maasai way of life.

After a stop at the entrance gate to learn about this captivating volcanic landscape, we follow the rim of the crater, often spotting herds of wildebeest or buffalo below. Eventually, we descend into the crater itself. The crater walls create a natural sanctuary for the animals, providing abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, including lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, and, if fortunate, leopards. The only notable absence here is giraffes, whose long legs are not suited to the crater's steep sides. In the late afternoon, we make a short journey from the crater to the campsite or lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

4
Day 04

Lake Manyara Game Drives and Return to Arusha

Today, we head to Lake Manyara National Park for a full day of game drives. Although one of Tanzania's smaller parks, Lake Manyara offers a rewarding and diverse safari experience. The lakeshore teems with birdlife, and while birdwatching, you might spot the elusive tree-climbing lions. Many other large mammals can also be found here, with the striking cliffs of the Rift escarpment forming a dramatic backdrop. In the late afternoon, we drive back to Arusha and check in at your booked hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Tarangire River, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara lakeshore

Where this trip takes you

Tarangire River, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara lakeshore

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Arusha 5 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Transport in a 4×4 safari open-roof vehicle
  • Professional, English-speaking guide
  • 3 meals provided per day
  • Mineral water (1.5 litres per day per person)
  • Camping fees or lodge accommodation
  • All national park fees
  • All government tax

What's Not Included

  • Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, souvenirs, etc.
  • Tipping for the driver-guide

What to bring

  • Packing list for safari
    • If this is your first time in Tanzania or your first time on safari, this packing list below can help you be well-prepared and comfortable during your adventure. If you do forget a few things, don't worry; you can pick up most everyday items in town before you leave.
  • Travel Documents
    • Valid passport
    • Yellow fever vaccination records/certificate
    • Tanzania visa, available at the airport upon arrival, USD $100 payable in cash only for US citizens or USD $50 for residents of the UK/European Union and most other countries
    • Copy of flight itinerary
    • Copy of travel and/or medical evacuation insurance
    • Personal medical/dental insurance cards
    • Credit card (Visa and MasterCard are most widely accepted)
    • Cash in U.S. Dollars (bills MUST have been issued in 2004 or later)
  • Clothing
    • Remember, it's not a fashion show out there, so be a bit more practical when choosing your safari wardrobe. Try to stay away from bright colours - khaki and other neutral colours tend to work well. It is probably best to dress in layers since it can get cold, but also very hot.
    • Sweater or fleece pullover to keep warm
    • Sturdy boots or sandals
    • Sun hat
    • Sunglasses
    • T-shirts or polo shirts (2-5, depending on how often you want to change)
    • Long sleeve shirts (lightweight)
    • Shorts
    • Long trousers
    • Underwear
    • Socks
    • Sleepwear
    • Travel towel
    • Thermal underwear, gloves, and a warm hat (during May-Sept)
    • Raincoat and rain trousers (during rainy season Mar-May and Oct-Dec)
  • Highly recommended
    • Camera and memory cards
    • Binoculars
    • Sunscreen
    • Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
    • Insect repellent
    • Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, eye drops, etc.)
    • Malaria tablets
    • Basic first aid kit and prescription medicines
    • Flashlight or headlamp
    • Chargers and extra batteries for your camera, phone, etc.
    • Power adapter to fit the UK-style electrical socket

Know before you go

  • Bring soft luggage such as a duffel bag, hiking pack, or sports bag. These are ideal for packing into a safari vehicle. Hard suitcases can often be difficult to fit into the vehicles.
  • Bring a backpack to carry all of your important items, including travel documents, money, camera, medication, and more. You should keep this backpack with you at all times.
  • Keep luxury items such as hair dryers/straighteners, expensive jewellery, makeup, and bulky toiletries to an absolute minimum. If in doubt, leave them out.
  • If you plan to bring cash, divide it into different areas of your carry-on luggage, wallet, and money belt, just in case something happens to one of those carry items.
  • Leave some space in your luggage for the all-important souvenirs that you will probably buy. There are places where you can send packages home via DHL, etc.; however, this can sometimes be an expensive option.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Kilimanjaro International Airport, Kilimanjaro Airport Road, Tanzania
Tour start
Arusha, Tanzania
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 4 days finish where they began, in Arusha.

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