3-Day Camping Safari in Tanzania with Ngorongoro Big Five

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Observe the Big Five in Ngorongoro Crater
• 02 Spot the tree-climbing lions and varied bird species in Lake Manyara National Park
• 03 Check out the large elephant herds and impressive baobab trees in Tarangire National Park
• 04 Enjoy game drives across three of northern Tanzania's most popular safari destinations

Embark on a 3-day budget camping safari through three of Tanzania's most popular wildlife destinations: Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. Explore Tarangire's impressive baobab-dotted landscapes and large elephant herds, descend into Ngorongoro Crater for the chance to observe the Big Five in a single day, and discover Lake Manyara's famous tree-climbing lions and more than 400 bird species. This safari combines classic game viewing with some of northern Tanzania's most iconic park scenery.

Embark on a 3-day budget camping safari through three of Tanzania's most popular wildlife destinations: Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

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

Languages English, French

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park Safari

• Pick up at 8:30 AM from your hotel in Arusha and depart for Lake Manyara National Park with a picnic lunch for a full-day game drive.
• As you enter the national park, lush forests of Acacia and Mahogany trees begin to set the mood for what awaits. The game drive will continue until evening, with a short break for a picnic lunch.
• Watch out for buffaloes, giraffes, impalas, baboons, and blue monkeys during the game drive.
• Another spectacle of Lake Manyara National Park is the tree-climbing lions; however, spotting them is a game of luck. In the right season, the shoreline turns pink, with millions of flamingos flocking there.
• After the game drive, you will return to your camp/lodge, where a delicious dinner awaits you.

2

Day 02

Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

• After an early breakfast, descend to the crater floor for a 5-hour game drive.
• You can expect to see lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes, and many birds. The birds seen here include eagles, vultures, flamingos in the Crater Lake, storks, bats, giant vultures, sacred ibis, kori bustard, blacksmith plover, long-necked heron, and the cattle eagle.
• After the picnic lunch at the beautiful Hippo Pool, you will begin a steep ascent to the top exit of the crater.
• The day will end with the remaining 2-hour drive to your accommodation in Karatu.
• A freshly made delicious dinner will be ready for you at your chosen accommodation. All these safari days will make you quite tired, and a good rest is essential. The next day, you will begin the last leg of your safari.

3

Day 03

Tarangire National Park and Return to Arusha

• The final day of your safari will begin as usual by 8:00 AM after a luscious breakfast. Today's destination is Tarangire National Park, where you will have a half-day game drive.
• Tanzania's third-largest national park is known for its majestic baobab trees that dot the landscape, dwarfing the animals that feed beneath them.
• The Tarangire River is the centerpiece of this park, famous for some of the largest herds of elephants in Africa.
• Here, you may see lion, leopard, cheetah, lesser kudu, buffalo, oryx, eland, giraffe, and zebra.
• By mid-afternoon, you will head towards Arusha, where you will be dropped off at your preferred location by about 6 PM. With an incredible experience and many memories to cherish, this is when you bid goodbye to your team.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Park fees (for non-residents)
• Concession/camping fees
• Daily game drives while on safari
• A professional driver/guide
• 4x4 Land Cruiser
• All taxes and VAT
• Meals as per itinerary
• Drinking water while on safari (2 liters per person per day)

What's Not Included

• International flights
• Airport transfers (unless mentioned otherwise)
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour (unless mentioned otherwise)
• Tips
• Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
• The government-imposed increase in taxes and/or park fees
• Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary

What to bring

• Camera
• Sunscreen
• Towel
• Sweater
• Flip-flops
• Covered shoes

Know before you go

This tour starts from Arusha. Kilimanjaro Airport is the nearest international airport, and Arusha Airport is the nearest domestic airport.

Airport Pickup/Drop

• Pickup or drop-off at Arusha Airport on the day of safari: no extra charge.
• Pickup or drop-off at Kilimanjaro Airport on the day of safari: USD 30 per vehicle.
• Airport-to-hotel transfers are available.
• Transfer from Arusha Airport to Arusha hotel or vice versa: USD 25 per vehicle.
• Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha hotel or vice versa: USD 50 per vehicle.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Shoppers Supermarket, Arusha, Tanzania

Tour start

Arusha, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.