Tanzania · Safari

3-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara Safari

3 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Tarangire National Park, known for its elephants, baobab trees, and tree-climbing African pythons
02 Descend into the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest caldera
03 Look out for wildlife ranging from elephants and lions to the near-extinct black rhino
04 Encounter Lake Manyara's baboons, hippos, birdlife, and groundwater forest

Sign up for this 3-day safari and explore Tarangire National Park, celebrated for its elephants, baobab trees, and tree-climbing African pythons. Descend into the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest caldera, where diverse wildlife roams across the crater floor. Continue to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its captivating scenery, baboons, hippos, and rich birdlife, before returning to Arusha.

Sign up for this 3-day safari and explore Tarangire National Park, celebrated for its elephants, baobab trees, and tree-climbing African pythons.

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 Yes

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

Languages English, French, German, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Tarangire National Park Safari

After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park for a game drive. Tarangire is the sixth-largest national park and covers an area of approximately 2,850 square kilometres. It is famous for its many elephants, baobab trees, and tree-climbing African pythons.

Stay overnight at the Farm Of Dreams, Manyara.

Day 02

Ngorongoro Crater Wildlife Tour

After an early breakfast, drive to Lodoare Park Gate to complete all park formalities, then descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a crater tour. This is a World Heritage Site; the incomparable Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest caldera. It is dominated by cliffs standing some 600 meters high, presenting a sheer drop down to a vast open space of 246 square km. You may see everything from elephant to lion, and if you're lucky, the near-extinct black rhino, all amongst large herds of zebra and wildebeest.
In the afternoon, exit the crater and drive to the Karatu region for an overnight stay at Farm Of Dreams.

Day 03

Lake Manyara National Park Game Drive

After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive. Lake Manyara is a shallow freshwater lake in Tanzania. It is said to be the "loveliest (lake) ... in Africa," and covers 127 square miles (329 km2) of Lake Manyara National Park, while the lake's alkaline waters cover approximately 89 square miles (231 km2).
It is famous for its good number of baboons and birdlife. It is also home to herbivores such as hippos, impalas, elephants, wildebeests, buffalo, warthogs, giraffes, giant fig trees, and mahogany seen in the groundwater forest immediately around the park gates.
Then, drive back to Arusha.

Where this trip takes you

Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Arusha 4 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Park fees
All activities (unless labelled as optional)
All accommodations, as stated in the itinerary
A professional Tanzanian driver/guide
One meal paid lunch or dinner in Karamba Zanzibar
Pick up and drop off in Zanzibar airport
All transportation (unless labelled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Maasai visit in Ngorongoro Conservation Area
All meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinking water on all days

What's Not Included

International flights (from/to home)
Tips (tipping guideline: US$10.00 per person)
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government-imposed increase of taxes and park fees
Serengeti hot air balloon ride: $559 per person

What to bring

Luggage
- If possible, bring a duffel bag or soft-sided bag. These are easier to carry and pack inside the safari vehicle. Ideally, the fabric should be hardy and waterproof, and the bag should be lockable. Put anything of value in a separate day pack, such as a backpack. Anything of real sentimental or monetary value should ideally be left at home.
Clothes
- Pack for hot days and cool nights. Tanzania can be hot and dusty during the day but often calm and crisp at night. Layers are ideal for safari days. Pack clothing that can keep you cool but protect you from the sun and biting insects. Choose mid-tone colours and avoid white or bright colours that may distract the animals, as well as dark colours like black and blue, as these can attract tsetse flies. The best colours are the safari classics: olive, green, and khaki. You can stay in your casual gear for evenings at lodges, as even the luxury lodges do not expect smart wear out in the bush. Check the temperature before you travel to ensure you have warm clothing for the season. It is always a good idea to bring a waterproof coat, whatever the season.
- Tanzania is quite a conservative culture, so please avoid wearing 'short' shorts or low-cut tops. These can attract unwanted attention and can sometimes offend.
Shoes
- As you want to be careful not to overpack, think carefully about what shoes to take. If you are not going on a safari that requires a lot of walking, you will be OK with trainers and some sports sandals. Sandals are also great for walking around the camp at night. You may also like to take flip-flops for the showers.
Sun Protection
- The African sun can be brutal, so bring a good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. You will also need a hat that shades your face and covers your ears and neck for maximum sun protection. Of course, take plenty of high-protection sun cream and lip salve.
First aid. This is a suggested list of first aid supplies:
- Antiseptic ointment
- Antihistamine cream & tablets
- Nurofen or equivalent painkiller
- Eye-drops
- Anti-diarrhea treatment
- A couple of bandages
- Medication for personal allergies/asthma etc
- Insect repellent containing Deet or Picaridin
- Rehydration sachets/vitamin tablets
- Assorted plasters
Photography & Electrical Equipment
- We recommend you bring:
- Strong bag/carry case to protect the camera - zip lock/plastic bags are helpful for dusty conditions
- Spare/extra batteries
- Memory/Storage media (2 x memory cards in case one gets corrupted)
- Binoculars. These will be essential when you are out spotting wildlife.
Electrical charging & power supply
- All our safari vehicles have power/charging points. Please bring travel adaptors to ensure they suit your appliances/devices.

Know before you go

Accommodation:
- We have made suggestions for accommodation, but this is very flexible. Some of our clients prefer to stay in various accommodations, in terms of price and the type of accommodation (lodges and tented camps).
- We are happy to amend the quote based on your preferences and can provide suggestions for alternative accommodation with pricing. We offer mid-range, luxury, luxury+, or any combination. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you would love to change or upgrade the accommodation.
- We will then advise you on what is possible, considering time, budget, and preferences.
Photography etiquette: It is forbidden in Tanzania to take photos of anything military. Bridges, border posts, and airports are also sensitive, so be careful or be prepared to have your film/camera confiscated. Please act with discretion and respect when taking photos of people - it is always better to ask before you snap away.

Logistics