3-Day Zanzibar Safari to Materuni, Tarangire and Ngorongoro

3 Days Round trip from Arusha Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Hike to Materuni Waterfall and spot horned chameleons along the trail
02 Take part in a traditional coffee-making experience from bean to cup
03 Taste local foods and naturally made beers from the Chagga clan
04 Explore Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant population
05 Enjoy a sunrise safari in the Ngorongoro Crater with lunch near a hippo pool

Experience a 3-day lodge safari from Zanzibar that combines Materuni Waterfall and Chagga village culture with wildlife adventures in Tarangire National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. Hike to the region's longest waterfall, take part in a traditional coffee-making experience from bean to cup, and taste local foods and naturally made beers in the village. Continue to Tarangire, known for its large elephant population, before descending into Ngorongoro's unbroken caldera for a sunrise safari among more than 25,000 animals, including the rare black rhino. The tour ends in Arusha with your flight back to Zanzibar.

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, Zanzibar, Mount Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park

Languages English, Spanish, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Arusha, Materuni Waterfall and Chagga Village

After landing at Arusha Airport, our team will pick you up and begin a leisurely drive to Materuni Waterfalls. This is your day to relax and get used to the weather in the northern circuit.
We will start with a short hike to Materuni Waterfalls. Here, you will enjoy the view of the waterfall, the first from Mt Kilimanjaro and the longest in the region. On the way to the falls, do not be startled by the horned chameleons that live in the small plants beside the road.
After the hike, you will reach the highlight of the day, where you will participate in the art of making coffee from beans to powder and then to liquid with your bare hands.
In the afternoon, you will have a glimpse into the local foods and beers of the Chagga clan and taste the dishes and beers naturally made in the village.
As the sun sets, we will leave the village and head back to Arusha, where you will spend the night at Forest Hill Hotel.

Day 02

Tarangire National Park Safari and Overnight in Mto wa Mbu

After a hearty breakfast, your safari guide will pick you up from Forest Hill at 07:00 am and proceed with a leisurely drive to Tarangire National Park. Depending on the weather, arriving at the park gates usually takes 2 hours. This park is called the Elephants Paradise because of its large population of elephants, with more than 30,000 individuals.
In the afternoon, we will have lunch at a picnic site inside the park, where you will have a good view of the Tarangire River. Here, you will enjoy your lunch while watching animals come to the river to quench their thirst.
As the sun sets on the horizon, we will depart Tarangire and head to a small town called Mto wa Mbu, where your lodge, Jungle Pearl, is located.
In the evening, you will enjoy a complimentary dinner with your safari guide while receiving a briefing about tomorrow's adventure to Ngorongoro Crater.

Day 03

Ngorongoro Crater Sunrise Safari and Flight to Zanzibar

After a tasty breakfast at Jungle Pearl, you will begin a 1-hour drive to the gates of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. We will stop at the crater viewpoint, where you will have a panoramic view of the caldera.
Descend into the crater, where you will enjoy a sunrise safari surrounded by wildlife. The caldera is home to more than 25,000 animals, including the rare black rhino, making it one of the best places to spot the Big 5.
As the sun reaches its highest point, we will go to a picnic site near a hippo pool, where you will enjoy lunch alongside the hippos.
In the late afternoon, we will begin ascending the crater walls and drive to Arusha, where you will catch your flight back to Zanzibar.

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

All accommodations
All activities, unless indicated as optional
All transportation, unless labeled as optional
Meals, as specified in the day-by-day section
Taxes / VAT
All transport by road
Domestic flights
Park fees
Professional guide
Drinking water on all days
Government-imposed increases of taxes and/or park fees
All meals on safaris
Quality safari jeep
Guide wages
Airport pickup
Air-conditioned car
Beer

What's Not Included

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
International flights
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Tips (tipping guideline: US$10.00 pp per day)

What to bring

Luggage: Choose a duffel bag or soft-sided bag. Ideally, the fabric should be hardy, waterproof, and the bag should be lockable.
Clothes: Pack for hot days and cool nights.
Shoes: As long as you are not going on a safari that requires a lot of walking, you will be fine with light hiking boots and sports sandals.
Sun protection.
First aid: Antiseptic ointment, antihistamine cream and tablets, Nurofen or an equivalent painkiller, eye drops, anti-diarrhea treatment, a couple of bandages, and medication for personal allergies or asthma.
Photography and electrical equipment.

Know before you go

Your safety on safari: Our 4x4 Land Cruisers are checked and serviced before every trip, every vehicle carries a first aid kit, and our guides are first-aid trained.
Arrival in Tanzania & Accommodation
We are happy to book accommodation before and after your safari if needed.
On Arrival
Flying into Arusha / Kilimanjaro Airports is quite straightforward - English is widely spoken and used for signs and directions.
Arusha Airport is a 30-minute drive from Arusha.
Kilimanjaro Airport is roughly a one-hour drive from Arusha. If you are arriving in Kilimanjaro on an international flight, clearing immigration can be a lengthy process.
Money
The local currency is the Tanzanian Shillings. US Dollars and Euros are widely accepted. Most places will not accept older US dollar bills, especially anything printed before 2006.
Credit Cards
If you intend to use your credit or debit card to withdraw funds, we suggest taking more than one card with you, as you may find that your card is not accepted at the first ATM you try. Visa and Maestro cards are best.
We recommend that you inform your bank that you will be using your card abroad to avoid it being blocked.
ATMs
These are available in Arusha and allow you to withdraw local currency.
Flight Information
We advise that you arrive in Arusha at least 1 day before your trip begins. Return flights can be booked for the late afternoon or evening of the final day of your safari, but please ensure your guide is aware of this so that you can arrive at the airport in plenty of time for your flight.
Visa & Passports
Please check with the relevant embassy in your country for up-to-date visa and passport information. Make sure your passport is not going to expire within six months of your trip and that it has at least 3 clear pages.
You will probably need a visa to enter Tanzania. Check with your own country's government travel website to find out how to get your visa. Most visas can be bought on arrival into the country.
Vaccinations & Health
You will require vaccinations for your trip. As we are not medically trained, we are unable to give detailed advice on vaccination requirements. However, the following vaccinations are normally recommended for Tanzania:
Tetanus
Polio
Hepatitis A
Typhoid
Rabies
Yellow Fever
Malaria
Yellow Fever is compulsory when you are entering Tanzania from a country that has Yellow Fever.
Vaccination certificates are often checked at immigration. If you are entering Tanzania from a country that does not have Yellow Fever, vaccination is not needed. Please visit the World Health Organization website for an up-to-date list.
Malaria: In some of the areas we visit, there is a risk of contracting malaria. You must be aware that whatever malaria tablets you are taking, they only offer partial protection. They must be coupled with your physical efforts against being bitten, which is the best prevention. Malaria-carrying mosquitoes come out at sunset, so from this time you should wear long sleeves and trousers. Exposed skin, especially ankles, should have insect repellent containing 'Deet' applied to it.