TARANGIRE, NGORONGORO & MANYARA SAFARI
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Destination to Visit
Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro crater and Lake Manyara
Start / Finish in
Start in Arusha & End in Arusha
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Overview
This safari brings together three popular national parks of the northern Tanzania within a compact timeframe while keeping travel distances reasonable. Each location offers a different environment, from Tarangire’s elephant-rich savannah to the forested setting of Lake Manyara and the enclosed ecosystem of Ngorongoro Crater.
The route is practical and avoids long driving days, making it suitable for travellers who want meaningful wildlife viewing without extending their stay too far. The combination also introduces varied habitats, which increases the chances of seeing a broad range of animals and birdlife over a short period.
Day By Day
Day 1: Arrival - Pick up and Transfer to Arusha
Your time in northern Tanzania begins with a transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel in Arusha, a town located at the base of Mount Meru and often considered the gateway to safari areas in the north. After check-in, the remainder of the day is available to rest and recover from travel or enjoy the hotel surroundings.
Arusha sits at an elevation of about 1,400 metres, and the cooler climate compared to coastal areas often comes as a welcome change. Later, a short briefing with our safari manager introduces the upcoming safari, reviews travel details, and provides space for any questions before departure the following morning.
Day 2: Arusha - Tarangire National Parks
After breakfast, you depart Arusha for Tarangire National Park, a drive of approximately two to three hours depending on traffic and road conditions. Covering about 2,850 square kilometres, Tarangire is especially known for its elephant population, with herds sometimes numbering over 100 individuals during the dry season.
The Tarangire River acts as a reliable water source, drawing animals from surrounding areas, which often results in steady wildlife sightings. Throughout the day, you explore a mix of open grassland and baobab-dotted landscapes while watching for giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and various antelope species. A picnic lunch is taken inside the park before continuing with an afternoon game drive and later transfer to your lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Tarangire - Lake Manyara National Park
An early departure allows you to reach the Ngorongoro Crater rim before descending to the floor for a half day game drive. Formed around two to three million years ago after a volcanic collapse, the crater creates a naturally enclosed habitat supporting a dense concentration of wildlife year round. Within its 260 square kilometre floor live thousands of grazing animals along with predators such as lions and hyenas.
The chances of seeing buffalo and zebra are high, and with patience it is sometimes possible to spot the endangered black rhino. After a picnic lunch near a hippo pool, you continue exploring before ascending the crater walls in the afternoon and returning to your lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater
After an early breakfast, you will drive to he Ngorongoro Conservation Area. On arrival, we descend 610 meters (2,000 ft) to the crater floor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the African Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo.
It is the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world and hosts more than 25,000 large mammals, often referred to as “Africa’s Garden of Eden.” After a picnic lunch, you ascend the crater and begin the drive back to Arusha, continuing onward to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your onward flight, marking the end of the safari.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Cultural Visit, Return to Arusha and Departure
After breakfast, the morning includes a cultural visit in the Karatu or Mto wa Mbu area, offering a chance to learn about local farming practices and daily life in northern Tanzania. The region produces bananas, rice, and a variety of vegetables that supply nearby towns and safari lodges.
Walking through local markets or village paths provides context to the communities living alongside wildlife areas. Later, you begin the drive back to Arusha, arriving in the afternoon depending on road conditions. A transfer continues to Kilimanjaro International Airport for onward flights, bringing the safari to a close.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
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RECOMMENDED FOR
- Anyone looking to immerse themselves in Tanzania wilderness.
- People who want an authentic safari adventure.
- Nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
PRICE INCLUSION
- All Game Drives;
- Accommodation At Lodges/Tented Camps
- English Speaking Driver/Guide;
- All Food; Drinking Water;
- 18% VAT Tax;
- At Least 1 Pair Of Binoculars;
- Accommodation In Moshi/Arusha;
- Airport Transfers;
PRICE EXCLUSIONS
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities (guide, driver, lodge staff)
- Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, souvenirs)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks (unless stated)
- Optional activities