2-Day Private Safari: Ngorongoro Crater & Tarangire from Arusha

Big Five & rare black rhino in crater ecosystem, hunt elephants & baobabs in Tanzania's wildest park

A 2-day private safari from Arusha that starts in Tarangire National Park (famous for massive elephant herds and ancient baobab trees), then descends into the Ngorongoro Crater, a volcanic caldera holding over 25,000 large animals and the rare black rhino. The tour includes a night in a mid-range Karatu lodge, all park fees, picnic lunches served inside the parks on both days, a professional English-speaking driver-guide, and pickup from your Arusha hotel or Kilimanjaro Airport. Transport is a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for 360-degree viewing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Tarangire National Park safari

• Pickup from Arusha or airport
• Drive 2 hours to Tarangire gate
• Game drive in Tarangire National Park
• See elephants, baobabs, lions, giraffes
• Enjoy picnic lunch in the park
• Drive to Karatu lodge for overnight
• Dinner at lodge

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater game drive

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Game drive inside Ngorongoro Crater
• See Big Five and black rhino
• Picnic lunch inside crater
• Ascend crater rim
• Drive back to Arusha or airport

The experience

The safari starts with a pickup around 8:00 AM from your Arusha hotel or Kilimanjaro Airport, then a 2-hour drive to Tarangire National Park. The park's claim is its elephants (massive herds gather at the Tarangire River, the region's primary water source), and the ancient baobab trees scattered across the landscape. You'll also see lions, giraffes, zebras, and buffaloes, and if you watch for them, over 550 bird species make this a birdwatcher's destination. A picnic lunch is served inside the park, and you'll spend the afternoon on game drives before heading to your lodge in Karatu for the night.

Day two takes you into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you descend into the world's largest intact volcanic caldera. The crater walls rise 600 meters and enclose a self-contained ecosystem holding over 25,000 large animals. This is one of Africa's best single-day chances to see the Big Five, and the rare black rhino lives here. You'll spot dense populations of lions, hyenas, and wildebeests, and at Lake Magadi on the crater floor, pink flamingos. Another picnic lunch is served on the crater floor. After the afternoon game drive, you ascend the rim and drive back to Arusha or the airport.

The private 4x4 Land Cruiser has a pop-up roof that opens for unobstructed game viewing and photography. Your guide is a professional driver who speaks English and can also guide in Spanish, Italian, French or one additional language. Unlimited bottled water is provided throughout both days. Full board covers lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast and lunch on day two.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking driver-guide (also available in Spanish, Italian, French or one additional language).
• private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof.
• all National Park entrance fees for Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater.
• one night in a mid-range Karatu lodge.
• full board meals (lunch and dinner day one, breakfast and lunch day two).
• picnic lunches served inside the parks on both days.
• unlimited bottled mineral water in the vehicle.
• complimentary pickup and drop-off from Arusha hotel or Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (15 to 75 years) · Senior (76 to 97 years) · Youth (10 to 14 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tanzania Songbirds Safaris

Is this one for you?Two days is the right length to see both parks without rushing (Tarangire's elephant herds and baobabs on day one, then the Ngorongoro Crater's Big Five and black rhino on day two), but short enough to fit into a longer Tanzania trip without eating up your whole itinerary.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 14 years); Child (5 to 9 years); Infant (under 5): free.

Can I see the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater in a single day?

Yes. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa's best places to spot all five in one day, including the rare black rhino, because the 600-meter walls create a natural enclosure holding over 25,000 large animals in a self-contained ecosystem.

What makes Tarangire National Park different from other parks in Tanzania?

Tarangire is famous for its massive elephant herds and the ancient baobab trees that dot the landscape. The Tarangire River serves as the primary water source for wildlife in the region, drawing lions, giraffes, zebras, and buffaloes to its banks, and over 550 bird species make it exceptional for birdwatchers.

What meals and drinks are included in the 2-day safari?

Full board includes lunch and dinner on day one and breakfast and lunch on day two, all served as picnic meals inside the parks. Unlimited bottled mineral water is provided in the safari vehicle throughout both days. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks at the lodge are not included.

Where do I stay overnight, and what is the accommodation like?

You stay one night in a mid-range lodge in Karatu, such as Eileen's Trees Inn or Crater Rim Lodge, positioned between Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater.

Does the price include pickup from the airport?

Yes. Complimentary pickup and drop-off are included from your Arusha hotel or Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport, and all National Park entrance fees for both Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater are covered.

What vehicle will I be traveling in?

You'll travel in a private 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof that allows 360-degree game viewing and photography without leaving the vehicle.