2-Day Private Safari: Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater

Tarangire holds more elephants than anywhere else in Tanzania.

A 2-day private safari from Arusha combines Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater with a professional guide, 4x4 vehicle with pop-up roof, and accommodation in a budget lodge. Day one is a full game drive through Tarangire watching elephants, lions, leopards and birds. Day two descends into Ngorongoro Crater for a morning drive, picnic lunch by the hippo pool, then returns to Arusha by afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Tarangire National Park8h
2. Ngorongoro Conservation Area9h · entry included

Day 1: Safari in Tarangire National Park

• Embark on full-day guided safari
• Observe elephants, lions, leopards, birds
• Enjoy gourmet picnic lunch in park

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Return

• Early breakfast in the morning
• Drive to Ngorongoro Crater
• Descend for morning game drive
• Spot rhinos, lions, and more
• Picnic lunch near hippo pool
• Return to Arusha in afternoon

The experience

Tarangire National Park on day one is built around the seasonal elephant migrations and the river that draws them. Your 4x4 has a pop-up roof so you stand to photograph and watch without the vehicle frame in the way. The guide knows where the herds move and what the birds are calling. You spend the full day driving the park's network, stopping when something is worth watching. Lunch is a gourmet picnic with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, served inside the park in a setting that does not interrupt the day.

Day two starts before dawn with breakfast, then the drive to Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a caldera so large and intact that the Big Five live inside it year-round. You descend into the crater floor for a morning game drive, spotting rhinos, lions and the other animals that concentrate in this enclosed ecosystem. A second picnic lunch sits near the hippo pool with views across the crater walls. By afternoon you return to Arusha, completing the route in time to catch an evening flight or rest before the next leg of your trip.

The vehicle is private, so the pace and stops are yours. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or one additional language depending on your choice at checkout. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as are beers, wines, water, coffee and tea throughout both days. Binoculars come with the vehicle. The lodge on night one has a swimming pool and WiFi.

What’s included

• Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof.
• professional guide in your chosen language.
• accommodation in a budget lodge with swimming pool.
• gourmet picnic lunches on both days with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
• all park entry fees and taxes.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Arusha.
• beers, wines, water, coffee, tea and snacks throughout the safari.
• binoculars.
• WiFi at the lodge.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private budget safari over 2 days to Tarangire National Park and the Ngorongoro CraterGuide in 5 languages · 48 departure times: the first at 00:00, the last at 23:30Pickup is included

Private midrange safari lasting 2 daysGuide in 5 languages · 48 departure times: the first at 00:00, the last at 23:30Midrange accommodation at Jungle Pearl Resort, with pickup included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Swahili Safari Escape

Is this one for you?The private vehicle and guide mean the pace and stops follow what you want to see, and the 2-day span fits both parks without rushing either one. If you have limited time in Tanzania and want to see Tarangire's elephant herds and Ngorongoro's Big Five in a single trip, this route covers both in back-to-back days.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 15 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

What animals will I actually see on a 2-day safari to Tarangire and Ngorongoro?

Tarangire is known for its elephant herds, and you'll also see lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffes, zebras and numerous bird species during the full-day game drive. Ngorongoro Crater holds the Big Five year-round because the enclosed ecosystem concentrates wildlife. The morning drive there focuses on rhinos, lions and other large animals that thrive inside the caldera.

How does the pop-up roof on the safari vehicle work?

The 4x4 has a pop-up roof that lets you stand and photograph or watch wildlife without the vehicle frame blocking your view. It opens the sightlines and makes the experience less confined than a standard safari jeep.

What is included in the meals during the 2 days?

Both days include a gourmet picnic lunch served inside the park, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Coffee, tea, beers, wines, water and snacks are provided throughout. Breakfast on day two is included before the early departure to Ngorongoro.

Do I need my own transportation to get to Tarangire from Arusha?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Arusha are included in the tour price. The private 4x4 collects you from your accommodation and returns you there after the crater visit on day two.

What is the Ngorongoro Crater and why is it special for safari?

Ngorongoro Crater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest intact calderas in the world. Because it is a closed ecosystem, the Big Five and other wildlife remain concentrated inside year-round, making it one of the best places in Tanzania to see rhinos, lions and other large animals in a single morning drive.