2-Day Safari to Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater: Budget Parks Tour

Track elephants and baobabs in Tarangire, then descend into the crater's 30,000 animals

A 2-day safari tour in Tanzania visiting Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area with a local guide, all national park fees, three meals daily, two nights at Octagon Lodge, and hotel pickup included. Day one focuses on Tarangire's 2,000 elephants and baobab trees. Day two descends into Ngorongoro Crater for a full game drive among over 30,000 animals. Guides speak English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Safari in Tarangire National Park

• Explore Tarangire National Park
• Observe elephants and baobab trees
• Enjoy lunch
• Overnight at Octagon Lodge
• Dinner at lodge

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater Game Tour

• Breakfast at lodge
• Descend into Ngorongoro Crater
• Game tour in crater
• Enjoy lunch
• Drive to Octagon Lodge
• Overnight at Octagon Lodge
• Dinner at lodge

The experience

Tarangire National Park covers nearly 3,000 square kilometers and draws its name from the river that runs through it: the only permanent water source during the dry season, which concentrates elephants and other wildlife in extraordinary numbers. The park holds over 2,000 elephants and 500 bird species across varied habitats, from acacia forest to open grassland. You spend the first day driving through these landscapes with a local guide, watching for the massive herds that gather at the Tarangire River, then overnight at Octagon Lodge with clean water, bathrooms and electrical power to recharge after hours in the vehicle.

Day two takes you to Ngorongoro Crater, often called the eighth natural wonder of the world. Two million years ago the volcano erupted and collapsed, creating a natural enclosure with 600-meter walls now spanning over 19 kilometers wide. The crater floor holds acacia forest, hippo-filled swamps and grasslands that support more than 30,000 animals: elephants, warthogs, flamingoes, black rhinoceros, all the big cats, and Maasai herding cattle alongside buffalo and wildebeest. You descend into the crater for a full game drive, then return to Octagon Lodge for your second night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included each day, along with bottled water and all national park entry fees.

What’s included

• Local guide fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French or one additional language.
• all national park entry fees.
• accommodation for two nights at Octagon Lodge.
• breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
• bottled water each day.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• fuel surcharge.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (25 to 45 years) · Senior (46 to 71 years) · Youth (16 to 24 years) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Infant (under 5): free

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.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tanzania Roadside Expeditions

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see Tarangire's elephant concentrations and Ngorongoro's crater wildlife without the expense of longer safaris: the two-day format fits a tight schedule while covering the parks' most active game-viewing zones.

Traveler reviews

4.98★★★★★★★★★★

123 verified traveler reviews

5 ★121

4 ★2

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 24 years); Child (5 to 15 years); Infant (under 5): free.

How many elephants will I see in Tarangire National Park?

Tarangire is home to over 2,000 elephants, concentrated especially during the dry season (June through November) when the Tarangire River becomes their only water source and draws enormous herds to the park.

What animals live inside Ngorongoro Crater?

Ngorongoro Crater holds over 30,000 animals including elephants, warthogs, flamingoes, black rhinoceros, lions, leopards, cheetahs and other predatory cats, plus hippos, buffalo and wildebeest. Maasai herders also graze cattle on the crater floor.

What meals and drinks are provided each day?

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included daily as part of the tour. Buffet meals are served at the lodge. Bottled water is provided each day per person. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase separately.

Where do I sleep on this safari?

You overnight at Octagon Lodge both nights, which provides clean water, bathrooms and electrical outlets to charge batteries and devices after each day in the field.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the safari?

Hotel pickup is included in the tour price, so you do not need to arrange separate transport to the starting point.