2-Day Tanzania Safari: Ngorongoro Crater & Tarangire

The crater floor holds 20,000 large mammals in 102 square miles, and you descend 600 meters to stand among them.

A 2-day safari from Karatu covers Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater with a private guide, vehicle and meals. Day one is a full game drive through Tarangire's nine vegetation zones, where you watch elephant families and predators from an observatory at the Tarangire River. Day two descends into the Ngorongoro Crater (an intact, inactive volcano) to spend the day among the concentrated wildlife on its floor before returning to Arusha or your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Safari in Tarangire National Park

• Breakfast at hotel
• Depart to Tarangire National Park
• Full day game drive in park
• Picnic lunch at observatory
• Continue game viewing
• Return to hotel for dinner

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater day safari

• Descend to Ngorongoro Crater floor
• Explore crater wildlife and habitats
• Picnic lunch in crater
• Drive back to airport or hotel

The experience

Tarangire National Park on day one is built around the river that runs through it. The Tarangire draws elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, zebras, giraffes and antelopes to drink, and the park holds the largest elephant population in Tanzania. Ancient baobab trees, the largest trees in Africa, dot the savannah across nine vegetation zones. You spend the full day game driving, stopping at an observatory inside the park for a picnic lunch where the river is visible and predator activity often happens in front of you. The guide drives you back to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day two takes you into the Ngorongoro Crater itself. The crater is 102 square miles across and over 600 meters deep, and it is the largest unfilled, intact, inactive volcano in the world. The crater floor concentrates roughly 20,000 larger mammals (buffalo, zebras, herbivores and various bird species) in a forest habitat that makes sightings dense and frequent. You descend to the crater floor, spend the full day there with another picnic lunch, and then your guide drives you back to Arusha airport or your hotel depending on your flight or onward plans.

Private transportation is included for both days, and the guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian or French depending on your choice at booking. Hotel pickup is included. Accommodation after the safari ends is not. The itinerary assumes you can sit comfortably for full-day game drives and are suited to all physical fitness levels.

What’s included

• Your private transportation for both days.
• all park fees and taxes.
• a live guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Italian or French.
• hotel pickup on day one.
• and picnic lunches on both the Tarangire River observatory and the Ngorongoro Crater floor.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (15 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 14 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 125

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Safari Stride

Is this one for you?Choose this two-day safari to experience two contrasting landscapes (Tarangire's river valleys and Ngorongoro's crater floor) with private transport that lets you pause for wildlife and light rather than keep to a group's schedule.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

Can children come?

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

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals will I actually see on a Tarangire safari?

Tarangire is known for its elephant herds (the park holds Tanzania's largest population), and you will see families of elephants interacting throughout the day. The Tarangire River attracts lions, leopards, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, antelopes and colorful birds. Predator activity at the river is common, especially during the picnic lunch stop at the observatory.

How deep is the Ngorongoro Crater and what is the descent like?

The Ngorongoro Crater is over 600 meters (2,000 feet) deep. You descend by vehicle to the crater floor, which spans 102 square miles and holds roughly 20,000 large mammals in a concentrated area, making wildlife viewing dense and frequent during your full day there.

What happens on the second day after the Ngorongoro Crater?

After your full day in the crater and a picnic lunch on the crater floor, your guide drives you back to Arusha airport for an outbound flight or to your hotel in Arusha, depending on your onward plans.

Is accommodation included after the safari ends?

Accommodation after the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire safari is not included. The tour ends with your return to Arusha, and you arrange your own lodging if you are staying longer in the region.

Do I need any special fitness level for a 2-day safari?

The safari is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Both days involve full-day game drives in a vehicle with stops for meals and wildlife viewing, and the descent into the Ngorongoro Crater is by vehicle, not on foot.