3-Day Lake Natron & Tarangire Safari from Arusha: Flamingo Walk

Walk among hundreds of thousands of flamingos on Lake Natron's alkaline shore

A 3-day safari from Arusha combines a full day in Tarangire National Park, home to Tanzania's largest elephant population, with an overnight stay at Lake Natron and a guided flamingo walk on the breeding grounds. Transport, park entry, game drives, two nights' accommodation with meals, and a driver-guide in English are included. You choose between luxury, comfort or standard lodges at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Tarangire National Park game drive

• Pick up from hotel or airport
• Full day game drive in Tarangire National Park
• Lunch in the bush during game drive
• Dinner at Africa Safari Lake Manyara
• Overnight at Africa Safari Lake Manyara

Day 2: Travel to Lake Natron and relax

• Breakfast at Africa Safari Lake Manyara
• Drive to Lake Natron
• Lunch with 360-degree lake view
• Relax or optional Ngare Sero Waterfall visit
• Dinner at Africa Safari Lake Natron
• Overnight at Africa Safari Lake Natron

Day 3: Flamingo walk and return to Arusha

• Breakfast at Africa Safari Lake Natron
• Flamingo walk at Lake Natron
• Drive back to Arusha
• Drop off at hotel, airport, or city center

The experience

The route starts with a pickup from your Arusha hotel or airport, then heads straight into Tarangire National Park for a full day of game drives. The park is known for its baobab trees and the highest concentration of elephants in northern Tanzania's circuit. You'll ride in a safari jeep with a pop-up roof, giving you clear sightlines for wildlife and photography. Your driver-guide navigates the park throughout the day, and you stay overnight at Africa Safari Lake Manyara with full board meals included.

Day two is a road trip to Lake Natron, crossing volcanic terrain that shifts from savanna to an otherworldly landscape. The lake itself sits at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment, and the lodges here, Africa Safari Lake Natron, sit right on the shore. After checking in, you can swim or rest, or add an optional visit to Ngare Sero Waterfall if you want to explore further. The accommodation is safari-style, built to suit the remote setting.

On the final morning, you walk the flamingo grounds at Lake Natron. The lake is a breeding ground for hundreds of thousands of lesser flamingos, and the walk lets you move among them on the alkaline shore. The landscape is stark and lunar: salt flats, mineral deposits, and the sheer scale of the bird population make it unlike anywhere else in the region. After the walk, your driver takes you back to Arusha, dropping you at your hotel, the airport or the city center.

What’s included

Transport from Arusha, park entry fees, all guided game drives in a safari jeep with pop-up roof, two nights' accommodation in safari lodges on a full board meal plan, hotel pickup and drop-off in Arusha, and an experienced English-speaking driver-guide.

Options for this experience

3 options

Comfort accommodationUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00Includes one night at our Africa Safari Lake Natron lodge in a comfort room, with a full board meal plan. Pickup is included.

Luxury accommodationUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00Includes one night at our Africa Safari Lake Natron lodge in a luxury room, with a full board meal plan. Pickup is included.

Standard accommodationUp to 2 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00Includes one night at our Africa Safari Lake Natron lodge in standard accommodation, with a full board meal plan. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (under 16)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 1.50

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Beach & Safari

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see Tarangire's elephants and baobabs in a single full day, then experience Lake Natron's flamingo breeding grounds up close. The three-day structure gives you time to move between the two landscapes without rushing the game drives or the walk itself. Choose your lodge level (luxury, comfort or standard) based on how much amenity you want alongside the remote setting.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 16).

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 is Tarangire National Park like for wildlife?

Tarangire is home to the largest elephant population in northern Tanzania and is known for its many scenic baobab trees. A full day of game drives lets you move through the park at a pace that suits sightings. The driver-guide stops when wildlife appears and moves on when the area quiets.

Can I add activities beyond what's on the itinerary?

On day two at Lake Natron, you can add an optional visit to Ngare Sero Waterfall after you check in. The lodge can arrange this. It is not part of the standard itinerary.

What are the overnight stays like?

You stay two nights in safari lodges: Africa Safari Lake Manyara on night one, and Africa Safari Lake Natron on night two, located right next to the lake. Both are full board, meaning all meals are included. At checkout, you choose between luxury, comfort or standard accommodation options.

What does the flamingo walk at Lake Natron involve?

The flamingo walk is a guided walk on the shore of Lake Natron, where the lake serves as a breeding ground for hundreds of thousands of lesser flamingos. You walk among them on the alkaline flats and see the volcanic, moon-like landscape surrounding the lake.

Is the guide English-speaking?

Yes, your driver-guide speaks English throughout the three days and leads all game drives and the flamingo walk.