3-Day Safari to Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater from Moshi

Elephants at sunrise, crater descent at midday, Big Five in their habitat

A 3-day safari from Moshi combines two of Tanzania's premier wildlife zones: Tarangire National Park, known for vast elephant herds and baobab trees, and Ngorongoro Crater, where the Big Five roam. You'll start with a 3-hour drive from your accommodation, spend two days game-driving in Tarangire with an overnight stay at Migombani Camp, then descend into the crater on day three before returning to Arusha. An English, Spanish or French-speaking guide leads the route, and picnic lunches are included both days in the parks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Tarangire and Wildlife Safari

• Pick up from Moshi or Arusha accommodation
• Drive 3 hours to Tarangire National Park
• Enter park and start wildlife adventure
• Enjoy picnic lunch in the park
• Overnight stay at Migombani Camp

Day 2: Sunrise and Game Drive in Tarangire

• Wake up before sunrise
• Watch sunrise and observe animals
• Have breakfast
• Continue game drive until late afternoon
• Leave park and head to accommodation
• Dinner at accommodation

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

• Early morning start
• Descend into Ngorongoro Crater
• Game drive to see the Big Five
• Picnic lunch in the crater
• Return to Arusha
• Drop off at Arusha accommodation

The experience

The first day moves quickly: pickup from Moshi or Arusha, a 3-hour drive into Tarangire, and immediate entry into the park for your first game drive. Tarangire's landscape is built around water: the river draws animals year-round, which is why the park holds such dense concentrations of elephants. You'll eat a picnic lunch inside the park and spend the afternoon watching herds move through the acacia and baobab woodland before heading to Migombani Camp for the night.

Day two starts before sunrise. You'll leave camp in darkness to find a vantage point and watch the animals begin their day as light breaks across the park, then return for breakfast and continue game-driving until late afternoon. The guide times the route to catch movement and feeding patterns, and the early start is what makes the difference: animals are most active in the cool hours.

On day three you leave Tarangire and drive to Ngorongoro Crater, descending into the caldera itself for a game drive among the Big Five in their natural habitat. The crater floor is a closed ecosystem where predator and prey coexist in visible proximity. After a picnic lunch on the crater floor, you'll climb back out and drive to Arusha for drop-off at your accommodation, ending the safari there rather than returning to Moshi.

What’s included

• In-person guide in English, Spanish or French.
• hotel pickup from Moshi or Arusha.
• two game drives in Tarangire National Park with an overnight stay at Migombani Camp.
• sunrise game drive on day two.
• descent into Ngorongoro Crater with a full game drive on day three.
• picnic lunches in both parks.
• drop-off at your Arusha accommodation at the end of day three.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

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 if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearby

Operated by Tarry Adventures and Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this 3-day version if you want to spend two full days in Tarangire's elephant herds and see the crater in a single afternoon, rather than rushing through either one. The early sunrise drive on day two is what lets you catch the animals' most active hours, and the overnight camp keeps you in the park for both dawn and dusk: the times wildlife moves most.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What wildlife will I actually see in Tarangire National Park?

Tarangire is known for its elephant herds (the park holds some of the largest concentrations in East Africa) along with lions, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and a wide range of bird species. The Tarangire River is the draw. Animals gather there year-round, especially in the dry season.

Is the Ngorongoro Crater descent included, or is that a separate cost?

The crater descent and game drive are part of the 3-day tour. You'll drive down into the caldera on day three and spend several hours on the crater floor before climbing back out to return to Arusha.

How long is the drive from Moshi to Tarangire National Park?

The drive takes approximately 3 hours. You'll be picked up from your accommodation in Moshi or Arusha and driven directly into the park, with the guide sharing information about the region along the way.

What's included in the meals during the safari?

Picnic lunches are provided both in Tarangire National Park (day one) and on the Ngorongoro Crater floor (day three). Breakfast is served at Migombani Camp on day two. You'll arrange dinner at your accommodation or in town.