3-Day Lodge Safari from Moshi: Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater

Two parks, two lodges, three days of game drives through elephant country and a volcanic crater

A 3-day lodge safari from Moshi takes you through Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area in a private 4×4 jeep with an English-speaking guide. Day one focuses on Tarangire's elephant herds and the Tarangire River. Day two moves to the Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcano 600 meters deep where the Big Five roam. Hotel pickup is included, and you stay in lodges both nights.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Tarangire National Park Safari

• Pick up from hotel after breakfast
• Drive to Tarangire National Park
• Game drive in Tarangire National Park
• View elephants, giraffes, and other wildlife
• Drive to lodge for overnight stay

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater Exploration

• Early start from lodge
• Drive to Ngorongoro Crater
• Game drive and wildlife viewing in crater
• Lunch inside Ngorongoro Crater
• Drive to Karatu for overnight stay

The experience

You're picked up from your hotel in Moshi or Arusha after breakfast on day one and driven to Tarangire National Park, where the morning and afternoon game drives happen from an open-roof jeep. The park's permanent water source, the Tarangire River, draws the largest elephant herds in northern Tanzania, along with giraffes, buffalo, zebras, warthogs, and occasional lions and leopards. You'll see baobab trees scattered across the landscape and seasonal swamps that concentrate wildlife. Lunch happens at the lodge. You return in late afternoon.

Day two starts early and heads into the cooler Ngorongoro highlands. The crater itself is roughly 20 kilometers wide and 600 meters deep, holding lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, leopards, hyenas, and over 500 bird species: making it one of the best places in Tanzania to spot the Big Five in a single day. You'll have lunch on the crater floor before returning to your lodge in Karatu in the late afternoon. The third day is your return to Moshi or Arusha.

Both nights are spent at Eileen's Trees Inn, though mid-range and luxury lodge options are available. The private jeep means you're not sharing the vehicle with other groups, and your guide navigates the parks at a pace that works for wildlife viewing rather than rushing between stops. Flying Doctors insurance is included in case of medical emergency, and all government park taxes are covered upfront.

What’s included

• Private 4×4 jeep with open roof for game viewing.
• English-speaking guide.
• two nights' accommodation at Eileen's Trees Inn (or mid-range to luxury lodge alternatives).
• lunch on both safari days.
• all government park entry fees and taxes.
• Flying Doctors emergency insurance.
• hotel pickup and return transport from Moshi or Arusha.

Information

Lasts 2d, runs every day at 08:00, from US$ 1,374.93 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 6 days before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate5 group tours ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 24 pickup points.

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (17 to 90 years) · Youth (13 to 16 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bujo Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Moshi or Arusha without a car and need to cover Tarangire's elephants and Ngorongoro Crater without extending to the Serengeti. The private jeep handles both parks in three days.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★Exceptional7 verified traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 16 years); Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What animals will I actually see on a 3-day safari from Moshi?

Tarangire is known for its elephant herds, the largest in northern Tanzania, plus giraffes, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, and occasional lions and leopards. Ngorongoro Crater holds the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard), hyenas, and over 500 bird species, making it one of the best places to see multiple large predators in one day.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the park, or is pickup included?

Hotel pickup from Moshi or Arusha is included in the tour price. Your guide collects you after breakfast on day one and returns you to your hotel at the end of day three, so you don't need a rental car or separate transfer.

What's the difference between Tarangire and Ngorongoro on this safari?

Tarangire National Park is known for its massive elephant populations, baobab trees, and the perennial river that concentrates wildlife year-round. Ngorongoro Crater is a collapsed volcano 600 meters deep where you descend into the crater floor itself to drive among the Big Five in a much smaller, enclosed ecosystem: two very different landscapes and game-viewing experiences.

What happens on the third day? Do we do another game drive?

Day three is your return journey to Moshi or Arusha. The two game-drive days are days one and two. The third day is travel back to your starting point.

Are meals and drinks included in the lodge safari price?

Lunch is provided on both days (day one at Tarangire lodge, day two on the crater floor). Breakfast and dinner at the lodges, along with alcoholic and soft drinks, are not included in the base price. You can add them at checkout or arrange them separately.