3-Day Tanzania Lodge Safari: Tarangire & Ngorongoro Tour

Summary

Tanzania Private Safari: Tarangire Elephants & Ngorongoro Crater

If you want real wildlife moments—elephants by the river, lions in the grass, and that first glimpse into Ngorongoro Crater—this 3-day Tanzania lodge safari is for you. It’s short but packed with sights and small surprises you’ll remember long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

We left Moshi just as the sun was warming up the streets, coffee in hand and a bit of dust on our shoes. Our guide, Joseph, had that easy way of telling stories—he pointed out the old baobab trees as we rolled into Tarangire National Park. Those trees really do look like something out of a storybook, fat and ancient, with birds darting between the branches. The air smelled faintly sweet, almost grassy, and you could hear the low rumble of elephants before you even saw them. We watched a herd cross the Tarangire River—tiny calves sticking close to their mothers, ears flapping. Giraffes moved slowly in the distance, and at one point we had to stop because a group of zebras decided the road was theirs for the moment. Lunch was simple—sandwiches and fresh fruit—but honestly, nothing tastes better than eating outside with that view. By late afternoon, we were tired but happy, heading to Eileen’s Trees Inn where the staff greeted us with a cool drink and a smile.

The next morning started early—before sunrise, actually. There’s a chill in the air up in the Ngorongoro highlands that you don’t expect after a day in Tarangire. The drive up is bumpy but worth it; when you finally see the crater spread out below, it’s almost unreal. We spent hours down there, windows open so we could hear the calls of birds and the odd grunt from a buffalo nearby. Joseph spotted a rhino off in the distance—tiny through binoculars but still exciting. Lions lounged under an acacia tree while warthogs trotted by with their tails straight up. We ate lunch right on the crater floor (watch out for sneaky vervet monkeys—they know exactly when you’re distracted). By late afternoon we made our way to Karatu for another night at Eileen’s Trees Inn, swapping stories with other travelers over dinner.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tarangire National Park Safari

• Game drive at Tarangire National Park
• Transfer to lodge for overnight stay

Day 2 — Ngorongoro Crater Exploration

• Visit Ngorongoro Crater and wildlife viewing
• Lunch on the crater
• Travel to Karatu for overnight stay

Top questions

Is this safari suitable for families with kids?

Yes, families often join this tour! Kids love spotting animals from the jeep and lodges are family-friendly. Just keep in mind infants need to sit on an adult's lap during drives.

What kind of vehicle will we use?

You’ll ride in a private 4x4 safari jeep with an open roof—perfect for photos and seeing wildlife up close.

Are meals included during the safari?

Yes, all meals are provided during your lodge stays and picnic lunches are packed for game drives.

Can I request vegetarian or special meals?

Absolutely! Just let us know your dietary needs ahead of time so we can arrange it with the lodges.

What’s included

Your package covers private 4x4 jeep transport with an experienced guide, all park entry fees, cozy lodge accommodation (like Eileen’s Trees Inn), meals throughout your safari days, Flying Doctors insurance for peace of mind, and all government taxes. You just bring your sense of adventure—we’ll handle the rest.