3-Day Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater

Three parks, three days: from elephants and lions to the crater's Big Five

A 3-day safari from Arusha takes you through Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area with a professional guide in English or Spanish. Day one focuses on Tarangire's elephants and birdlife; day two moves to Lake Manyara to spot tree-climbing lions and flamingos; day three descends into Ngorongoro Crater for a chance at the Big Five before returning to Arusha in the evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Tarangire wild park safari

• Discover Tarangire National Park wildlife
• Enjoy game drives and sunsets
• Experience Maasai culture
• Stay overnight at Kizumba campsite

Day 2: Lake Manyara National Park

• Breakfast at campsite
• Drive to Lake Manyara National Park
• Spot tree-climbing lions and flamingos
• Enjoy game drives and picnic lunch
• Overnight at Kizumba campsite

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater

• Early departure to Ngorongoro Crater
• Descend into the crater for game drive
• Picnic lunch by hippo pool
• Ascend crater and drive back to Arusha

The experience

You start in Arusha with hotel pickup included, then head straight into Tarangire National Park for your first game drive. The park is known for its elephant herds and the Tarangire River, which draws wildlife year-round. You'll stay overnight at Kizumba Campsite, giving you time to settle in before the next morning's drive.

Day two takes you about an hour north to Lake Manyara National Park, famous for lions that climb acacia trees and massive flocks of flamingos lining the shore. The Rift Valley views frame the whole experience. You spend the day on game drives, stop for lunch at a picnic site, and return to Kizumba Campsite for another night.

On day three you leave early for Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the crater floor holds lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos and leopards all in one enclosed ecosystem. After descending into the crater, you do a morning game drive, eat lunch by the hippo pool, then climb back out and drive to Arusha, arriving in the evening. Your guide carries binoculars and provides bottled water throughout.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or German.
• binoculars for wildlife viewing.
• bottled mineral water throughout the safari.
• two nights at Kizumba Campsite.
• all game drives and park entry.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (1 to 13 years)

GroupUp to 28 · max 7 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ubuntu Safaris & Tours Company

Is this one for you?Pickup from your Arusha hotel is included, so you don't need to arrange transport to the parks or navigate to the starting point yourself. The three-day span lets you move through all three parks without rushing any single one, and the fixed itinerary means you travel with a guide who knows the routes and the animals rather than driving on your own.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (1 to 13 years).

What wildlife can I expect to see at Tarangire National Park?

Tarangire is home to majestic elephant herds, graceful giraffes, lions and vibrant birdlife. The park's river draws animals year-round, making it reliable for sightings across multiple species.

Why are Lake Manyara's lions famous?

Lake Manyara is known for its tree-climbing lions, a behavior rarely seen elsewhere. The park also hosts vast flocks of flamingos and hippos in the lake itself.

What is the Big Five and where do I see them on this tour?

The Big Five are lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos and leopards. Ngorongoro Crater on day three offers the best chance to spot all five in a single location, since the crater's enclosed ecosystem concentrates wildlife.

How long does the drive from Tarangire to Lake Manyara take?

The drive is about an hour, giving you time to rest between parks and move through the landscape at a steady pace.

What happens on the final morning before returning to Arusha?

You descend into Ngorongoro Crater early for a game drive while wildlife is most active, then stop for a picnic lunch by the hippo pool before ascending and driving back to Arusha in the afternoon and evening.