3-Day Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara

Baobab trees, crater walls and herds of elephants across three days

A 3-day guided safari tour through Tanzania covering Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Lake Manyara National Park, with expert guides and two nights accommodation. You drive through Tarangire spotting elephants and wildlife near the river, descend into Ngorongoro Crater to search for lions, leopards, buffalo and rhino, then explore Lake Manyara's varied habitats and flamingo populations before returning to Arusha.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park game drive

• Depart Arusha at 7:00 AM
• Arrive Tarangire at 9:00 AM
• Meet guide and orientation
• Game drive 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
• Lunch break 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
• Afternoon game drive 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Return to accommodation at 5:30 PM

Day 2: Full day at Ngorongoro Crater

• Breakfast at accommodation 6:00 AM
• Depart for Ngorongoro at 6:30 AM
• Arrive park entrance 8:00 AM
• Orientation and safety briefing
• Descend into crater at 8:30 AM
• Game drive 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM
• Lunch 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
• Afternoon game drive 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
• Drive back to Mto wa Mbu at 4:30 PM
• Arrive Mto wa Mbu around 6:00 PM

Day 3: Lake Manyara game drive and return

• Breakfast at accommodation 6:30 AM
• Depart for Lake Manyara at 7:30 AM
• Arrive Lake Manyara 7:45 AM
• Park orientation with guide
• Game drive 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Lunch 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
• Afternoon game drive 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
• Depart Lake Manyara at 3:00 PM
• Arrive Arusha by 4:00 PM

The experience

The route starts in Arusha and moves through three distinct ecosystems in Tanzania's northern safari region. Day one takes you to Tarangire National Park, where morning and afternoon game drives focus on the elephant herds the park is known for, along with lions and other wildlife scattered across landscapes dotted with baobab trees. You'll have a packed lunch at a picnic area, then return to Panorama Safari Camp for the night. Day two is a full day at Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you descend into the caldera itself to drive through an enclosed ecosystem home to the Big Five. The crater's unique geography concentrates wildlife in a way few other places do, and the morning drive (8:30 AM to noon) and afternoon drive (1:00 PM to 4:30 PM) give you hours to spot animals in their natural habitat.

Day three moves to Lake Manyara National Park, just a short drive from your accommodation. The morning game drive starts early at 8:00 AM and runs until noon, with the afternoon session from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. Lake Manyara's habitats support elephants, giraffes, zebras and a range of bird species, including the flamingos that gather on the water. You'll finish by 4:00 PM back in Arusha. Your guide speaks English, Spanish or French throughout, and the pace is built around game drives with breaks for packed lunches at scenic spots. The two nights of accommodation are at Panorama Safari Camp, and transport between parks is included.

What’s included

• In-person guide fluent in English, Spanish or French.
• two nights accommodation at Panorama Safari Camp.
• all transport between Arusha and the three parks.
• packed lunches at scenic picnic areas on each day.
• park entry fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Child (1 to 4 years) · Infant (under 1): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

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 6 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by KANUTH ADVENTURE SAFARI

Is this one for you?The tour starts at 7:00 AM on day one and includes early morning departures on days two and three (6:00 AM and 6:30 AM respectively), so you're in the vehicle during the hours when wildlife is most active. The full-day crater drive and the multiple game sessions each day mean you're watching animals for most of daylight, which suits anyone who came to see the Big Five and herds rather than move quickly between stops.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 4 years); Infant (under 1): free.

What wildlife can I actually expect to see at Ngorongoro Crater?

Ngorongoro Crater is home to the Big Five: lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo and rhinoceros. The crater's enclosed ecosystem concentrates animals in a relatively small area, which increases your chances of spotting them during the full-day game drive.

How much time do I spend driving versus actually watching wildlife?

Game drives make up the core of each day. Day one includes two sessions (9:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM); day two runs from 8:30 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM; day three spans 8:00 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. Lunch breaks and travel between parks account for the remaining time.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to and from Arusha?

Transport between Arusha and the parks is included in the tour. You depart from Arusha on day one (7:00 AM from town) and return by 4:00 PM on day three.

What is Lake Manyara National Park actually like compared to the other two parks?

Lake Manyara is smaller and closer to Arusha than Tarangire or Ngorongoro, with a 10-minute drive from your accommodation. It's known for diverse habitats (woodland, grassland and water) that support elephants, giraffes, zebras and large bird populations, including flamingos that gather on the lake itself.