3-day Tanzania safari: Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Maasai village

Track elephants through baobab groves, then descend into Africa's largest intact caldera

A 3-day safari tour from Mto wa Mbu covering Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area with a private guide and 4x4 vehicle. You'll spend two days on game drives hunting the Big Five and large elephant herds, then visit a traditional Maasai village on the final morning before returning to the airport. Hotel pickup is included. Guides speak English and French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Tarangire National Park

• Arrive at Lake Manyara Airport
• Private transfer to hotel in Mto wa Mbu
• Meet local representative for briefing
• Meet private guide and vehicle
• Drive to Tarangire National Park
• Afternoon game drive in Tarangire
• Dinner and overnight at Jua Manyara Lodge

Day 2: Full Day Tarangire Game Drive

• Breakfast at lodge
• Full-day game drive in Tarangire National Park
• Explore elephants, baobab trees, and Big 5
• Drive back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport
• Dinner and overnight at Jua Manyara Lodge

Day 3: Maasai Village Visit and Departure

• Breakfast at lodge
• Visit traditional Maasai Village
• Experience Maasai customs and warrior dance
• Explore Maasai crafts and beadwork
• Return to lodge for lunch
• Check out and transfer to Lake Manyara Airport

The experience

The Tarangire River draws elephants, buffalo, giraffes and antelope to the park year-round, but the dry season between June and October concentrates them into herds large enough to fill the savannah. You'll start with an afternoon game drive on day one after arriving at your lodge in Mto wa Mbu, then spend all of day two in the park. The baobab trees, locals call them upside-down trees, dot the landscape, and the park holds over 550 bird species, more than anywhere else in Africa. Your private guide navigates the 4x4 vehicle to position you for sightings without the crowds of shared tours.

Day two ends with a full-day drive through Tarangire, then a return to the lodge. On day three, you leave early for the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world's largest intact calderas. The crater floor holds its own population of lions, rhinos, zebras and other wildlife concentrated in a space that makes sightings more frequent than in larger parks. After the game drive, you head to a traditional Maasai village in Mto wa Mbu, where you'll see a boma (homestead), watch the famous warrior jumping dance, and examine handmade beadwork and crafts. Lunch follows at the lodge, then your driver takes you to Lake Manyara Airport for your onward flight.

The vehicle is a comfortable 4x4 built for safari, and your guide is a local professional who knows where to find animals and can explain the landscape as you drive. Hotel pickup from Mto wa Mbu is arranged. You'll need to book your own flights to Lake Manyara Airport, where the tour begins with a private transfer to your lodge.

What’s included

• Private 4x4 safari vehicle and experienced guide speaking English or French.
• two nights at Jua Manyara Lodge with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• full-day game drives in Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.
• visit to a traditional Maasai village with cultural demonstrations.
• hotel pickup from Mto wa Mbu.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish 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 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 effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by FIRDAUS SAFARI

Is this one for you?The three days move at a steady pace with long hours in the vehicle and early starts, so it suits travelers comfortable with full days of driving and sitting. The private guide and vehicle mean you set the rhythm of stops and sightings without waiting for a group to assemble.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years).

What animals will I actually see on this 3-day safari?

Tarangire and Ngorongoro both hold the Big Five (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo), plus zebras, giraffes, antelope and buffalo in large numbers. Tarangire is especially known for its elephant herds, which concentrate along the river in the dry season. Ngorongoro's crater floor supports a separate population, so you'll see wildlife in two distinct ecosystems across the three days.

Do I need to arrange my own flights to start this tour?

Yes, you'll book flights to Lake Manyara Airport on your own. The tour includes a private transfer from the airport to your lodge in Mto wa Mbu, where the safari begins. Your return flight departs from the same airport on day three after lunch.

What happens on the Maasai village visit?

On the morning of day three, you visit a traditional Maasai boma to see how the community lives. You'll learn about their customs and daily routines, watch the Maasai warrior jumping dance, and browse handmade beadwork and crafts. The visit lasts a few hours before you return to the lodge for lunch and your transfer to the airport.

Is this tour private, or will I share the vehicle with other travelers?

This is a private tour with your own guide and 4x4 vehicle, so you won't share the safari with other booking groups. Your guide can adjust the pace and stops to match your interests.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes accommodation at Jua Manyara Lodge for two nights, all game drives in the 4x4 vehicle, meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), the Maasai village visit, and hotel pickup from Mto wa Mbu. Park entry fees and flights are not included.