4-Day Safari from Arusha: Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Walking Tour

You descend 600 meters into Ngorongoro Crater to find lions, elephants, and flamingos in a landscape that holds water year-round.

This 4-day lodge safari from Arusha combines game drives through Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area with cultural walks and natural attractions. You're picked up from your hotel, driven to Materuni Waterfalls and Chemka Hot Springs on day one, then spend two days on safari game drives watching elephants, wildebeest, and predators, descending into the crater to see Lake Magadi's flamingos and hippos. The final day is a walking safari around Mto wa Mbu where you visit Maasai villages and learn about local farming. All park entry fees, accommodation, meals, and safari transport are included. Children from age 1 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arusha to Kilimanjaro exploration

• Pick up from hotel in Arusha or Moshi
• Drive to Materuni Waterfalls
• Explore Mount Kilimanjaro slopes with guide
• Swim in waterfall pool
• Walk back for coffee tour
• Drive to Chemka Hot Springs
• Swim and enjoy drinks at hot springs
• Drive back to Karibu Heritage Lodge

Day 2: Safari at Tarangire National Park

• Breakfast at lodge
• Shopping in Arusha town
• Drive to Tarangire National Park
• Game drive in Tarangire
• Picnic lunch in the park
• Visit Tarangire River for wildlife viewing
• Drive to accommodation

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater wildlife tour

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive to Ngorongoro Crater
• Descend into crater for wildlife viewing
• Visit Lake Magadi
• Return to hotel

Day 4: Walking safari and cultural visit

• Early wake up and drive to Rift Valley top
• Walking safari around Mto wa Mbu farms
• Visit Maasai village and meet chief
• Dance, sing, and try traditional food
• Biking near Lake Manyara
• Drive back to Arusha

The experience

You arrive in Arusha and get picked up from your hotel for the first day's exploration of Mount Kilimanjaro's foothills. The drive takes you to Materuni Waterfalls at 2,500 meters, where you walk the slopes with a local guide spotting birds, chameleons, coffee and banana trees before swimming in the waterfall pool. Afterward, you visit a coffee farm for a tour of how the beans grow, then head to Chemka Hot Springs. A natural pool where you can swim alongside small fish and order drinks while in the water. You return to your lodge in Arusha for the night.

Day two launches the safari proper. After breakfast and a quick stop in Arusha town for supplies, you drive into Tarangire National Park for a full game drive with a picnic lunch in the park. Tarangire's annual migration brings up to 3,000 elephants, 250,000 wildebeest, and 30,000 zebra, along with lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, and ostriches across the acacia savannah. Your guide drives the safari jeep to locate animals and explain the park's ecology. You spend time at the Tarangire River, where predators hunt and animals come to drink, then return to your lodge as the sun sets.

On day three, you drive to Ngorongoro Crater and descend over 600 meters into the caldera. The crater floor supports a year-round population of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, antelope, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants, plus a dense population of predators: lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and the harder-to-spot leopard. You visit Lake Magadi, a shallow alkaline lake where flamingos, hippos, and waterbirds gather in large numbers. Washroom facilities are available here. You return to your lodge in the afternoon.

Your final day is a walking safari around Mto wa Mbu, near Lake Manyara. You start early at the top of the Rift Valley, then walk through banana, coffee, and rice farms with a local guide explaining the farming methods. You visit a Maasai village, meet the chief, and learn about their way of life. You're welcome to ask questions, and the community invites you to dance, sing, and wear traditional clothes while tasting their food. You also have the option to bike near Manyara before your driver takes you back to Arusha.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Arusha or Moshi.
• accommodation at lodges on days two and three, plus a bed and breakfast on your arrival day in Arusha.
• all national park and conservation area entry fees.
• safari jeep transport with a driver-guide.
• crater service.
• picnic lunch during the Tarangire game drive.
• drinking water and beers throughout.
• coffee tour at Materuni.
• access to Chemka Hot Springs.
• walking safari guide at Mto wa Mbu.
• all taxes and fees.

Information

Lasts 4d, runs every day, 4 start times, from US$ 720 per person, in groups of up to 6 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:30, 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00

GroupUp to 64 private ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (25 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 78 years) · Youth (16 to 24 years) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Dancing Simba Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this if you're ready for full days in a jeep and a walking safari on the final day. You'll need stamina for hours of driving and exploring on foot.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 24 years); Child (5 to 15 years); Infant (1 to 4 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals am I likely to see on this safari?

Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater are home to elephants, wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, antelope, warthog, hippo, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, giraffes, and ostriches. The crater also hosts large numbers of flamingos and waterbirds at Lake Magadi. Sightings depend on the season and animal movement patterns.

Do I need to bring swimming clothes?

Yes, you'll swim at Materuni Waterfalls on day one and at Chemka Hot Springs, where you can also swim in the natural pool. Bring clothes you don't mind getting wet, and a towel is helpful.

What happens on the walking safari at Mto wa Mbu?

You walk through banana, coffee, and rice farms with a local guide who explains how the crops are grown. You then visit a Maasai village, meet the chief, learn about their lifestyle, and are invited to dance, sing, wear traditional clothes, and taste traditional food. You can also bike near Lake Manyara on this day.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, the tour includes pickup from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi on day one. You return to Arusha at the end of day four.

What meals and drinks are provided?

Breakfast is included each morning at your lodge. A picnic lunch is provided during the Tarangire game drive on day two. Drinking water and beers are included throughout the tour. All park fees and taxes are covered in the price.

Where do I sleep during the 4-day tour?

You stay at Graceland Hotel or similar in Arusha on day one, then at Fanaka Lodge or similar on days two and three. Accommodation is included in the tour price.