Tanzania Safari 3 Days: Manyara, Ngorongoro & Tarangire

Three Days in Tanzania's Big Five Country, Starting Tomorrow Morning

You fly from Zanzibar to Arusha and drive into Lake Manyara National Park the same day, spotting tree-climbing lions and flamingos. Day two takes you into the Ngorongoro Crater to search for the Big Five in a natural enclosure. On day three you drive through Tarangire National Park for elephant herds and baobab trees, then fly back to Zanzibar in the afternoon. All flights, lodges, meals and game drives are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel to Lake Manyara National Park

• Fly from Zanzibar to Arusha
• Drive to Lake Manyara National Park
• Spot tree-climbing lions and baboons
• Observe flamingos at Lake Manyara
• Drive to Karatu town
• Check into lodge or camp

Day 2 — Explore Ngorongoro Crater Wildlife

• Breakfast at accommodation
• Drive to Ngorongoro Crater
• Descend into Ngorongoro Crater
• See Big Five and other wildlife
• Return to Ngorongoro Highlands lodge
• Dinner and relax at lodge

Day 3 — Safari at Tarangire and Return

• Travel to Tarangire National Park
• Safari drive among baobab trees
• Picnic lunch in Tarangire Park
• Drive to airport
• Fly back to Zanzibar

The Experience

You land in Arusha by midday after a flight from Zanzibar, and within hours you're in Lake Manyara National Park watching tree-climbing lions draped across acacia branches and flamingos turning the alkaline lake pink. The park sits at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment, and the drive from the airstrip takes you straight into it — no wasted time, no layover. By evening you're at a lodge in Karatu, a small town in the highlands where the air cools down and you can hear the wilderness around you instead of traffic.

Day two is the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that works like a natural amphitheater for wildlife. You descend into it after breakfast, and the crater floor spreads out below you — grassland, acacia woodland, a soda lake, and animals everywhere. Black rhinos, which are rare across East Africa, live here. So do elephants, lions, zebras, and wildebeest, all contained in this geological bowl that makes spotting them feel less like luck and more like a guarantee. You spend the full day driving through it, stopping for a picnic lunch, then climb back out to your lodge in the highlands as the light goes gold.

The final day takes you to Tarangire National Park, which most safari brochures skip in favor of the Serengeti, but it's where you'll see the largest elephant herds outside of migration season. The Tarangire River runs through it, and in the dry months every animal in the region comes to drink — giraffes, buffalo, warthogs, and birds you've never seen before. Ancient baobab trees dot the landscape, and the park feels less crowded than the other two. After a game drive and a picnic lunch, you head to the airport for your flight back to Zanzibar, arriving in the evening.

The whole thing is three days and two nights. You're moving each day, but the lodges are comfortable and the driving is the point — it's how you see animals. Flights from Zanzibar to Arusha and back are included, as are all the game drives, meals, and accommodation. You don't arrange transport between parks or negotiate entry fees; the operator handles it.

What’s included

• Round-trip flight from Zanzibar to Arusha.
• two nights accommodation in lodges or camps (one near Lake Manyara, one in the Ngorongoro Highlands).
• all game drives in Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park.
• all meals during the safari.
• park entry fees and taxes.
• picnic lunch on day three in Tarangire.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Safari Gateway Ltd

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Tanzania's three premier wildlife parks in one trip without arranging flights, lodges, or park logistics yourself — the fixed itinerary is what fits three distinct ecosystems and the Big Five into three days.

Top questions

What animals can I expect to see in Lake Manyara?

Tree-climbing lions, baboons, flamingos, and other waterfowl. The alkaline lake attracts large bird populations.

Is the Ngorongoro Crater a full day activity?

Yes. You descend into the crater after breakfast and spend the day exploring it before returning to your lodge in the highlands.

What is included in the price?

Round-trip flights from Zanzibar to Arusha, all accommodation, all game drives, meals, and park fees.

Can I bring an infant on this safari?

Yes, infants are permitted and can sit on an adult's lap during game drives.

What kind of lodges will I stay in?

You'll stay in lodges or camps in Karatu (near Lake Manyara) and in the Ngorongoro Highlands. Options include Marera Valley Lodge, Farm of Dreams Lodge, or Bougainvillea Safari Lodge.