3-day safari to Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara

Four thousand elephants, a crater full of wildlife, and tree-climbing lions in three parks

A 3-day safari from Arusha through northern Tanzania's three flagship parks: Tarangire National Park (home to the largest elephant herds in the region), Ngorongoro Conservation Area with its caldera wildlife, and Lake Manyara with its tree-climbing lions and thousands of flamingos. Game drives in a 4WD Land Cruiser with an open roof, lodge accommodation, meals, park fees and a professional guide in English, French or German are included. Children from age 5 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

• Pick up from hotel in Arusha
• Drive to Tarangire National Park
• Game drive with open roof jeep
• Lunch at picnic site
• Afternoon game drive in park
• Drive to accommodation inside park

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater Safari

• Breakfast at accommodation
• Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Stop at gate for explanation and photos
• Stop at viewpoint for information and photos
• Drive down into Ngorongoro Crater
• Game drive inside crater
• Picnic lunch inside crater
• Drive back to accommodation

Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park Safari

• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive to Lake Manyara National Park
• Explore park and wildlife viewing
• Visit hot spring in park
• Drive back to Arusha

The experience

The safari opens at Tarangire National Park, where the morning drive from Arusha takes you into tree savanna and seasonal marshes that hold over 4,000 elephants: the largest concentration in northern Tanzania. The open-roof Land Cruiser lets you photograph and spot giraffes, buffalo, lions, zebras and different antelopes as the guide navigates the park. A picnic lunch breaks the afternoon drive, and you sleep inside the park so the evening and next morning are yours to explore without rushing back to town.

Day two moves to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where the guide explains the landscape before you descend into the world's largest caldera. Inside the crater, black rhinos, Grant's and Thomson's gazelles, lions and leopards share the floor with elephants and mountain reedbucks in the forest slopes. Over 500 bird species inhabit the area, and you may see spotted hyenas and rare wild dogs. After a game drive and picnic lunch, you climb back out in the afternoon and return to your lodge.

The final day takes you to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions and the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment that forms its western edge. The shallow, alkaline lake floods and dries with the seasons, drawing thousands of flamingos during the rains. The park's vegetation shifts from savannah to evergreen forest, and you'll encounter giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo and elephants. A hot spring fed by volcanic activity flows into the lake's edge. A stop the guide includes before the afternoon return to Arusha.

What’s included

• Transport in a 4WD Land Cruiser with open photographic roof hatch.
• all three national park and conservation area entry fees.
• lodge accommodation for two nights.
• dinner and picnic lunches during the drives.
• professional safari guide in English, French or German.
• hotel pickup from Arusha.

Information

Lasts 3d, runs every day, 4 start times, from US$ 1,200 per person, with a live guide in English, French and German, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:30, 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate11 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish, French and GermanOther languages ›

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 35 pickup points.

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (36 to 45 years) · Senior (46 to 80 years) · Youth (16 to 35 years) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

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 with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Dancing Simba Safaris

Is this one for you?If your guide speaks English, French or German, you'll follow the commentary throughout the drives without translation delays. The guide explains what you're seeing and why animals move the way they do as it happens. This matters most if you want to understand the landscape and behavior, not just photograph animals passing the window.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★Exceptional16 verified traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 35 years); Child (5 to 15 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

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

The big five (lions, leopards, black rhinos, elephants and buffalo) appear across the three parks, along with giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, antelopes, gazelles, hyenas, wild dogs and over 500 bird species including thousands of flamingos at Lake Manyara during the rains. Tarangire holds the largest elephant herds in the region, and Lake Manyara is known for lions that climb trees.

How much time do I spend actually driving and looking for wildlife each day?

Each day includes a full game drive in the open-roof 4WD, starting after breakfast and continuing through the afternoon with a midday picnic lunch break. You're in the vehicle and actively searching for wildlife for most of the daylight hours. The pace is set by what the guide spots and where animals are moving.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to arrange separately?

The safari includes transport in a 4WD Land Cruiser, all three park entry fees, lodge accommodation, dinner and meals during the drives, and a professional guide. You do not arrange transport, park access or accommodation. The operator handles all of it. Personal items, travel insurance, visa fees, laundry and tips for the driver are not included.

Where do I sleep, and is the accommodation comfortable?

You stay at Ngare Lodge or a similar property inside or near the parks for two nights, with dinner included. The lodges are mid-range accommodations positioned to keep you in the parks so you can drive early and late without traveling far.

Is this safari physically demanding, and who can do it?

The safari is suitable for all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health due to the rough terrain and long hours in the vehicle. The 4WD absorbs some impact, but game drives on unpaved park roads involve continuous motion.