3-Day Tarangire, Manyara & Ngorongoro
Safari in national parks: Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park
This 3-day Tanzania safari takes you through three of the Northern Circuit’s most diverse and rewarding destinations—Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and the world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater. From giant elephant herds and ancient baobab trees to lush groundwater forests and flamingo-lined lakes, this itinerary offers a rich variety of landscapes and wildlife in a short time.
Perfect for travelers seeking a well-rounded safari experience, this journey maximizes game viewing opportunities while keeping travel distances comfortable. You’ll enjoy incredible chances to spot the Big Five, along with unique species like tree-climbing lions and thousands of bird species, all while experiencing the beauty of Tanzania’s most iconic parks.
Trip Highlights
- Large elephant herds in Tarangire National Park
- Tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara National Park
- Explore the Ngorongoro Crater (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Excellent chances to spot the Big Five
- Diverse landscapes: savannah, forest, and soda lake
- Scenic Great Rift Valley views
Trip Features
- Start Date: Can start any day
- Duration: 3 Days
- Comfort: Can be optimized
- Tour Type: Private Tour
- Tour Plan: Customizable Itinerary
- Transport: Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Airport: Kilimanjaro Int. Airport
Detailed Itinerary
Your safari begins with a morning pickup from Arusha or Moshi, followed by a drive to Tarangire National Park. This park is famous for its massive elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and seasonal swamps that attract a wide variety of wildlife.
Enjoy a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch inside the park. Expect to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and predators such as lions. In the late afternoon, you’ll head to Karatu for dinner and overnight at your lodge.
- Accommodation: Budget, Midrange or Luxury in karatu
- Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, depart for Lake Manyara National Park, a small but incredibly scenic park located at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The park is known for its lush forest, diverse birdlife, and famous tree-climbing lions.
Enjoy a game drive through the park, where you may spot elephants, hippos, flamingos, and troops of baboons. After a picnic lunch, continue exploring before returning to Karatu for dinner and overnight.
- Accommodation: Budget, Midrange or Luxury in Serengeti
- Meal Plan: Break Fast, Lunch and Dinner
After an early breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive. This natural wonder is home to one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, including lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, and leopards.
Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor surrounded by breathtaking scenery. After your game drive, ascend the crater and return to Arusha or Moshi, arriving in the late afternoon.
- Accommodation: N/A
- Meal Plan: Dinner
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- All park fees and Ngorongoro Crater service fees
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- All meals as per itinerary
- Accommodation in Karatu (2 nights)
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- Pickup and drop-off in Arusha or Moshi
Not Included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guide and lodge staff
- Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, etc.)
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary