In Short
A 3-day mid-range safari from Arusha to Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater. You sleep in comfortable lodges and tented camps. Park fees, meals and a private 4x4 with an English-speaking driver-guide are included, from $1,400 per person for two travellers.
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On This Page
Overview
This 3-day mid-range safari gives you comfortable lodges and tented camps, with private rooms and bathrooms, hot showers and meals in the dining room, and a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and an English-speaking driver-guide.
It covers Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, three very different landscapes in three days.
The price is per person and depends on the number of travellers. The more people share the vehicle, the lower the price for each person. Prices are for high season (June to October), and low season is usually cheaper.
- Ngorongoro Crater, home of the Big Five
- Tarangire National Park: baobab trees and large elephant herds
- Lake Manyara: tree-climbing lions and flamingos
- Park fees and the Ngorongoro Crater service fee included
- Private 4x4 with a pop-up roof and an English-speaking driver-guide
- Comfortable lodges and tented camps with private bathrooms
- Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
- Day 2: Lake Manyara National Park
- Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater and return to Arusha
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Pick-up in Arusha, then a drive of about two hours to Tarangire National Park. Spend the day on game drives among large elephant herds and giant baobab trees, with a picnic lunch in the park. Dinner and the night at Country Lodge Karatu, or similar.
Day 2: Lake Manyara National Park
A game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, known for its alkaline lake, pink flamingos and tree-climbing lions. Dinner and the night at Country Lodge Karatu, or similar.
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater and return to Arusha
Descend early into the Ngorongoro Crater, a volcanic caldera with a dense year-round population of wildlife, including lion, buffalo, elephant and black rhino. After a picnic lunch, drive to Arusha, about three and a half hours, for your drop-off.
Timings are a guide and flex with the season, road conditions and the wildlife.
Optional Add-Ons
Extras you can add to this safari. Prices are per person and indicative.
| Optional Add-On | Price |
|---|---|
| Maasai village visit | +$25 pp |
| Luxury lodge upgrade | On request |
| Extra night in Arusha before or after the safari | On request |
3-Days Mid-range Safari Price for 2027
Prices are per person for a private safari and depend on the number of travellers. Park fees and the Ngorongoro Crater service fee are included.
| Group size | 1 Person | 2 People | 3 to 4 people | 5 or more people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price Adult (USD) | $1,600 | $1,400 | $1,250 | $1,150 |
Indicative 2027 prices for high season (June to October). Low season (April, May and November) is usually cheaper, and the Christmas and New Year period costs more. Children pay lower park fees, so ask us for a family price. Park fees are reviewed every year, so we confirm the exact price when you book.
Want to Explore more: See the Tanzania Safari Costs.
Where You'll Stay
You sleep in comfortable lodges and tented camps, with private bathrooms and meals in the dining room. Properties are confirmed at booking and are subject to availability. - Country Lodge Karatu, or similar
What's included
- • Airport pick-up on arrival and drop-off after the safari
- • 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof
- • Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- • All national park and conservation area entry fees
- • Ngorongoro Crater service fee
- • Lodge and tented camp accommodation for 2 nights
- • Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- • Drinking water throughout the safari
- • Government taxes and VAT
What's excluded
- • International and domestic flights
- • Visa fees
- • Tanzania mandatory inbound travel insurance ($44)
- • Travel insurance
- • Tips and gratuities for the guide and lodge staff
- • Personal expenses and drinks
- • Optional activities and upgrades
What you'll see
Each park has its own wildlife, so a safari that links several parks gives you the widest variety.
| Animal | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| Lion | Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire. Likely. |
| African elephant | Tarangire, with large herds in the dry season. Also in the Crater. |
| Rhino | Ngorongoro Crater, the best place in Tanzania to see black rhino. Rare. |
| Cape buffalo | Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Manyara. Very likely. |
| Pink flamingos | Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, depending on the water level. |
Best time to visit Tanzania Safari
Short answer
The best overall time for a northern Tanzania safari is the dry season from June to October, when animals gather around the water and are easy to find. It is also the busiest and most expensive season, so book early. The green season, from November to May, is quieter and usually cheaper.
June to October: dry season
The clearest weather and the easiest game viewing, with Tarangire at its best for elephants. Camps and lodges fill early, so book several months ahead.
July to September: river crossings
The wildebeest migration is in the northern Serengeti and crosses the Mara River. This route does not include the Serengeti.
December to February: calving season
Large herds and newborn calves on the southern plains, with active predators. It is a good time for photography.
March to May: long rains
The wettest months, with fewer visitors and lower prices. The parks are green, and some roads are muddy.
November: short rains
Short showers and quiet parks, with good value and lush scenery.
Our advice
- Best game viewing: June to October
- Newborn animals and predators: January and February
- Lowest prices and fewest vehicles: April, May and November
- Tell us your dates and we will check where the herds are before you book
Good to know
- No safari can guarantee a sighting of any animal, but local expert guides give you the best chance.
- Dress in layers: early mornings in the Serengeti and on the crater rim are cold.
- Bring binoculars, a hat, sunscreen and a camera with a zoom lens.
- Tips for the guide and lodge staff are not included.
