This is a gentle, easy safari, and that is the point of it. You fly from Zanzibar to Arusha, then visit three parks that sit close together: Tarangire for its elephants, Lake Manyara for its forest and birds, and the Ngorongoro Crater for the Big Five. Because these parks are near each other, the drives are short, so you spend your time watching animals, not sitting on rough roads. Three days, two nights, private, and you finish back on the beach in Zanzibar.
Private mid-range safari
Flights & crater fee included. Typically $1,079–$3,575 pp depending on group size and season.
Get a price
Elephants in Tarangire
Wildlife on the Ngorongoro Crater floor
On This Page
Why This Safari Is a Good Choice from Zanzibar
A lot of people on Zanzibar want to see the wildlife but do not want to spend two days on the road getting to the Serengeti and back. This trip solves that. The three parks here, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, all sit within an hour or two of each other near Arusha, so once you land, the driving is short and easy. You still see a huge amount, elephants, lions, hippos, flamingos and, in the crater, the Big Five, but at a relaxed pace that leaves you fresh for the beach afterward.
It suits couples, families and first-time visitors who have a few spare days in a Zanzibar holiday. If you are set on the Serengeti instead, see our 3-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro fly-in, and for all the options in one place, our safari from Zanzibar page.
Day by Day
Zanzibar to Arusha, then Tarangire
You fly from Zanzibar to Arusha in the morning, about one and a half hours, and your guide meets you at the airport. From there you drive to Tarangire National Park, around two hours, and start your first game drive. Tarangire is elephant country, with big herds moving among old baobab trees, and you often see lion, giraffe and zebra too. You have a picnic lunch in the park. In the late afternoon you drive to your lodge in the Karatu area for dinner and your first night.
Meals: lunch and dinner. Stay: mid-range lodge, Karatu area. Flight: Zanzibar to Arusha.
Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast you head to Lake Manyara, a small, pretty park with a green forest that opens onto a lake. It is a gentle place: you may see hippo, troops of baboon, plenty of birds and, when the water level is right, flamingos along the shore. Manyara is also known for its tree-climbing lions. You take a picnic lunch, and because the park is compact, you have a relaxed afternoon back at the lodge to rest before the big day in the crater tomorrow.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Stay: mid-range lodge, Karatu area.
Ngorongoro Crater, then Back to Zanzibar
This is the highlight. Early in the morning you drive up to the Ngorongoro Crater and descend to the floor, dropping around 600 metres into a huge, green bowl full of animals. In a small area you have a strong chance of the Big Five, including the rare black rhino, along with lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo and flamingos. You have a picnic lunch on the crater floor. In the afternoon you drive back up and on to Arusha, where you catch your evening flight to Zanzibar.
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Crater fee included. Flight: Arusha to Zanzibar. End of safari.
Distances and Drive Times
The short drives are the best part of this route. These are rough guides and do not count the game-drive hours.
| Day | Route | Approx. Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fly to Arusha, then drive to Tarangire | ~1.5 hr flight + ~2 hr drive |
| Day 2 | Lodge to Lake Manyara and back | ~1 hr each way |
| Day 3 | Lodge to crater, then to Arusha for the flight | ~30 min to crater, ~3 hr to Arusha |
Included
- Return flights, Zanzibar to Arusha and back
- All park and conservation fees
- Ngorongoro crater fee
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking guide
- 2 nights in a mid-range lodge, full board
- All meals on safari and drinking water
- Airport transfers in Arusha
Not Included
- International flights and Tanzania visa
- Zanzibar hotel nights (we can arrange these)
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips for your guide
- Drinks and personal spending
- Optional extras (Maasai village, Olduvai Gorge)
Where You Will Stay
You spend both nights at a comfortable mid-range lodge in the Karatu area, which sits between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. It is a good base, close enough for an early start into the crater on the last morning. The lodges have proper rooms with en-suite bathrooms, hot water and full meals. If you would like a luxury lodge, or a night right on the crater rim with a view, we can arrange that and give you a new price. To understand the different kinds of places to stay, see our guide to lodges and tented camps.
Best Time to Go
This safari runs all year, so you can fit it around your Zanzibar dates.
| Season | Months | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dry (best for game) | Jun to Oct | Easy game viewing, big elephant herds in Tarangire, dusty and busier |
| Short rains | Nov to Dec | Green and fresh, fewer people |
| Green (value) | Mar to May | Lush, quiet, cheaper, some rain |
The crater sits high and gets cold in the morning, so bring a warm layer. For more on timing, see our best time to go guide, and for honest, practical tips before you travel, read what to know before you go.
Ready to Add This Safari to Your Zanzibar Trip?
Tell us your dates and how many of you there are, and we will confirm the flights and lodge and send you a clear, itemised price, usually within a few hours.
Get a price on WhatsApp Email usOther Safaris from Zanzibar
Common Questions
Plans short fly-in safaris from Zanzibar every week, and likes this one because the short drives leave you time to enjoy the animals and the beach.
