Three parks, three very different ecosystems, in three unforgettable days. This safari begins in Tarangire National Park, known for the largest elephant herds in northern Tanzania and its ancient baobab trees. It continues to Lake Manyara National Park a compact, lush park famous for its tree-climbing lions, groundwater forest and lake shore alive with flamingos and waterbirds. It finishes at the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, home to one of Africa's densest concentrations of wildlife, including the rare black rhino.
It's a perfect first safari: a rich, varied taste of the Northern Circuit with comfortable mid-range lodging and minimal time on the road. New to the parks? Read our Tarangire guide and Ngorongoro Crater guide for first-timers.
You will be picked up from your Arusha hotel or airport and drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its huge elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. Enjoy a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch while searching for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and abundant birdlife.
In the late afternoon, transfer to your lodge for dinner, relaxation, and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Country Lodge Karatu (Full Board).
After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its diverse habitats, tree-climbing lions, and flamingo-lined shores. Explore the lush groundwater forest and the lakeshore while spotting elephants, giraffes, hippos, baboons, and over 400 bird species.
After a picnic lunch and afternoon game viewing, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Country Lodge Karatu (Full Board).
After an early breakfast, descend approximately 600 metres into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater for a full game drive. The crater offers one of Tanzania's best opportunities to spot the Big Five, including the rare black rhino, alongside lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and flamingos.
After a picnic lunch on the crater floor, ascend the crater rim and drive back to Arusha, where your safari ends.
You can enrich this safari with a guided walking safari or an authentic cultural experience. These extras are arranged on request; indicative prices are per person and confirmed on quotation.
| Add-on | What to expect | From (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Walking safari in Tarangire | A guided bush walk with an armed ranger — track wildlife on foot and discover the smaller details of the ecosystem you miss from a vehicle. | ~$35 |
| Maasai village visit | Visit a Maasai boma near Mto wa Mbu or Karatu to learn about traditional pastoralist life, dances and crafts, and support the local community. | ~$25 |
| Hadzabe cultural trip (Lake Eyasi) | An early-morning visit to the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers and Datoga people near Lake Eyasi one of East Africa's last hunter-gatherer cultures. | ~$60 |
You spend both nights at Country Lodge Karatu, a comfortable mid-range lodge in the town of Karatu, gateway to the Ngorongoro highlands and well placed for Lake Manyara and the crater.
The lodge offers en-suite rooms set in green gardens, hot water, full-board dining and a relaxing lounge a welcome base after each day's game drives. Prefer to upgrade to a crater-rim lodge such as Ngorongoro Serena or a luxury property? Just ask and we'll re-quote.
This safari runs year-round. The dry season (June–October) is the easiest time for wildlife viewing especially Tarangire's elephants while the green season (March–May) is lush, quiet and better value.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dry (best) | Jun–Oct | Elephants gather on the Tarangire River; clear crater viewing; busier, higher rates. |
| Short rains | Nov–Dec | Fresh green scenery, fewer vehicles. |
| Green (value) | Mar–May | Lush landscapes, best birding, lowest prices. |
Kai Tours & Safaris is a licensed Tanzanian operator based in Moshi, serving Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Our local guides know exactly when to reach each park and the crater floor to make the most of your time. We quote transparently with park and crater fees included, respond quickly on WhatsApp, and tailor every itinerary to your dates, group size and budget.
You can read genuine guest reviews on our Tripadvisor page .
Arusha is the base for safaris in northern Tanzania. If you need a night in Arusha before or after your safari, here are popular hotels on a bed-and-breakfast basis. Prices are per person, per night.
| Hotel (room type) | Single | Double sharing | Triple sharing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kutoka Lodge | $69 | $44 | $41 |
| Gold Crest Hotel | $106 | $59 | $52 |
| The African Tulip | $167 | $129 | $108 |
| Four Points by Sheraton, Arusha (Traditional queen) | $229 | $132 | — |
| Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge (Plantation room) | $417 | $282 | $214 |
This safari starts from Arusha. Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is the nearest international airport and Arusha Airport (ARK) is the nearest domestic airport. Transfer prices below are per vehicle.
| Transfer | Price (per vehicle) |
|---|---|
| Airport pick-up / drop-off (on the day of safari) | |
| Arusha Airport | No extra charge |
| Kilimanjaro Airport | $50 |
| Airport ↔ hotel transfers | |
| Arusha Airport ↔ Arusha hotel | $25 |
| Kilimanjaro Airport ↔ Arusha hotel | $50 |
| Intercity transfers | |
| Moshi ↔ Arusha | $100 |
| Nairobi ↔ Arusha | $275 |
Distances are approximate and the driving times below exclude game-drive hours. Expect a mix of smooth tarmac and rougher park tracks.
| Day | Route | Approx. Distance | Approx. Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arusha → Tarangire → Karatu | ~210 km | 4–5 hrs |
| Day 2 | Karatu → Lake Manyara → Karatu | ~120 km | 2–3 hrs |
| Day 3 | Karatu → Ngorongoro → Arusha | ~200 km | 4–5 hrs |
All meals are included on a full-board basis: breakfast at the lodge, a picnic or hot lunch in the parks, and dinner at Country Lodge Karatu. Bottled drinking water is provided throughout your game drives. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary needs are catered for with advance notice. Alcoholic and soft drinks are not included.
Tipping is customary in Tanzania and is not included in the price. As a guide, around US$20–30 per day for your driver-guide (per group) is typical, plus a small contribution to the staff tip box at the lodge. Tip in US-dollar cash, at your discretion, according to the service you receive.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, with blank pages for stamps. Most visitors need a tourist visa, best obtained as an e-visa via the official Tanzania immigration portal before travel; visa on arrival is also available at major airports. A standard tourist visa is about US$50 (US citizens are issued a US$100 multiple-entry visa).
No vaccine is mandatory unless you are arriving from, or transiting, a yellow-fever country — in which case a yellow-fever certificate is required. Malaria is present, so take antimalarial medication and use insect repellent. We recommend visiting a travel clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice, and carrying any personal medication in your hand luggage.
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended and should cover medical treatment, emergency evacuation and trip cancellation. Please carry proof of your policy with you on safari.
Pack light in a soft duffel bag and bring neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, beige, olive), layers for cool mornings and the chilly Ngorongoro rim, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera with spare batteries, comfortable closed shoes, any personal medication, and some US-dollar cash for tips and extras. A light rain jacket is useful in the green season.
This safari is family-friendly. A private vehicle is ideal for children, and game-drive timings can be relaxed to suit younger travellers. Child rates apply for park fees and most lodges, and family or adjoining rooms can be arranged on request — just let us know your children's ages when you enquire.
A deposit of 30% confirms your booking, with the balance due before your safari begins. Payment is accepted by bank transfer or card (card processing fees may apply). Cancellations are subject to tiered charges depending on how far in advance you cancel, and date changes are accommodated where possible, subject to availability. Full terms and conditions are shared at the time of booking.
Tell us your travel dates and group size and we'll confirm availability and send your exact quote usually within a few hours.
Developed By Francis Brian
