3 days Lake Manyara, Tarangire and Ngorongoro crater experience
This 5 day Lake Manyara, Tarangire and NGorongoro crater will take you through 3 magnificent destinations of Tanzania northern circuit for those with limited time to visit Tanzania. These 3 parks which are located in close proximity with one another have got a lot to offer making them a dream safari destination for whoever planning to visit Tanzania for their dream safari experience. The safari will start and end in Arusha which is known to be the safari capital of Tanzania due to its close proximity to various parks that makes up the Northern circuit. For an extended safari experience, you can opt to add on Serengeti to have a greater adventure within all these parks.Brief Itinerary
Day 1 – Arusha to Lake Manyara. Game drives at Lake Manyara
Day 2 – Transfer to Ngorongoro for Crater Tour (5 hours)
Day 3 – Tarangire game drives and afternoon transfer to Arusha
Our suggested Accommodation
Option E1: Value Accommodations
- Stay at Omega View Hotel, Karatu
Option E2: Classic Accomodations
- Stay at Eileen’s Trees Inn – Standard, Karatu
Option E3: Comfort Accomodations
- Stay at Karatu Simba Lodge, Karatu
Option E4: Superior Accomodations
- Stay at Acacia Farm Lodge, Karatu
Option E5: Luxury Accomodations
- Stay at Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge, Karatu
Option E6: Signature Accomodations
- Stay at Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge, Karatu
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Arusha to Lake Manyara
For a full-day game drive, pick up at your Arusha hotel at 8:30 AM and head to Lake Manyara National Park with a picnic lunch. The thick Acacia and Mahogany tree woods that greet you as you enter the national park start to create the ideal atmosphere for what lies ahead. With a brief stop for a picnic lunch, the game drive will continue until the evening. Keep an eye out for buffaloes, giraffes, impalas, baboons, and blue monkeys while on the game drive. The tree-climbing lions are another sight to behold in Lake Manyara National Park, but it takes luck to spot them. Millions of flamingos descend to the shoreline, turning it pink during the right season. You will return to your camp or lodge after the wildlife drive, where a delectable dinner is waiting for you.
Day 2 – Ngorongoro Crater Tour (5 hours)
Have an early breakfast and then head down to the crater bottom for a five-hour game drive. Lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes, and numerous birds are all likely to be sighted. Eagles, vultures, flamingos at Crater Lake, storks, bats, sacred ibis, kori bustards, blacksmith plover, long-necked herons, and cattle eagles are among the birds that may be observed here. You will start a tough climb to the top exit of the crater after having a picnic at the lovely Hippo pool. The day will conclude with a two-hour drive to your lodging in Karatu. At your preferred lodging, a freshly prepared, delectable dinner is kept ready for you. You’ll be exhausted from all these safari days, so getting enough sleep is crucial. The final portion of your safari will start the following day.
Day 3 – Tarangire to Arusha
After a delicious breakfast, your safari’s last day will start as normal at 8:00 AM. You will have a half-day game drive at Tarangire National Park, which is the objective for today’s trip from Arusha. The magnificent baobab trees that dot the landscape and dwarf the animals that feed underneath them are the hallmark of Tanzania’s third-largest national park. This park, which is known for having some of Africa’s greatest elephant populations, is centered around the Tarangire River. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, smaller kudus, buffalo, oryxes, eland, giraffes, and zebras can all be seen here. You will split up by the middle of the afternoon and travel to Arusha, where you will be dropped off at your desired destination by around six o’clock in evening. This is the moment to say goodbye to your team after an amazing adventure and many treasured memories.
Pre & Post Tour Hotels
Arusha is the base for safari tours in North Tanzania. If you need accommodation in Arusha before/after your safari tour you can check some popular hotel prices on bed and breakfast basis below (Prices are per person).
Single room:
- Kutoka Lodge – USD 69
- Gold Crest Hotel – USD 106
- The African Tulip – USD 167
- Four Points by Sheraton, Arusha – Traditional queen room – USD 229
- Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge – Plantation room – USD 417
Double sharing room:
- Kutoka Lodge – USD 44
- Gold Crest Hotel – USD 59
- The African Tulip – USD 129
- Four Points by Sheraton, Arusha – Traditional queen room – USD 132
- Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge – Plantation room – USD 282
Triple sharing room:
- Kutoka Lodge – USD 41
- Gold Crest Hotel – USD 52
- The African Tulip – USD 108
- Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge – Plantation room – USD 214
All of the above prices are on per person per night on bed and breakfast basis.
Inclusions
Daily game drives while on Safari.
A professional English speaking driver/ guide.
Meals as per itinerary.
Drinking water while on safari (2 litres per person per day).
Concession/ Camping Fees.
4×4 Land Cruiser.
All Taxes and VAT.
Park Fees (for Non-Residents).
Exclusions
Airport Transfers (Unless mentioned otherwise).
Government imposed increase of Taxes and or Park Fees.
Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour (Unless mentioned otherwise).
Tips (Tipping guidelines).
Personal Items (Souvenirs, Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, etc.).
International flights.

