Where do we sleep on this 3-day safari?

You sleep both nights at Eileen's Trees Inn in Karatu, close to Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater, so you do not need to repack every day.

What wildlife will we see on this safari?

Tarangire is known for elephants and baobabs, Lake Manyara for hippos, monkeys and birds, and Ngorongoro Crater for lion, hyena, buffalo and black rhino. Sightings are never guaranteed.

3-Day Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Safari

Q: Is 3 days enough for Tarangire, Manyara and Ngorongoro?

It is a short, drive-heavy safari but gives a good introduction to northern Tanzania's wildlife and landscapes. Longer itineraries with the Serengeti are available.

safari overview

Three parks, three very different landscapes, in just three days.

This short safari takes you through three of northern Tanzania’s best-loved wildlife areas. You start in Tarangire National Park, known for its big elephant herds and ancient baobab trees, then explore Lake Manyara National Park, with its groundwater forest, hippos and birdlife. On the last day you descend into Ngorongoro Crater, one of the best places in Africa to see black rhino and large lion prides. You travel in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and an experienced driver-guide, and you sleep both nights at the same comfortable lodge, Eileen’s Trees Inn in Karatu, so you only unpack once.

Trip Highlights

Three national parks in three days, with one lodge for both nights

Elephant herds and giant baobab trees in Tarangire

Lake Manyara’s forest, hippos, baboons and birdlife

Full game drive inside Ngorongoro Crater, home to the Big Five

Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for every guest

Experienced English-speaking driver-guide throughout

day-by-day itinerary

Where you go, what you see, and where you sleep each night.

You sleep both nights at Eileen’s Trees Inn in Karatu. Additional hotel nights in Arusha before or after the safari can be arranged for an extra cost.

Day1

Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Pick-up from ArushaDrive: about 2–2.5 hoursFull-day game drive

Your driver-guide collects you from your hotel in Arusha in the morning and drives you south to Tarangire National Park. After a short briefing and park registration, you start your game drive.

Tarangire is famous for its large herds of elephant and its huge baobab trees, and it is a good park for lion, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and many bird species. Along the Tarangire River you may see animals gathering to drink, especially in the dry season. You enjoy a picnic lunch in the park, then continue your game drive until late afternoon.

In the evening you drive to Karatu, about 1.5–2 hours from the park, and check in to Eileen’s Trees Inn for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Elephant herdsBaobab landscapesPicnic lunch in the park

Overnight — Night 1Eileen’s Trees Inn, KaratuComfortable lodge near Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro, with private rooms.

Lunch & Dinner Included

Day2

Lake Manyara National Park

Short drive from KaratuGame drive: about 4–5 hoursSame lodge tonight

After a relaxed breakfast at the lodge, you drive about 30–40 minutes to Lake Manyara National Park. The park is small but varied, with a lush groundwater forest, open grassland and the shallow soda lake along the Rift Valley escarpment.

You may see large troops of baboons and blue monkeys, elephant, giraffe, buffalo and hippos, and the lake often attracts many bird species, including flamingos at certain times of year. Manyara is also known for its tree-climbing lions, although they are not seen on every visit. You have a picnic lunch in the park and return to the lodge in the afternoon, with free time to relax before dinner.

Groundwater forestHippos & birdlifeRelaxed afternoon at the lodge

Overnight — Night 2Eileen’s Trees Inn, KaratuSame lodge as last night, so there is no repacking.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day3

Ngorongoro Crater — Return to Arusha

Early start after breakfastCrater game drive: about 5–6 hoursDrive to Arusha: about 3.5–4 hours

After an early breakfast you drive up to the rim of Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend about 600 m into the crater, a huge volcanic caldera with its own mix of habitats. Because the animals live here all year round, the crater is one of the best places in Tanzania to see lion, hyena, elephant, buffalo, hippo and, with luck, the rare black rhino.

You spend the morning on a game drive on the crater floor, with a picnic lunch by a hippo pool or lakeside. After lunch you climb back out of the crater, then begin the drive back to Arusha, about 3.5–4 hours away. You arrive in the early evening and your driver drops you at your hotel or at Kilimanjaro Airport by arrangement, and the safari ends.

Black rhino & lion pridesCrater floor game driveReturn to Arusha

OvernightNo accommodation — end of safariTransfer back to Arusha after the crater tour.

Breakfast & Lunch Included

what’s included

Exactly what’s covered — and what isn’t.

Included in your price

Experienced English-speaking driver-guide
Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and window seat for each guest
2 nights at Eileen’s Trees Inn, Karatu
Meals as listed in the day-by-day itinerary above
Drinking water during game drives
All park entry fees for Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater, plus the crater service fee
Arusha pick-up and drop-off

Not included

International or domestic flights
Travel & medical insurance (required)
Tanzania visa fees
Drinks other than water, personal snacks and souvenirs
Tips for your driver-guide and lodge staff
Additional accommodation before or after the safari

Important to know before booking

Extra hotel nights in Arusha before or after the safari can be arranged for an extra cost — ask us when booking.
This is a fast, drive-heavy itinerary, so it suits travelers who want to see several parks in a short time. If you prefer a slower pace, ask us about a longer safari.
Wildlife is wild, and sightings are never guaranteed. Your guide will do everything possible to find the animals you want to see.
A Tanzania e-Visa is required for most nationalities — apply at immigration.go.tz at least 3 weeks before travel.
A yellow fever certificate may be required depending on your transit country. See our Tanzania vaccinations guide for details.
Pack neutral-colored clothing, a warm layer for the cool crater morning, sunscreen, a hat, binoculars and a camera. Soft bags are easier to load than hard suitcases.

pricing

What you’ll pay — no hidden extras.

Option	Price per person	Notes
3-day Tarangire, Manyara & Ngorongoro safari 2 nights at Eileen’s Trees Inn, meals as listed	$1,240	Per person, based on group size

Payment & extras

A deposit confirms your booking, with the balance due before departure. Full terms are on our booking policy page.

Additional accommodation and upgrades can be arranged for an extra cost.

Ready to see Tarangire, Manyara and Ngorongoro?

Reach out and we’ll confirm availability for your dates and send you a full quote.

frequently asked questions

Questions we get asked most often.

Where does the safari start and end?

The safari starts with pick-up from your hotel in Arusha, or from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) by arrangement. It ends on Day 3 with a drop-off in Arusha or at the airport after the Ngorongoro Crater tour.

Where do we sleep on this safari?

You sleep both nights at Eileen’s Trees Inn in Karatu, which is close to Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. Staying at one lodge means you do not need to pack and unpack every day.

Is 3 days enough for three parks?

It is a short safari with a lot of driving, but it gives you a good introduction to northern Tanzania’s wildlife and landscapes. If you want more time for each park or want to include the Serengeti, ask us about a longer itinerary.

What wildlife will we see?

Tarangire is known for elephants and baobabs, Lake Manyara for hippos, monkeys, baboons and birds, and Ngorongoro Crater for lion, hyena, buffalo and black rhino. Sightings depend on the season and on luck, and your guide will help you find as much as possible.

Can I add extra nights before or after?

Yes. Additional accommodation in Arusha before or after the safari can be arranged for an extra cost — just let us know when booking.

Do I need a visa or vaccinations for Tanzania?

Most nationalities need a Tanzania e-Visa, available at immigration.go.tz. A yellow fever certificate may also be required depending on your transit country — check with your doctor or travel clinic before departure.

Can I combine this safari with a Kilimanjaro or Meru trek?

Yes. Many guests trek first and then relax on safari, or the other way around. Contact us and we will build a combined program.

What's your refund policy?

We recommend taking out travel insurance as soon as you confirm your booking. Full cancellation and payment terms are on our booking policy page.