Tarangire, Manyara & Ngorongoro Safari
Duration: 5 Days | Route: Arusha -> Arusha NP -> Tarangire -> Lake Manyara -> Ngorongoro -> Arusha
Itinerary Outline
- Day 1: Arusha to Arusha National Park with game drives and walking safari
- Day 2: Transfer to Tarangire National Park and full day game drive
- Day 3: Transfer to Lake Manyara National Park and full day safari
- Day 4: Drive to Ngorongoro region and leisure at lodge
- Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater safari and return to Arusha
Tour Overview
Northern Tanzania holds some of the most rewarding wildlife country in Africa. This 5-day safari covers four parks, each with its own character. Tarangire draws massive elephant herds to its river banks, with ancient baobab trees spread across the plains. Lake Manyara is compact but dense with wildlife, from tree-climbing lions to flamingo-lined shores. Ngorongoro crowns the trip, a collapsed volcanic crater with lions, rhinos, hippos, zebras and elephants living permanently on its floor.
The tour starts and ends in Arusha over five days. Day one covers Arusha National Park at the base of Mount Meru. Days two and three move through Tarangire and Lake Manyara with full game drives and packed lunches. Day four transfers you to the Ngorongoro rim for an overnight with crater views. Day five is a full morning and afternoon on the crater floor before the drive back to Arusha.
Highlights
- Game drives and walking safari in Arusha National Park with views of Mount Meru and forest wildlife
- Tarangire National Park with large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees
- Lake Manyara with forest habitat, birdlife and chance to spot tree climbing lions
- Scenic landscapes from forests and lakes to open savannah and crater highlands
- Ngorongoro Crater safari with high wildlife density in a compact area
- Chance to see the Big Five including black rhino inside the crater
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Arusha National Park with game drives and walking safari
Your guide picks you up from your hotel in Arusha between 8:00 and 8:30 AM and drives you to Arusha National Park. Located at the base of Mount Meru, the park offers a mix of forest, lakes and open areas.
Start with short game drives where you may see giraffes, buffalo and a variety of birds. The park is also known for black and white colobus monkeys. Later, enjoy a guided walking safari, which gives a closer look at the landscape and wildlife.
Return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Transfer to Tarangire National Park and full day game drive
After an early breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park with packed lunch. The journey takes around 2 to 3 hours.
Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds and baobab trees. The Tarangire River attracts wildlife throughout the year. During your game drive, you may see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras and antelope species like kudu and oryx.
Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park before continuing your safari. By evening, head to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Manyara National Park and full day safari
After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park with a packed lunch. The park is known for its forest setting and lake ecosystem.
During the game drive, look out for elephants, giraffes, baboons and blue monkeys. Lake Manyara is also known for tree climbing lions, though sightings depend on luck. In the right season, large flocks of flamingos gather along the lake.
Return to your lodge by evening for dinner and overnight stay. Optional activities like canoeing or night safari can be arranged at extra cost.
Day 4: Drive to Ngorongoro region and leisure at lodge
After breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro region. The journey is short, around 1.5 hours.
On arrival, check in at your lodge located near the crater rim. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape. This is a good time to rest before the next day’s early start.
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater safari and return to Arusha
Start early and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day game drive. The crater floor supports a high concentration of wildlife within a compact area.
You may see lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, hippos and good chances of spotting black rhino. Birdlife is also rich, especially around water areas. Enjoy a picnic lunch near the hippo pool.
Later, ascend the crater and drive back to Arusha. You will be dropped at your hotel or airport, marking the end of your safari.
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Places You Will Visit
Where You’ll Stay
Travel Information
Inclusion
- Accommodation in lodges and camps throughout the safari
- All meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Game drives in Arusha National Park, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater
- Walking safari in Arusha National Park with armed ranger
- Park entry fees and conservation charges
- Private safari vehicle with experienced driver guide
- Picnic lunches during full day safaris
- All transfers between parks and Arusha
- Airport or hotel pick up and drop in Arusha
- All applicable taxes and on ground support
Exclusion
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry and phone calls
- Tips and gratuities for lodge staff and guides
- Any optional activities not included in the itinerary
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions section
Customization options
Safari vehicle options (standard 4×4, private upgrades if relevant)
- Standard option includes a shared 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof.
- Private 4×4 vehicles can be arranged for exclusive use throughout the itinerary.
Lodge options (budget, mid-range, high-end)
- Accommodation can be arranged at budget camps, mid-range lodges, or high-end lodges in Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro region.
- Lodge selection depends on location, availability, and access to park gates.
Game drive flexibility (timings if applicable)
- Game drives generally start early morning and continue in the afternoon as per park regulations.
- Full-day game drives are included in Tarangire and Lake Manyara.
- Ngorongoro Crater safari is conducted as a full-day descent with a fixed entry and exit schedule.
Add-on experiences (based on itinerary)
- Canoeing can be added in Arusha National Park if conditions allow.
- Night game drives can be arranged near Lake Manyara National Park through external concessions.
- Additional cultural visits can be included in Arusha.
Flexibility in number of nights per location
- Additional nights can be added in Tarangire or Ngorongoro region to extend wildlife viewing time.
- An extra night in Arusha can be included at the beginning or end of the tour.
Flexible departure options
- Return to Arusha is included on the final day.
- Departure timing can be adjusted based on outbound flight schedules.
Cancellation Policy
- If cancellation requested before 120 days (or more) prior to departure, Full refund.
- If cancellation requested before 60 days (or more) prior to departure – 75% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 45 to 59 days prior to departure – 50% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 30 to 44 days prior to departure – 25% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 15 to 29 days prior to departure – 10% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested less than 15 days prior to departure, No Show – No Refund.
Additional Information
Best time to visit (based on regions in the itinerary)
- June to October is suitable for wildlife viewing in Arusha National Park, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater due to dry conditions and higher animal concentration.
- November to March offers good birdlife in Lake Manyara and greener landscapes across all parks.
- April and May are rainy months, which may affect road access, especially when transferring between parks.
Optional activities (relevant to locations in the outline)
- Walking safari is included in Arusha National Park and may vary based on ranger availability.
- Canoeing can be arranged in Arusha National Park if water levels permit.
- Night game drives may be available near Lake Manyara National Park through selected lodges outside the park.
- Short cultural visits can be arranged in Arusha at the start or end of the tour.
Who this tour suits (based on pace, parks, and travel type)
- This tour suits travelers looking for a short safari covering multiple ecosystems within a limited number of days.
- It is suitable for those interested in combining game drives with a guided walking safari.
- The itinerary includes daily transfers between parks, so it fits travelers comfortable with regular road travel and a fixed schedule.
