Tanzania
3 Days Tanzania Big 5 Safari: Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Group Joining
Starts in Arusha · Ends in Arusha
At a glance
Overview
Three parks with three very different characters: the elephant country of Tarangire, the forest and soda lake of Lake Manyara, and the wildlife-packed floor of Ngorongoro Crater — the best place in northern Tanzania to look for all of the Big Five. Sightings are never guaranteed, but this route gives you excellent chances.
- Duration
- 3 Days
- Country
- Tanzania
- Start / end
- Arusha to Arusha
- Places visited
- Arusha · Tarangire · Karatu · Lake Manyara · Ngorongoro Crater
- Best time
- All year
- Price
- On request
Key inclusions
- Shared 4x4 safari vehicle
- Professional driver-guide
- Full board on safari
Places you'll visit
Route
- Arusha
- Road Tarangire
- Road Karatu
- Road Lake Manyara
- Road Karatu
- Road Ngorongoro Crater
- Road Arusha
Day by day
Day-by-day itinerary
-
Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire – Karatu
Morning pick-up in Arusha and drive to Tarangire National Park for a game drive among baobabs, elephants, giraffes and buffalo, with a picnic lunch in the park. Continue to the Karatu area in the late afternoon.
Overnight
Overnight at a mid-range lodge in the Karatu area.
Meals
Lunch Dinner
-
Day 2: Lake Manyara – Karatu
Spend the day in Lake Manyara National Park, below the Rift Valley wall. The road winds through groundwater forest busy with baboons and monkeys into open woodland and the lake shore, where flamingos and other water birds gather when the water levels suit them. The park’s lions are known for sometimes resting in trees.
Return to Karatu in the afternoon.
Overnight
Overnight at a mid-range lodge in the Karatu area.
Meals
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
-
Day 3: Ngorongoro – Arusha
Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive. The crater is home to lions, buffalo, elephants, hyenas and one of the last black rhino populations in the region. After a picnic lunch you drive back to Arusha.
Meals
Breakfast Lunch
End of the safari.
Where you stay
Accommodation
Good to know
What's included
What's included
- Park entrance and conservation fees for every park in the itinerary
- Shared 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof (joining group — you travel with other guests)
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide
- Accommodation as listed in the day-by-day plan
- Meals as listed in the day-by-day plan (full board while on safari)
- Drinking (mineral) water in the vehicle during game drives
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Arusha hotel
What's not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities for your guide and lodge staff
- Drinks other than drinking water in the vehicle
- Personal items such as laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary (for example a hot-air balloon flight)
Photos
Gallery
Questions
Frequently asked questions
When can I do this safari?
We run this itinerary all year round. Tell us your preferred travel dates and we will plan the safari around them.
How much does this safari cost?
Prices are on request. Your quotation depends on your travel dates, group size and choice of accommodation — send us an enquiry and we will prepare a free quote for you.
Can I customise this itinerary?
Yes. Our safaris are tailor-made — we can adjust the number of days, the lodges and the activities to suit you. Tell us what you would like to change when you enquire.
What's included in this safari?
Highlights of the inclusions: shared 4x4 safari vehicle, professional driver-guide, full board on safari. The full lists of what is and is not included are in the "What's included" section above.
What is a joining (group) safari?
You share the safari vehicle and guide with other travellers on the same itinerary, which keeps the cost down. Everyone has a window seat and access to the pop-up roof. If you would rather travel only with your own party, ask us for the private version.
Will I see all of the Big Five?
Nobody can promise it — these are wild animals. Lion, elephant and buffalo are seen on most trips; black rhino are most likely in Ngorongoro Crater and leopards are the hardest to find.
How do I book?
Send us an enquiry. We will contact you to discuss your plans, then send your quotation. Once you are happy with it, you confirm the booking with a deposit and your safari is confirmed.
Read before you go
Destination guides
Tailor-made
Customise this safari
Change the days, the lodges or the activities — we will tailor this itinerary to you.
Simple booking
How booking works
- 1 Enquire Send your dates and group size
- 2 Consultation We discuss your plans with you
- 3 Quotation You receive your tailored quote
- 4 Deposit Confirm with a deposit
- 5 Confirmed Your safari is booked
Get a free quote
Tell us your dates and group — no obligation. We reply within 24 hours.
Prefer to chat? Fill in your dates and group above and we’ll include them.
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