3 Day Taste of Tanzania Safari Ngorongoro Crater Lake Manyara
3 Days ยท 2 Parks ยท Pickup & Return Anywhere in Arusha

Taste of Tanzania Safari

The perfect introduction to Tanzania - descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, then discover Lake Manyara's tree-climbing lions and flamingo-lined shores. Option to substitute Tarangire National Park for Lake Manyara.

Arushaโ—Ngorongoro Craterโ—Lake Manyaraโ—Arusha
Enquire About This Safari
25,000+Animals inside the Ngorongoro Crater
256 kmยฒTotal area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Tree-ClimbingLions, a Lake Manyara speciality
500+Bird species recorded across the region
What's Cool About Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara

A colorful universe of dense wildlife, set apart from the rest of Africa

The Ngorongoro Crater is first up on our Tanzania journey. You'll head down the steep sides of this ancient formation in a 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep, settling into the expansive lush bowl of woods, plains and marshes, holding over 25,000 animals. This is a world unto itself, mainly cut off from the rest of the continent - here you'll find lion, cheetah, leopard, jackal, and all the large game: buffalo, elephant, rhino, even wild dogs. When our day tour of the great caldera is complete, we head back up the crater walls to one of Africa's best sunsets.

It's been called the prettiest little wildlife park in Africa. You'll be charmed by Lake Manyara's brilliant colors - acacia trees, flamingoes, the lake, and the towering drama of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Expect the unexpected here - like tree-climbing lions, for real. Ernest Hemingway once called it "the loveliest I had seen in Africa." Over at the alkaline lake, you're sure to be delighted by the broad collection of fuchsia flamingoes amassed on the shoreline.

Safari your way: if you'd prefer to visit Tarangire National Park instead of Lake Manyara on this tour - an often-overlooked park with few tourists but lots of elephants and its own small wildlife migration - just let us know when you send your inquiry below and we'll tailor the itinerary.

How this page works: as you pick a package tier, choose accommodation at each stop, and add optional experiences, your selections build a live Trip Summary near the bottom of the page - ready to send with your inquiry. Tap any hotel's photo or the eye icon for a closer look before you choose.

Day Program

Your day-by-day itinerary

Tap a day below for the full schedule, your accommodation for the night, and any optional add-ons.

Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater
Day 1

Arusha → Ngorongoro Conservation Area

3ยฝ Hour DriveMeals: Lunch, Dinner

7:30am: your Africa Kenya Safaris driver/guide will swing by your hotel or other place of your choosing to begin your Tanzania adventure. Hop into your 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep and we'll hit the road, moving into Maasai country - look for these traditional people in their colorful wraps, tending their cattle.

It won't be long before we arrive at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a great volcanic caldera sunk into a mighty expanse of land - 256 kmยฒ (101 sq. mi). At the crater's rim, we'll view the world's largest intact caldera with vistas of its blue/green expanse. Hold on tight as we descend the steep crater walls in our 4x4 Jeep, coming to rest in a world of acacia forest, marsh and massive grasslands - one of the densest areas of wildlife on the continent.

We'll spend the day looking for lions, leopards, wildebeest, zebra, elephants, buffalo, and even hippos and pink flamingoes. Toward late afternoon, we'll head back up the crater to be met by one of Africa's best sunsets. Then it's on to our Ngorongoro accommodation to relax, have dinner, and marvel at our first safari day's sightings.

Your Property ยท Night 1

Choose Your Ngorongoro Accommodation

๐Ÿ“ Ngorongoro Conservation Area / Karatu, Tanzania
โ—† Comfort Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge default Comfort tier
Currently Selected
Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge [dummy]

๐Ÿ“ On the edge of the Ngorongoro crater rim

Downgrade option: the widest tier at this location - nine Karatu-area lodges and camps a short drive from the crater gate.
โ— EconomyNgorongoro Wild Camp
Ngorongoro Wild Camp
South of the conservation area
-$55 vs. default
โ— EconomyNgorongoro Safari Lodge
Ngorongoro Safari Lodge
South of the conservation area
-$50 vs. default
โ— EconomyTloma Lodge
Tloma Lodge
Outskirts of Karatu, Ngorongoro Highlands
-$40 vs. default
โ— EconomyMarera Valley Lodge Karatu
Marera Valley Lodge Karatu
Midway between Manyara and Ngorongoro
-$45 vs. default
โ— EconomyOctagon Lodge Karatu
Octagon Lodge Karatu
Karatu, 20 min from Ngorongoro
-$45 vs. default
โ— EconomyCountry Lodge Karatu
Country Lodge Karatu
Midway between Manyara and Ngorongoro
-$50 vs. default
โ— EconomyBougainvillea Safari Lodge
Bougainvillea Safari Lodge
Midway between Manyara and Ngorongoro
-$42 vs. default
โ— EconomyNgorongoro Forest Lodge
Ngorongoro Forest Lodge
Karatu, Ngorongoro Highlands
-$38 vs. default
โ— EconomyPamoja Africa Lodge Karatu
Pamoja Africa Lodge Karatu
Midway between Manyara and Ngorongoro
-$45 vs. default

Full nine-property economy roster shown at Ngorongoro - the widest tier at this location.

โ—† ComfortHhando Coffee Lodge
Hhando Coffee Lodge
Karatu, Tanzania
Similar price to default
โ—† ComfortAngata Ngorongoro Tented Camp
Angata Ngorongoro Tented Camp
Inside the crater boundaries, Lemala Gate
+$25 vs. default
โ—† ComfortNgorongoro farmhouse
Ngorongoro Farmhouse
4km from the Lolduare entrance
-$5 vs. default
โ—† ComfortNgorongoro Coffee Lodge
Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge
Between Rhotia and Karatu
Similar price to default
โ—† ComfortNgorongoro Rhino Lodge
Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge (default)
On the edge of the crater rim
Included in base price

Full five-property comfort roster shown at Ngorongoro.

Same-brand upgrade: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge sits right on the crater rim.
โ˜… LuxuryNgorongoro Serena Lodge
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Rim of the Ngorongoro Crater
+$220 vs. default
โ˜… LuxuryNgorongoro farmhouse Suite
Ngorongoro Farmhouse Suite
4km from the Lolduare entrance
+$170 vs. default
โ˜… LuxuryNgorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge
Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge
Oldeani, 9km from Ngorongoro Gate
+$180 vs. default
โ˜… LuxuryKitela Camp
Kitela Camp
Karatu, Ngorongoro Highlands
+$195 vs. default
โ˜… LuxuryAcacia Farm Lodge
Acacia Farm Lodge
Karatu, central to all four parks
+$160 vs. default
โ˜… LuxuryThe Retreat at Ngorongoro
The Retreat at Ngorongoro
Karatu, Tloma area
+$240 vs. default

Full six-property luxury roster shown at Ngorongoro. Accommodations marked with a * attract a supplement - your tour consultant will advise on the value.

No optional add-ons for this leg - a full day inside the crater is included.
Ngorongoro to Lake Manyara tree-climbing lions
Day 2

Ngorongoro → Lake Manyara Park

Short DriveMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

If we get up early we can make it back to the crater's rim for a glorious Ngorongoro sunrise! Lake Manyara Park is not far off, and you'll be met with the reserve's arresting colors - the green of its acacia forests, the blue of the lake, and the exotic pinks of its thousands of flamingoes.

And you won't be alone in your admiration for this little gem of a reserve - Ernest Hemingway called it "the loveliest I had seen in Africa." You'll find all manner of wildlife in the park like warthogs, giraffes, elephants, and if you're lucky, up in the acacia trees, Lake Manyara's famous tree-climbing lions, resting on a branch. We'll spend our second safari night at our Lake Manyara lodge or tented camp.

Your Property ยท Night 2

Choose Your Lake Manyara Accommodation

๐Ÿ“ Mto wa Mbu / Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania
โ—† Comfort Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge default Comfort tier
Currently Selected
Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge [dummy]

๐Ÿ“ Mto wa Mbu, Lake Manyara National Park

Downgrade option: both economy properties sit right at Mto wa Mbu, near the park gate.
โ— EconomyTwiga Lodge and Campsite
Twiga Lodge & Campsite
Close to the park entrance gate
-$45 vs. default
โ— EconomyNsya Lodge and Camp
Nsya Lodge & Camp
5 min from Lake Manyara
-$40 vs. default

This is the full economy roster at Lake Manyara in our system - both properties.

โ—† ComfortLake Manyara Wildlife Lodge
Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge (default)
Mto wa Mbu, Lake Manyara National Park
Included in base price
โ—† ComfortKirurumu Tented Lodge
Kirurumu Tented Lodge
3km from Mto wa Mbu
+$15 vs. default

This is the full comfort roster at Lake Manyara in our system - both properties.

Same-brand upgrade: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge sits above the park on the Rift Valley escarpment.
โ˜… LuxuryLake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
Mto wa Mbu Escarpment
+$175 vs. default
โ˜… LuxuryEscarpment Luxury Lodge
Escarpment Luxury Lodge
Just outside Lake Manyara National Park
+$190 vs. default

This is the full luxury roster at Lake Manyara in our system - both properties. Superior Luxury options available on request. Accommodations marked with a * attract a supplement - your tour consultant will advise on the value.

No optional add-ons for this leg.
Lake Manyara to Arusha departure
Day 3

Lake Manyara → Arusha

2 Hour DriveMeals: Breakfast, Lunch

The park is extra lovely early in the morning with the sun's first rays upon the forest and the lake. Enjoy this peaceful time and then it's off to breakfast. One more game drive around the park for perhaps a final glance at a tree-climbing lion, and then it's time to head to Arusha.

During our trip back, we'll pause for lunch and soak up the safari ambiance all about us. We'll have you back at your hotel, residence, or airport in the afternoon. You're now official safari-goers with the stories to prove it. We hope this taste of Tanzania is just the first of your safari adventures. Thank you for your desire to explore our wonderful natural world - hope to see you soon!

Departure day - no accommodation booked for tonight unless you're extending your stay.
Your Tour Includes

Everything handled, nothing hidden

Transport in a 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep, pickup and drop-off at your Arusha location, our experienced and friendly English-speaking/other-language guide-driver, bottled drinking water, park entrance fees, game viewing drives, all meals on safari, government taxes and local levies, and the Flying Doctors emergency medical evacuation/rescue insurance cover.

Not included: bottled/soft drinks beyond water, items of a personal nature, and tips.

Request a Tailored Quote
4x4 safari jeep Ngorongoro Crater 3-day Tanzania safari
Sample Pricing

Per person, sharing a double/twin en-suite room

All safari prices are listed by season, number of persons and comfort tier. Pick a package tier below to add its price to your Trip Summary.

Group SizeEconomyComfortLuxury
1 person (solo)$1,690$2,040$2,120
2-3 persons$1,130$1,360$1,410
4-5 persons$830$1,060$1,120
6-7 persons$740$970$1,020
Single Room Supplement$120$125$205

High season: March, November โ€“ December 19th.

Group SizeEconomyComfortLuxury
1 person (solo)$1,760$2,070$2,200
2-3 persons$1,170$1,380$1,470
4-5 persons$870$1,080$1,180
6-7 persons$770$980$1,080
Single Room Supplement$130$150$275

Peak season: Jan, Feb, Juneโ€“Oct, and Dec 20thโ€“31st. A Christmas/New Year/Easter surcharge of $30-50pp/night applies on select dates - ask your consultant.

Group SizeEconomyComfortLuxury
1 person (solo)$1,700$2,040$2,120
2-3 persons$1,080$1,180$1,230
4-5 persons$780$890$930
6-7 persons$690$790$830

Low season: April โ€“ May.

Children under 3: free. Children 3-11: 75% of adult rate. Group discounts: price per person for 3 persons is 6% less than the 2-person rate; for 5 persons, 3% less than the 4-person rate. Solo travellers: add 50% to the 2-person per-person price (add $480 in Low Season). Accommodations marked with a * attract a supplement - your tour consultant will advise on the value.

Your Trip Summary

Updates automatically as you pick a package tier and choose accommodation above.
Select a package tier above to set your base trip price.

Send Your Inquiry

Your Trip Summary above is included automatically - just fill in your details and submit. Mention here if you'd like Tarangire instead of Lake Manyara.
Select a package tier above to build your trip summary.
โœ“ Your inquiry is ready. Your email app should have opened with everything pre-filled and addressed to info@africakenyasafaris.com - just hit send there. If it didn't open, copy the summary above and email it to us directly, or call/WhatsApp +254 712 683 442.