Four parks, four days out from Arusha
Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara or Arusha National Park - each a full day, with lunch and a private 4x4 included.
A central base, close to Kilimanjaro Airport
Arusha sits within easy reach of four distinct parks, each offering a different day out - volcanic crater, elephant plains, tree-climbing lions, or Mount Meru's forested slopes.
Fly in, choose your park, and we'll have you on the road early, Mount Meru rising behind you as the day begins.
Request a Tanzania day safari
The world's largest intact volcanic caldera
Descend into a self-contained ecosystem of grassland, forest and marsh, holding over 25,000 animals - lion, elephant, buffalo, zebra, hippo and flamingo among them.
Your 4x4 takes you right down onto the crater floor - a world that feels cut off from the rest of Africa.
Home to Africa's famous tree-climbing lions
A compact park with big rewards - baboon troops, blue monkeys, giraffe and, if you look up into the acacia branches, Manyara's tree-climbing lions.
The alkaline lake itself draws flamingos and other water birds to its shores in large numbers.
3,000+ elephants, and its own mini-migration
Fewer tourists, more wildlife - Tarangire holds one of Tanzania's highest animal concentrations, including over 700 lions and a seasonal migration of 250,000 zebra, wildebeest and giraffe.
Dramatic baobab trees and giant termite mounds give the landscape a character unlike anywhere else on this list.
Choose your park
Extend into a 3-6 day Tanzania safari
Combine these parks with the Serengeti for a longer trip departing from Arusha.
Tanzania day safaris - your questions answered
Which parks can I visit on a day trip from Arusha?
Arusha National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire - each offered as a full-day safari with lunch and a private 4x4.
What's included in a day safari?
Lunch and your own private 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep are included on every day safari from Arusha, along with an experienced driver-guide.
Can I see tree-climbing lions?
Yes - Lake Manyara National Park is known for this rare, adaptable lion behaviour, alongside baboon troops, blue monkeys and flamingo-lined shores.
How far is Ngorongoro Crater from Arusha?
It's a scenic drive of a few hours, done as a full-day round trip descending into the crater floor - the world's largest intact volcanic caldera.
Can I extend a day safari into a longer trip?
Yes - 3 to 6 day itineraries combine these parks with the Serengeti, giving you more time in each and the chance to reach Tanzania's most famous reserve.
Which park has the most elephants?
Tarangire - over 3,000 elephants and one of Tanzania's highest overall wildlife concentrations, plus a seasonal migration of 250,000 other animals.