4 Days Tarangire, Manyara & Ngorongoro Safari

Overview

The best-value introduction to Tanzania's northern circuit. You start with the elephant herds and baobab-studded landscapes of Tarangire, continue to Lake Manyara's groundwater forest and hippo pools, and climb to the Ngorongoro highlands for a descent into the world's largest intact caldera. Distances are short, game viewing is superb, and the pace leaves time to enjoy each park. It is an ideal choice for first-time visitors, families and anyone who wants to add a safari to a Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro trip.

• Elephant herds and giant baobabs in Tarangire
• Groundwater forest, hippo pools and flamingos (in season) at Lake Manyara
• Half-day descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, with black rhino chances
• Short drives and a relaxed pace, ideal for families
• Private vehicle with pop-up roof and a window seat for everyone

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day1 Arusha to Tarangire National Park

   Meet your guide in Arusha after breakfast and drive about two hours to Tarangire. Enter the park for a picnic lunch overlooking the river, then enjoy an afternoon game drive among elephants, zebra, giraffe and buffalo beneath the baobabs.

   Stay: Mid-range lodge or tented camp near Tarangire Meals: Lunch, dinner

2. Day2 Tarangire to Lake Manyara and Karatu

   Start with an early morning game drive in Tarangire, then head to Lake Manyara (about 1.5 hours). After lunch, explore the groundwater forest, hippo pools and lake shore for baboons, blue monkeys, elephants and birdlife. Continue up the escarpment to the Karatu highlands for the night.

   Stay: Mid-range lodge in the Karatu highlands Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

3. Day3 Ngorongoro Crater

   Leave early for the crater rim and wind down the 600-metre descent to the crater floor. Spend the morning searching for lion, hippo, buffalo and black rhino, with a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool at Ngoitokitok Spring. Climb back to the rim in the afternoon and return to Karatu.

   Stay: Mid-range lodge in the Karatu highlands Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

4. Day4 Return to Arusha

   After breakfast, take an optional cultural walk or market visit at Mto wa Mbu village, then drive back to Arusha (about 3 hours), arriving in the early afternoon for your onward travel.

   Meals: Breakfast

Where you'll go

Ngorongoro Crater

Tarangire

Lake Manyara