Safari
Arusha, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Arusha
your journey
Three days is enough to see three very different parks if you base yourself well. This short lodge safari keeps you at one lodge above Lake Manyara for both nights, so you unpack once and travel light each day.
You start with a game drive in Lake Manyara, where woodland and grassy floodplain run down to an alkaline lake full of birds. The second day is spent on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, about 610 metres below the rim, looking for lion, buffalo and, with luck, black rhino. On the last day you drive to Tarangire, the park of baobabs and big elephant herds, before returning to Arusha in the late afternoon or evening.
You travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide who gives you a short briefing on the first morning.
Travellers with only a few days in Tanzania, first-time visitors, couples and small groups who want lodge comfort on a short trip, and anyone staying in Arusha before or after a climb.
Parks visited
Lake Manyara National Park · Ngorongoro Crater · Tarangire National Park
what makes it special
day by day
Your driver-guide collects you from your hotel in Arusha in the morning, gives you a short safari briefing and drives you to Lake Manyara National Park with a packed lunch. The game drive takes you through open grassland, woodland and the country around the alkaline lake. Depending on the season you may see elephant, hippo, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest, warthog and monkeys, and the lake draws flamingos and many other birds. In the evening you drive to your lodge for dinner.
After breakfast you drive up into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend about 610 metres to the crater floor for a full day of game viewing. Its grassland, swamps and lake support a dense population of animals, and you have a good chance of lion, elephant, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and hippo. With luck you may also find the endangered black rhino. Lunch is a picnic in the crater. In the late afternoon you climb out and return to your lodge for dinner.
After breakfast you leave with a packed lunch for Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant herds and its baobab trees. On the game drive you may also see giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and antelope, and predators such as lion and leopard. You spend the day exploring the park before starting the drive back to Arusha, where you arrive in the late afternoon or evening and your driver-guide takes you to your hotel.
the price
| Season | Months | 2 people | 4 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low season | April – May, November | $1,050 | $915 | $830 |
| High season | June – October, December – March | $1,170 | $1,020 | $925 |
before you ask
You can go on safari here all year. The dry season from June to October is the easiest time for game viewing, because animals gather near rivers and the grass is short, but it is also the busiest. From November to May the parks are green, quieter and excellent for birds, with short rains around November and the long rains in April and May. Where the wildebeest migration is depends on the month, so tell us your dates and we will plan the route around them.
Our safaris use 4x4 safari vehicles with a pop-up roof, so you can stand up for game viewing and photography. On a private safari the vehicle and driver-guide are yours alone for the whole trip.
Each tour page lists exactly what is included and excluded. On our northern circuit safaris, such as the 7-day Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire trip, national park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area entrance fees are included. If you are not sure, ask your specialist before you book.
Yes. Every itinerary on this site is a starting point. We can add or remove days, swap parks, or change the accommodation to suit your budget, and your specialist will send you a revised plan and quote.
Bring light, neutral-coloured clothes, a warm layer for early mornings and for the Ngorongoro Crater rim, which is cold at night, comfortable shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent. Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards make a big difference. Soft bags pack into safari vehicles more easily than hard suitcases.
Most visitors need a visa. Apply online in good time through the official Tanzania Immigration website at eservices.immigration.go.tz, and do not use unofficial agents. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after arrival. Requirements differ by nationality, so check the official site for your country.
The lodge sits between the three parks, so you can reach the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire as day trips without changing rooms. It keeps the safari relaxed even though it is short.
Tips are not included and are always your choice. As a guide, many travellers give their driver-guide about US$20–25 a day per group. Most lodges also have a staff tip box at reception for the rest of the team.
Prices are per person in US dollars, for 2, 4 or 6 travellers sharing the vehicle and rooms or tents, with a lower rate in the low season. The more of you travel together, the less each person pays. Travelling alone or in a bigger group? Ask us for a quote.
Enquire
Every AAA Express Adventure trip can be changed to suit you: the pace, the lodges, the number of days. Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and our team in Arusha will come back to you with a plan and a price.
Your journey
From $830 Per person, sharing. Sample price for this proposal; confirm with AAA.
3 days · 2 nights
also consider
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5 days · 4 nights
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From $1,590
6 days · 5 nights
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karibu
Call us on +255 784 281316, email sales@aaaexpressadventure.com or send an enquiry. Our team in Arusha will get back to you.
From $830
Plan your trip
Enquiry about: 3-Day Lodge Safari: Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire
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