Experience the beauty and wildlife of northern Tanzania on this exciting 3-day, 2-night safari to Lake Manyara National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. Perfect for both international visitors and local travelers, this safari offers a unique blend of adventure, wildlife encounters, and breathtaking landscapes.

Lake Manyara National Park is a spectacular gem in the Great Rift Valley. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, a rare sight that captivates every visitor. Its contrasting habitats — from lush forests to open lake shores — are home to elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, and troops of playful baboons. Bird enthusiasts will be thrilled by the abundance of birdlife, including flamingos, pelicans, and storks that flock to the soda lake’s shores. The compact size of the park makes it easy to explore, offering numerous photo opportunities and close encounters with wildlife.

The adventure continues to the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s greatest natural wonders. This massive volcanic caldera, spanning approximately 260 square kilometers, is home to one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Tanzania. Within the crater, visitors can spot the Big Five — lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and black rhinos — as well as zebras, wildebeest, and hippos in the crater’s lakes and wetlands. The dramatic landscapes, with grassy plains, swamps, and scattered woodlands, create an unforgettable safari experience suitable for photographers, nature lovers, and families alike.

Together, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater offer an immersive safari experience that combines spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, and memorable adventures. This tour is ideal for travelers seeking both excitement and relaxation, whether you are visiting Tanzania for the first time or are a local exploring the wonders of your own country.

Thousands of pink flamingos feeding along the soda lake shoreline at Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania

Giraffe calf nuzzling its mother near the Ngorongoro Crater rim in Tanzania

Included/Exclude

Cost Includes

All park entry fees for Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater
Transport in a 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for optimal game viewing
Full board accommodation at lodges or camps as per the itinerary
Camping gear provided on camping days, including tent, mattress, table, and chairs
Three meals daily (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
Crater service fees for Ngorongoro visits
Professional English-speaking driver/guide throughout your safari

Cost Excludes

- tip to the guide
-personal insurance
-all items of personal nature
All items/services not listed under Includes

Departure City
Arusha (hotel or airport pickup)
Accomodation
Budget, mid-range, or luxury lodges/camps
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (depending on itinerary)
Best Season
June – October (dry season), December – February (short rains)
Guide
English Speaking Professional Guide
Transportation
Comfortable safari van (option to upgrade to 4×4 Land Cruiser)
Tour Availability
Available all the year
Payment Method
VISA, MASTERCARD, PAYPAL, PESAPAL, DIRECT WIRE TRANSFER, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER, MAESTRO, V PAY, M-PESA

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Brief Overview

Explore Lake Manyara National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater on this 3-day safari. Witness tree-climbing lions, abundant wildlife, and diverse birdlife, then descend into the Ngorongoro Caldera to see the Big Five. Perfect for international and local travelers seeking an unforgettable Tanzanian wildlife adventure.

Highlights

Tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara National Park
Stunning birdlife, including flamingos, pelicans, and storks
Close encounters with elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and hippos
Game drives across diverse Rift Valley landscapes
Ngorongoro Crater: home to the Big Five and rare black rhinos
Picnic lunch with panoramic views of the crater floor
Dramatic scenery with escarpments, grasslands, and wetlands
Ideal for photography, wildlife spotting, and nature enthusiasts

Day 01 :

Day 1: Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park

Begin your safari with a morning pickup from your hotel or airport, followed by a brief safari orientation. Depart for the stunning Lake Manyara National Park, a pristine soda lake nestled in the Rift Valley. Along the way, marvel at the iconic baobab trees that line the lowlands, creating a scenic introduction to Tanzania’s wildlife regions.

Once inside the park, enjoy a game drive and spot a variety of wildlife, including tree-climbing lions, elephants, and troops of playful monkeys. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the park’s abundant birdlife, with flocks of flamingos painting the lake’s shores during peak seasons. Other sightings may include giraffes, buffaloes, and hippos, making every moment photo-worthy.

Break for lunch at your lodge or camp, then continue to explore more of the park’s diverse landscapes and wildlife. In the evening, settle into your camp or lodge for dinner and overnight, preparing for the next day’s adventure.

Day 02 :

Day 2: Lake Manyara – Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, continue your game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, exploring its rich landscapes and spotting wildlife such as elephants, tree-climbing lions, baboons, and flamingos. Enjoy the park’s lush forests, open plains, and scenic lake views as you capture unforgettable safari moments.

Around midday, depart from the park and drive toward the Ngorongoro Crater, arriving at your camp or lodge in the evening. Settle in, enjoy dinner, and relax as you prepare for the next day’s exciting descent into the crater, home to one of Africa’s highest concentrations of wildlife.

Day 03 :

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater -Arusha

After an early breakfast, descend onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor for an unforgettable game drive. Marvel at one of Africa’s most remarkable ecosystems, where the Big Five — lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos — roam freely alongside zebras, wildebeest, and hippos.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at the Hippo Pool, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Later, ascend to the crater rim and take in panoramic views of this massive caldera, spanning 250 square kilometers and 600 meters deep. Often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World” or the “Eden of Africa”, the crater’s abundant wildlife and dramatic landscapes create an unforgettable safari experience.

In the late afternoon, depart the crater and drive back to Arusha, arriving at your hotel or airport, marking the end of your incredible 3-day adventure.