Northern Tanzania is home to one of Africa’s most rewarding safari circuits, combining Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and the Ngorongoro Crater into a single, unforgettable wildlife experience. This classic route offers remarkable landscape diversity, excellent game viewing, and high comfort levels, making it ideal for first-time and returning safari travelers from Europe and beyond.

Tarangire National Park is renowned for its vast elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and the Tarangire River, which acts as a magnet for wildlife during the dry season. The park supports a wide range of animals including lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, and large migratory herds, along with exceptional birdlife, making it a favorite for photographers and nature lovers seeking quieter, less crowded safari encounters.

Lake Manyara National Park offers a striking contrast with its lush groundwater forests, open plains, and the shallow alkaline lake that attracts thousands of flamingos and other water birds. The park is famous for its rare tree-climbing lions and healthy populations of elephants, primates, and plains game. Despite its compact size, Lake Manyara delivers diverse wildlife viewing within a scenic Rift Valley setting.

The journey culminates at the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife areas. This massive volcanic caldera hosts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, including the Big Five and the critically endangered black rhino. The crater’s dramatic scenery and year-round game viewing make it the highlight of any Tanzania safari.

Together, these three destinations create a perfectly balanced safari combining iconic wildlife, varied ecosystems, and unforgettable landscapes.

Large herd of African elephants near ancient baobab trees in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Tree-climbing lions resting on acacia branches in Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania

Included/Exclude

Cost Includes

All park entry fees,
-transport in 4x4 WD land rover with pop up roof
-camping fees, / full board accommodation in the lodge
-accommodation in tent / lodge as per itinerary
-3x meals a day,
-camping gear (table, chairs, mattress, & tent) for camping safari.
-crater service fees
-service of English speaking driver cum guide

Cost Excludes

- tip to the guide
-personal insurance
-all items of personal nature
-all items/services not mentioned in Includes section

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

Northern Tanzania’s classic safari circuit combines Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and the Ngorongoro Crater, offering diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and exceptional game viewing. From vast elephant herds and tree-climbing lions to Big Five encounters in Ngorongoro, this safari delivers an authentic and unforgettable African wildlife experience.

Highlights

Large herds of elephants and iconic baobab trees in Tarangire National Park
Excellent chances of spotting lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, and wildebeest
Exceptional birdwatching opportunities across all three parks
Scenic game drives along the Tarangire River, a vital wildlife water source
Exploration of Lake Manyara National Park’s diverse habitats, from groundwater forests to open plains
Opportunity to see the famous tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara
Flamingos and other water birds along the shores of Lake Manyara
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most spectacular natural wonders
High concentration of wildlife within the crater, including the Big Five
Chance to spot the critically endangered black rhino in its natural habitat
Breathtaking panoramic views from the Ngorongoro Crater rim
Year-round game viewing in a compact, well-managed safari circuit

Day 01 :

Day 1: Arusha- Tarangire National Park

Your safari adventure begins with a convenient pickup from your Arusha hotel or airport, followed by a scenic drive to Tarangire National Park. As you enter this iconic park, your game viewing experience starts immediately. Tarangire is renowned for its towering baobab trees, vast herds of elephants, and a remarkable variety of wildlife, including lions, giraffes, zebras, and buffalo. Bird enthusiasts will delight in spotting the park’s diverse avian species, with over 500 recorded. After an afternoon filled with memorable sightings and photography opportunities, you will be transferred to your tented camp or lodge, where dinner awaits and you can relax, resting up for the adventures ahead.

Day 02 :

Day 2: Tarangire-Ngorongoro Crater

Day 2: Tarangire – Ngorongoro Crater

After an early breakfast, you will drive to the Ngorongoro Crater, descending onto the crater floor for an unforgettable game drive. The journey into this vast caldera takes approximately one hour, revealing breathtaking scenery along the way. Spend the day observing an incredible concentration of wildlife, including the Big Five — lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos — as well as zebras, wildebeest, and hippos. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the Hippo Pool, surrounded by the crater’s spectacular landscapes. Later, ascend to the crater rim to admire panoramic views of this 250-square-kilometer, 600-meter-deep natural wonder, often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World” or the “Eden of Africa”. In the evening, relax and enjoy dinner at your camp or lodge, resting for the next day’s adventure.

Day 03 :

Day3:Ngorongoro-Lake Mayara-Arusha

After early breakfast, continue your safari with a scenic drive to Lake Manyara National Park for an exciting game drive. This park is a striking contrast of ecosystems, featuring a thin green ribbon of forest along one side, bordered by the dramatic 600-meter-high cliffs of the Rift Valley escarpment, and the sparkling shores of the alkaline lake on the other. Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst this breathtaking setting while observing a variety of wildlife, including elephants, baboons, and abundant bird species such as flamingos. Later, depart the park and drive back to Arusha, where you will be dropped off at your hotel or airport, marking the end of your unforgettable Tanzanian safari.