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3 days · Tanzania · Budget

3 Days Marvelous Tanzania Budget Safari: Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro

A compact three-day group-joining safari from Arusha through three of northern Tanzania's highlights: Tarangire's elephants and baobabs, the groundwater forest of Lake Manyara and a game drive on the Ngorongoro Crater floor.

  • 3 days
  • Tanzania
  • Budget
  • Shared
  • Starts Arusha
  • Ends Arusha
Giraffe lake seen during an East African safari

Safari snapshot

At a glance

The essentials for comparing this journey before you enquire.

Duration
3 days
Country
Tanzania
Destinations
Tarangire · Lake Manyara · Ngorongoro Crater
Safari style
Budget
Trip type
Group joining / Shared
Price
$620 pp
Starts
Arusha
Ends
Arusha

Best for

  • Short breaks
  • Solo travellers
  • Group-joining travellers

The route

A round trip from Arusha

  1. Stop 1Arusha
  2. Stop 2Tarangire
  3. Stop 3Lake Manyara
  4. Stop 4Ngorongoro Crater
  5. Stop 5Arusha

Safari highlights

What shapes the journey

  • Afternoon game drive in Tarangire National Park
  • Lake Manyara's forest, flamingos and baboon troops
  • Six hours on the Ngorongoro Crater floor
  • Group-joining price of USD 620 per person

Day by day

Three days, day by day.

The plan is a guide: timings may change with road and park conditions and your group's interests. Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Giraffe nairobi skyline nairobi national park

Day 1

Arusha → Tarangire

Baobab country and elephant herds

After a hotel pick-up in Arusha, leave with picnic lunches for Tarangire National Park and spend the afternoon on a game drive. Tarangire is known for large elephant herds, drawn by the Tarangire River, which also attracts lion, cheetah, buffalo, impala, greater and lesser kudu, gazelle, giraffe and eland. Fringe-eared oryx are occasionally seen, and more than 500 bird species have been recorded among the park's baobabs and swamps.

Overnight
Tarangire · camp or lodge
Main activities
Afternoon game drive · Picnic lunch
Elephant sparring

Day 2

Tarangire → Lake Manyara

Groundwater forest and a soda lake

After breakfast, travel to Lake Manyara National Park, with lunch on the way, for an afternoon game drive. The park's groundwater forest, fed by springs below the Rift Valley escarpment, supports a rich ecosystem. Flamingos may gather on the lake shore, and elephant herds, baboon troops, giraffe and hippo are all found here, along with raptors such as Rüppell's vulture and augur buzzard.

Overnight
Lake Manyara · camp or lodge
Main activities
Afternoon game drive
Elephant herd plains

Day 3

Lake Manyara → Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha

A day inside the crater

After breakfast, transfer to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the crater for a game drive of up to six hours, the time allowed by park regulations. The crater floor supports almost every large animal found in the region except giraffe — including endangered black rhino, wildebeest, lion, buffalo, zebra and spotted hyena. Afterwards, drive back to Arusha for drop-off at your hotel, marking the end of the safari.

Main activities
Crater game drive

Recommended accommodation

Where you stay.

Named properties are the ones used for this package. Nights listed by category are confirmed with your quotation, subject to availability.

Accommodation category

Overnight at the camp/lodge

Budget · Tarangire · 1 night

Accommodation category

Overnight at the camp/lodge

Budget · Lake Manyara · 1 night

What’s included

Clear from the start.

  • 4×4 Land Cruiser in Tanzania
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • All meals while on safari (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Services of a professional driver-guide
  • All park entrance fees
  • All game drives

What’s not included

No hidden assumptions.

  • Travel and personal insurance
  • Items of personal use
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Optional activities, including the Olduvai Gorge museum and cultural visits
  • Accommodation and flights for Zanzibar
  • Tips and gratuities

Your written quotation confirms the exact inclusions for your dates.

Flexible pricing

A clear quote for your journey.

The final price depends on when and how you travel: season, group size, accommodation level and private or shared transport.

Published price

Group joining$620 pp

Prices are per person. Group-joining price. Your written quotation confirms the price for your travel dates.

What affects the final price?

  • Travel dates and season
  • Group size
  • Accommodation availability
  • Private or shared vehicle
Request Exact Quote Ask on WhatsApp (opens WhatsApp)

Made around you

Make this safari yours.

Where operationally possible, a local planner can help adapt the journey without losing the route’s natural rhythm.

  • Travel dates and pace
  • Adding or removing nights where the route allows
  • Accommodation choices, subject to availability
  • Combining with another destination
Customise This Safari

Verified guest voices

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External review source

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External review source

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Before you travel

Safari questions, answered clearly.

How much does the 3 Days Marvelous Tanzania Budget Safari: Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro cost?

The published price is USD 620 per person on a group-joining basis. Your quotation confirms the price for your travel dates.

Where does this safari start and finish?

It starts and finishes in Arusha. Your planner can advise on arrival and departure arrangements.

Where will I stay?

Nights are listed as “overnight at the camp/lodge”: the specific property is confirmed with your quotation, subject to availability.

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Start planning with a local expert

Your safari starts with a conversation.

Tell us your dates, travel style and what matters most. A Nairobi-based planner can shape the details with you.

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Per person · group joining$620 pp
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