Skip to content
A small Go East Africa Safaris wordmark beneath an Africa-shaped graphic.
A cheetah standing on an earthen mound in open grassland.

Wildlife safari · Tanzania

3-Day Tanzania Safari - Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara

A short Tanzania safari from Arusha that skips the long Serengeti drive: Lake Manyara's groundwater forest and lakeshore, the climb to the Ngorongoro highlands, then game viewing on the crater floor.

  • 3 days
  • Tanzania
  • Wildlife safari
  • Quoted to your dates
Get a free quoteAsk on WhatsApp
4.9/5 from 31 traveller reviews on SafariBookings (opens in a new tab)

The journey

A closer look at your trip.

A short Tanzania safari from Arusha that skips the long Serengeti drive: Lake Manyara's groundwater forest and lakeshore, the climb to the Ngorongoro highlands, then game viewing on the crater floor.

NgorongoroLake ManyaraArusha
Duration
3 days
Countries
Tanzania
Trip style
Wildlife safari
Transport
4x4 Land Cruiser
Start
Arusha
End
Arusha
Price
On Request

Choose your safari style

The same route, at the level you want to travel.

This journey follows the same wildlife route whichever style you choose. What changes is where you sleep, the level of service and how the trip is quoted.

Choose your safari style

Budget: where you stay

Suggested accommodation

Suggested accommodation is subject to availability. A property of a similar standard may be proposed where necessary.

What this style means

  • Practical camps and lodges, and public campsites inside the Tanzanian parks. The wildlife itinerary, the guiding and the 4x4 Land Cruiser are the same as on the upgraded styles of this route.
Price
On Request
Catalogue reference
Product 31
Enquire about the budget option

Midrange: where you stay

Suggested accommodation

Suggested accommodation is subject to availability. A property of a similar standard may be proposed where necessary.

What this style means

  • Upgraded rooms, dining and a higher service level throughout, with a 4x4 Land Cruiser for game drives.
Price
On Request
Catalogue reference
Product 73
Enquire about the midrange option

Trip highlights

The places that shape this journey.

  • 01

    Ngorongoro

  • 02

    Lake Manyara

  • 03

    Arusha

Your route

Across Tanzania.

Arusha → Lake Manyara → Ngorongoro → Arusha

We will confirm the day-by-day sequence and overnight stops in your detailed proposal.

KENYATANZANIAArushaLake ManyaraNgorongoro

Schematic route · See the day-by-day programme for travel details.

Day by day

3 days in East Africa.

  1. Day 1

    Arusha – Lake Manyara

    After breakfast, leave Arusha and drive west across the Maasai steppe to Lake Manyara, arriving in time for lunch. The afternoon game drive explores Lake Manyara National Park, a small park with more than 400 bird species and a reputation for tree-climbing lions, which are rare elsewhere but regularly found here. Giraffe, zebra, buffalo and troops of baboon and blue monkey are also common. In the evening return for dinner as the sun sets over the lake and the Rift Valley escarpment, then the night.

    Overnight
    Fanaka Campsite, Lake ManyaraLake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
    Meals
    Lunch and dinner

  2. Day 2

    Lake Manyara – Ngorongoro

    After breakfast, set out with picnic lunches for a morning game drive and a last look at Lake Manyara's groundwater forest, hot springs and lakeshore before the drive up the escarpment through Karatu to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrive at the crater rim later in the day and check in to your tents. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the view down into the caldera, followed by dinner as the sun sets and a quiet night.

    Overnight
    Simba Campsite, NgorongoroNgorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
    Cloud and mist over a broad green crater basin.
    The Ngorongoro Crater, reached at this point in the itinerary.

  3. Day 3

    Ngorongoro – Arusha

    After breakfast the 4x4 Land Cruiser descends into the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest unflooded and unbroken caldera in the world: about 20 kilometres across, 600 metres deep and 300 square kilometres in area. Rich pasture, swamps and permanent water on the floor support lion, elephant, buffalo, hyena and, with luck, black rhino within a few hours' game viewing. Lunch follows the crater tour, then drive back to Arusha for drop-off at your hotel, where dinner and overnight are on your own account.

    Meals
    Breakfast and lunch

What is included

Your written quotation itemises every one of these for your dates, so you can compare it line by line with any other:

  • Park, reserve and conservancy entry fees
  • Accommodation for each night, named
  • Meals on each day
  • Game drives in the 4x4 Land Cruiser, with its seating
  • Driver-guide and fuel
  • Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Whether the vehicle is private or shared

What to allow for

Most travellers also budget separately for the items below. Your quotation confirms which apply to this trip.

  • International flights
  • Kenya eTA and any Tanzania visa
  • Travel and medical insurance (Tanzania now requires inbound cover)
  • Optional activities such as a balloon flight
  • Drinks and tips for guides and camp staff
How safari prices and park fees work →

When to travel

Seasonal considerations.

Game viewing across Tanzania is at its most reliable in the dry months, roughly June to October and again in January and February, when the grass is shorter and animals concentrate around permanent water. The long rains fall around April and May and the short rains in November; both bring green country, fewer vehicles and lower rates, at the cost of some unpredictability on the roads. There is no month in which this journey cannot run.

Read the full season guide →

Who it suits

Is this the right journey?

  • A first safari, a short break, or an add-on to business travel — enough time to see a great deal without a long commitment.
  • Travellers at different budgets — this route is sold as Budget, Midrange, with the same wildlife itinerary throughout.
  • Solo travellers and couples happy to share a vehicle on a scheduled departure, or any group wanting the journey privately on request.

Pricing

Plan with the details in view.

On Request

Published catalogue reference rate. Confirm availability and the final quotation for your travel dates.

This itinerary can also be arranged privately in a 4x4 Land Cruiser on request. A private departure is quoted separately and confirmed with your dates and group size.

Request a quotation

Free quotation

Get a quote for this trip.

Tell us when and how many. We will reply with a written quotation for the 3-Day Tanzania Safari - Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara in the style you selected above, and adjust the pace, parks or accommodation if you would like something different.

4.9/5 from 31 traveller reviews on SafariBookings (opens in a new tab)
  1. 01

    Tell us your dates

    Send the quick form or a WhatsApp message. It is free and commits you to nothing.

  2. 02

    Get a written quotation

    Our Nairobi team checks availability and sends a quotation stating the route, accommodation and exactly what is and is not included.

  3. 03

    Adjust it until it fits

    Change the pace, the style of accommodation or the parks. Ask anything before you decide.

  4. 04

    Book when you are ready

    Nothing is reserved or charged until you accept the quotation in writing.

Rather talk it through? Ask on WhatsApp

Free and without obligation. Nothing is booked or charged until you accept a written quotation.

Your questions, answered.

How do I request a quotation?

Send your travel dates, party size and accommodation preferences. We will confirm availability and send a written quotation before you book.

Can I customise this trip?

Ask our team about adjustments to the itinerary, accommodation and pace. We will explain what is practical for your dates and confirm any price changes.

What is the published price for this 3-day trip?

On Request. Ask us to confirm the quotation for your dates and group size.

What vehicle is used for game drives?

Safari game drives use a 4x4 Land Cruiser. Your quotation will confirm whether your trip is private or shared and specify any separate transfer arrangements.

Before you choose

Understand the places, stays and practical details.

Read the destination guides alongside this itinerary to compare access, wildlife habitat and accommodation position. The named comfort option and written quotation confirm the actual overnight stays, meals and activities.

Places on this route

Useful preparation

Keep exploring

Related journeys.

Get a free quote · no obligation
WhatsApp