Best 4 Days Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire Safari in Tanzania
This Best 4 Days Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire Safari in Tanzania covers 1 night near Lake Manyara, 1 night in the Ngorongoro Highlands, and 1 night near Tarangire National Park, with an additional 1 night stay in Arusha City before the safari begins. The safari starts with airport pick-up from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) and ends with airport drop-off after the tour. Accompanied by our professional, certified, experienced and passionate safari guides from Macpace Tours and Safaris, this journey offers a beautiful Tanzania safari experience and memories that will last a lifetime.
Starting from Arusha City or Moshi Town, this safari is a great choice for travelers who want a short, comfortable, and rewarding Tanzania safari without going all the way to Serengeti. It is simple, well planned, and gives you a chance to enjoy Lake Manyara National Park, the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park in only four days.
Your safari journey begins with your arrival in Arusha. You will spend the first night in Arusha City before going into the parks. This night gives you time to rest after your flight, prepare your safari luggage, meet your safari guide, and get ready for the next day’s adventure.
On the first day of Safari, your guide will pick you up after breakfast and drive to Lake Manyara National Park. This beautiful park is located below the Great Rift Valley escarpment and is known for its green groundwater forest, lake views, open grassland, hot springs, and rich birdlife.
During your game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, you may see elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, baboons, blue monkeys, flamingos, pelicans, and many other bird species. The park is also known for tree-climbing lions, although sightings depend on the day and season.
On the second day of Safari, your journey takes you to the famous Ngorongoro Crater for a memorable game drive. The crater is one of the best wildlife areas in Tanzania because many animals live inside the crater throughout the year.
During the Ngorongoro Crater game drive, you may see lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, gazelles, and if lucky, the rare black rhino. The crater also has beautiful scenery, including open grassland, forest, swamp areas, and a lake, making it one of the most special places on this safari.
After the crater experience, you will drive back to the Ngorongoro Highlands or a nearby area for dinner and overnight stay. The highlands are cool, green, and scenic, with beautiful views of farms, local villages, and forested hills.
On the third day of Safari, your journey continues towards Tarangire National Park. The drive takes you through local villages, open countryside, farms, and beautiful northern Tanzania landscapes before reaching one of the best elephant parks in the country.
During your game drive in Tarangire National Park, you may see large elephant herds, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, impalas, warthogs, ostriches, baboons, and many bird species. The park is also famous for ancient baobab trees and the Tarangire River, which attracts many animals, especially during the dry season.
On the fourth day of Safari, you will enjoy a final morning safari experience in Tarangire National Park or begin your return journey depending on your accommodation location and travel plan. This day gives you one more chance to enjoy the peaceful landscapes, wildlife, elephants, baobab trees, and beautiful views before driving back to Arusha.
After the final safari experience, you will begin your journey back to Arusha. Depending on your travel plan, you can be dropped at your hotel, Arusha Airport, or Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Throughout this safari, you will travel in a comfortable 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof. This gives you a clear view for wildlife watching, photography, and enjoying the beautiful landscapes of northern Tanzania.
This Best 4 Days Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire Safari in Tanzania is perfect for first-time visitors, couples, families, solo travelers, photographers, and wildlife lovers. It combines lake views, forest wildlife, crater scenery, elephants, baobab trees, and rich Tanzania wildlife in one short and well-planned safari.
4 Days Tanzania Safari at a Glance
- Safari Name: Best 4 Days Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire Safari in Tanzania
- Starting Point: Arusha City or Moshi Town
- Airport Arrival: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK)
- Ending Point: Arusha, Moshi, JRO Airport, or Arusha Airport
- Accommodation Before Safari: Optional overnight stay in Arusha or Moshi
- Night 1: Lodge / Tented Camp near Lake Manyara or similar accommodation
- Night 2: Lodge / Tented Camp in Ngorongoro Highlands or similar accommodation
- Night 3: Lodge / Tented Camp near Tarangire National Park or similar accommodation
- Main Attractions: Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park
- Wildlife: Lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, flamingos, rhinos if lucky, and more
- Best For: First-time visitors, wildlife lovers, photographers, couples, families, groups, and short Tanzania safari holidays
Important Travel Information
| Location | Distance & Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park | Approximately 125 km | About 2 to 3 hours drive |
| Moshi to Lake Manyara National Park | Approximately 205 km | About 4 to 5 hours drive |
| Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Highlands | Approximately 60 km | About 1 to 2 hours drive depending on accommodation location |
| Ngorongoro Highlands to Ngorongoro Crater | Approximately 30 km | About 45 minutes to 1 hour drive |
| Ngorongoro Highlands to Tarangire National Park | Approximately 160 km | About 3 to 4 hours drive |
| Tarangire National Park to Arusha | Approximately 120 km | About 2 to 3 hours drive |
| Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha | Approximately 50 km | About 1 hour drive |
| Arusha Airport to Arusha City | Approximately 8 km | About 15 minutes drive |
Places You Will Visit on This Best 4 Days Tanzania Safari
Arusha City – Gateway to Northern Tanzania Safari
Arusha City is the main starting point for many northern Tanzania safaris. The city is located near Mount Meru and gives easy access to Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Serengeti, and other famous safari destinations.
Most travelers spend a night in Arusha before the safari starts. This makes the journey easier and gives you time to relax, prepare, and meet your safari team before the adventure begins.
Lake Manyara National Park – Forest, Lake Views and Birdlife
Lake Manyara National Park is a beautiful park located below the Great Rift Valley escarpment. It is famous for its green forest, lake scenery, hot springs, open grassland, and rich birdlife.
During your game drive, you may see elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, warthogs, hippos, baboons, blue monkeys, flamingos, pelicans, and many other birds. The park is also known for tree-climbing lions, although sightings depend on the day and season.
Lake Manyara is a great place to begin your safari because it offers wildlife, birds, forest, lake views, and beautiful scenery within a short distance from Arusha.
Ngorongoro Crater – Tanzania’s Natural Wildlife Wonder
Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most famous wildlife destinations in Tanzania. It was formed millions of years ago after a large volcano collapsed, creating a huge natural caldera filled with animals.
The crater floor has grassland, forest, swamp, lake areas, and open plains. This makes it home to many animals throughout the year, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, gazelles, and the rare black rhino.
Because many animals live inside the crater, Ngorongoro gives visitors one of the best chances to see a lot of wildlife in a short time.
Tarangire National Park – Elephants, Baobab Trees and Wild Savannah
Tarangire National Park is one of the best places in Tanzania to see large elephant herds. The park is also famous for ancient baobab trees, open landscapes, river valleys, and peaceful wildlife viewing.
During your game drive, you may see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, impalas, warthogs, ostriches, baboons, and many different birds. The Tarangire River is an important water source and attracts many animals during the dry season.
Tarangire gives this safari a strong wildlife finish with beautiful savannah views, elephant families, baobab trees, and a relaxed African safari feeling.
Why Choose This Best 4 Days Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Tarangire Safari?
- Visit three beautiful northern Tanzania safari destinations in one trip.
- Explore the forest and lake scenery of Lake Manyara National Park.
- Enjoy a game drive inside the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater.
- Experience Tarangire National Park, famous for elephants and baobab trees.
- Good chance to see many animals in a short time.
- Great option for travelers who want a shorter safari without Serengeti’s long driving distance.
- Professional English-speaking safari guide.
- Comfortable 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof.
- Airport pick-up and drop-off available from JRO or Arusha Airport.
- Suitable for couples, families, solo travelers, groups, and photographers.
Best Time for This 4 Days Tanzania Safari
This Best 4 Days Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire Safari in Tanzania can be done throughout the year. The dry season from June to October is one of the best times for wildlife viewing because animals are easier to see around water sources and open areas.
The green season from November to May is also beautiful, with fresh landscapes, many birds, fewer crowds, and good photography conditions. Ngorongoro offers excellent wildlife viewing in many seasons, while Tarangire is especially rewarding during the dry season when many animals gather near the river.
Short Itinerary
- Day 1 -Arusha to Lake Manyara. Game drives in Lake Manyara park
- Day 2 - Ngorongoro Crater Tour (5 hours) & transfer to Karatu/Tarangire
- Day 3 - Transfer to Tarangire for game drives
- Day 4 - Tarangire game drives and transfer to Arusha
Basic Camping Packages
Below are packages with basic camping for your private tour, starting on Jan 01, 2025, in a group of two adults. On basic camping tours, you sleep in small dome tents that are pitched at campsites & bathrooms are shared. A cook travels with you & prepares meals.
Option C1: $1,145 per adult for safari with Land Cruiser
- Day 1 - 2 : Stay at Migombani Campsite, Mto Wa Mbu, Lake Manyara (Outside the Park)
- Day 3 - 4 : Stay at Tarangire Campsite (Inside park), Tarangire (Within the Park)
Ensuite Accommodation Packages
Below are packages with a few popular ensuite options for your private tour, starting on Nov 13, 2023, in a group of two adults. Ensuite hotels are tented camps/lodges that can be inside/around national parks. You will have a private room with attached bathroom. Meals are provided by hotels.
Option E1 : $1,253 per adult for safari with Land Cruiser
- Day 1 - 3 : Stay at Omega View Hotel, Karatu
- Day 4 : Stay at Sangaiwe Tented Lodge, Tarangire (Outside the Park)
Option E2 : $1,449 per adult for safari with Land Cruiser
- Day 1 - 3 : Stay at Migombani Cottage, Lake Manyara (Outside the Park)
- Day 4 : Stay at Sangaiwe Tented Lodge, Tarangire (Outside the Park)
Option E3 : $1,545 per adult for safari with Land Cruiser
- Day 1 - 3 : Stay at Manyara Best View Lodge - Silver Room, Lake Manyara (Outside the Park)
- Day 4 : Stay at Manyara Best View Lodge - Silver Room, Lake Manyara (Outside the Park)
Option E4 : $2,409 per adult for safari with Land Cruiser
- Day 1 - 3 : Stay at Manyara Best View Lodge - Platinum Room, Lake Manyara (Outside the Park)
- Day 4 : Stay at Topguide Bush Camp Lolkisale, Tarangire (Within the Park)
Option E5 : $3,229 per adult for safari with Land Cruiser
- Day 1 - 3 : Stay at Lake Manyara KIlimamoja Lodge, Lake Manyara (Outside the Park)
- Day 4 : Stay at Lemala Mpingo Ridge, Tarangire (Within the Park)
Option E6 : $3,229 per adult for safari with Land Cruiser
- Day 1 - 3 : Stay at The Manor at Ngorongoro, Karatu
- Day 4 : Stay at Sanctuary Swala Camp, Tarangire (Within the Park)
Detailed 4-Day Tanzania Safari Itinerary
Day
0
Arrival in Arusha – Airport Pickup & Hotel Stay
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK), our safari representative will meet and welcome you to Tanzania. After a short introduction & brefing, you will be transferred to your hotel in Arusha for relaxation and overnight stay before your safari begins.
This arrival day gives you time to rest after your flight, prepare your safari luggage, and get ready for the adventure ahead. Depending on your arrival time, you may also meet your safari guide for a short briefing about your 4-day Tanzania safari itinerary.
You will spend the full night at your selected hotel in Arusha, ready to start your safari journey the following morning.
Day
1
Transfer from Arusha to Tarangire. Game drives in Tarangire
We start at around 7:00 AM from Arusha and drive to Tarangire National park with packed lunch boxes. Tarangire gate will be about 2.5 hours drive away. Once we reach the park, we start game drives here. Tarangire National park is known for its majestic baobab trees that dot the landscape, dwarfing the animals that feed beneath them. The Tarangire River is the centerpiece of this park which is famous for some of the largest herds of elephants in Africa. Here you may see lion, leopard, cheetah, lesser kudu, buffalo, Oryx, eland, giraffe and zebra. We will have a lunch break at a picnic scenic picnic spot. Post lunch, we will continue with game drives till around 5:00 PM or so. Post the game drive, you will head back to your camp/lodge where a delicious dinner awaits you.
Day
2
Ngorongoro crater tour (5 hours)
On the second day of your safari, you will have an early start. Finishing up with a quick breakfast you will make an early descent at around 6:30 AM into the crater floor. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera. It has a massive floor of about 260 sq kms with a depth of over 2000 feet. The 5-hour game drive on the crater floor will show you a lot of animal action. Keeping the camera ready is definitely recommended. The African elephant, buffalo, Black rhino, Hippos, Hyenas, Cheetahs and Lions are found in plenty. Post the picnic lunch at the beautiful Hippo pool, you will begin a steep ascend to the top exit of the crater. Post the game drive, you will head back to your lodge to reach before 6:00 PM where a delicious dinner awaits you.
Optional add-on tours this day: Canoeing at Lake Manyara for about 2.5 hours ($74 per person ), Night game drives ($114 per person).
Day
3
Transfer to Lake Manyara National park for game deives in the morning and afternoon transfer to Arusha
After an early breakfast, finish your breakfast and get ready by around 8:30 AM. Depart to Lake Manyara National Park with a picnic lunch for a full day game drive. As you enter the national park, lush forests of Acacia and Mahogany trees begin to set the mood for what is waiting ahead. The game drive will go on till afternoon with a small break for picnic lunch. During the game drive watch out for buffaloes, giraffes, impalas, baboons and the blue monkeys. Another spectacle of Lake Manyara National park is the tree climbing lions, however spotting them is a game of luck. In the right season, you can see the shoreline turning pink with millions of flamingos flocking there.With a 3 hr drive left to your accommodation in Arusha, the day will come to a close. Freshly made delicious dinner will be ready for you at your accommodation. All these days of the safari, will have you quite tired and a good rest is essential. You will also bid farewell to your safari guide and vehicle today as last leg of your tour will be done with a different vehicle (toyota alphard or similar) and driver. The eventful day comes to an end with a heavy dinner and a good night’s rest in your accommodation.
Day
4
Visit to Materuni falls, chagga tribe and coffee plantation tour and drop at Arusha or Kili airport
After breakfast, around 8:00 AM we start the 2 hour drive to Materuni which is located under the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon arrival, you will do a 35 minutes hike to the waterfalls. If weather is clear, we might get decent views of Mt Kilimanjaro this day. Make sure to wear good boots as the trail can be often muddy. The pool at the bottom of the waterfall is a good place for a refreshing swim after the hike. 25-minute hike back from the waterfalls afterward you will join a local tribe with whom you will a enjoy delicious Swahili/Chagga lunch. After lunch, you will explore the coffee-making process and get to processes your own cup of coffee. Later you will be driven either back to the hotel in Arusha or to the airport. With an incredible experience and loads of memories to cherish, our tour comes to an end. Hotel in Arusha can be arranged at extra cost.
Stay Locations
- Day 1 - Karatu or Tarangire (Within the Park) or Tarangire (Outside the Park)
- Day 2 - LKaratu or Lake Manyara (Outside the Park) or Lake Manyara (Within the Park)
- Day 3 - Arusha
Add-on tours in Serengeti
- Hot Air Balloon Ride: USD 540 per person
- Rhino Tracking: USD 110 per person
- Short Walking Tour (upto 4 hours): USD 45 per person
- Long Walking Tour (upto 6 hours): USD 60 per person
Add-on tours in Ndutu
- Hot Air Balloon Ride: USD 540 per person
- Short Walking Tour (upto 4 hours): USD 45 per person
- Long Walking Tour (upto 6 hours): USD 60 per person
Add-on tours in Ngorongoro
- Masai Village Tour: USD 25 per person
- Olduvai Gorge museum visit: USD 35 per person
- Ngorongoro Crater Rim Hike: USD 35 per person
Add-on tours in Tarangire
- Hot Air Balloon Ride: USD 540 per person
- Short Walking Tour (upto 4 hours): USD 45 per person
- Long Walking Tour (upto 6 hours): USD 60 per person
- Night Game Drives (for clients staying inside): USD 100-200 per person depending on lodge
Add-on tours in Karatu
- Coffee Plantation Tour: USD 20 per person
- Iraq Village Tour: USD 25 per person
- Endoro Falls & Elephant Caves visit: USD 35 per person
Transfers
This tour starts from Arusha. Kilimanjaro airport is the nearest international airport and Arusha airport is the nearest domestic airport.
Airport Pickup/Drop
Pickup or drop off at Arusha airport on the day of safari: No extra charge Pickup or drop off at Kilimanjaro airport on the day of safari: USD 30 per vehicle
Airport to Hotel transfers
Transfer from Arusha airport to Arusha hotel or vice versa: USD 25 per vehicle Transfer from Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha hotel or vice versa: USD 50 per vehicle
InterCity transfers
Transfer from Moshi to Arusha or vice versa: USD 100 per vehicle Transfer from Nairobi to Arusha or vice versa: USD 275 per vehicle
Flights
We do not book International Flights.
We can book local flights based on availability. Below are indicative additional costs for local flights.
Intercity Flights
- From Zanzibar to Arusha: From USD 100 per person (Morning flight)
- From Dar es salaam to Arusha: From USD 90 per person (Morning flight)
- From Arusha to Zanzibar: From USD 170 per person (Late Afternoon flight)
- From Arusha to Dar es salaam: From USD 110 per person (Late Afternoon flight)
This tour starts & ends at Arusha with road transfers between all locations. Central Serengeti is the farthest location you will be visiting in this tour and it is 7 hours from Arusha, each way. You can check about driving and flying to Serengeti here. To save drive time, you can directly fly into Central Serengeti where your safari vehicle with guide will be waiting to directly start the safari and cover other parks over the next few days making your way to Arusha by road on the last day. We will reroute the itinerary such that you cover all the parks included in the original itinerary with the same choice of accommodations & same number of nights as included in the original itinerary. This is called a Fly-in Safari
We can also reroute the itinerary such that you start with driving from Arusha on day 1 and cover other parks before you drive to Serengeti. We end the safari tour at Central Serengeti on the last day from where you can fly out to Ausha (or other cities). We will reroute the itinerary such that you cover all the parks included in the original itinerary with the same choice of accommodations & same number of nights as included in the original itinerary. This is called a Fly-out Safari.
Fly into Serengeti
- From Arusha to Central Serengeti: From USD 310 per person
- From Zanzibar to Central Serengeti: From USD 370 per person
- From Dar es Salaam to Central Serengeti: From USD 370 per person
Fly out of Serengeti
- From Central Serengeti to Arusha: From USD 200 per person
- From Central Serengeti to Zanzibar: From USD 420 per person
- From Central Serengeti to Dar es salaam: From USD 420 per person
Note 1: Rates mentioned above are indicative and subject to change based on airlines and party(group) size
Note 2: In the Fly into Serengeti rates mentioned above, in addition to airfare, above rates also include cost to send the safari landcruiser with guide a day in advance to Serengeti, in time for your arrival & additional park fees that results due to rerouting of itinerary.
Note 3: Flights into Serengeti land at around 10:30 AM and game drives can start soon after landing while flights out of Serengeti depart around 11:00 AM and game drives can be done till about 45 min before flight departure.
Meals
- Day 1 - Lunch & Dinner
- Day 2 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 3 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 4 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 5 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 6 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 7 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 8 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 8 - Breakfast & Lunch
Drive Times
- Day 1 -Arusha to Tarangire takes about 2.5 to 3 hours (106 km)
- Day 2 -Tarangire to NCA takes about 1.5 to 2 hours (108 km)
- Day 3 -NCA to Lake Manyara takes about 2 to 2.5 hours (80 km)
- Day 3 - Lake Manyara to Arusha takes about 2.5 to 3 hours (114 km)
- Day 4 - Arusha to Materuni Falls takes about 2 hours (97 km)
Note: These are estimated drive times. Because of the traffic, location of the accommodations, and several other factors, actual drive times may vary. Driving distances are approximate and do not account for exact places.
Inclusions
- Park Fees (for Non-Residents).
- Concession/ Camping Fees.
- Daily game drives while on Safari.
- A professional driver/guide.
- 4x4 Land Cruiser or Safari Van.
- All Taxes and VAT.
- Meals as per itinerary.
- Drinking water while on safari (2 litres per person per day).
Exclusions
- International flights.
- Optional activites in Lake Natron.
- Airport Transfers (Unless mentioned otherwise).
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour (Unless mentioned otherwise).
- Personal Items (Souvenirs, Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, etc.).
- Tips
- Government imposed increase of Taxes and or Park Fees.
- Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
