4 Days Tanzania Safari to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Materuni Waterfalls
This 4 Days Tanzania Safari to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Materuni Waterfalls covers 1 night near Tarangire National Park, 1 night near Lake Manyara or Karatu, and 1 night in Moshi or nearby Materuni area, 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 mix of wildlife, nature, culture, waterfalls, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Starting from Arusha City or Moshi Town, this safari is a great choice for travelers who want to enjoy Tanzania wildlife and a soft cultural nature experience in one short itinerary. It is simple, well planned, and gives you a chance to visit Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Materuni Waterfalls near Mount Kilimanjaro.
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 Tarangire National Park. This park is one of the best places in Tanzania to see large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, open savannah, and beautiful wildlife landscapes.
During your game drive in Tarangire National Park, you may see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, impalas, warthogs, ostriches, baboons, and many bird species. The Tarangire River attracts many animals, especially during the dry season, making the park a wonderful place for wildlife viewing and photography.
On the second day of Safari, your journey continues 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.
Later in the day, you will drive towards Karatu or the Ngorongoro Highlands for dinner and overnight stay. The route gives you beautiful views of local villages, farms, open countryside, and green highland landscapes near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
On the third day of Safari, you will descend into the famous Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day 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 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 Ngorongoro Crater game drive, you will continue towards Moshi or the Kilimanjaro area for dinner and overnight stay. This prepares you for a relaxed nature and cultural experience at Materuni Waterfalls the following day.
On the fourth day of Safari, your journey takes you to Materuni Village, located on the green slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. This day gives you a different experience from wildlife safari, with beautiful nature, local culture, coffee farms, mountain views, and a walk to the famous Materuni Waterfalls.
At Materuni, you will enjoy a guided walk through banana farms, local homes, and green village landscapes before reaching the waterfall. You may also experience the traditional Chagga coffee tour, where you learn how coffee is grown, roasted, prepared, and served in a local way.
After enjoying Materuni Waterfalls and the village experience, you will begin your journey back to Arusha, Moshi, Kilimanjaro International Airport, or your hotel depending on your travel plan.
Throughout this safari, you will travel in a comfortable 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof during park visits. This gives you a clear view for wildlife watching, photography, and enjoying the beautiful landscapes of northern Tanzania.
This 4 Days Tanzania Safari to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Materuni Waterfalls is perfect for first-time visitors, couples, families, solo travelers, photographers, and travelers who want both wildlife and nature. It combines elephants, baobab trees, lake scenery, crater wildlife, waterfalls, coffee culture, and Mount Kilimanjaro foothill views in one short and well-planned Tanzania safari.
4 Days Tanzania Safari at a Glance
- Safari Name: 4 Days Tanzania Safari to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Materuni Waterfalls
- 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 Tarangire National Park or similar accommodation
- Night 2: Lodge / Tented Camp near Lake Manyara, Karatu, or Ngorongoro Highlands
- Night 3: Hotel / Lodge in Moshi or near Materuni area
- Main Attractions: Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Materuni Waterfalls
- Wildlife: Elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, flamingos, rhinos if lucky, and more
- Best For: First-time visitors, wildlife lovers, photographers, couples, families, culture lovers, and short Tanzania safari holidays
Important Travel Information
| Location | Distance & Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Arusha to Tarangire National Park | Approximately 120 km | About 2 to 3 hours drive |
| Moshi to Tarangire National Park | Approximately 200 km | About 4 to 5 hours drive |
| Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park | Approximately 120 km | About 2 to 3 hours drive depending on route and accommodation location |
| Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Highlands | Approximately 60 km | About 1 to 2 hours drive depending on accommodation location |
| Ngorongoro Crater to Moshi | Approximately 250 km | About 5 to 6 hours drive depending on traffic and route |
| Moshi to Materuni Waterfalls | Approximately 15 km | About 30 to 45 minutes drive |
| Materuni to Kilimanjaro International Airport | Approximately 55 km | About 1 to 1.5 hours drive depending on road and traffic conditions |
| 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 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 Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, and other famous 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.
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 beginning with beautiful savannah views, elephant families, baobab trees, and a real African safari feeling.
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 adds forest wildlife, lake scenery, birds, and peaceful landscapes to this short Tanzania safari.
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.
Materuni Waterfalls – Chagga Culture and Kilimanjaro Nature
Materuni Waterfalls is a beautiful nature and cultural destination located near Moshi on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. The area is known for green village landscapes, banana farms, coffee farms, mountain views, and the famous waterfall.
A visit to Materuni gives you a soft and relaxing experience after safari game drives. You can enjoy a guided walk to the waterfall, learn about local Chagga culture, and join a traditional coffee-making experience from bean to cup.
Materuni adds culture, nature, waterfalls, and Mount Kilimanjaro foothill scenery to this 4 Days Tanzania Safari.
Why Choose This 4 Days Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Materuni Safari?
- Visit wildlife parks and a waterfall destination in one short trip.
- Experience Tarangire National Park, famous for elephants and baobab trees.
- Explore the forest and lake scenery of Lake Manyara National Park.
- Enjoy a game drive inside the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater.
- Visit Materuni Waterfalls near Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Good mix of wildlife, nature, culture, and scenery.
- Great option for travelers who want more than only game drives.
- Professional English-speaking safari guide.
- Comfortable 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof during park visits.
- 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 4 Days Tanzania Safari to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Materuni Waterfalls 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. Materuni Waterfalls can be visited throughout the year, and the area is especially green and fresh during or after the rainy season.
4 Days Tanzania Safari-Short Itinerary
- Day 1 -Transfer from Arusha to Tarangire. Game drives in Tarangire
- Day 2 - Ngorongoro Crater Tour (5 hours) & transfer to Karatu/Lake Manyara
- Day 3 - Transfer to Lake Manyara National park for game deives and afternoon transfer to Arusha
- Day 4 - Visit to Materuni falls, chagga tribe and coffee plantation tour and drop at Arusha or Kili airport
Ensuite Accommodationf for 4 Days Tanzania Safari 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 : $1,114 per adult for safari with Land Cruiser
- Day 1 - 3 : Stay at Omega View Hotel, Karatu
- Day 4 : Stay at Crest Safari Lodge - Standard, Arusha
Option E2 : $1,114 per adult for safari with Land Cruiser
- Day 1 - 2 : Stay at Sangaiwe Tented Lodge, Tarangire (Outside the Park)
- Day 3 : Stay at Crest Safari Lodge - Standard, Arusha
- Day 4 : Stay at Venus Premier Hotel - Standard Room,
Option E3 : $1,515 per adult for safari with Land Cruiser
- Day 1 - 2 : Stay at Tarangire Tortilis Camp, Tarangire (Within the Park)
- Day 3 : Stay at Manyara Best View Lodge - Silver Room, Lake Manyara (Outside the Park)
- Day 4 : Stay at Four Points by Sheraton, Arusha - Traditional Queen, Arusha
Option E4 : $2,076 per adult for safari with Land Cruiser
- Day 1 - 2 : Stay at Topguide Bush Camp Lolkisale, Tarangire (Within the Park)
- Day 3 : Stay at Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, Lake Manyara (Outside the Park)
- Day 4 : Stay at Hamerkop House by Lemala, Arusha
Option E5 : $3,930 per adult for safari with Land Cruiser
- Day 1 - 2 : Stay at Sanctuary Swala Camp, Tarangire (Within the Park)
- Day 3 : Stay at Lake Manyara Tree Lodge - Suite, Lake Manyara (Within the Park)
- Day 4 : Stay at Hamerkop House by Lemala, Arusha
Full 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, 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, including Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater.
You will spend the 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.
4 Days Tanzania Safari 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
4 Days Tanzania Safari 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
4 Days Tanzania Safari 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
4 Days Tanzania Safari 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
4 Days Tanzania Safari 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
4 Days Tanzania Safari 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
4 Days Tanzania Safari Transfers
This 4 days Tanzania safari tour starts from Arusha city. 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: No extra charge
Airport to Hotel transfers
Transfer from Arusha airport to Arusha hotel or vice versa: No extra charge Transfer from Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha hotel or vice versa: No extra charge
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
4 Days Tanzania Safari; Available 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 150 per person (Morning flight)
- From Dar es salaam to Arusha: From USD 140 per person (Morning flight)
- From Arusha to Zanzibar: From USD 190 per person (Late Afternoon flight)
- From Arusha to Dar es salaam: From USD 160 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 Included in 4 Days Tanzania Safari
- Day 1 - Lunch & Dinner
- Day 2 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 3 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 8 - Breakfast & Lunch
4 Days Tanzania Safari 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 4 days Tanzania safari 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.
4 Days Tanzania Safari Inclusions
- Airport Transfers (Unless mentioned otherwise).
- 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 (3 litres per person per day).
4 Days Tanzania Safari Exclusions
- International flights.
- Optional activites in Lake Natron.
- 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.
