3 Days Tanzania Safari Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara | Tanzania Star Treks

Tour Overview

This 3-day Tanzania safari covers three of the northern circuit's most iconic destinations: Tarangire National Park with its massive elephant herds, the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater with its Big Five, and the spectacular Lake Manyara — famous for its tree-climbing lions and flocks of flamingos. A superb introduction to Tanzania's extraordinary wildlife.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Moshi / Arusha — Tarangire National Park

Early morning departure from Moshi or Arusha heading southwest to Tarangire National Park. Full day game drive through one of Tanzania's most wildlife-dense parks, where enormous elephant herds roam among ancient baobab trees along the Tarangire River. Lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and hundreds of bird species fill this magnificent park. Picnic lunch in the park. Overnight at lodge, tented camp or campsite near Tarangire or en route to Ngorongoro.

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater Full Day

Drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the world's largest intact volcanic caldera for a full day of game driving. With 25,000 animals living within the 260 square kilometre crater floor, every drive here is extraordinary. See lion prides, the endangered black rhino, vast buffalo herds, elephant, hyena, golden jackal and the flamingo-studded Lake Magadi. Picnic lunch on the crater floor. Ascend in the afternoon and overnight at lodge or camp on the crater rim — one of Africa's most spectacular overnight locations.

Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park — Return to Moshi / Arusha

Morning drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a jewel of a park strung along the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The groundwater forest at the park entrance is hauntingly beautiful, home to baboon troops and blue monkeys. The lake itself — a shallow alkaline soda lake — turns pink with thousands of lesser flamingos. Lake Manyara is one of the best places in Africa to observe tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior documented almost nowhere else on the continent. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before the afternoon drive back to Moshi or Arusha. Arrive by early evening.