3 Day Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara & Tarangire Safari | Tanzania Wildlife Safari & Big Five Tour

Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara & Tarangire Safari | Tanzania Wildlife Safari & Big Five Experience | Nelwen Tours & Safaris

Experience the best of Northern Tanzania on this unforgettable Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara & Tarangire Safari with Nelwen Tours & Safaris. This carefully designed Tanzania Wildlife Safari combines three of the most iconic national parks, offering incredible wildlife viewing, breathtaking landscapes, and authentic African safari experiences.

This safari is perfect for travelers seeking a complete Tanzania Safari Package that includes Big Five encounters, flamingos, elephants, tree-climbing lions, and diverse ecosystems within a short travel time.

Safari Overview

Your journey begins in Arusha with a professional safari guide from Nelwen Tours & Safaris. You will explore three of Tanzania’s top safari destinations:

Ngorongoro Crater – world-famous for Big Five wildlife inside a volcanic caldera

Lake Manyara National Park – known for tree-climbing lions and flamingos

Tarangire National Park – famous for massive elephant herds and baobab trees

This combination offers one of the most diverse and rewarding African Safari Packages in Tanzania.

Destination Highlights

Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five in a single day. The crater floor is rich with lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, and hippos.

Lake Manyara National Park

The Lake Manyara National Park offers lush forests, soda lake scenery, and abundant wildlife. It is famous for tree-climbing lions, flamingos, elephants, giraffes, and hundreds of bird species.

Tarangire National Park

The Tarangire National Park is known for large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and seasonal wildlife migration. It is one of the best parks for a peaceful and authentic Tanzania Wildlife Safari experience.

Safari Highlights

• Big Five safari experience in Ngorongoro Crater
• Tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara
• Large elephant herds in Tarangire
• Game drives across three national parks
• Scenic landscapes and Great Rift Valley views
• Birdwatching and photography opportunities
• Professional safari guide
• Budget, mid-range, and luxury options available

Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Your safari adventure begins early in the morning after breakfast in Arusha. Your professional guide from Nelwen Tours & Safaris will pick you up and start the journey toward Tarangire National Park, a beautiful park famous for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees.

Upon arrival, you will begin a full-day game drive inside the park. Tarangire is known for its rich wildlife, especially during the dry season when animals gather around the Tarangire River.

During the game drive, you may see elephants moving in large family groups, lions resting under trees, giraffes feeding on acacia leaves, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, and many species of birds.

You will enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park at a safe designated area while surrounded by nature. After lunch, continue exploring different parts of the park until late afternoon.

In the evening, you will drive to your lodge or camp near Karatu or the Tarangire area for dinner and overnight rest.

Day 2: Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast at your lodge, you will depart for Lake Manyara National Park, located at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment.

This park is smaller but very rich in wildlife and scenery. You will start a game drive through lush groundwater forests, open plains, and along the soda lake shoreline.

Lake Manyara is famous for its tree-climbing lions, which you may spot resting on branches during the day. You will also see large groups of baboons, elephants walking through the forest, hippos in water pools, and thousands of flamingos along the lake shore.

After a relaxed and exciting game drive, you will exit the park in the afternoon and drive to Karatu for dinner and overnight stay at your lodge or camp.

This area offers a peaceful environment and is a perfect stop before visiting the Ngorongoro Crater.

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Return to Arusha

After an early breakfast, you will depart for the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. You will descend 600 meters into the crater floor, one of the most unique wildlife ecosystems in the world.

Inside the crater, you will enjoy a full-day game drive in a natural “wildlife paradise.” The crater is one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five in a single location, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and the rare black rhino.

You will also see large herds of zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, hippos, and many other animals moving freely within the crater walls.

A picnic lunch will be served at a scenic spot inside the crater, often near a hippo pool, where you can enjoy your meal while watching wildlife around you.

In the afternoon, you will slowly ascend from the crater and begin your drive back to Arusha. You will arrive in the evening, marking the end of your unforgettable Tanzania safari adventure.

Meals

Day 1; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 2; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Breakfast & Lunch

Accommodation Options

Budget Safari ($80 – $100 per night)

• Tarangire Public Campsite
• Migombani Campsite (Lake Manyara)
• Simba Campsite (Ngorongoro)
• Twiga Campsite
• Basic lodges in Karatu

Mid-Range Safari ($100 – $200 per night)

• Marera Valley Lodge
• Ngorongoro Farm of Dreams
• Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
• Tarangire Simba Lodge
• Kudu Lodge Karatu

Luxury Safari ($300 – $1,500+ per night)

• Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
• Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
• Tarangire Treetops Lodge
• Melia Serengeti (extension option)
• Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge

Price Includes

• 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
• Professional English-speaking guide
• Park entry fees
• Accommodation and meals
• Game drives as per itinerary
• Bottled drinking water
• Government taxes

Price Excludes

• International flights
• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses
• Tips and gratuities
• Optional Maasai cultural visit

Wildlife Expected to See

• Lions
• Elephants
• Rhinos
• Buffaloes
• Leopards
• Giraffes
• Zebras
• Wildebeests
• Hippos
• Flamingos
• Hyenas
• Antelopes

Best Time to Visit

June to October

Best wildlife viewing and dry season safari conditions.

November to March

Green season with excellent birdlife and photography.

April to May

Fewer tourists and lush scenery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the Big Five on this safari?

Yes, especially in Ngorongoro Crater.

Which park is best for elephants?

Tarangire National Park is the best for elephant herds.

Is Lake Manyara worth visiting?

Yes, it is famous for tree-climbing lions and birdlife.

Why Book with Nelwen Tours & Safaris?

• Trusted Tanzania Tour Operator
• Professional safari guides
• Affordable and luxury packages
• Well-maintained safari vehicles
• Customizable itineraries
• Authentic wildlife experiences
• Excellent customer support

Book Your Tanzania Safari Today

Explore the best of Tanzania with this Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara & Tarangire Safari. Experience unforgettable wildlife encounters, stunning landscapes, and the ultimate Tanzania Wildlife Safari adventure with Nelwen Tours & Safaris.