3-Day Three-Park Safari from Zanzibar
Zanzibar Arusha Tarangire Ngorongoro Lake Manyara Zanzibar
From, per person$1,022
Tanzania safari
2-Day Tarangire & Lake Manyara Safari
Overview
Two parks, two very different moods, and no long drives: Tarangire and Lake Manyara both lie within easy reach of Arusha, which makes them a natural pair for a first, budget-minded taste of a Tanzanian safari.
Tarangire is dry bush country of baobabs, termite mounds and a river that pulls in elephants and other animals as the dry season sets in. Lake Manyara is greener and more compact, squeezed between the Rift Valley wall and a shallow soda lake, with groundwater forest, hippo pools and big gatherings of waterbirds. You spend a full day in each park, sleep at a mid-range lodge near Karatu in between, and finish with a short visit to a Maasai village before heading back to Arusha.
Tanzania Tourism Safaris runs the safari privately, with an English-speaking driver-guide and a 4×4 vehicle with a pop-up roof for game viewing. It suits travelers who are short on time or watching their budget, and anyone who wants to add a couple of wildlife days to a trek or a stay in Arusha.
Tour highlights
- Full day of game drives in Tarangire
- Baobabs, termite mounds and elephant herds
- Groundwater forest and lakeshore at Manyara
- Pelicans, storks and seasonal flamingos
- Maasai village visit before heading home
Day by day
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Day 1 Arusha to Tarangire’s Baobab Country Stay Mid-range lodge in the Karatu areaMeals Lunch, Dinner
Your guide meets you at your Arusha hotel in the morning, and you head straight for Tarangire National Park, about two hours away. The park takes its name from the Tarangire River, the main source of water once the dry season arrives. Look for elephants digging in the riverbed, giraffe, zebra, impala, buffalo and, with patience, lions. Birders can expect lovebirds, hornbills and ostriches. Lunch is a picnic at a spot your guide chooses, followed by more game viewing and the drive to your lodge.
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Day 2 Lake Manyara’s Forest and Shoreline Meals Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, drive the short distance down the escarpment to Lake Manyara National Park. The track passes through tall groundwater forest where blue monkeys and baboons are common, then opens onto grassy flats by the lake with buffalo, wildebeest, zebra and giraffe. The park’s lions are known for sometimes resting in trees, though sightings are never certain. On the water, look for pelicans, storks and, when conditions suit, flamingos. In the late afternoon, visit a Maasai village, then return to Arusha or the airport.
Prices by season
Per person in US dollars. The price depends on when you travel and how many travelers share the trip.
| Season | 1 traveler | 2 travelers | 4 travelers | 6 travelers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low season 1 Mar – 31 May | $1,248 | $624 | $495 | $453 |
| High season 1 Nov – 20 Dec and 6 Jan – 29 Feb | $1,314 | $657 | $522 | $477 |
| Peak season Now 1 Jun – 31 Oct and 21 Dec – 5 Jan | $1,460 | $730 | $580 | $530 |
Tour price includes
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof (up to 7 travelers)
- English-speaking resident local driver-guide
- Park entry fees and government taxes
- One night at a mid-range lodge near Karatu
- Meals as listed, including a picnic lunch in Tarangire
- Maasai village visit
- Airport meet-and-greet and private transfers
Tour price excludes
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Souvenirs and other personal spending
Questions about this safari
Will I see the Big Five on this safari?
Probably not all five. Rhino are essentially absent from Tarangire and Lake Manyara, and leopards are hard to find anywhere. Elephants and buffalo are very likely, and lions are seen regularly. If the Big Five matter to you, consider a trip that includes the Ngorongoro Crater.
When is the best time of year for these two parks?
Tarangire is at its liveliest in the dry season, roughly June to October, when animals crowd along the river. Lake Manyara is worth visiting year-round, and its forest and birdlife look their best in the green months. The low season (March to May) brings lower prices and fewer vehicles.
Can the trip start on any day?
Yes. The safari runs privately and can start on any date, subject to lodge availability. We pick you up from your Arusha hotel in the morning, or from the airport if you are flying in early; send us your arrival details when you book.
Before you go
- Best Time To Visit Tanzania
- How Much Does a Tanzania Safari Cost?
- Top Safari Packing List in Tanzania
- The Best Guides on Tanzania Visa Requirement
- Tanzania Travel Insurance
- Tanzania Travel Safety
- Tipping In Tanzania Safari
- Tanzania Safari Faqs
Listed in Cultural safaris
Where you will go
Parks on this safari
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