Signature
4-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Eyasi Safari
Tarangire · Ngorongoro Crater · Lake Eyasi
From $2,800 per person
View the 4-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Eyasi Safari3 Days · Classic · Northern Tanzania
3-Day Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Two of Tanzania's finest wildlife areas in one long weekend, with your own vehicle and guide and more hours with the animals than on the road.
- Duration
- 3 days / 2 nights
- Style
- Classic private safari
- From
- $770 pp (Non-Resident)
- Price varies with group size
Start & end: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
- 20+ Years' Experience (Founder & Team)
- Private Vehicle & Guide
- Reply Within 24 Hours
- No Payment to Ask
Overview
Three days, two parks, one private vehicle
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and settle into Arusha. Spend a full day among Tarangire's elephant herds and ancient baobabs, then descend 600 m into the Ngorongoro Crater, a 260 km² caldera home to lion, black rhino, buffalo and thousands of plains game. It suits travellers short on time, or anyone adding a safari to a Kilimanjaro climb or a Zanzibar holiday.
At a glance
- Two game-drive days out of three
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Green Side Hotel and Inoga Lodge, or similar
- Guides in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Chinese and Russian
New, Well-Maintained Safari Vehicles
Every safari runs in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser, serviced before each trip. There are no mileage limits, so your guide can follow the animals wherever they move, not only along the main roads.
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for game viewing and photos
- Serviced and safety-checked before every safari
- No mileage limits: your guide follows the wildlife, wherever it is
- Air conditioning
- Fridge or cooler with cold drinks on board
- Wi-Fi where the network is good
- Window seat for every guest
Where the route goes
- Day 1 · Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) → Arusha
- Day 2 · Arusha → Tarangire National Park → Karatu
- Day 3 · Karatu → Ngorongoro Crater → Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)
| Day | Where | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) → Arusha | Green Side Hotel |
| 2 | Arusha → Tarangire National Park → Karatu | Inoga Lodge |
| 3 | Karatu → Ngorongoro Crater → JRO | No overnight |
JRO → Arusha → Tarangire National Park → Karatu → Ngorongoro Crater → JRO
Mix and match your camps
You can mix Classic, Signature and Bespoke accommodation within one safari.
Day by day
3-day Tarangire and Ngorongoro itinerary, day by day
-
Day 1
Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha
Land, meet your guide and rest before the bush. Your guide meets you at arrivals and drives you to Arusha. Settle in, relax by the pool and sit down for a safari briefing ahead of tomorrow's early start.
≈ 50 km ≈ 1 hr drive
Where you stay
Green Side Hotel, Arusha
Air-conditioned rooms with private balconies, an outdoor pool, spa and fitness centre.
- Meals: Dinner
-
Day 2
Arusha to Tarangire National Park
A full day with Tarangire's elephants. After an early breakfast you drive to Tarangire for a full game drive along the Tarangire River, among large elephant herds, ancient baobabs, giraffe, zebra and big cats. Picnic lunch is inside the park. In the late afternoon you drive up the Rift Valley escarpment to Karatu.
Optional: Coffee farm visit or village walk in Karatu, time permitting
≈ 120 km ≈ 2–2.5 hrs driveWhere you stay
Inoga Lodge, Karatu
En-suite rooms in small garden houses, with a swimming pool, restaurant and bar.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 3
Ngorongoro Crater to Kilimanjaro Airport
Down to the crater floor at first light. An early descent takes you 600 m to the crater floor for a 5–6 hour game drive, with a picnic lunch by the hippo pool. You climb out around midday and drive to JRO, arriving at about 18:00.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Flights: Book departures from 20:30 onwards. For earlier flights we recommend an extra night in Arusha.
≈ 45 km ≈ 1–1.5 hrs driveDeparture day, no overnight stay
Included
Price and what is included
Your investment
From $770 per person (Non-Resident)
Included
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Professional driver-guide
- All park and crater fees, plus government taxes
- 2 nights' Classic accommodation (Green Side Hotel and Inoga Lodge, or similar)
- Meals as listed
- Drinking water on game drives
- Airport pick-up and drop-off at JRO
Not included
- International flights and visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guide and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and premium drinks
- Optional activities and personal items
What to pack
- Neutral-coloured layers; the crater rim is cold in the morning
- Warm fleece or jacket, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Comfortable closed shoes
- Binoculars, camera, spare batteries, power bank
- Insect repellent and personal medication
- Soft-sided bag, not a hard suitcase
Options
Make it yours
This journey
Classic
Camps: Green Side Hotel and Inoga Lodge, or similar
Tier
Signature
Tier
Bespoke
Ways to shape this safari
- Change the comfort level: Keep the Classic route and upgrade one or both nights to a Signature or Bespoke lodge. Many guests upgrade the Karatu night only.
- Add a day: Add Lake Manyara between Tarangire and the crater, or an extra night in Arusha if your flight leaves before 20:30.
- Continue your trip: Fly on to Zanzibar for the beach, or join this safari to a Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru climb.
- Travelling with children: Families are welcome from age 2. We plan each day around your children's ages.
Best time
Best time for a Tarangire and Ngorongoro safari
Year-round · April – mid-May on request
Best
June to October
Dry season and the best game viewing. Tarangire's herds gather at the river and the vegetation is thin.
Also good
January and February
Green scenery, calving season and fewer vehicles.
March
Green season with lower rates and quiet parks, with some afternoon showers.
April to mid-May
The long rains. This safari runs on request in these weeks, with the lowest rates and very few vehicles.
All year
Ngorongoro Crater
Excellent all year. The animals stay on the crater floor in every season.
June to October dates for a Tarangire and Ngorongoro safari 2027 book up first, so ask early.
FAQ
3-Day Tarangire & Ngorongoro Safari FAQs
Is 3 days enough for a Tanzania safari?
Yes, for two parks. You get a full day in Tarangire and a game drive on the Ngorongoro Crater floor. For the Serengeti, plan at least 5 to 6 days.
How much does a 3-day Tarangire and Ngorongoro safari cost?
This Classic safari starts from $770 per person for non-residents. The final price depends on season, group size and the lodges you choose.
When is the best time for this safari?
It runs all year. June to October is the dry season with the easiest game viewing. April to mid-May is the long rains, so we run it on request.
Can I see the Big Five on this safari?
The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best places in Tanzania to see lion, elephant, buffalo and black rhino in one day. Leopards are seen less often.
Can I add this safari to a Kilimanjaro climb or Zanzibar holiday?
Yes. It starts and ends at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), so it fits before or after a climb or a beach stay.
Is this a private safari?
Yes. You have your own vehicle and guide. If you prefer to share the cost, ask about our group departures.
Are park fees included?
Yes. Tarangire entry and the Ngorongoro Crater fees are included in the price.
Can I start from Arusha or Zanzibar?
Yes. We can pick you up from any hotel in Arusha. From Zanzibar, take a short flight to Kilimanjaro or Arusha airport and your guide meets you there.
Planning
How it works
-
01
Describe your dream
Tell us your dates, your group and what you most want to see. We reply within 24 hours with a first itinerary and price.
-
02
Confirm
We adjust the camps, pace and budget until it fits you. A deposit then secures your dates and rooms.
-
03
Start packing
You receive your final itinerary, packing list and travel documents. Your guide is waiting when you land.
Plan your safari
Let's plan your 3-day Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater safari
Tell us your dates and group size. We reply within 24 hours with a full quote and the camps you choose. No payment is needed to ask.
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