Three Parks and a Maasai Visit at an Easy Pace
from$1,860Per Person
What Does the 4-Day Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Safari Include?
This is a 4-day, 3-night private safari that starts and ends at the airport. It visits three parks close to Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater, and finishes with a visit to a Maasai homestead (boma). Each park gets its own day, so the drives between them are short. Prices start from $1,860 per person for two people sharing at mid-range level.
It suits travellers who want variety and a relaxed pace rather than long drives to the Serengeti. Tarangire is known for elephants and baobabs, Lake Manyara for its forest, birdlife and lakeshore, and Ngorongoro Crater for dense wildlife and the best chance of the Big Five. Sightings vary with the season, and no species can be guaranteed.
The sections below cover each day, the wildlife you may see, the best season, prices by group size and what to pack.
Trip at a Glance
| Duration | 4 days, 3 nights |
|---|---|
| Start and finish | Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport, with pickup and drop-off |
| Parks | Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater |
| Culture | A guided Maasai boma visit on Day 4 |
| Tour type | Private, with a 4x4 safari vehicle and an English-speaking driver-guide |
| Overnights | Mto wa Mbu (Nights 1 and 2); Karatu (Night 3) |
| Physical level | Easy and vehicle-based, with short drives between parks |
| Price | From $1,860 per person (mid-range, 2 sharing); see the table for other levels and group sizes |
Safari Highlights
- Tarangire's elephant herds and baobab trees
- Lake Manyara's groundwater forest, hippo pool and birdlife
- A game drive on the floor of Ngorongoro Crater
- A visit to a Maasai homestead, with time to talk about daily life
- Airport pickup and drop-off included
What Happens on Each Day of the Safari?
Day 1: Airport to Tarangire National Park
Day 1 starts when you arrive at the airport, where your driver-guide meets you with a packed lunch. You drive to Tarangire National Park for an afternoon game drive.
Tarangire is known for its elephants, which gather along the Tarangire River in the dry season, and for its baobab trees. You may also see giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and buffaloes, and lions are sometimes found resting in the shade. After the game drive you continue to your lodge near Lake Manyara for dinner and the night.
- Overnight: A lodge near Lake Manyara (Mto wa Mbu)
- Meals: Packed lunch and dinner
- Driving: From the airport to Tarangire, depending on your arrival time
Day 2: Lake Manyara National Park
Day 2 begins with breakfast and a short drive to Lake Manyara National Park. The game drive passes through groundwater forest, acacia woodland and the open lakeshore below the Rift Valley escarpment.
You may see elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, baboons, blue monkeys and hippos, and many water birds, including flamingos when water levels suit them. Lions here occasionally rest in trees, but this cannot be promised. You return to the same lodge for dinner and the night.
- Overnight: A lodge near Lake Manyara (Mto wa Mbu)
- Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
- Driving: Short drives to and within the park
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater
Day 3 starts early with the drive up to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the descent to the crater floor. The crater is roughly 20 km across, and its permanent water supports wildlife all year.
You may see lions, buffaloes, elephants, wildebeest, zebras, hippos and hyenas, and with luck the crater's rare black rhinos. Lunch is a picnic on the crater floor. In the afternoon you climb out of the crater and drive to your lodge in Karatu.
- Overnight: A lodge in Karatu
- Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
- Driving: About 1.5 hours to the crater, then about 45 minutes to Karatu
Day 4: Maasai Boma Visit, Then to the Airport
Day 4 is slower. After breakfast you visit a Maasai boma, a homestead of small huts made from mud, sticks and cow dung inside a thorn-bush fence that protects people and cattle from predators.
Your hosts explain daily life, customs and beadwork, and you may be invited to join a traditional dance. Beadwork is often offered for sale, but there is no obligation to buy. In the afternoon you drive back to the airport, where the safari ends.
- Overnight: Not included; the safari ends at the airport
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch
- Driving: Roughly 3–4 hours to the airport
Route: airport → Tarangire National Park → Mto wa Mbu (two nights) → Lake Manyara National Park → Ngorongoro Crater → Karatu (overnight) → Maasai boma → airport. Drive times are approximate.
Photos from Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Maasai Boma
What Wildlife Can You See on This Safari?
Each park adds something different: elephants in Tarangire, birdlife and forest wildlife at Lake Manyara, and the Big Five in Ngorongoro Crater. The table is a general guide only; no sighting can be guaranteed.
| Animal | Tarangire | Lake Manyara | Ngorongoro Crater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant | Often | Often | Often, mostly bulls |
| Lion | Sometimes | Sometimes; occasionally in trees | Often |
| Black rhino | Not present | Not present | Rarely |
| Leopard | Sometimes | Rarely | Rarely |
| Giraffe | Often | Often | Not present |
| Hippo | Sometimes | Often | Often |
| Flamingos and water birds | Occasionally | Often | Seasonal |
When Is the Best Time for This Safari?
This safari runs year-round. June to October is best for Tarangire's elephants, flamingo numbers on Lake Manyara vary with water levels, and the crater has wildlife in every month.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Main dry season | June–October | The easiest game viewing: short grass and animals near water. Cool mornings, dusty tracks and the busiest period. |
| Short rains | November–December | Brief showers, greener scenery and fewer vehicles. Wildlife begins to disperse. |
| Short dry spell | January–February | Usually warm and fairly dry, with good viewing and calving in the southern Serengeti. |
| Long rains | March–May | The wettest period, especially April and May. Lush and quiet, but some tracks become muddy. |
How Much Does This Safari Cost in 2026–2027?
- ✓ Campsites or basic tented camps
- ✓ Shared or simple facilities
- ✓ Same parks, guide & vehicle
- ✓ Comfortable lodges or en-suite tents
- ✓ Private bathrooms, hot showers
- ✓ Restaurant meals
- ✓ Upmarket lodges or tented camps
- ✓ More space and premium service
- ✓ Same private vehicle and guide
Prices are per person for two people sharing. Every level includes the same private 4×4 vehicle, guide, park fees and meals; only the accommodation changes.
Price per Person by Group Size
| Group size | Budget camping | Mid-range lodge | Luxury lodge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $2,240 | $2,860 | $3,390 |
| 2 people | $1,435 | $1,860 | $2,535 |
| 3 people | $1,200 | $1,605 | $2,140 |
| 4 people | $1,080 | $1,505 | $2,180 |
| 5 people | $1,010 | $1,420 | $2,010 |
| 6 people | $960 | $1,385 | $2,060 |
Contact us for a confirmed quote for your dates and group size.
What Affects the Price?
- Group size: the vehicle, guide and any Ngorongoro crater fee are shared, so the per-person price falls noticeably as your group grows.
- Accommodation level: budget camping, mid-range lodges or luxury lodges and camps.
- Parks: Ngorongoro Crater adds a per-vehicle crater fee, and nights inside national parks add concession fees.
- Fee changes: park and conservation fees are set by the authorities and can change, so we confirm your price in writing before you pay.
What Is Included in the Price?
Private 4x4 safari vehicle
A safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, used only by your group.
English-speaking driver-guide
Your guide drives, finds wildlife and explains the parks.
Park entrance fees
Entry fees for every park on the itinerary, including the Ngorongoro crater fee.
Accommodation
Three nights: two near Lake Manyara (Mto wa Mbu) and one in Karatu at your chosen level, confirmed in your final quotation.
Maasai boma visit
A guided visit to a Maasai homestead on Day 4, including the village fee.
Meals
Meals as listed in the itinerary, including picnic lunches on game-drive days.
Drinking water
Bottled water in the vehicle throughout the safari.
Transfers
Airport pickup and drop-off as described in the itinerary.
Government taxes
All applicable taxes and levies.
What Is Not Included?
International flights and visa
Flights to and from Tanzania and the Tanzania visa.
Travel insurance
We strongly recommend cover for medical treatment and evacuation.
Tips
Tips for your guide and lodge staff.
Alcoholic drinks
Alcoholic and other drinks not listed in the itinerary.
Optional activities
Extras such as a Maasai village visit or balloon flight.
Personal expenses
Souvenirs, laundry and extra snacks.
Where Will You Stay?
You spend two nights at a lodge near Lake Manyara, in or around Mto wa Mbu, and one night in Karatu, at your chosen level. Staying two nights in one place means less packing. We confirm the exact properties in your quotation.
Budget Camping
Campsites or basic tented camps with simple facilities. You visit the same parks with the same guide and vehicle; only where you sleep differs.
Mid-Range Lodges & Tented Camps
Comfortable lodge rooms or en-suite tented camps with private bathrooms and restaurant meals. A good balance of comfort and cost.
Luxury Lodges & Camps
Upmarket lodges and tented camps with more space, premium furnishings and full-service dining.
Is This Safari Right for You?
This safari suits first-time visitors, families and anyone who prefers short drives and some culture. If the Serengeti is a priority, another route will suit you better.
A Good Fit If You…
- Want three different parks with short drives
- Would like to meet Maasai people
- Prefer a relaxed pace
- Want to start straight from the airport
Consider Another Safari If You…
- Want the Serengeti: 4-Day Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
- Want Arusha National Park too: 4-Day Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara
- Have only three days: 3-Day Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro
- Want to compare all 4-day routes: 4-day safaris
What Should You Pack?
Pack for warm days, cool evenings and a cold early start at the crater. Avoid dark blue and black in Tarangire because of tsetse flies, and bring small notes if you want to buy beadwork at the boma.
- Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, beige); avoid dark blue and black where tsetse flies occur
- A warm fleece or jacket for early mornings, essential on the Ngorongoro rim
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Camera with a zoom lens and binoculars
- Passport, as details are recorded at park gates
- Motion-sickness tablets if you need them
- Small notes for tips and any personal medication
