IV
The Days
Detailed 3-Day Tanzania Safari Day-by-Day Itinerary
3 days, 3 parks and reserves — every day private, with your own guide and 4×4.
Home / Safari Packages / 3-Day Tanzania Safari
3-Day Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara Tour
Private 3-day safari · Tarangire · Ngorongoro Crater · Lake Manyara
JRO 03°26′S 37°04′ETARANGIRE 03°50′S 36°00′E
★★★★★5.0(based on 9 reviews)
IOverview
3-Day Tanzania Safari Overview & Tour Highlights
This 3-Day Tanzania Safari brings together Big Five, tree-climbing lions, giant baobabs, and caldera lakes.
Every day is private — your own safari guide and 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof. The route starts in Arusha and ends in Arusha, and you choose budget, mid-range or luxury accommodation.
Trip Highlights & Details
Tour Length
3 Days / 2 Nights
Country
Tanzania
Start / End
Arusha → Arusha / JRO
Accommodation
Budget, Mid-range or Luxury
Tour Type
Private Safari
Group Size
1–6 Guests
Meal Plan
Full board on safari
Best Travel Period
June – October & December – March
Activity Level
Easy
Major Attractions — 3
- Tarangire National Park
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Lake Manyara National Park
IIThe Map
3-Day Tanzania Safari Itinerary Highlights
Day 1Arusha – Tarangire National Park
Day 2Ngorongoro Crater Floor Tour
Day 3Lake Manyara National Park Safari
Safari Route Map – 3-Day Tanzania Safari
IIIRates
3-Day Tanzania Safari Cost & Price Breakdown (2026 / 2027)
Includes game drives, park fees, accommodation, transport and professional guiding. Per person, no booking fees.
Mid-rangeGreat comfort and value
LuxuryPremium experience with top-tier lodges and service
Important information
All prices are per person and do not include international flights. Final rates may vary based on travel dates, seasonal park fee adjustments, and lodge availability.
Budget 3-Day Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara Tour Prices
Single Supplement $70 per person| Group size | 1 Person | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons | 7 Persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prices From 2026 | $1,040 | $710 | $660 | $610 | $590 | $560 | $540 |
| Rooms | 1 Room | 1 Room | 2 Rooms | 2 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 4 Rooms |
Mid-range 3-Day Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara Tour Prices
Single Supplement $140 per person| Group size | 1 Person | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons | 7 Persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prices From 2026 | $1,520 | $1,050 | $980 | $900 | $870 | $830 | $800 |
| Rooms | 1 Room | 1 Room | 2 Rooms | 2 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 4 Rooms |
Luxury 3-Day Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara Tour Prices
Single Supplement $320 per person| Group size | 1 Person | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons | 7 Persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prices From 2026 | $2,820 | $1,940 | $1,810 | $1,670 | $1,610 | $1,530 | $1,480 |
| Rooms | 1 Room | 1 Room | 2 Rooms | 2 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 4 Rooms |
High-end 3-Day Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara Tour Prices
Single Supplement $500 per person| Group size | 1 Person | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons | 7 Persons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prices From 2026 | $4,570 | $3,150 | $2,930 | $2,710 | $2,610 | $2,490 | $2,390 |
| Rooms | 1 Room | 1 Room | 2 Rooms | 2 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 3 Rooms | 4 Rooms |
Child Policy
Children are welcome on safari. Discounts apply for children aged 3–11 years when sharing with adults. Children aged 12 years and above are charged as adults. Please contact us for exact child rates based on accommodation and room configuration.
Not sure which option suits you best? Contact us and we’ll help you choose the perfect safari based on your budget and travel style.
Ready to plan your safari? Send us your request and get a customized quote within 24 hours.
Start of Tour
Pre-safari accommodation can be arranged upon request for an additional fee. Please note that it is not included in the package.
Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel prior to the start of the tour. This airport transfer is included in your package.
01
03°50′S 36°00′E
Day 1
Arusha → Tarangire
Your safari begins with a morning pickup from your hotel in Arusha followed by a scenic 2-hour drive through Maasai plains to Tarangire National Park. Known as the ‘Home of Elephants,’ Tarangire features towering baobab trees and a permanent river valley attracting thousands of migratory animals during dry months.
Enjoy a full-day game drive tracking massive elephant herds, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, and abundant bird species. Savor a picnic lunch at an elevated river viewpoint.
In the late afternoon, proceed to your lodge or campsite in Karatu / Mto wa Mbu for dinner and overnight rest.
Highlights: Elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, waterbucks
Meals & Drinks
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Drive
2 hrs
Route
120 km
Meals
L · D
Night
Karatu / Mto wa Mbu
02
03°10′S 35°35′E
Day 2
Ngorongoro Crater Floor Tour
After an early breakfast, depart your lodge and descend 600 meters (2,000 feet) into the world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater, an ancient unbroken volcanic caldera sheltering over 25,000 large mammals. Spend the day exploring open savannas, acacia forests, and the alkaline Lake Magadi alive with pink flamingos.
Track black rhinos, lion prides, spotted hyenas, and colossal bull elephants. Pause for a bush picnic lunch beside the hippo pool at Ngoitoktok Springs.
In the mid-afternoon, ascend the scenic crater walls and return to your Karatu accommodation for dinner.
Highlights: Endangered black rhino, crater lions, cheetahs, flamingos, hippos
Meals & Drinks
Meals included: Breakfast, Bush Picnic Lunch & Dinner.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Drive
45 min
Route
Ngorongoro Crater
Meals
B · L · D
Night
Karatu / Mto wa Mbu
03
03°35′S 35°50′E
Day 3
Lake Manyara Safari
After breakfast, take a short drive to Lake Manyara National Park, nestled beneath the dramatic western wall of the Great Rift Valley. Drive through lush underground water forests inhabited by large baboon troops and blue monkeys before heading onto open floodplains known for flamingos, pelicans, giraffes, and the park’s legendary tree-climbing lions.
Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch with panoramic lake views. In the afternoon, begin your return journey to Arusha or transfer directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight onward.
Highlights: Tree-climbing lions, baboons, hippos, flamingos, elephants
Meals & Drinks
Meals included: Breakfast & Picnic Lunch.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Bottled drinking water is provided during game drives.
Drive
2 to 2.5 hrs
Route
Lake Manyara
Meals
B · L
Night
End of tour — Arusha Hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport
VThe Fine Print
What’s in the price — and what isn’t.
What is Included
- All national park entrance fees
- Crater service fee
- 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for game viewing
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- All meals on safari
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
What is Not Included
- International flights
- Visa charges
- Tips/gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
Interested in This Tour?
VI
Camps
Accommodation Options for this 3-Day Safari
This itinerary is available with budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation. The camps and lodges for your chosen tier are listed below.
Typical choices — Budget: Kizumba Campsite, Fig Tree Lodge, Panorama Safari Camp · Mid-range: Farm of Dreams Lodge, Marera Valley Lodge, Country Lodge · Luxury: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Kitela Lodge, Neptune Ngorongoro.
Mid-range Accommodations During Safari
Luxury Accommodations During Safari
VIIAdd-Ons
Optional Safari Add-Ons – 3-Day Tanzania Safari
Not included in the standard price — arranged on request.
On the route
Maasai Village Cultural Visit
Visit a traditional Maasai community to learn about local culture, traditions and daily life.
USD 30–50 per person
After the safari (3 days)
Zanzibar Beach Extension
Fly from Arusha or Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar and add a beach stay. Mid-range USD 700–1,200 pp; luxury USD 1,500+ pp.
Budget USD 450–700 pp
Before or after the safari
Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee Tour
A day on Kilimanjaro’s foothills: an 80-metre waterfall hike, a hands-on Chagga coffee roast and a home-cooked lunch.
USD 75–150 per person
Lake Manyara
Treetop Canopy Walkway
A suspended walkway through the canopy of Lake Manyara’s groundwater forest.
USD 23.60 per person (park ticket)
Tip: The most requested add-ons on this route are the Maasai Village Cultural Visit and the Zanzibar Beach Extension. Ask us to build them into your dates.
VIIIThe Ground
Where the 3-Day Tanzania Safari Takes You
3 destinations, one private route.
01
Tarangire National Park
Ancient baobabs and some of the largest elephant herds on Earth, gathering along the Tarangire River in the dry season.
02
Ngorongoro Crater
A UNESCO World Heritage Site: the world’s largest intact caldera, with lions, elephants, hippos and one of East Africa’s most reliable chances of seeing black rhino.
03
Lake Manyara National Park
A soda lake at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment, with groundwater forest, baboon troops, flamingos and tree-climbing lions.
03°S · 35°E — Northern TanzaniaThe big question
Can You See the Big Five on the 3-Day Tanzania Safari?
Lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo all live on this route. The Ngorongoro Crater floor is one of East Africa’s most reliable places to see the endangered black rhino, so all five are possible.
No sighting is ever guaranteed in the wild, but a private vehicle and an experienced guide let you spend your time where the animals are.
5Big Five species on this route
3Parks in 3 days
1Private 4×4 for your group
IXSeason
Best Time of Year to Book this 3-Day Safari
A year-round route — but the season changes everything.
June – October (Dry Season)
Short grass and shrinking water sources concentrate wildlife around rivers and waterholes — the easiest game viewing of the year.
December – March (Green Season)
Warm, green and quieter, with excellent birdlife.
April – May (Long Rains)
April and May bring the long rains. Some roads become muddy and slow and a few remote camps close, but the landscapes are green and quieter.
XFlights
Flight Recommendation – 3-Day Tanzania Safari
Recommended Arrival Flight
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Arrive the day before the safari and spend the night in Arusha, about an hour from Kilimanjaro International (JRO). Regional flights use Arusha Airport (ARK).
Recommended Departure Flight
Kilimanjaro International Airport
The safari finishes in Arusha, about an hour from Kilimanjaro International (JRO).
XIExtras
Supplementary (not included) costs
Below are the optional or personal expenses not included in your safari package. They are arranged in order of importance and impact on your trip.
Travellers need a Tanzania tourist visa.
- USD 50 per person for most nationalities
- USD 100 for U.S. citizens (multiple entry)
- Apply online (eVisa) or on arrival
- Passports should be valid for at least six months
A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk.
Highly recommended. Choose cover that includes medical evacuation from remote parks.
Safari packages exclude international airfare. Book your arrival and departure around the start and end points shown in the Flights section.
Tipping is customary but always your choice. Our recommended guidelines:
- $15–$25 per day for your driver-guide
Guide tips are per vehicle per day, not per person.
- Soft drinks: USD $3 – $5
- Local beer: USD $4 – $6
- Wine/spirits: USD $7 – $20
Drinking water is provided in the vehicle during your safari; sodas, alcoholic beverages and specialty coffees are charged separately at the lodges.
Souvenirs, snacks, toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent and other personal items are not included. Costs depend on your own needs and shopping choices.
XIIWhy Us
Why Book With Us
True local ownership and operation
As a safari company rooted in local ownership, we eliminate unnecessary costs associated with intermediary sales agents, providing you with direct savings.
Best Price Guaranteed
Crafting a safari that delivers unparalleled experiences, from exceptional wildlife viewing to luxurious lodgings and unforgettable moments. We strive to minimize your expenses, eliminating unnecessary costs.
24/7 Customer Service
We excel in providing personalized customer concierge services, ensuring your safari needs are taken care of from the moment you plan your trip until you board your homeward flight.
Expert Safari Guides
Our guides are very knowledgeable and experts in the field. They will be your moving encyclopedias for all the information that you may want while on safari.
5.0 from 9 reviews
Customer Reviews
★★★★★
Amazing Trip around Kenya and Tanzania
My wife and I did a 7-day safari with Active Wonders last August, visiting both Kenya and Tanzania, and honestly, we couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out. We got super lucky with our drivers and guides — Patrick in Kenya and Six in Tanzania were awesome. They really know their stuff, driving like pros without even needing GPS, and they were amazing at spotting animals and finding the best views.
D
Daniel BravoSpain 🇪🇸
★★★★★
Great 8-day safari in northern Tanzania
Overall, I had a great 8-day safari experience with Active Wonders Safari. Communication before and after the booking was always prompt and effective. The lodges during our trip ranged from decent to good, and the food was mostly good — sometimes even excellent.
M
Martin WGermany 🇩🇪
★★★★★
Fantastic Safari Experience in Tanzania
We booked our East Africa trip through Imara Africa Safaris, and the Tanzania portion was organized by their partner, Active Wonders Safaris. It was an unforgettable experience filled with adventure, incredible wildlife, and genuine hospitality. Our guide, Amiri (goes by the name Cheena), was absolutely exceptional — knowledgeable, patient, and passionate.
J
Jay TrivediUnited States 🇺🇸
★★★★★
An adventure beyond my expectations. Brilliant
This was such an amazing trip that covered the Ngorongoro crater area with all its wildlife roaming freely, the Serengeti and the migration of the wildebeest crossing over into Kenya. Wonderful varied accommodation from well equipped tents with all amenities to hotels and lodges. Zebras, lions with cubs, bathing hippos, leopards during the night safari and numerous birds. Elephants and giraffes were everywhere — all in all a fabulous tour.
C
ColleenAustralia 🇦🇺
★★★★★
Who could ask for more?
Being river crossing time of year our anticipation of this safari to begin our visit to Tanzania was high and was realised. We departed Arusha and headed for Tarangire National Park. As expected the elephants were prolific and backed up with many other wildlife to keep us happy as well. We stayed at Elephant Lodge which is constructed from old shipping containers. It was terrific — nice accommodation, food and lovely staff.
T
Truddy WaltonAustralia 🇦🇺
★★★★★
Allano was fun, prepared, and accommodating
If you’re looking for the ultimate safari experience, look no further than Active Wonders Safari! Our adventure in Tanzania and Kenya was nothing short of spectacular, thanks to the impeccable planning and guidance from Allano himself. From the moment we arrived, Allano took care of every detail, ensuring that our safaris, travel, lodging, and meals were perfectly coordinated.
L
Lindsey RobertsonGermany 🇩🇪
★★★★★
A dream come true for us, amazing safari trip!
We booked direct with Active Wonders (Allano) and from the very beginning, the communication has been great and he has been very transparent as well. We booked 5-nights Luxury Safari covering all parts of Serengeti all the way to the north. Thank you so much for accommodating our group since we kept adding people — we ended up with a group of 9! During the trip we got 2 cars and 2 drivers (Amini and Mariki), and Allano also came along.
J
JohannesIndonesia 🇮🇩
★★★★★
Safari with Wonderful Team
We had an amazing 10-day safari in Tanzania with our wonderful guide, Baraka. We learned so much from him about the country, its people, and the incredible wildlife. He was also a pleasure to be around! A special thanks to Active Wonders Safaris for organizing such a memorable trip. Everything was perfectly arranged.
B
Benoit RSpain 🇪🇸
★★★★★
We are definitely going back with them
If you’re looking for the ultimate safari experience, look no further than Active Wonders Safari! Our adventure in Tanzania and Kenya was nothing short of spectacular, thanks to the impeccable planning and guidance from Allano himself. His knowledge and passion for wildlife were evident throughout the journey.
W
Repeat guestUnited States 🇺🇸
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions – 3-Day Tanzania Safari
Everything travellers ask us about this route. Can’t find it here? We reply within hours.
The price depends on your group size, accommodation tier and travel dates. The rates table above shows the per-person price for every group size; send us your dates for an exact, all-inclusive quote with no booking fees.
The Serengeti is a long drive from Arusha, so in three days much of your time would be spent in the vehicle. Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara sit close together, which makes them the most comfortable 3-day combination.
Yes. Morning flights from Zanzibar (ZNZ) or Dar es Salaam arrive at Arusha Airport (ARK) or Kilimanjaro (JRO) in time for us to collect you and start the safari.
Yes. Budget camping safaris include a professional safari cook, tents and mattresses, and the public campsites are patrolled by rangers.
The drive back reaches Arusha in the late afternoon. Book an evening departure from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), about an hour from Arusha — send us your flight time and we will plan the final day around it.
XIIIYour Trip
Request Your Personalized Safari Proposal
Tell us how you like to travel and we will put together a personalised proposal for this route – dates, camps and a firm price per person. No payment is required at this stage.
No payment is required at this stage. We reply by email and WhatsApp, usually within a few hours.
