3 day safari in Tanzania with Tarangire
The classic short safari in northern Tanzania covers three areas in three days. One typical route runs Tarangire, then the Ngorongoro Crater, then Lake Manyara, starting and ending in Arusha, with the nights around Karatu and Mto wa Mbu. The order is not fixed, and operators change it to suit the day.
A shorter version fits into 2 days. One example takes Lake Manyara on day 1 and Tarangire on day 2, with the night at a campsite outside the parks near Mto wa Mbu, and starts and ends in Moshi. These are example routes, not a standard schedule, so check the day-by-day plan of the tour you choose.
Our picks: multi-day safaris with Tarangire
The private three-day trip covers Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara with lodge nights. The two-day crater trip is the shortest way to add a second park, and the four-day camping option reaches the Serengeti.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private 3-day safari: Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Manyara
- Park fees and entry
- Lodge nights, full board
- Pop-up roof 4x4
Three parks in three days, with lodge nights on full board and park fees covered. A small tourism levy and village tax are paid at check-in.
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4-day camping safari: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- All park and crater fees
- Tents, cook and meals
- Pop-up roof Land Cruiser
Three nights in tents with cook and equipment, visiting Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. The balloon flight is an optional add-on.
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2-day Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater safari
- Tarangire and Ngorongoro fees
- One night, full board
- 4x4 and guide
Day one is Tarangire, day two the Ngorongoro Crater, with one night and full board in between. Park fees for both are covered.
Check availability →3 day and 2 day safaris with Tarangire
Multi-day safaris in northern Tanzania that include Tarangire, with live prices and availability.
2 day and 3 day safaris compared
Example routes and camping prices per person for the whole trip, 2026.
| 2 day example | 3 day example | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Lake Manyara, then Tarangire | Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara |
| Start and end | Moshi | Arusha |
| Night stop | Campsite outside the parks near Mto wa Mbu | Around Karatu and Mto wa Mbu |
| Camping, 1 traveller | $740 | $1,590 |
| Camping, 2 travellers | $490 each | $990 each |
| Camping, 6 travellers | $295 each | $630 each |
The prices are for camping trips. Treat them as examples, because prices change with the season, and ask for a dated quote. For most travellers with three days to spare, the 3 day route is the better value, because the crater adds a second kind of landscape to the trip.
2 day safari in Tanzania
Two parks in a short time.
A 2 day safari suits you if you only have a weekend or a stopover. It pairs Tarangire with Lake Manyara, which has its own guide at Lake Manyara safaris. The night is spent near Mto wa Mbu. The Lake Manyara main gate lies near that town, and it is 125 km and 2 to 2.5 hours from Arusha. That is the distance from Arusha, not the distance between Tarangire and Manyara. Ask the operator for the daily drive times of your route.
Two days mean one park per day. Expect long drives, and use the time in each park for game drives rather than extra stops.
A full Tanzania tour or a short northern safari?
People searching for a full Tanzania tour sometimes find these short trips. A 3 day safari covers the northern circuit around Tarangire, the crater and Lake Manyara. It does not cover the whole country. For the Serengeti, plan more days and see the guide to the Serengeti safaris. Kilimanjaro, the coast and Zanzibar belong to longer itineraries.
Tarangire has good chances for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo and lions, but no species is guaranteed in any park. Do not count on seeing the big five in Tarangire alone.
What a camping safari usually includes
The inclusions of one camping route. Other packages differ.
Included in the example
The safari vehicle, an English-speaking guide, a cook, tents and equipment, meals according to the programme, drinking water and the national park fees.
Not included in the example
Flights, the visa, tips, insurance and any later increase of park fees.
Check before you book
Not every variant includes the same things. Ask whether the crater descent, drinks and airport transfers are in the price, and whether the park fees are included or paid on site.
Park fees on a multi-park safari
Each area charges its own fee.
Tarangire is run by Tanzania National Parks. The Ngorongoro area has its own authority and its own tariff, so the Tarangire fee is no guide to the crater fee, and there is no joint ticket for Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro. See the Tarangire park fees and the Ngorongoro fees guide.
A private mid-range 3 day safari through Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Manyara costs about $1,970 for a solo traveller, $1,850 each for 2 to 4 travellers and $1,730 each for 5 or 6, for travel between 29 July and 31 December 2026. It is an example and not an average, and availability can change. The safari cost page explains what drives the price.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where to go next.
3 day safari in Tanzania: frequently asked questions
Which parks does a 3 day safari visit?
A typical route visits Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara, starting and ending in Arusha. Other operators use a different order.
Is a 2 day safari possible?
Yes. One example takes Lake Manyara on day 1 and Tarangire on day 2, with a night near Mto wa Mbu. Expect long drives and a tight schedule.
How much does a 3 day safari cost?
A camping route costs $630 to $1,590 per person for the whole trip, depending on the group size. A mid-range private safari costs $1,730 to $1,970 per person for travel in 2026. See the table above and the cost page.
Can I buy one ticket for all three parks?
No. Each area charges its own fee, and there is no joint ticket for Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro.
Is this the official Tarangire website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) or any authority, and it is not run by a safari operator.