3-Day Tanzania Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-day Tanzania tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaTanzania travel expert at TourRadar

• 3 Day Tanzania Safari Itinerary, incl. Tarangire and Ngorongoro

  Wildlife enthusiasts track elephants and pythons in Tarangire National Park, spot tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara, and find black rhinos across 304 sq km crater floor during this 3-day safari. Includes comfortable lodging at Campor Lodge and highly-rated guiding.

  

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  • Day 1

    Arusha to Tarangire National Park

    Start your day with breakfast in Arusha at 7:30 AM before a 2-hour drive to Tarangire National Park. You'll travel 120km on good roads through rural Tanzania. Spend the full day on game drives with a focus on the river area in the morning where animals gather. Tarangire is famous for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. Bird enthusiasts will love spotting some of the 450 species here. One visitor shared: "Tarangire is very beautiful with a lot of elephants - we even had them walk right past our vehicle!"

    
  • Day 2

    Lake Manyara National Park

    Take the 60km drive to Lake Manyara National Park after breakfast. While smaller than other parks it offers diverse landscapes from groundwater forest to acacia woodland and the alkaline lake. Look for the unique tree-climbing lions near the park entrance. A visitor reported: "We saw hippos, baboons, tree-climbing lions and numerous water birds. The afternoon light on the lake with thousands of flamingos was spectacular." You can add a canoe safari on the lake for a different view of the park.

    
  • Day 3

    Ngorongoro Crater

    Make an early start to get the most out of your crater experience. The descent road opens at 6 AM and it's worth being among the first vehicles down. The crater floor covers 304 sq km and supports an incredible variety of wildlife. One guest suggested: "Get to the crater early before it gets busy with other vehicles. We saw black rhinos, huge elephant bulls, and a pride of lions before 9 AM." Stop for a picnic lunch at Ngoitoktok spring where hippos often gather. Plan to leave the crater by 4 PM to return to Arusha.

    

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• 3 days Ngorongoro Wildlife Safari

  Game drives sweep across the 102-square-mile crater floor of Tanzania's Ngorongoro Conservation Area during this 3-day adventure from Acacia Farm Lodge. Black rhinos and lions roam freely while professional guides lead wildlife viewing between Arusha and the crater.

  

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  • Arusha Tanzania

    94 mi

  • Ngorongoro Conservation Area Tanzania

    94 mi

  • Arusha Tanzania

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• 3 Days in Tanzania Safari, incl. Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara

  Wildlife sanctuaries beckon across three days: Tarangire's elephants, Ngorongoro Crater's diverse species, and Lake Manyara's tree-climbing lions. Heaven Nature Campsite provides full-board accommodation.

  

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  • Day 1

    Arusha to Tarangire National Park

    Leave Arusha by 7:30 AM to avoid traffic on the 2-hour drive to Tarangire. You'll see more elephants during the morning game drive when they gather near water sources before the heat sets in. The park's iconic baobab trees create perfect backdrops for photos, especially in the soft light before sunset. Since Tarangire's thick vegetation can make it tricky to spot animals from far away, be sure to bring binoculars. Don't forget a hat and sunscreen - you'll be exposed to the sun in the open-roof vehicles.

    
  • Day 2

    Ngorongoro Crater

    Start very early around 5:30 AM for the 2.5-hour drive to Ngorongoro. The drive down into the crater is steep, so sit on the uphill side of the vehicle for better views and stability. Getting there early is important since the crater floor gets crowded by mid-morning. Pack warm clothes - temperatures on the crater rim start around 50°F/10°C in the morning but warm up significantly later in the day.

    
  • Day 3

    Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha

    After breakfast, drive one hour to Lake Manyara for your final safari day. Search for the park's famous tree-climbing lions in the acacia trees near the lake - morning is the best time to spot them. If you want to see flamingos, plan your trip between June and September when their numbers are highest. The drive back to Arusha usually takes about 2 hours. Book an evening flight out to allow extra time, especially during rainy season when the roads can be muddy.

    

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