Skip to main content
A Leopard retreats up a tree - Tanzania Wildlife Safari, Tanzania
A Leopard retreats up a tree  | Lynne A Challinor
Landscapes of a Tanzanian national park - Tanzania Wildlife Safari, Tanzania
Landscapes of a Tanzanian national park  | Gesine Cheung
Thirsty work in the Serengeti National Park - Tanzania Wildlife Safari, Tanzania
Thirsty work in the Serengeti National Park  | Ian Williams
Journey inside the Ngorongoro Crater - Tanzania Wildlife Safari, Tanzania
Journey inside the Ngorongoro Crater  | Maria Rainone

Tanzania Wildlife Safari

A three-day safari extension featuring exceptional wildlife viewing in Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara.

Tanzania

 1 review

3 Days from

$ 

Trip Code: TA3
View dates to Book
Essential Information
Duration
  • 3 Days
Activities
  • Wildlife Safari
  • Game drives
Accommodation
  • 2 nights permanent safari camp
Meals
  • 2 Dinners
  • 2 Lunches
  • 2 Breakfasts
Difficulty Grading  
1 / 10

Discovery and Cruising

Carbon Footprint  

105kg of CO2-e PP per day

(209kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

  • Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most concentrated and reliable wildlife habitats
  • Explore Lake Manyara beneath the Rift Valley escarpment, known for lions and abundant birdlife
  • Choose your own start date on this flexible, year-round safari extension featuring comfortable ensuite tented camps

Overview

This focused three day safari is the ideal wildlife extension to a Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru climb. Despite its short duration, the itinerary delivers exceptional wildlife diversity across two contrasting landscapes: Lake Manyara National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater.

Lake Manyara lies at the base of the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment, where flamingos and other waterbirds gather along the lake shoreline and hippos congregate in the shallows. In contrast, the Ngorongoro Crater is a vast UNESCO World Heritage-listed volcanic caldera that functions as a natural wildlife sanctuary. Lion, elephant, buffalo and large herds of plains game are commonly seen, and the crater remains one of northern Tanzania’s most reliable locations to spot the endangered black rhino.

Accommodation is in comfortable permanent tented camps with ensuite facilities and easy access to the parks. Starting and finishing in Arusha, this safari is available daily year-round, giving you the flexibility to add it seamlessly to your main adventure.

If you have one more day, see our four day Tanzania Wildlife Adventure which also includes Tarangire National Park.

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Early this morning, your guide will pick you up from your hotel to depart for Lake Manyara National Park where an afternoon game drive will be exciting. This evening is spent at Crater Lodge Permanent Tented Camp which is located about 5 mins from the entrance to Lake Manyara National Park, near the village of Mto Wa Mbu.

Meals: L,D

We drive up the Rift Valley escarpment this morning to the Ngorongoro Highlands. Our journey will take approximately two hours with wonderful views over the floor of the Rift Valley and passing through lush rainforest. On arrival at the crater rim (2300m) we descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for nearly a whole day of game viewing. We enter via the Windy Gap road, which is narrow, steep and twisting as it descends into this natural amphitheatre. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the last refuges in northern Tanzania for the endangered Black Rhino. With an extremely high density of animals in the 100sq km caldera, the Crater can be regarded as a “Garden of Eden”. Along with rhino, it is home to the largest density of lions anywhere in Africa with a plethora of antelope, hippos, other big cats, elephants, birds and much more. We return to Crater Lodge permanent camp in the late afternoon. (Please bring some warm clothing as it can be chilly on the crater rim.)

Meals: B,L,D

This morning we check out of our permanent camp after a relaxed breakfast. Our drive takes us across the South Masai land steppes to Arusha, which is situated approximately 2 hours from Mto Wa Mbu and 4 hours from the Crater Rim. Trip concludes on arrival in Arusha around noon.

Meals: B

Ready to start your adventure?

432 scheduled departures between 23 Oct 2026 and 29 Dec 2027.

  • Departs 23 Oct 2026 – ends 25 Oct 2026 (3 days)
  • Departs 24 Oct 2026 – ends 26 Oct 2026 (3 days)
  • Departs 25 Oct 2026 – ends 27 Oct 2026 (3 days)
  • Departs 26 Oct 2026 – ends 28 Oct 2026 (3 days)
  • Departs 27 Oct 2026 – ends 29 Oct 2026 (3 days)
  • Departs 28 Oct 2026 – ends 30 Oct 2026 (3 days)
  • … and 426 more departures.
View dates to Book

What's included?

Included

  • 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners
  • 2 nights in comfortable permanent safari camp on a twinshare basis
  • Experienced local game driver-guide
  • Private safari vehicle
  • Park entrance and conservation fees valued at US$218

Not included

  • Flights
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory)
  • Visa costs
  • Bottled water and alcoholic drinks
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Pre or post tour accommodation in Arusha (note: accommodation in Arusha on Day 3 is not included)
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Tips

Reviews (1)




The three day safari in Tanzania was wonderful in its own way and restful for the Kilimanjaro climbers. We saw many animals, birds and different landscapes. The tour leader was very obliging and I am sure he went to extra trouble for us – the lodge accommodation was really very, very good.

Helen Gough|Melbourne, Victoria

Extra trip info

Will My Trip Run?Wildlife Safari Safety

Every departure date advises whether the date is confirmed, and roughly how full it is. Here is what each one means.

Is the departure confirmed?

Guaranteed to go This departure has reached its minimum number and will run.
It is the point travellers should wait for before booking any non-refundable flights.
Close to guaranteed This appears only when a date is close to reaching minimum numbers. If it shows 1 or 2 to guaranteed, book as a pair on a date needing two and it reaches its minimum. Your booking confirms the date for everybody already booked.

How full is the date I am looking at?

Space is filling or Space is filling fast This date has bookings and places are still open. Filling fast means limited spots available, so don't leave your decision too late.
Closing soon Down to its last few places, or close enough to departure that we are finalising numbers. Still bookable online.
Closed Not bookable online - either full, or inside the notice we need to arrange permits, flights and logistics. Ask us anyway, you never know!

Availability questions answered

Will this trip actually go ahead, or could it be cancelled?

If a date shows Guaranteed to go, it runs regardless of further bookings.

What does 2 to guarantee mean?

It means two travellers are enough to confirm the departure. It could be 2 more to add to the group, or the date only needs 2 people to run. Either way, if you book for two people, the date will become guaranteed to run.

What happens if my departure does not reach minimum numbers?

You will know the status before you book. Every date on this page is labelled, and dates marked “Guaranteed to go” are running regardless of further bookings. Where a date has not reached its minimum we either offer a surcharge to operate for a smaller group size so it can still run, or we cancel it. We contact you directly either way.

Will I get my money back if you cancel a departure?

If we cancel a departure due to not meeting minimum trip numbers, you receive a full refund of everything you have paid us less any non recoverable costs, where insurance may cover you. We cannot refund money committed elsewhere – additional non refundable deposits advised at the time of booking, flights, visas, vaccinations, gear - which is why it is worth waiting for “Guaranteed to go” before booking other arrangements around this trip date. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before you book.

Why can't I book some dates online?

Each trip closes online a set time before departure. Permits, internal flights and hut or campsite bookings all have to be arranged before we take payment. Call or enquire as it might still be possible to organise last minute places.

The date I want is closed. What are my options and why does it say to enquire?

Cancellations happen and places do open up on closed dates, so it is worth being on our list. We can also tell you which nearby date on the same trip has space, which is usually the faster route.

None of these dates suit me. Can you run this trip on another date?

Yes, as a private departure. We can run this trip on a date you choose, for your own group - family, friends, a club, or in many cases, just for the two of you. Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming, and we will build it around that.

Early morning game viewing walk in Hlane National Park in Swaziland

Your safety is our main priority

Africa's wildlife is wild and unfenced. On many wildlife safaris you may meet them on foot, or from a vehicle. Walking in big-game country carries some risk, and the safeguards are not the same in every country.

Rules on firearms, guide qualifications, group size and how close you may approach an animal are set country by country, park by park. Many incorrectly assume that every wildlife safari in Africa travels with an armed ranger. Several countries prohibit firearms outright. Where an armed escort is required, it is supplied by the park authority.

What is consistent is how these trips operate. You walk in a small group with a professional local guide who knows the country and the animals in it. We do not include captive or hands-on wildlife encounters in any itinerary.

Read more

Guaranteeing A Great Tanzania Trip

Pioneering World Firsts
Quality equipment
Quality accommodations
Innovative itineraries
Custom built, reliable transport
Our all inclusive approach

Multi Award Winning Adventures

Responsible Travel

Adventure Experts Since 1975

Search Filters