3-Day Budget Tanzania Safari | Tarangire, Manyara & Ngorongoro
3 Days / 2 Nights Days
Arusha, Tanzani → Arusha, Tanzani
Wildlife
Easy
From
USD $ 623
per person
Why Choose This Safari?
Three days is enough to see three of Tanzania's best parks if you don't waste time switching lodges, and this route doesn't—Figi Tree Lodge is your base for both nights, with Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro Crater built around it rather than the other way round. It's the right call for travelers short on time or budget who still want the crater floor and its black rhino, not just a drive-by version of the Northern Circuit. Staying at one lodge throughout also means less packing and unpacking than a typical multi-camp itinerary, which matters more than people expect on a short trip.
Destinations to Travel
Tarangire National Park · Mto wa Mbu · Lake Manyara National Park · Ngorongoro Crater
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park, then Mto wa Mbu
You leave Arusha in the morning for Tarangire National Park, known for its giant baobab trees and some of the largest elephant herds in Tanzania. A full day of game driving gives good odds on lion, zebra, giraffe and buffalo alongside the elephants. Later, you continue to Mto wa Mbu for dinner and the night at Figi Tree Lodge.
Day 2 — Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, it's a short drive to Lake Manyara National Park — compact, but with more packed into it than its size suggests: tree-climbing lions, flamingo-lined hippo pools, and a groundwater forest that stays green even in the dry months. A full day of game driving here, then back to Figi Tree Lodge for dinner.
Day 3 — Ngorongoro Crater, then Return to Arusha
An early start for the drive to Ngorongoro Crater, descending onto the caldera floor for a half-day game drive — lion, elephant, hippo, buffalo and the endangered black rhino are all possible here, often within close range. Lunch is a picnic at the crater's own picnic site before you climb back out and drive to Arusha, closing out the trip.
What's Included
Rate Includes
- All park entry fees (Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro)
- Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for game viewing
- All accommodations as per itinerary (Figi Tree Lodge)
- All meals during the safari (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- All government taxes and levies
- Ngorongoro Crater descent fees
Rate Excludes
- International and domestic flights
- Accommodation in Arusha before/after the safari
- Travel insurance
- Tips for the guide and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and soft drinks at the lodge
- Items of personal nature (laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Best Time to Go
This circuit works well most of the year, but June through October gives the clearest game viewing — Tarangire's elephants concentrate around the shrinking river, and the crater floor at Ngorongoro is at its best when the grass is short. If you'd rather see Lake Manyara's groundwater forest at its greenest, the months around November are also worth considering, since the parks are quieter and rates often drop.
Pricing
From USD $ 623 per person
| 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | 5 Pax | 6 Pax+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 898 | 749 | 652 | 593 | 567 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do a 3-day safari from Arusha covering Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater?
Yes — this itinerary starts and ends in Arusha, with two nights at Figi Tree Lodge and a half-day descent into Ngorongoro Crater on the final day.
Do I stay at a different lodge each night?
No — Figi Tree Lodge in Mto wa Mbu is your base for both nights, which keeps this a budget-friendly option since there's no packing up and moving camp between parks.
Will I see the Ngorongoro Crater on this trip?
Yes, Day 3 is a half-day game drive on the crater floor itself, with a picnic lunch at the crater's picnic site before the drive back to Arusha.
Is this safari suitable for travelers with limited time?
Yes, it's designed specifically for that — three days is enough to cover three of the Northern Circuit's best-known parks without the longer time commitment of a full circuit safari.
What kind of accommodation is used on this safari?
Figi Tree Lodge, a comfortable budget property in Mto wa Mbu, used for both nights of the trip.
Is this a private or group safari?
Private Safari