
3-Day Arusha National Park, Tarangire & Ngorongoro Safari
Forest monkeys and Mount Meru, Tarangire's elephants and baobabs, then a full morning inside Ngorongoro Crater — three very different parks in three days from Arusha.
About this safari
Forest monkeys and Mount Meru, Tarangire's elephants and baobabs, then a full morning inside Ngorongoro Crater — three very different parks in three days from Arusha.
This 3 days private safari starts in Arusha and takes you to Colobus monkeys and the Momella Lakes, Large elephant herds in Tarangire, Game drive on the Ngorongoro Crater floor, Private vehicle and guide throughout. Your own vehicle and guide set the pace, and every stay and transfer is confirmed around your dates.
Safari snapshot
A quick look at the route, day by day.
| Day | Place | Highlights | Hotel options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arusha National Park | Colobus monkeys · Momella Lakes · Mount Meru views | Ilboru Safari Lodge or similar |
| Day 2 | Tarangire National Park | Elephant herds · baobabs · Tarangire River game drive | Country Lodge Karatu or similar |
| Day 3 | Ngorongoro Crater and back to Arusha | Crater floor game drive · black rhino · Lerai forest | Departure |
Ways to customise this trip
- Add a night in the bush, a cultural visit or a balloon flight
- Upgrade your stays or finish with beach time in Zanzibar
Route
- Day 1Arusha National Park
- Day 2Tarangire
- Day 3Ngorongoro Crater
Day by day
Here is how the days run. We can adjust the route around your dates and the pace you want.
1Day 1Arusha National ParkIlboru Safari Lodge or similar / Lunch, Dinner

Pick-up from your Arusha hotel at about 8 am. Spend the day in Arusha National Park, driving up through the forest for colobus monkeys, then to the Ngurdoto Crater viewpoints and the Momella Lakes for giraffe, buffalo, zebra and flamingos below Mount Meru. Picnic lunch in the park. Late afternoon return to Arusha for dinner and the night. Arusha National Park is small but full of contrasts: montane forest with black-and-white colobus monkeys, the Ngurdoto Crater viewpoints and the shallow Momella Lakes, where flamingos gather in season and giraffe and buffalo graze beneath Mount Meru. You return to Ilboru Safari Lodge or similar as the sun drops, with time to rest before dinner. Lunch and dinner are included today.
- Main stop
- Arusha National Park
- Accommodation
- Ilboru Safari Lodge or similar
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner

2Day 2Tarangire National ParkCountry Lodge Karatu or similar / Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leave after breakfast for the two-hour drive to Tarangire. The park's ancient baobabs and the Tarangire River draw some of the largest elephant herds in Tanzania, particularly from June to October. Spend the day on game drives along the river, looking for lions resting in the shade, tree-climbing pythons, giraffe and over 500 bird species. Picnic lunch at a viewpoint. In the late afternoon drive up to the cooler highlands around Karatu.
- Main stop
- Tarangire
- Accommodation
- Country Lodge Karatu or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3Day 3Ngorongoro Crater and back to ArushaBreakfast, Lunch

An early breakfast and up to the crater rim, then down 600 m to the floor of Ngorongoro Crater. The morning game drive covers grassland, the Lerai forest and the Ngoitoktok spring, with a good chance of lions, hyenas, buffalo, hippos and the rare black rhino. Lunch at a picnic site by the water, then climb out and drive back to Arusha, arriving in the early evening. You descend 600 metres down the crater wall to the floor of Ngorongoro, a 260 km² caldera that holds one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Over the morning you look for lions, spotted hyenas, buffalo, zebra, elephant bulls and the rare black rhino, with flamingos on Lake Magadi and hippos at the Ngoitoktok spring. In the afternoon your guide drives you back for your drop-off — your hotel, the airport for your onward flight, or a connection to Zanzibar. We can add an extra night or a beach stay if you would like more time.
- Main stop
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation
Where you stay on this trip. We can move the comfort level up or down when we plan your dates.
Tour rates
Your price depends on your dates, group size and the stays you choose. We confirm it in writing once we have checked availability.
Prices are per person and assume shared rooms. Season, park fees, group size, flights and lodge availability all affect the final quote.
Get my exact quoteWhat’s included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Park entrance and conservation fees for the itinerary
- Accommodation as listed, or similar
- Meals as listed and bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Airport or hotel transfers at the start and end
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides and lodge staff
- Drinks at lodges and personal expenses
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Travellers who explored Tanzania with us
From the journal

Serengeti vs Ngorongoro: Comparing the Titans
Discover expert tips and local insights about Serengeti vs Ngorongoro: Comparing the Titans with Lucky Wild Safaris. Read our full guide to start planning your dream Tanzanian adventure.
Read guide
Ngorongoro Crater Safari Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Complete guide to Ngorongoro Crater safari in Tanzania. Learn about wildlife, best time to visit, what to expect, and how to book with Lucky Wild Safaris.
Read guide
Tarangire National Park: Tanzania's Best-Kept Wildlife Secret
Discover Tarangire National Park — home to Tanzania's largest elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and extraordinary wildlife.
Read guideFrequently asked questions
Can this 3 days itinerary be changed?
Yes. We can review your dates, daily pace, room preferences and interests, then build a specific proposal. Changes to flights, activities or park nights may affect cost and availability.
Which accommodation will I stay in?
Your proposal will name the properties and room categories for each night. Any stays shown here are planning options and remain subject to availability; alternative properties are agreed before confirmation.
What wildlife will we see?
Wildlife sightings depend on season, weather and the animals themselves. Your guide plans around local conditions, but particular species, migration movements and river crossings cannot be guaranteed.
Can I change the route and accommodation?
Yes. The published routes are starting points. Tell us your dates, interests and preferred comfort level so we can adjust nights, transfers and activities before quoting.
What determines the final price?
The travel season, number of travellers sharing a vehicle, park fees, room arrangements, lodge availability and domestic flights all affect cost. Your written proposal will identify inclusions and optional extras.
Can the safari finish in Zanzibar?
A mainland safari can connect with Zanzibar by a separately arranged domestic flight. Leave enough time for the transfer and confirm baggage allowances before booking flights.
When is the best time for a Tanzania safari?
Wildlife can be seen all year. June to October is dry, with animals gathering near water. January to March brings the calving season in the southern Serengeti. April and May are the long rains: greener, quieter and often better value. We match the parks and camps to the month you travel.
How many days do I need?
Two or three days suit Tarangire and Ngorongoro. Four to six days let you add the Serengeti without rushing, and seven or more give time for extra parks, a cultural visit or the coast. Fewer long drives usually means a better trip.
Is the safari private?
Our tailor-made safaris are private: your own vehicle and guide, and a daily pace set around your group. Shared departures can sometimes be arranged for solo travellers — ask us and we’ll explain the options.
What vehicle will we travel in?
Game drives are in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for viewing and photography. Your proposal confirms the vehicle and seating for your group size.
Is a safari suitable for children?
Yes, with the right planning. We keep drives shorter, choose family-friendly rooms and build in rest time. Some camps and activities have minimum ages, so please share each child’s age when you enquire.
Can you cater for dietary needs?
Most lodges and camps can prepare vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other meals with notice. Tell us about allergies or requirements when you enquire and we’ll pass them to every property on your route.
Do I need vaccinations or malaria tablets?
Requirements depend on your nationality and recent travel, and a yellow fever certificate may be needed if you arrive from certain countries. Malaria precautions are generally advised. Please check with a travel health clinic before you go.
What should I budget for tips?
Tipping is not compulsory but is customary for guides and lodge staff. We include current guidance with your proposal so you can plan for it in advance.
Will there be Wi-Fi and charging?
Many lodges and camps offer charging points and some Wi-Fi, but the connection can be slow or limited to main areas in remote parks. A spare power bank is useful on game drives.
How far in advance should I book?
For July to October and the holiday season, three to nine months ahead gives the best choice of camps. Shorter notice is often possible — send us your dates and we’ll check availability.
A few details.
A good beginning.
Tell us who is coming and what you would love to find here. We’ll send back a route you can read, question and make your own.
- Planned around your dates and interests
- Midrange or luxury, at your pace
- A personal conversation with our local team



