3 Day Tanzania Safari – Cost & Itinerary
Enjoy a Memorable 3-Day Safari Adventure in Tanzania
Take a short but exciting trip through three of Tanzania’s top parks: Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara National Park. Start your journey in Tarangire, where you’ll see large baobab trees and many animals like elephants, lions, and more. With the help of a knowledgeable guide, explore the wild and spot amazing wildlife. Next, visit the famous Ngorongoro Crater, home to a wide range of animals including rhinos, lions, and buffalos. This natural wonder offers great chances to see the Big Five in one place. End your safari at the beautiful Lake Manyara, known for its tree-climbing lions, colorful birds, and stunning views of the Great Rift Valley. During your safari, you’ll stay in comfortable lodges that let you relax in nature after each day of adventure. With friendly service and peaceful surroundings, your experience will be both exciting and restful. This 3-day safari gives you a true taste of Tanzania’s wild beauty and wildlife in a short, unforgettable trip.
Three Day Tanzania safari Tours Highlights
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha - Tarangire National Park
Accommodation: Heart and Soul Lodge
Activities:
Arrive in Arusha, and head straight to Tarangire National Park for your first game drive. Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. Enjoy a full-day game drive, spotting a wide variety of wildlife, including lions, giraffes, zebras, and a multitude of bird species. Return to Heart and Soul Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater Full Game Drive
Accommodation: Heart and Soul Lodge
Activities:
After breakfast, depart for Ngorongoro Crater – a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. Spend a full day exploring the crater floor, which is home to diverse wildlife including the "Big Five" (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros).Enjoy breathtaking views of the crater from the rim before descending to the floor for your game drive. Return to Heart and Soul Lodge for another night of rest.
Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park - Return to Arusha.
Accommodation: (At extra cost)
Activities:
On this final day, after breakfast, head to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions and stunning lake views. The park offers a mix of habitats, including acacia woodlands, groundwater forests, and soda lakes.You will have a morning game drive to spot wildlife such as flamingos, baboons, and herds of elephants.After your game drive, head back to Arusha to conclude your safari adventure.You can opt for additional accommodation in Arusha (at an extra cost) or proceed to your next destination. Summary of Accommodation:Heart and Soul Lodge: 2 nightsArusha (extra cost accommodation): 1 night (optional)
Itinerary, Inclusion and Price
Day 1 - Arusha to Tarangire National Park
We depart today for Tarangire Park with packed lunch, passing through open plains south of Arusha town...During the dry season from May to October Tarangire has the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti ecosystem and its wetlands in the southeast portion of the park support over 300 varieties of birds...With fewer tourists than other parks, Tarangire’s rolling savannah dotted with thousands of baobab and acacia trees offers a great chance to enjoy Africa's wilderness and solitude. You will have a full day game drive, dinner, and overnight Heart and Soul Lodge or other Lodge.
Accommodation:
✓ Name: Heart and Soul Lodge
✓ Type: Lodge
✓ Level: Mid-range
Day 2 - Full game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
Following breakfast, you'll venture towards Ngorongoro Crater, renowned as a remarkable natural spectacle. Here, you'll encounter over 120 species of animals, including the renowned Big Five. It presents an ideal opportunity to observe the solitary grazing of endangered black rhinoceros and observe numerous hippos cooling off in the water.From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you can witness and capture images of some of Africa's most iconic creatures. The crater serves as a habitat for various predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas, alongside a vast array of wildebeests, zebras, antelopes, cape buffaloes, and more. Undoubtedly, it stands as one of Africa's premier safari destinations.Following an exhilarating day, you'll relish a picnic lunch near the renowned hippo pool within the park. Subsequently, you'll embark on the final game drive before departing the crater and returning to your Heart and Soul Lodge lodging.
Accommodation:
✓ Name: Heart and Soul Lodge
✓ Type: Lodge
✓ Level: Mid-range
Day 3 - Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha
After breakfast drive to Lake Manyara National Park with packed lunch...Encompassing this area is Lake Manyara Park which is often overlooked, but game-rich and best known for its tree-climbing lions...We’ll have time for full day game drive then evening drive back to Arusha
5 Questions About 3-Day Tanzania Safaris
1. Is a 3-day safari in Tanzania enough?
A 3-day safari is short but still worth it! It gives you a great first taste of Tanzania’s wildlife and landscapes. While more days allow you to explore deeper and relax more, 3 days are perfect if you’re short on time or budget. Just remember, some of the time will be spent traveling to and from the parks so it's best not to try and visit too many places in one trip. Focus on 1 or 2 parks to really enjoy the experience.
2. What can I do in 3 days on safari?
You can visit some of Tanzania’s best parks! On the northern circuit, popular choices for 3-day safaris include: Tarangire National Park – great for elephants and baobab trees Ngorongoro Crater – home to the Big Five Lake Manyara National Park – famous for tree-climbing lions Trying to visit all four parks in 3 days is possible but rushed. Most travelers pick two, like Tarangire + Ngorongoro, or Lake Manyara + Ngorongoro. If you’re in the south (starting from Dar es Salaam), you can choose Mikumi, Nyerere, or Saadani National Parks for a short trip.
3. What kind of places can I stay in?
There are different kinds of accommodations to fit your style and budget:
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Budget camping – Sleep in tents and enjoy nature up close (basic but exciting!)
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Lodges – Comfortable and located near or inside the parks
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Luxury lodges or tented camps – Great service, gourmet meals, and beautiful views
Whether you want something basic or more luxurious, Tanzania has great safari lodges to choose from.
4. What animals can I see on a 3-day safari?
You’ll see lots of wildlife! Depending on the park, you can spot: Elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, hippos, antelopes, and many birds Ngorongoro Crater is the best place to see black rhinos Serengeti and Ngorongoro are both good for spotting lions and leopards Southern parks like Nyerere and Ruaha are known for wild dogs, kudu, and rare antelopes Each park has something different to offer!
5. How much does a 3-day safari cost?
Prices depend on the type of safari and accommodation you choose:
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Budget camping safaris start at around $600 per person
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Mid-range lodge tours range from $800 to $1,200 per person
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Luxury safaris can go higher depending on your preferences
Costs usually include transport, park fees, meals, guide, and accommodation. Group safaris are more affordable, while private safaris offer more flexibility. You can also ask about low-season discounts!