Forest and lake on day one, the crater floor on day two
A herd of buffalo.
A gentle start in Lake Manyara's shady forest and along its shore, a comfortable night in the highlands, then a full morning and more on the Ngorongoro Crater floor.
Lake Manyara is close to Arusha, so the first day starts relaxed: lunch, then an afternoon drive through the groundwater forest, past the hippo pools and out to the lake. In the evening you climb the escarpment to Karatu.
Day two is all about the crater, with up to about six hours on the floor among buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and lions, and a chance of black rhino.
A relaxed first afternoon
Long time on the crater floor
Mid-range lodge in Karatu
Ideal before or after a Kilimanjaro climb
Arusha → Lake Manyara National Park → Karatu
We collect you from your Arusha hotel in the morning and drive west, about two hours, to Lake Manyara. After a picnic lunch you spend the afternoon on a game drive through the forest, past the hippo pools and out to the open shore. In the evening you climb the escarpment to your lodge in Karatu.
Karatu → Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha
An early start up to the rim and down to the floor, for a game drive of up to about six hours with a picnic lunch. Buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and lions are often seen, and the crater is one of Tanzania's best places for black rhino, usually at a distance. In the afternoon you drive back to Arusha, arriving in the early evening.
We name your Karatu lodge when we confirm availability. A Mto wa Mbu village and bike tour can be added on day one for about US$40 per person.
The line shows the order of the trip, not the exact road. Press ↻ to play it again.
| Season | 1 Person | 2 People | 3 People | 4 People | 5 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High SeasonJune – October · 20 Dec – February | $1,220 | $825 | $695 | $630 | $590 | $565 |
| Low SeasonMarch – May · 1 Nov – 19 Dec | $1,180 | $785 | $655 | $590 | $550 | $525 |
High Season: June to October and 20 December to the end of February. Low Season: March to May and 1 November to 19 December.
Private trip for your group only: the more of you share the vehicle and guide, the lower the price per person. For 7 or more people we send a quote.
How booking works: a 30% deposit confirms your trip and the balance is paid on arrival in Tanzania, before the trip starts. We reply within 3 hours. Booking terms
Tarangire has more elephants and feels wilder; Manyara is closer, greener and gives you a shorter first day. Both work well with the crater.
Up to about six hours on the floor, which is the time the park allows a vehicle per visit.
A mid-range lodge in Karatu, named when we confirm your dates, with dinner and breakfast included.
Tarangire's elephants on day one, the crater on day two.
Two national parks, one lodge night, our lowest 2-day price.
Three parks, no long drives: Manyara, the crater and Tarangire.
Tell us your dates, where you are staying and how many of you are travelling. We reply within 3 hours.
