★★★★★★ 5.0 TripAdvisor
✓TANAPA Licensed Operator
📍Arusha, Tanzania
📞+255 762 921 276
💬 +255 762 921 276
Home› Safari Packages› 3-Day Mid-Range Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara Safari
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3-Day Mid-Range Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara Safari

3 Days | Mid-range | Private | Tanzania Northern Circuit

📅3 Days / 2 Nights
🦁Mid-Range Lodge Safari
👥2-6
💰$1,100
🌍 Safari Overview
3 Days / 2 Nights
Duration
2-6
Group Size
All meals
Meals
Year-round
Best Season
Mid-Range Lodge Safari
Tour Style
Mid-range
Accommodation

A focused 3-day private safari combining the Ngorongoro Crater  the most wildlife-dense destination in Tanzania  with the flamingo shores and tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara. Perfect for a long weekend safari or a pre-Zanzibar extension.

✨ Safari Highlights

🦏
Ngorongoro Crater Big Five
Africa's most reliable Big Five in a single enclosed caldera.
🦩
Lake Manyara flamingos
Thousands of flamingos and over 400 bird species.
🦁
Tree-climbing lions
Lake Manyara's famous lions are often spotted lounging in acacia branches.
🚐
Private vehicle
Your private 4x4 with a dedicated guide.

📋 Day-by-Day Itinerary

1
Arusha → Lake Manyara National Park
▾
  • Today’s programme takes you through Lake Manyara National Park, with the day paced around the confirmed route and activities.
  • Afternoon full game drive: hippos, flamingos, tree-climbing lions.
  • The day introduces you to the lush groundwater forest, open floodplain and Rift Valley scenery of the Lake Manyara area.
  • The park’s compact size creates frequent changes of habitat as the road moves between forest, woodland and the lakeshore.
  • You may encounter elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, baboons and hippos, together with a wide variety of resident and migratory birds.
  • Flamingos and other waterbirds vary with lake levels and seasonal conditions, while lions and leopards remain fortunate sightings.
  • If a village or cultural activity is included, a local host will introduce you to everyday life, farming, crafts or the busy market environment.
  • Your guide will adapt the route to current wildlife information and the condition of the park roads.
  • Expect a varied day combining wildlife, striking escarpment views and the lively atmosphere of the surrounding communities.
🍽️Full Board — All Meals Included
2
Lake Manyara → Ngorongoro Crater Rim
▾
  • Today’s programme takes you through Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with the day paced around the confirmed route and activities.
  • Morning Lake Manyara birding walk Drive up rift escarpment to Ngorongoro rim Afternoon rim viewpoint walk and sundowner.
  • As you reach the Ngorongoro Highlands, the road climbs through cooler scenery toward the rim of the vast volcanic caldera.
  • The first viewpoint reveals grasslands, woodland and wetlands spread across the crater floor below.
  • During the descent, your guide will explain how this naturally enclosed ecosystem supports an exceptional concentration of wildlife.
  • You may encounter wildebeest, zebra, Cape buffalo, lions, spotted hyenas, hippos and numerous grassland birds.
  • Your guide will also scan the more distant plains for the critically endangered black rhinoceros, although every wildlife sighting depends on patience and good fortune.
  • A picnic lunch is normally enjoyed at an authorised site inside the conservation area before the game drive continues.
  • Expect an early start, cooler conditions around the rim and a rewarding day of wildlife viewing in one of Tanzania’s most dramatic landscapes.
🍽️Full Board — All Meals Included
3
Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha
▾
  • Today’s programme takes you through Ngorongoro Crater, with the day paced around the confirmed route and activities.
  • Dawn descent into the crater Full caldera game drive: Big Five Picnic lunch inside caldera Return to Arusha.
  • As you reach the Ngorongoro Highlands, the road climbs through cooler scenery toward the rim of the vast volcanic caldera.
  • The first viewpoint reveals grasslands, woodland and wetlands spread across the crater floor below.
  • During the descent, your guide will explain how this naturally enclosed ecosystem supports an exceptional concentration of wildlife.
  • You may encounter wildebeest, zebra, Cape buffalo, lions, spotted hyenas, hippos and numerous grassland birds.
  • Your guide will also scan the more distant plains for the critically endangered black rhinoceros, although every wildlife sighting depends on patience and good fortune.
  • A picnic lunch is normally enjoyed at an authorised site inside the conservation area before the game drive continues.
  • Expect an early start, cooler conditions around the rim and a rewarding day of wildlife viewing in one of Tanzania’s most dramatic landscapes.
🍽️Full Board — All Meals Included

💰 Safari Pricing

Start dates Solo 2 people 3 people 4 people 5 people 6 people
Apr 1, 2026 - May 31, 2026 n/a* $2,275 $2,010 $1,820 $1,820 $1,820

All prices per person. Group discounts available. Contact us for custom pricing.

🏕️ Your Accommodations

🏕️
lodge

Farm of Dreams Lodge

★★★☆☆
From Mid-range — $90–$160 per person / night
🏕️
tented-camp

Ang’ata Ngorongoro Camp

★★★★☆
From Mid-range — $200–$360 per person / night
🏕️

✅ What's Included

  • All park and conservation fees
  • 2 nights mid-range lodge accommodation
  • Private vehicle and guide
  • All meals
  • Drinking water

❌ Not Included

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Alcohol
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What quality are the mid-range lodges and camps?▾
Mid-range properties on our Northern Circuit itineraries offer comfortable en-suite rooms or tented suites with hot showers, flush toilets, restaurant dining, and often a swimming pool. Star ratings are typically 3–4 stars. While not luxury, the facilities are genuinely comfortable you'll sleep well, eat well, and have everything you need. The wildlife experience is identical to what guests in 5-star lodges see.
What is included in the tour price?▾
The price includes all national park and conservation area fees, private 4WD Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, professional certified guide, all accommodation as per itinerary, full-board meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner daily), all transfers and ground transport, and bottled drinking water. It does not include international flights, visa fees, travel insurance, alcohol, or tips.
Is a private vehicle really private?▾
Yes on all private tours, the vehicle and guide are exclusively yours for the duration of the safari. You will not share with any other guests. This means you set the pace, decide where to stop and for how long, and your guide's full attention is on your group. This is the key difference between our private and joining tours.
How early do game drives typically start?▾
Morning game drives typically depart at 6:00–6:30am during peak wildlife activity. The hour after sunrise is when predators are most active lions finishing overnight hunts, cheetah beginning their morning scan, and leopard visible before they retreat to shade. Afternoon drives depart around 3:30–4:00pm and run to sunset. Some guests prefer a lie-in and a later 7:30am departure we can accommodate this on request.
Do you offer customised itineraries?▾
Yes all our itineraries can be customised to your preferences, travel dates, special occasions, and interests. Whether you want to add extra nights in a specific park, incorporate a cultural village visit, add a Zanzibar beach extension, or adjust the accommodation category, we can tailor the safari to suit. Contact us with your dates and we'll build a custom proposal.
Can dietary requirements be accommodated?▾
Yes all lodges and camps can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary requirements with advance notice. Please inform us when enquiring and we'll ensure this is communicated to every property on your itinerary. In our experience, all lodges handle dietary requirements very capably.
What is the best way to book?▾
The easiest way to book is via WhatsApp send us a message with your preferred dates, group size, and budget and we'll come back to you within a few hours with availability and a detailed itinerary proposal. You can also use the booking form on this page. A 30% deposit confirms the booking; the balance is due 45 days before departure.
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