2 Day Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Two days of private game viewing, from Lake Manyara's groundwater forest and baboon troops to the wildlife-packed floor of the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Duration
- 2 days
- Route
- Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park – Karatu – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha
- Start / end
- Starts and ends in Arusha (pick-up from your hotel or Kilimanjaro Airport)
- Best time
- Both parks can be visited year-round; June to October brings dry, easy conditions, while Manyara is especially green and bird-rich from November to April.
- Trip style
- Private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with your own driver-guide, staying one night in a comfortable mid-range lodge in Karatu.
Tour overview
This compact safari is perfect when you have just two days but want variety. It works well for first-time visitors, families, and travelers combining a safari with Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar or meetings in Arusha.
Start at Lake Manyara National Park, a small but beautiful park squeezed between the Rift Valley escarpment and a shallow soda lake. Lush groundwater forest shelters baboon troops and blue monkeys, the open shore attracts buffalo, giraffe and pelicans, and the park is known for occasional tree-climbing lions. Then, after a peaceful night in the Karatu highlands, you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for one of Africa's most concentrated wildlife spectacles.
The safari is fully private, with your own guide and Land Cruiser, so you can linger at sightings and set the pace.
Highlights
- Groundwater forest, baboons and blue monkeys in Lake Manyara National Park
- Seasonal flamingos and abundant waterbirds on the lake shore
- Dramatic views of the Great Rift Valley escarpment
- Morning game drive on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater
- Chance to see lion, buffalo, hippo and the rare black rhino
- Relaxed lodge night among coffee farms near Karatu
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park and Karatu
Leave Arusha in the morning after pick-up from your hotel or Kilimanjaro Airport and drive about 2 hours west, passing Maasai villages and the busy market town of Mto wa Mbu. Enter Lake Manyara National Park for an afternoon of game viewing. The route winds through tall groundwater forest where baboons and blue monkeys forage, then opens onto grassy floodplains with buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and elephants. Hippos wallow at the hippo pool and the lakeshore often holds pelicans, storks and flamingos. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park, then drive up the escarpment to Karatu, about 45 minutes, for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive and Return to Arusha
Rise early for breakfast and drive through montane forest to the Ngorongoro Crater rim, about 45 minutes away. Descend to the crater floor while the morning is still cool and the animals are active. Your guide will search the grasslands, swamps and the Lerai acacia forest for lion, hyena, buffalo, elephant, wildebeest and zebra, and scan the open plains for black rhino. Flamingos often gather on Lake Magadi. After a picnic lunch at a hippo pool, ascend the crater wall in the early afternoon and drive about 3 hours back to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon for drop-off at your hotel or the airport.
What is included
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for game viewing
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- All park entry and conservation fees as per the itinerary
- Ngorongoro Crater descent (crater service) fee
- Accommodation as listed, or similar
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle throughout
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Arusha hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Government taxes and VAT
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Tips for your guide and crew
- Alcoholic and soft drinks at lodges
- Personal items, laundry and souvenirs
- Accommodation in Arusha before or after the safari
Good to know
- Tree-climbing lions are possible in Lake Manyara but they are not seen on every visit.
- Mornings on the crater rim can be cold and misty; pack a fleece or light jacket.
- Bring binoculars: they make a big difference for birds in Manyara and rhinos in the crater.
- Picnic lunches are eaten at designated sites inside the parks.
Frequently asked questions
How does Lake Manyara compare with Tarangire?
Lake Manyara is smaller, greener and especially good for primates, birds and forest scenery, and it sits close to Karatu, which keeps driving short. Tarangire is larger and better for big elephant herds, especially in the dry season.
Can children join this safari?
Yes, this is a great short safari for families because the drives are manageable and the lodge is comfortable. Let us know children's ages so we can arrange suitable rooms and car seats if needed.
What should I wear on safari?
Neutral-colored, comfortable layers work best, with a warm top for the crater morning and a hat and sunscreen for midday. Closed shoes are useful at lodges and picnic sites.
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