3 Day Arusha National Park, Tarangire and Lake Manyara Safari
Three varied parks in three days, with a ranger-led walk in Arusha National Park, Tarangire's elephant herds and Lake Manyara's forests and birdlife.
- Duration
- 3 days
- Route
- Arusha – Arusha National Park – Tarangire National Park – Lake Manyara National Park – Arusha
- Start / end
- Starts and ends in Arusha (pick-up from your hotel or Kilimanjaro Airport)
- Best time
- June to October is ideal for Tarangire's dry-season concentrations, though all three parks are worthwhile year-round.
- Trip style
- Private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with your own driver-guide, staying in comfortable mid-range lodges.
Tour overview
This three-park safari keeps driving times short and variety high. It is a great choice for travelers who want an active start, families who prefer manageable days, and anyone looking for a relaxed safari that stays close to Arusha.
You begin in Arusha National Park, on the slopes of Mount Meru, where you can join an optional walking safari with an armed ranger or paddle a canoe on the Momella Lakes. Next comes Tarangire National Park, home to big elephant herds and towering baobabs, followed by the forest, floodplains and soda lake of Lake Manyara National Park.
Everything runs on a private basis, with your own guide and Land Cruiser and comfortable mid-range lodges.
Highlights
- Optional walking safari with an armed ranger in Arusha National Park
- Colobus monkeys, giraffe and buffalo on the slopes of Mount Meru
- Optional canoeing on the Momella Lakes
- Elephant herds and baobab trees in Tarangire
- Groundwater forest and lakeshore birdlife in Lake Manyara
- Short drives between parks with plenty of game-viewing time
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arusha National Park Walking and Game Drive
After pick-up, drive about 45 minutes to Arusha National Park on the slopes of Mount Meru. The park packs montane forest, open glades, Ngurdoto Crater and the alkaline Momella Lakes into a small area. Look for black-and-white colobus monkeys, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, warthog and flamingos on the lakes. Optional extras include a walking safari with an armed park ranger, which brings you close to giraffe and buffalo on foot, or a guided canoe trip on the Small Momella Lake. On clear days, Kilimanjaro appears on the horizon. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park and return to Arusha in the late afternoon for dinner and the night.
Day 2Full Day in Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, drive about 2 hours to Tarangire National Park for a full day of game viewing. The Tarangire River is the lifeline of the park, and in the dry months it draws large numbers of elephants, along with zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffe, eland and impala. Lions are regularly seen and leopards are possible in the riverine trees. The park is also excellent for birds, including colorful lovebirds and large ground hornbills. Break for a picnic lunch at a viewpoint over the river, then continue exploring until late afternoon, when you check in to your lodge in or near the park for dinner and the night.
Day 3Lake Manyara National Park and Return to Arusha
After breakfast, drive about 1.5 hours to Lake Manyara National Park at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment. Your game drive begins in the cool groundwater forest, alive with baboons, blue monkeys and hornbills, then moves out to the hippo pool and grassy floodplains where buffalo, elephant, giraffe and zebra graze. Keep watch in the acacia trees for the park's occasional tree-climbing lions. Stop for a picnic lunch overlooking the lake, then begin the drive of about 2 hours back to Arusha. You will be dropped at your hotel or Kilimanjaro Airport in the late afternoon.
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
- 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
- Optional walking safari ranger fee and canoeing in Arusha National Park
Good to know
- The walking safari and canoeing are optional and should be requested when booking so they can be arranged.
- Canoeing depends on water levels in the Momella Lakes and may not run at all times.
- Wear sturdy closed shoes if you plan to do the walking safari.
- This safari involves no very long drive days, making it a good fit for families.
Frequently asked questions
Is the walking safari in Arusha National Park safe?
Walks are led by an armed, experienced park ranger who chooses routes and keeps a safe distance from wildlife. Arusha National Park is not known for lions, which is one reason it is a popular place for walking safaris.
Will I see the Big Five on this safari?
You have good chances for elephant, buffalo and lion, and leopard is possible in Tarangire and Manyara. Rhino are not found in these three parks, so if seeing rhino is important, consider adding the Ngorongoro Crater.
Can Kilimanjaro be seen from Arusha National Park?
On clear mornings, especially in the dry season, Kilimanjaro can be seen from several viewpoints in the park. Cloud often builds by midday, so early views are best.
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