3-Day Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara Explored
If you’re thinking of seeing Tanzania’s well known parks but you haven’t got that long, so perhaps three days is all you have, then the ‘3 Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara’ circuit is really popular. That said, it’s good to know what you’re getting into, to know if this well known option is the best for you. Hopefully, I can give you a breakdown from start to end of what you might reasonably expect. We will get into each location, to check out the ups and the maybe less amazing parts, that might affect what you think. That’s it, a closer look to help make your mind up if you feel this whirlwind tour fits what you expect and like!
Day 1: Tarangire National Park – Elephant Haven
Day one usually kicks off with an early morning drive to Tarangire. Basically, the drive from Arusha can actually take like, around 2-3 hours, so just plan ahead for that! Tarangire’s famed for its sizable elephant herds, and, as a matter of fact, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll spot loads of them. As I was saying, keep a watch for the baobab trees; they are such a feature there. So it’s actually referred to as the ‘land of giants’. Just the volume of wildlife around the Tarangire River can be seriously awesome! When the light hits right, too, it is really good for getting those photos.
In some respects, you will have lunch somewhere like a picnic site inside the park, but usually the safari companies all use the exact, almost identical spots. In fact, a bunch of them use the exact same caterers! Afterwards, that means a continued afternoon outing where you try and spot more wildlife! Seemingly, you may see lions, giraffes, zebras, or a whole selection of birds. Just think about the time of year because that can massively swing which animals you are seeing. Keep an eye out for the migratory species if you are travelling at the end or start of the rains.
That said, I’d rate this park something like 8/10 for wildlife density and also just the variety you might expect in one outing. Just make sure you allow time, because sometimes, the park can actually get a bit crammed. So, yes be prepared, as that’s life. Usually, overnight will be at a lodge or a tented camp nearby. By the way, you might want to research a little ahead of the date which one your provider is choosing to use. Because I have stayed in both, you know. And I’m saying, it is not the same at all!
Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater – A World Wonder
Day two means getting yourself ready early to reach the Ngorongoro Crater. Typically, there’s something like a short drive from your accommodation towards the entry gate. Obviously, just a bit of boring process for paper work, really, at the gate and the other boring red tape before actually arriving at the rim viewpoint. That’s where things, finally, start getting properly amazing. Frankly, that first viewpoint gives this unforgettable peek over the side of the Crater itself. First impressions: mind blown!
As a matter of fact, that trip down into the crater might take something like 45 mins, and just a tiny bit hair raising, on a really steep and a bit of a twisting road. In short, the crater itself is sort of small -ish. Obviously it isn’t small. However the wildlife concentrations are really incredible. As a matter of fact, I have seen the Big Five literally in some five or six hours inside of the rim. By the way, lots of places tell you to be mindful of the Black Rhino sightings, since, it’s understood, Ngorongoro delivers almost guaranteed looks. Maybe it just works that way, as well, in practice though it might depend just a tiny little bit, and is possibly not always true! Still, don’t overlook the lakes where, typically, flamingoes gather, as well, there are actually hippos chilling. If you like bird watching, too, the crater is like, honestly, seriously fantastic.
I mean you will almost certainly spend something like 6 hours there before climbing up again. Then going onwards toward your new digs somewhere nearer to Lake Manyara itself. If I had one gripe, though, then, in my experience, it would actually be around mealtimes in the crater. What happens, see, is something like ALL of the safari vehicles descend on the exact, literally identical picnic spot at roughly the same moment. Which leads to being completely crazed, and pretty packed with all the other safari goers and their vehicles!
Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park – Tree Climbing Lions
Your final day is really short in Manyara park. It is actually a gem and something that might be missed, or maybe seen as ‘not really that good’ compared to the other two. I would really say this is unfair. By the way, the landscapes around Manyara can sometimes offer more varied backdrops, and even offer a range of photography choices, you know, something kind of different. You, honestly, might often see baboon families just knocking around at the park’s gate itself. Also just a bit fun to get those close pictures as you trundle in, really. Just keep your hands in!
It tends to be known for spotting those so called, very much raved about tree-climbing lions; but, that said, even if you fail to find them this area boasts seriously superb birding. That is because the lake draws serious numbers of flamingos and various waterbirds in their droves. As I was saying, don’t forget the elephants here also tend to have massive tusks, so they give great looks when they step into the plain from under the groundwater forest. By the way, the park, really, can actually feel more boxed in and that it is obviously way smaller compared to the seemingly never ending plains of the Serengeti, or just, say, Tarangire.
First, your game outing will last pretty much until lunch. After lunch comes that drive straight back into Arusha. By the way, expect something like a 4 to 5 hour drive; it’s pretty normal and they are usually on rough, unpaved roads, obviously very common with many safari destinations! Anyway, usually you should expect to land back in Arusha somewhere mid-late afternoon. By the way, some travelers actually use these sorts of tours, in fact, this actual circuit and time span, just like, as one, almost last hurrah ahead of traveling back home. If that sounds like a plan for you, ensure the flight times back fit with arriving back from the parks.
What to Consider Before you book
Before jumping head-first into one of these safaris, just a few things come to mind you might choose to remember. You know, like, I like to think what needs the most thinking!
- Pace: Very short is what they actually are. The 3-day version seriously feels like one rush to see it. If time works, I would actually extend the overall time to allow for an extra day or two.
- Accommodation choices: Be really clear with your provider and be very watchful as to actually where they plan to book you. Read a little on those locations, very close to the parks in advance. Then decide. It really can alter exactly how much you are actually enjoying the whole event.
- Crowds: Some of these popular spots seriously get mega crowded. Just accept and move forward! The crater literally does.
- Time of Year: Obviously, the dry spell honestly makes animal sightseeing so, very easy around water sources. By the way, during the wetter times be mindful as some of these roads will usually get seriously messed up, and that, for certain, can slow all movement.
Is this trip good for me?
These 3-day safari itineraries do provide just such a good taste and glimpse of what Tanzania really can offer. Yet, honestly, if seeing big games at all angles is a need, and a big need at that, think, perhaps, about spending more time, basically more days, visiting either only Tarangire, and/or only going into Ngorongoro. Just adding Serengeti, as well. Also, consider visiting some little known parks away from all those very known tourist routes. But then if you’re really on tight for time and simply seek out hitting those headlines, this type of schedule may deliver the highpoints just brilliantly.