3-Day Tarangire & Ngorongoro Safari Review: Is It Worth It?

So, you’re thinking about heading off for a quick trip into the Tanzanian bush, huh? Perhaps you are trying to squeeze in an adventure between work assignments, like your kind of on a ‘see animals-dash-back-to-the-office’ mission? This 3-day safari to Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater could just be what you need! A pretty great intro to the African wilderness, that’s what I call it. It packs a punch, wildlife viewing wise, while also fitting nicely into a tighter travel schedule, maybe.

Why Tarangire and Ngorongoro?

What makes this duo special, you wonder? Well, Tarangire, it’s almost like a real, actual elephant playground. I mean, you will see a staggering number of these gentle giants. The landscape, so too it’s peppered with these ancient baobab trees – they’re massive and so distinctive, like nature’s own sculptures, they are.

Ngorongoro, on the other hand, very different this one. This is what happens when you let a volcano implode and then, like, let nature go wild. The result, rather, is a breathtaking crater filled with a super dense population of animals. Honestly, it’s like a real life, actual ‘Lion King’ set, I’m telling you!

Together, this is some combination: one park it’s wide open, with far reaching views and elephants galore. The other, meanwhile, a sort of enclosed microcosm packed with nearly every African animal you could hope to spot. Talk about covering your bases, you know?

Day 1: Tarangire’s Gentle Giants

First light hits and your adventure gets properly going! After the team scoops you up, you’re very much whisked away from Arusha and straight into Tarangire. The drive itself, you see it offers peeks at rural Tanzanian life, it kind of does, before you’re fully immersed in the bush. Pretty great scenes along the way too, is that a good selling point?

What strikes you first in Tarangire, honestly it has to be the baobabs. Big, bigger, and biggest! I mean, they seem to reach for the sky with their knobbly branches. Beneath them, too, herds of elephants move gracefully, and they often gather around the Tarangire River, especially during the dry season, because, of course, everyone needs to stay hydrated.

Game drives here, that they tend to be very rewarding. You see, beyond the elephants, you might spot lions lounging in the shade (they are rather lazy during the hot hours, as you might expect). Also, there are giraffes elegantly stretching for the highest leaves, that’s very balletic, I thought. Leopards are pretty sneaky, a bit like proper ninjas, I like them!

Accommodation can be quite a variable too. You will find everything from cozy tented camps that let you hear the sounds of the bush as you drift off, that’s cool. Very comfortable lodges, also, if that is what you want, where you can relax by a pool after a dusty day exploring.

Day 2: Journey to Ngorongoro

Okay, day two is like your scenic transfer day, but oh boy, it’s much more than that, so prepare your eyeballs! After you say “goodbye” to Tarangire, you’re driven up, so very up, to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and this isn’t just any drive. The views, oh they are crazy good!

That first peek, anyway, at the crater from the rim is mind blowing, and that’s the truth. The sheer scale of it, very breathtaking it is. It gives you this “lost world” vibe that sticks with you.

If time allows, you get in some cultural interaction too. Many trips include a visit to a local Maasai village. Very, truly different to everything else, I’m telling you. Here you could get to witness their traditional way of life, see their homes, learn about their customs, and maybe buy some handcrafted souvenirs. You would probably support their community and take home something pretty unique. It all matters!

Then you go to your lodging for the night. Options range from places right on the crater rim with unreal views (imagine waking up to that sunrise!) all the way to places a little outside the park with a more budget-friendly angle. Do think about how the location of the place really adds something cool to the overall experience, so that’s a thing.

Day 3: Crater Floor Extravaganza

Rise, shine, and get ready! Very early start today as you go way down, so, so far down to the crater floor for a full day of animal viewing. Now, this is very much your prime wildlife watching day, very busy day you know?

Ngorongoro, it seems that is crammed with so many animals, and it seems as if all of them are going about their daily lives right there in front of you. You see lions stalking prey, flamingos wading in the shallows of Lake Magadi, massive elephants munching on vegetation, very graceful wildebeest grazing, and you also might get extremely lucky and spot a rhino (they’re so critically endangered these days). That’s really cool if it happens!

Keep the camera ready to get that cool picture! Every turn, really there’s another photo opportunity. Lunch is usually some type of picnic, rather enjoyed near a hippo pool, it’s a bit surreal but it kind of feels special.

As the sun begins to dip, you’re so taken back up the crater rim. That final view looking back into this amazing area. Next up, it is back to Arusha for your transfer back to real life!

Accommodation Styles

One question a lot of people get around to is “Where will I sleep?” You see, the choice of accommodation can really sway your trip. From super plush lodges that feel pretty upscale, a little fancy like, so too more “rustic” tented camps bringing you closer to nature’s sounds. There’s quite a spread!

Lodges: Rather proper rooms, usually, some sort of restaurant. Other additions include pools (welcome after a hot day), so very pretty gardens to relax in, they just scream “vacation”.

Tented Camps: So much more basic in some ways, with sturdy canvas tents housing beds and maybe very essential amenities. The vibe, rather, is adventurous. With evenings lit by lanterns and animal sounds, it’s such a cool thing.

Very important tip: Book those places rather early, particularly if going in high season, is what I’d say. Top spots do tend to book up quick. Be prepared!

What to Pack

Being prepared is pretty helpful, particularly when facing the wilds of Tanzania. Here is some handy dandy list for this cool adventure:

• Clothing: Neutral colors! Forget those bright things. Lightweight, breathable fabrics, layering also helps because it can get chilly early and late, believe it or not.
• Footwear: Sturdy walking shoes are just key. And maybe bring socks that breathe, something for warm and sweaty feet, basically.
• Sun Protection: Sunscreen (very high SPF), hat with a brim, sunnies – you have no idea how blazing hot it might be, or maybe you do?
• Health: Insect repellent (DEET based), any medications you use on a daily basis. Also bring a basic first-aid kit for those little scrapes.
• Gear: Binoculars (animal spotting!), camera with decent zoom (very great memory making) power banks to keep things charged.

It is really good thinking about these things ahead of time! So very much easier than figuring this out on the go, honestly, when all that you actually want to be doing is seeing stuff.

Things to Know Before You Go

A little preparation just makes this amazing thing even better. Now get ready to boost that fun. Okay, these should give you a leg up:

• Best time to go: That’s the dry season, running June to October, animal viewing gets to be super. Plus very less rain to muddy things up.
• Health and Safety: Check what vaccinations might be suggested by your doc. Definitely listen to your tour guide.
• Currency: Very essential to carry some Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) for little purchases or tips. US dollars often work too.
• Respect the Wildlife: Stay super quiet and definitely follow your guide’s advice to avoid startling the animals or disturbing their behavior, for goodness sake.

Is It Worth It?

So, the million dollar question: Is shelling out the dough and time worth it for a quick jaunt around Tarangire and Ngorongoro? I would definitely lean to a “YES.” In just three days, I mean, that’s so little time, and you’ll very nearly witness some top-tier African wildlife encounters, so there’s a ton to see, also you will.

Those baobab studded landscapes of Tarangire with the gigantic herds of elephants, then, the jaw dropping views of the crater. Then, it would be wildlife action happening on the crater floor – it packs memories for what feels like a really long time. In particular if your time might be at a premium, yet still wanting the raw essence of safari – honestly it fits. You should know your traveling!

Do consider what you need, a lot will depend on the place, the quality of your guiding, other additions of activities at certain lodges. Read reviews, weigh the costs of budget and all inclusive before heading off.

Key Takeaways:

• Perfect for those needing the essence of safari viewing but are limited by the allowance of time.
• Combining both of the landscapes means getting super diversity into what you can photograph.
• That choosing the lodging properly greatly upgrades your fun factor, no matter whether you’re on the more or lesser budget