Review: Arusha – 2-Day Tarangire & Ngorongoro Safari

Tanzania’s northern circuit is, actually, incredibly iconic for good reason, like its exceptional wildlife viewing and magnificent landscapes. Very recently, I experienced the two-day Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater tour, departing from Arusha, so I wanted to share the details with you. This trip is, seemingly, designed for people looking to squeeze a pretty memorable safari experience into a short amount of time. Does it measure up? Keep reading and I will share with you my thoughts.

Why Choose a Quick Safari from Arusha?

Arusha acts as, arguably, the jumping-off spot for lots of safaris in northern Tanzania. You see, a big bonus to starting in Arusha is its accessibility. Kilimanjaro International Airport is nearby, basically, making it quite convenient to fly in and out. Plus, a short safari like this two-day option works especially well if, for example, you’re trying to blend a safari with another adventure, that could be climbing Kilimanjaro or relaxing on the beaches of Zanzibar, right? It also provides an intro to Tanzania’s park system in general if your time happens to be rather limited or you’re testing the waters, right?

Tarangire National Park: Elephants and More

Day one led us to Tarangire National Park, famous because it is filled with an unusually dense elephant population, especially during the dry season (July to October). Honestly, I had anticipated a good quantity of elephants. However, the reality absolutely blew me away. We came across herds with so many that seemed to stretch as far as one can see; the little babies wobbling behind the grown ups were such a joy. Tarangire isn’t only elephants, it turns out. I was rather lucky to spot giraffes gracefully munching at the tops of acacia trees and also prides of lions lounging beneath the shade. The landscape alone makes the trip something you will appreciate, basically, with its beautiful baobab trees dotting the savannah.

It’s almost like the guide’s knowledge of the park proved truly priceless. So, he knew just where to find the best viewing spots, often taking us off the beaten track a bit so that we might enjoy some more solitary sightings. Wildlife photography in Tarangire tends to be incredible. Basically, there’s such appealing light and backdrops. However, so get your camera ready.

Ngorongoro Crater: A Natural Wonder

Day two took us up to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Of course, this area surrounds the Ngorongoro Crater; it happens to be a deep, volcanic feature positively teeming with wildlife. The descent into the crater really felt like something, similar to stepping into another universe, really. As we descended, the walls seemed to cocooned us and the outside noise diminished until all you can hear is, seemingly, the engine and the promise of, arguably, a wildlife wonderland below.

It turns out that the crater floor happens to be a special environment because it has all types of East African wildlife that reside within the limited space. That is amazing right? It wasn’t hard to spot a large amount of animals — everything, seemingly, from zebras and wildebeest to rhinos and lions. Indeed, birdwatchers find this a bit of a haven since there’s such a great mix of species inhabiting the crater’s floor and lake shores. In the middle of, you know, a morning game drive, our guide set up a wonderful picnic lunch by a hippo pool; the atmosphere really can’t be beat. Seeing those big animals lazing around as we dined really added some excitement.

Accommodations and Logistics

This two-day safari, arguably, offers different lodging options so that travelers can choose something aligned with their budgets and desires. We opted for a mid-range lodge that featured comfortable lodging with, apparently, en-suite facilities that are much appreciated after a long day in a safari vehicle. The service proved both friendly and competent, by the way, and the food offered up, really, was surprisingly excellent considering just how remote we happened to be. If you are interested, very many safaris also offer options for budget camping. However, others also go for totally luxurious lodges, that cater, certainly, to all levels of comfort.

Very few drinks got included in our particular tour package. So, it is important to budget for these costs. Plus, one should consider tips for the guide and any park rangers who might have offered extra information throughout your game drives. All safaris include transport from Arusha to the parks in modified four-by-four vehicles that have been specially fitted out for game viewing, you see. The vehicles can, kind of, get quite bumpy but do have open roofs so that we could easily view animals, really making for better picture taking too.

What Could Be Improved?

With this tour generally delivering plenty of experience at a manageable pace. Still, here’s some areas, so to speak, to keep in the back of your head:

Pace: Two days is short. It means long drives and quick stops; it may well be tiring. Maybe travelers should be ready for a reasonably action-packed agenda.
Cultural Interaction: Our tour concentrated, primarily, on wildlife viewing, by the way. It might have been fantastic to add a cultural piece. Visiting some local villages could supply more perspective on the Tanzanian people and customs.
Crowds: Both Tarangire as well as Ngorongoro do get a whole heap of tourists, especially during the high season. That could influence game drive encounters. One would be wise to visit during the shoulder season (that is, June or September) if, apparently, you really wish to avoid, you know, big crowds.

In spite of those small details, there are a great deal of plusses. It really serves as, virtually, a worthwhile adventure provided one knows what to foresee and is, arguably, geared up for it.

Making the Most of Your Safari

Here are some, arguably, invaluable tips and suggestions to boost your Tanzanian safari:

Wear Layers: Temperatures have the possibility of fluctuating, quite dramatically, right from morning chill to mid day heat.
Use a good quality pair of binoculars: Animal sightings may happen far into the distance. This lets you appreciate the sights better.
Respect Wildlife: Follow what the guide shares with you so that the experience isn’t only wonderful but doesn’t do harm to wildlife.
Stay Hydrated: Be certain that you bring enough water. Conditions could be very dry.

Final Thoughts

This is, so to speak, a brilliant pick if you only have limited time. This excursion shows you incredible, close up viewing of diverse African wildlife. It definitely serves as, basically, a memorable visit into some pretty unique destinations.

Key Takeaways:

Exceptional Wildlife Viewing: The focus, largely, stays on seeing wildlife in Tarangire and Ngorongoro.
Short Time Frame: Suited for anyone that is short on time but looking for a worthwhile experience.
Good Accommodations: Both luxury and moderate stay alternatives exist for traveler’s specific tastes.

I hope you, perhaps, find my review pretty useful when you consider and set up your personal two-day excursion to the Tanzania Northern Circuit, so to speak!

#TanzaniaSafari #Arusha #Tarangire #Ngorongoro #WildlifePhotography #TravelReview