Loading...
Loading...
The best of northern Tanzania in a short trip: elephants, the Rift Valley and the crater
Three days is enough to see why northern Tanzania is famous. Start with the elephant herds and baobabs of Tarangire, game drive in Lake Manyara's forest and lake shore, and spend a full day on the floor of Ngorongoro Crater looking for black rhino and lion. Two nights in comfortable lodges, a private vehicle and guide, and all park fees are included. Ideal after a Kilimanjaro climb or before Zanzibar.
Dry season and the Mara River crossings: the best game viewing, book early
Short rains: quieter parks, lower prices, lush scenery
Holidays and the calving season on the southern plains
Warm, end of the calving season, good value
Long rains: green and very quiet, our lowest prices
After breakfast drive about 2.5 hours south-west from Arusha to Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is elephant country, with herds of up to several hundred along the Tarangire River, ancient baobab trees, tree-climbing pythons and over 500 bird species. Game drive through the day with a picnic lunch in the park.
A game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment: groundwater forest full of baboons and blue monkeys, hippo pools, flamingos on the soda lake and, with luck, the lions that rest in the acacia trees. Continue up the escarpment to Karatu in the afternoon.
Leave Karatu early and descend 600 m into Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest unbroken volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On its 260 square kilometre floor you can see black rhino, lion, elephant, hippo, hyena and thousands of wildebeest and zebra in a single day. Picnic lunch by the hippo pool, then climb out in the afternoon. Drive back to Arusha (about 3 hours), arriving early evening.
Private transfer between Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport and your hotel in Arusha or Moshi, one way, for up to 4 people with luggage.
One more night in a mid-range Arusha hotel with breakfast, per person sharing a double room.
About one hour aloft at sunrise over the central Serengeti, followed by a champagne bush breakfast. Booked through a licensed balloon operator; flights depend on the weather.
Visit a Maasai boma to meet a family, see traditional dances and learn about daily life. The fee goes to the village.
Flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar, transfers, three nights in a Nungwi beach hotel on half board and Zanzibar visitor insurance. Per person sharing.
Tell us your dates and party size — we'll confirm availability and send a clear quote.