This 2-day Tarangire and Lake Manyara safari offers an incredible diversity of wildlife and landscapes, combining two of Tanzania's most unique and rewarding national parks. Tarangire National Park, known for its massive elephant herds and iconic baobab trees, delivers spectacular wildlife viewing, especially during the dry season when animals congregate around the Tarangire River. Lake Manyara National Park, nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, is famous for its tree-climbing lions, thousands of flamingos, and over 400 bird species.
This safari is perfect for travelers who want to experience the best of Tanzania's Northern Circuit without the long distances required to visit Ngorongoro or Serengeti. Both parks are located within easy reach of Arusha, making this an ideal 2-day getaway for those with limited time. The combination offers an extraordinary variety of habitats – from Tarangire's baobab-dotted savannahs to Lake Manyara's groundwater forests and soda lake – ensuring a rich and rewarding safari experience.
Tour Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night
Price: Available on Request
Destinations: Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Great Rift Valley
Activities: Private game drives, birdwatching, hippo viewing, tree-climbing lion spotting
Departure: Arusha or Moshi
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
07:00 AM – Departure from Arusha
- Pick up from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi
- Meet your professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Receive a briefing on the day's itinerary
- Drive approximately 2 hours through the Great Rift Valley
- Scenic Highlights:
- Views of Mount Meru (4,565m)
- Traditional Maasai villages and colorful markets
- Farmland and coffee plantations
09:00 AM – Arrival at Tarangire National Park
- Enter through the main gate
- Register at the park entrance
- Park Overview:
- Covers 2,850 square kilometers
- Highest elephant density in Tanzania
- Over 550 bird species
- Famous for baobab trees
09:15 AM – Morning Game Drive
- Wildlife to Spot:
- Elephants: Tarangire has the highest elephant density in Tanzania – herds of up to 300 individuals
- Baobab Trees: The iconic "upside-down" trees dotting the landscape
- Lions: Often spotted resting in trees or hunting in the grasslands
- Giraffes: Feeding on acacia trees with their distinctive long necks
- Zebras and Wildebeests: Large herds grazing on the plains
- Waterbucks and Impalas: Near the river and waterholes
- Olive Baboons: Troops of up to 100 individuals
- Primates:
- Vervet monkeys
- Sykes monkeys
- Bushbabies (nocturnal)
- Birdwatching:
- Yellow-collared lovebirds
- Northern pied babblers
- African grey hornbills
- Martial eagles
- Ostrich
11:00 AM – Explore the Silale Swamp Area
- Visit the park's seasonal swamps
- Excellent for spotting predators
- What to Look For:
- Lions stalking prey
- Spotted hyenas
- Elephants wallowing in the mud
- Buffalo herds
12:00 PM – Drive Along the Tarangire River
- The lifeline of the park during the dry season
- Wildlife Gatherings:
- Hundreds of elephants drinking and bathing
- Hippos in deeper pools
- Crocodiles basking on the banks
- Waterbucks and bushbucks near the water
01:00 PM – Picnic Lunch at a Scenic Site
- Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch at a designated picnic site
- Watch wildlife at a safe distance while you eat
- Relax and take in the tranquility of the African bush
02:00 PM – Afternoon Game Drive
- Explore new areas of the park
- Visit Different Habitats:
- Acacia woodlands
- Open grasslands
- Seasonal swamps
- Baobab forests
- Predator Spotting:
- Lions in the shade
- Leopards (rare but present)
- Serval cats
- Caracals (nighttime)
- Reptiles:
- Tree-climbing pythons (seasonal, in sausage trees)
- Monitor lizards
- Agama lizards
04:30 PM – Depart Tarangire
- Begin the exit from the park
- Final game viewing opportunities
- Last chance for sunset photos with elephants and baobabs
05:30 PM – Transfer to Accommodation
- Drive to your chosen lodge or camp
- Location: Karatu town or near Lake Manyara
06:30 PM – Check-in at Lodge
- Warm welcome with refreshing towel and welcome drink
- Check-in to your comfortable room
- Sundowner Drinks:
- Enjoy panoramic views of the African sunset
- Watch the sky transform into brilliant colors
07:30 PM – Dinner at the Lodge
- Enjoy a delicious dinner at the lodge restaurant
- Cuisine Options:
- Local Tanzanian dishes
- International cuisine
- Vegetarian and dietary options available
09:00 PM – Overnight at Lodge
- Fall asleep to the sounds of the African night
- Night Sounds:
- Lions roaring in the distance
- Hyenas calling
- Bushbabies squeaking
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Choice of budget, mid-range, or luxury (see options below)
Day 2: Lake Manyara National Park – Arusha
06:30 AM – Breakfast
- Wake up to the sounds of African birds
- Enjoy a full breakfast before departure
- Pack picnic lunch for the day
07:30 AM – Drive to Lake Manyara National Park
- Transfer approximately 30 minutes to Lake Manyara
- Scenic Route:
- Views of the Great Rift Valley escarpment
- Coffee and wheat plantations
- Traditional Maasai villages
08:00 AM – Arrival at Lake Manyara National Park
- Enter through the main gate
- Register at the park entrance
- Park Overview:
- Covers 330 square kilometers
- Famous for tree-climbing lions
- Over 400 bird species
- Diverse habitats from forest to lake
08:15 AM – Morning Game Drive
- Groundwater Forest Zone:
- Wildlife to Spot:
- Olive Baboons: One of the largest baboon troops in Africa – up to 200 individuals
- Blue Monkeys: Playing in the forest canopy
- Bushbucks: Grazing near the forest floor
- Elegant Waterbucks: Near the forest streams
- Wildlife to Spot:
- Primates:
- Sykes monkeys
- Vervet monkeys
09:30 AM – Acacia Woodlands Area
- Tree-Climbing Lions:
- Lake Manyara is famous for lions lounging in acacia trees
- This behavior is rare globally – only seen here and in a few places in Africa
- Best viewing spots: near the park's main road and around the acacia groves
- How to Spot: Look for a golden silhouette among the branches
- Other Wildlife:
- Giraffes feeding on acacia leaves
- Zebras and wildebeests on the plains
- Impalas and gazelles grazing
- Elephants in the woodlands
10:30 AM – Lake Shore & Soda Lake Area
- Birdwatching Paradise:
- Flamingos: Thousands feeding in the alkaline water (seasonal)
- Pelicans: Large flocks on the lake
- Storks and Herons: Various species
- Over 400 Bird Species Recorded
- Hippo Pools:
- Watch hippos wallowing and synchronized breathing
- Crocodiles basking on the shore
- Waterbirds nesting
11:30 AM – Visit the Hot Springs
- Natural geothermal springs
- Unique vegetation around the warm water
- Excellent for birdwatching
12:30 PM – Picnic Lunch at a Scenic Site
- Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch at a designated site
- Great views of the lake and Rift Valley escarpment
- Relax and watch hippos and birds from a safe distance
01:30 PM – Afternoon Game Drive
- Explore Different Habitats:
- Seasonal swamps
- Open grasslands
- Acacia woodlands
- Predator Spotting:
- Lions hunting (often in the afternoon)
- Spotted hyenas
- Jackals
- Leopards: Rare but present in the forest
- Reptiles:
- Monitor lizards
- Agama lizards
- Pythons (in trees)
03:30 PM – Final Game Drive
- Last chance for wildlife sightings
- Search for any animals you may have missed
- Take final photos
04:30 PM – Depart Lake Manyara
- Begin the exit from the park
- Final game viewing opportunities
- Last chance for photos with the Rift Valley escarpment
05:00 PM – Return to Arusha
- Scenic drive back to Arusha
- Stop at viewpoints for photos
- Optional brief stop for refreshments (own expense)
07:00 PM – Arrival in Arusha
- Drop off at your hotel
- End of your 2-day Tarangire & Lake Manyara safari
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Not included (return to Arusha)
What's Included
| ✅ Included | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Transport | Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for unobstructed viewing | |
| Guide | Professional English-speaking driver-guide with years of experience | |
| Park Fees | Tarangire National Park entry and conservation fees | |
| Park Fees | Lake Manyara National Park entry and conservation fees | |
| Accommodation | 1 night (choice of budget, mid-range, or luxury) | |
| Meals | Day 1: Lunch, Dinner | Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch |
| Drinks | Bottled water throughout the tour | |
| Binoculars | Provided for wildlife viewing | |
| Transfers | Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Arusha or Moshi | |
| Taxes | All government taxes and VAT |
What's Not Included
| ❌ Not Included | Details |
|---|---|
| Flights | International flights |
| Visa | Tanzania visa (available on arrival for most nationalities) |
| Insurance | Travel insurance (mandatory – proof required) |
| Tips | Gratuities for guide and lodge staff (customary) |
| Alcohol | Alcoholic beverages and premium drinks |
| Personal Items | Souvenirs and personal expenses |
| Meals | Meals not mentioned (breakfast Day 1, dinner Day 2) |
| Accommodation | Accommodation before or after the tour |
| Activities | Optional activities (Maasai village visit, canoeing, Treetop Walkway) |
Accommodation Options
Budget Options (Quality, Affordable)
| Property | Location | Approx. Nightly Rate (USD) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarangire Safari Camp | Near Tarangire | $80 – $120 pp | Tented camping, basic amenities, great wildlife views |
| Karatu Simba Lodge | Karatu | $90 – $130 pp | Comfortable rooms, swimming pool, friendly atmosphere |
| Kudu Camp | Karatu | $70 – $100 pp | Eco-friendly tents, campfire, traditional experience |
Mid-Range Options (Comfortable & Popular)
| Property | Location | Approx. Nightly Rate (USD) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarangire River Camp | Near Tarangire | $180 – $250 pp | Luxury tents, river views, excellent dining |
| Ngorongoro Farmhouse | Karatu | $150 – $220 pp | Beautiful farm setting, organic garden, swimming pool |
| Lake Manyara Hotel | Karatu | $160 – $230 pp | Mountain views, large garden, traditional architecture |
| Eroi Lodge | Karatu | $170 – $240 pp | Panoramic views, private verandas, excellent service |
Luxury Options (Premium & Exclusive)
| Property | Location | Approx. Nightly Rate (USD) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarangire Treetops | Inside Tarangire | $400 – $600 pp | Elevated suites, tree-level views, infinity pool |
| Lake Manyara Tree Lodge | Inside Manyara | $600 – $900 pp | Elevated treehouse suites, exclusive experience |
| Manyara's Secret | Near Manyara | $450 – $700 pp | Boutique lodge, stunning views, excellent service |
| Sanctuary Ngorongoro | Karatu | $500 – $800 pp | Conservation-focused, elegant, wildlife viewing |
