Arusha: 3-Day Safari to Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater

Day 1: Tarangire National Park Today we set out early, collecting you from your Arusha hotel and heading south to stunning Tarangire National Park. We arrive at picnic site by noon, in time for a pleasant lunch. Your afternoon game-drive will reveal all the wonders of Tarangire, a National Park often referred to as the ‘Elephant Playground’. Herds of up to 300 of these mighty mammals are sometimes seen in the park.

Serengeti may be better known, but Tarangire in the dry season easily rivals it for animal densities. As well as the herds of elephant Tarangire is home to buffalo, lion, wildebeest, zebra and gazelle while gerenuk and fringe-eared oryx are ‘local specialties’. Lake Burungi’s marshy shores are the lure for these mammals and the waters attract many beautiful bird species, too. Look out for giant kingfishers, hoopoes and the delightfully-named white-bellied go-away bird. Tarangire is noted for its splendid baobab trees, rolling savannah and acacia woodland. At the end of an inspiring afternoon amongst the wildlife, we retire to the campsite for an evening meal and some rest.

Accommodation: Fanaka lodge OR Similar Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic lunch box and Dinner Journey time and Distance: 2 hours, 120 km from Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater tour Before your thoughts turn to home. Ngorongoro Crater is often referred to as a wonder of the world and your early morning game drive shows you why.

First, there’s the volcanic caldera (the world’s largest), full of grassland, forest and swamp, a setting of jaw-dropping beauty. Secondly, the permanent water of the crater floor supports a resident population of more than 25,000 large mammals. Here you’ll find many of the reasons you chose to come on safari: elephant, lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, wallowing hippo, waterbuck, baboons… even the rare black rhino finds shelter here. Sharing this awesome space with the animals are the Maasai, grazing their cattle in an area which has been a separate conservation area since 1956 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. This harmonious co-habitation of man and beast makes Ngorongoro unique in Tanzania and your driver guide will be pleased to explain this incredible co-existence to you. Accommodstion: Octagon lodge

Day 3: Depart/transfer to airport or any of your preferred hotel in Arusha Optional activity if you still have time,