3 Day Tanzania Tour Packages

Tanzania itineraries for 3 days

Compiled by

MelissaTanzania travel expert at TourRadar

• 3 Day Northern Tanzania Safari Itinerary, incl. Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara

  The active 3-day adventure spans Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Lake Manyara National Park. Highlights include Maasai bomas visits, 4-hour Olemagrut trek, and full-day game drives tracking diverse wildlife from Twiga Campsite base.

  

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  • Day 1

    Moshi to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

    Your safari begins with a 4-5 hour drive from Moshi to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Pack some warm clothes since mornings are often cold at the crater rim's high altitude. In the afternoon you can visit a local Maasai boma (village) and take a 4-hour hike around Olemagrut. The terrain can be rough so good walking shoes are essential. One traveler said: "The cultural exchange visits with local Maasai were a highlight - such warm and hospitable people." You'll spend your first night at Twiga Campsite sleeping under the African stars.

    
  • Day 2

    Ngorongoro Crater Safari

    Get to the gate by 6 AM to be one of the first vehicles in the crater. This gives you the best chance to see predators active from their nighttime hunts. Be prepared for steep descent roads that get slippery when wet. The crater floor is one of the best places to spot black rhinos in Tanzania. You'll also see large lion prides and pink flamingos gathered at the lakes. A recent visitor noted: "Watching a pride of black-maned lions stalking through the morning mist in Ngorongoro was unforgettable." Your guide will know the prime spots for wildlife viewing at different times. Head back to Twiga Campsite for dinner and rest.

    
  • Day 3

    Lake Manyara National Park

    After a short one-hour drive you'll reach Lake Manyara. While the park is known for its tree-climbing lions they can be hard to find. Early morning is perfect for wildlife spotting along the lakeshore. The groundwater forest is great for elephant viewing and you'll see some of Africa's biggest baboon troops. Bird enthusiasts should pack binoculars to spot the diverse water birds. The drive back to Moshi takes about 4 hours on mostly good roads.

    

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• 3 Day Tanzania Safari Itinerary, incl. Tarangire and Ngorongoro

  Wildlife enthusiasts track elephants and pythons in Tarangire National Park, spot tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara, and find black rhinos across 304 sq km crater floor during this 3-day safari. Includes comfortable lodging at Campor Lodge and highly-rated guiding.

  

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  • Day 1

    Arusha to Tarangire National Park

    Start your day with breakfast in Arusha at 7:30 AM before a 2-hour drive to Tarangire National Park. You'll travel 120km on good roads through rural Tanzania. Spend the full day on game drives with a focus on the river area in the morning where animals gather. Tarangire is famous for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. Bird enthusiasts will love spotting some of the 450 species here. One visitor shared: "Tarangire is very beautiful with a lot of elephants - we even had them walk right past our vehicle!"

    
  • Day 2

    Lake Manyara National Park

    Take the 60km drive to Lake Manyara National Park after breakfast. While smaller than other parks it offers diverse landscapes from groundwater forest to acacia woodland and the alkaline lake. Look for the unique tree-climbing lions near the park entrance. A visitor reported: "We saw hippos, baboons, tree-climbing lions and numerous water birds. The afternoon light on the lake with thousands of flamingos was spectacular." You can add a canoe safari on the lake for a different view of the park.

    
  • Day 3

    Ngorongoro Crater

    Make an early start to get the most out of your crater experience. The descent road opens at 6 AM and it's worth being among the first vehicles down. The crater floor covers 304 sq km and supports an incredible variety of wildlife. One guest suggested: "Get to the crater early before it gets busy with other vehicles. We saw black rhinos, huge elephant bulls, and a pride of lions before 9 AM." Stop for a picnic lunch at Ngoitoktok spring where hippos often gather. Plan to leave the crater by 4 PM to return to Arusha.

    

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• 3 Day Tanzania Itinerary, incl. Arusha and Serengeti

  

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  • Day 1

    Arusha to Serengeti

    Book an early morning flight from Arusha to the Serengeti to get the most wildlife viewing time. The 2-hour flight gives you great views along the way. Try to get a seat on the left side to see the Great Rift Valley below. Your safari vehicle will meet you at the Serengeti airstrip. The afternoon game drives start around 3:30 PM when animals are more active and the lighting is ideal for photos. Bring light layers since mornings can be cold but afternoons get quite warm.

    
  • Day 2

    Full-day Serengeti Safari

    Get up early before sunrise for the best wildlife spotting. Head to the Seronera Valley in Central Serengeti where permanent water sources attract lots of animals year-round. Visit the Retima Hippo Pool between 10 AM and 2 PM to see hippos at their most active. Later, check out the kopjes (rocky outcrops) where lions like to rest. Bring binoculars since guides keep a safe distance from predators. The roads can be rough so take motion sickness pills if needed.

    
  • Day 3

    Final Game Drive & Return to Arusha

    Start with a sunrise game drive to catch nocturnal predators coming back from hunting. Most flights back to Arusha leave around 11 AM. Ask for a window seat to get one last look at the landscape from above. Once you land it takes about 45 minutes to reach Arusha city center depending on traffic.

    

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