4-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Manyara & Mto wa Mbu Safari
trip overview
Four of northern Tanzania's classic parks, back to back.
This 4-day safari covers Tarangire National Park's elephant herds and baobab plains, the Ngorongoro Crater's dense concentration of wildlife, the groundwater forests and flamingo-lined shore of Lake Manyara, and a cultural stop in Mto wa Mbu on your way out. You'll travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle with an experienced driver-guide, staying at Eileen's Trees Inn — a mid-range lodge conveniently placed for each day's park — for all three nights.
day-by-day itinerary
Where you go, what you do, and where you sleep each night.
You'll stay at Eileen's Trees Inn for all three nights, with the drive to each park changing daily. Additional accommodation before or after the tour can be arranged for an extra cost.
Tarangire National Park
Your driver-guide collects you in the morning and heads south-west into Tarangire National Park. Tarangire holds more elephants than anywhere else in Tanzania, with herds of 50 to 100 gathering along the Tarangire River, alongside lions, leopards, giraffes and over 550 recorded bird species.
The park's baobab-scattered plains give it a landscape unlike anywhere else in the north. You'll spend the day driving through it with stops wherever wildlife appears, before heading to Eileen's Trees Inn for the night, roughly a 1–2 hour drive from the park.
Ngorongoro Crater
An early start takes you down into the Ngorongoro Crater — a collapsed volcano 600 metres deep and 260km² wide, home to more than 30,000 animals. Expect the highest density of lions in Africa, resident black rhino, large bull elephants and flamingos gathered at the soda lake on the crater floor.
You'll spend the day driving the crater floor with a picnic lunch included, before climbing back up to the rim and returning to Eileen's Trees Inn, around 1–2 hours from the crater.
Lake Manyara National Park
Today's drive is into Lake Manyara National Park, known for its groundwater forest, alkaline lake and famous tree-climbing lions. The park's varied habitat — forest, grassland and lakeshore — supports large troops of baboons, hippos in the shallows, and flocks of flamingos along the water's edge.
After a day of game viewing, it's a short drive of under an hour back to Eileen's Trees Inn for your third and final night.
Mto wa Mbu — Tour Ends
After breakfast, you'll stop in Mto wa Mbu, a lively village at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment known for its market and mix of communities from across Tanzania. From here you'll be transferred onward to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport, marking the end of your tour.
what's included
Exactly what's covered — and what isn't.
- Experienced English-speaking driver-guide
- 3 nights at Eileen's Trees Inn (mid-range, twin/double occupancy)
- Meals as listed on the day-by-day itinerary above
- Ground transportation throughout in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Drinking water on game drives
- All national park entry fees for Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara
- International or domestic flights
- Travel & medical insurance (required)
- Meals not listed above (e.g. dinner on nights 2 & 3)
- Alcoholic & bottled soft drinks
- Souvenirs & personal expenses
- Tips for your driver-guide — guideline $20–25/day
- Additional accommodation before or after the tour
Important to know before booking
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost — ask us when booking if you need a night either side.
- A Tanzania e-Visa is required for most nationalities — apply at immigration.go.tz at least 3 weeks before travel.
- A yellow fever certificate may be required depending on your transit country. See our Tanzania vaccinations guide for details.
- Wildlife sightings depend on season and location and cannot be guaranteed.
pricing
What you'll pay — no hidden extras.
| Option | Price per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4-day safari 3 nights at Eileen's Trees Inn, meals as listed |
$1,381 | Per person, twin/double sharing |
Payment & extras
A deposit confirms your booking, with the balance due before departure. Full terms are on our booking policy page.
Additional accommodation before or after the tour can be arranged for an extra cost.
Ready to book this safari?
Reach out and we'll confirm availability at Eileen's Trees Inn for your dates and send you a full quote.
frequently asked questions
Questions we get asked most often.
The tour starts with pick-up from Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) on Day 1, and ends in Mto wa Mbu on Day 4 with a transfer back to Arusha or the airport.
Yes. Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost — just let us know when booking.
Breakfast and lunch are included on Days 2, 3 and 4, with dinner available at Eileen's Trees Inn for a small additional charge, payable directly at the lodge.
Most nationalities need a Tanzania e-Visa, available at immigration.go.tz. A yellow fever certificate may also be required depending on your transit country — check with your doctor or travel clinic before departure.
You'll stay at Eileen's Trees Inn for all three nights — a mid-range lodge positioned within easy reach of each day's park, so you're not repacking or changing lodges mid-trip.
We recommend taking out travel insurance as soon as you confirm your booking. Full cancellation and payment terms are on our booking policy page.
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