On this 3-day safari starting from Zanzibar City, you will explore three of Tanzania's best national parks at an affordable price. You'll have the chance to visit Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant population, and Lake Manyara, where you can spot the famous tree-climbing lions and colorful flamingos. The final destination is the "World's Natural Wonder," Ngorongoro Crater, with its 600-meter-high walls.
This short safari start from Zanzibar to Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara is the most affordable private Tanzania safari, featuring comfortable mid-range lodges. The package can also be customized to fit your budget and preferences.
The tour starts and ends in Zanzibar. We will meet you at Arusha Airport for a short safari briefing, either the day before or on the morning of your departure to Tarangire National Park. If you require transfers and accommodation in Arusha before or after the safari, please let us know so we can include them in your package price.
Highlights
-Zanzibar to Arusha: Begin your journey with a scenic flight from Zanzibar to Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania's northern safari circuit.
-Tarangire National Park: Explore the vast plains of Tarangire, home to a diverse array of wildlife, including elephants, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, and various bird species.
-Ngorongoro Crater: Descend into the caldera of the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world's largest intact volcanic craters. Witness the incredible concentration of wildlife, including lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, hippos, and more.
-Lake Manyara National Park: Discover the unique ecosystem of Lake Manyara, featuring tree-climbing lions, flamingos, baboons, and a variety of bird species.
Book your 3-day safari from Zanzibar to Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Manyara today and experience the thrill of wildlife encounters in Tanzania's most iconic parks.
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Most Popular questions about 3 Day safari from Zanzibar
1. How do we get from Zanzibar to mainland Tanzania for the safari?
For a 3-day safari from Zanzibar, the most common mode of transportation is by a short flight. Flights depart from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar and usually land in Arusha, Kilimanjaro, or Dar es Salaam, depending on your safari’s starting point. The flight takes about 1-2 hours, and it’s the quickest and most convenient way to get from Zanzibar to the mainland safari parks.
Some travelers may also inquire about taking a ferry to Dar es Salaam. While this is an option, it’s much slower (about 2 hours on the ferry) and requires additional time for overland travel to the parks, especially if you’re heading to the northern circuit (Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire, etc.). Flying is the preferred method to maximize your time on safari. Most safari packages will include return flights to Zanzibar as part of the package.
2. Which parks will we visit during the 3-day safari?
A 3-day safari from Zanzibar typically focuses on Tanzania’s northern safari circuit, which is home to some of the country’s most famous national parks. The exact parks you visit will depend on your chosen package, but popular itineraries include:
-Tarangire National Park: Known for its massive elephant herds, iconic baobab trees, and diverse wildlife. Tarangire is an excellent introduction to Tanzania’s rich ecosystems, offering opportunities to see elephants, zebras, wildebeest, and lions.
-Ngorongoro Crater: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife conservation areas. You’ll descend into the crater for a full day of game driving, with chances to see the Big Five (lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos) as well as flamingos, zebras, and wildebeest. The crater’s unique geography creates an ecosystem where animals can be seen year-round.
-Lake Manyara National Park: Famous for its tree-climbing lions and abundant birdlife, including pink flamingos. Lake Manyara offers a stunning landscape of forests, lakefront, and open savanna. This park is often a highlight for bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts.
If you have specific parks in mind, be sure to ask whether they’re included in your itinerary.
3. What wildlife can we expect to see on this safari?
Despite being only three days long, a safari in Tanzania’s northern circuit offers incredible wildlife sightings. Depending on the parks you visit, you’re likely to encounter:
-The Big Five: Ngorongoro Crater is particularly famous for sightings of the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos). Seeing a black rhino is a highlight for many visitors, as they are more elusive in other parts of Africa.
-Elephants: Tarangire National Park is one of the best places to see large herds of elephants, often numbering in the hundreds during the dry season.
-Tree-Climbing Lions: In Lake Manyara National Park, you may spot the rare tree-climbing lions lounging in acacia trees.
-Herbivores: You’ll likely encounter large groups of zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, hippos, and gazelles throughout the parks. The Ngorongoro Crater is home to massive herds of these animals, and many congregate around water sources.
-Birdlife: Lake Manyara is a haven for bird watchers, with hundreds of bird species, including flamingos, pelicans, hornbills, and kingfishers. The park’s proximity to the lake makes it an ideal spot for birding.
Even on a short safari, the diversity of wildlife in Tanzania is staggering. The exact sightings depend on the time of year, weather, and luck, but the chances of seeing many of these animals are very high.
4. Is the 3-day safari enough to experience the parks fully?
While a 3-day safari offers a short yet action-packed adventure, it provides a good balance for those who want to experience Tanzania’s national parks but are short on time. During a 3-day safari, you will typically have 1 to 2 game drives per day, depending on your schedule and the parks visited.
The itinerary usually follows this pattern:
-Day 1: Arrival and an afternoon game drive.
-Day 2: Full day of game drives, often in Ngorongoro Crater or another major park.
-Day 3: A morning game drive and return to Zanzibar.
While you won’t be able to explore the parks as thoroughly as a longer safari might allow, the itinerary is carefully designed to maximize your chances of seeing a wide variety of wildlife in a short time. The guides are highly skilled at finding animals, and the parks are home to high concentrations of wildlife, ensuring plenty of sightings. If you have more time, a 5-7 day safari would give you a more in-depth experience, but a 3-day safari is still a fantastic option for a quick yet immersive adventure.
5. What type of accommodation will be provided?
The type of accommodation on a 3-day safari can vary depending on your budget and preferences. Generally, safari packages offer three main types of accommodation:
-Lodges: These are permanent structures, often located inside or near the national parks. They range from mid-range to luxury and offer modern amenities such as ensuite bathrooms, hot water, electricity, and sometimes Wi-Fi. Some lodges also have pools, bars, and stunning views over the parks or watering holes.
-Tented Camps: These camps provide an authentic, semi-permanent safari experience while still offering comfort. Tents are typically equipped with full beds, ensuite bathrooms, and sometimes electricity. Tented camps offer the thrill of being close to nature, and you may hear wildlife at night, making it a unique safari experience.
-Budget Campsites: For those on a tighter budget, campsites offer a more basic but still exciting experience. You’ll stay in tents, often with shared facilities. Campsites are a good option for adventurous travelers who want a more rustic experience.
It’s essential to ask which type of accommodation is included in your package and confirm if upgrades are available if you’re seeking more luxury.
6. What’s the best time of year for a 3-day safari?
The best time for a 3-day safari depends on your wildlife-viewing preferences. June to October is generally considered the best time, as it’s the dry season. During this period, wildlife gathers around water sources, making animals easier to spot, and vegetation is thinner, providing better visibility. It’s also a great time to witness the Great Migration in the Serengeti (July-October).
November to May is the wet season, but this also has its perks, such as lush green landscapes, fewer tourists, and excellent birdwatching opportunities, as migratory birds arrive. January to March is calving season in the Serengeti, where you can witness newborn wildebeest and zebras, as well as predator activity.
Each season has its advantages, but if wildlife sightings are your priority, the dry season is the best.
7. Can we combine this safari with a beach holiday in Zanzibar?
Absolutely! One of the most appealing aspects of a safari from Zanzibar is the ability to combine it with a beach holiday. Many travelers spend a few days on Zanzibar’s beautiful beaches either before or after their safari. This creates a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, where you can experience the thrill of wildlife viewing and then unwind by the ocean. Many tour operators offer combined packages or can help tailor your itinerary.
8. Are these safaris family-friendly?
Yes, many safari packages are suitable for families, though some have age restrictions for children. Generally, children over 6 years old can participate in most safaris, and some operators offer family-oriented packages. These packages may include shorter game drives, flexible schedules, and accommodations that cater to families, such as larger family rooms or interconnected tents.
It’s a good idea to check with your operator about age-appropriate activities and whether the safari is suitable for younger kids. For example, longer game drives can be tiring for small children, so a more customized family itinerary may be necessary.