Three unhurried days combining the tree-climbing lions and birdlife of Lake Manyara with the elephants and baobabs of Tarangire.
A relaxed short safari that pairs two contrasting Rift Valley parks. Lake Manyara delights with its flamingo-fringed soda lake, lush groundwater forest and famous tree-climbing lions, while Tarangire rewards you with some of the largest elephant concentrations in Africa.
With a private guide and 4×4 throughout, this itinerary is perfect for a first taste of safari, a family getaway or an easy extension to a beach or mountain trip. Comfortable lodges and gentle driving distances keep the pace calm.
Each day ends at a welcoming lodge with time to unwind, making this a wonderful balance of wildlife and rest.
Drive from Arusha to Lake Manyara for an afternoon game drive through forest and along the lakeshore, watching for tree-climbing lions, elephants and clouds of flamingos.
Transfer to Tarangire for an afternoon among its baobabs and elephant herds, with dinner and an overnight in the park.
Enjoy a final morning game drive before a picnic lunch and the return drive to Arusha.
Every day of this itinerary is tailor-made and can be shaped around your dates, pace and budget. When you are ready, our team handles every detail - you simply arrive and enjoy.
Yes – unless stated otherwise, our safaris are private departures for your party only, with your own driver-guide and 4×4 vehicle. You set the pace and can adjust game-drive times with your guide each day.
Your quote covers park and conservation fees, accommodation on the stated board basis, a professional English-speaking driver-guide, a private safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, game drives per the itinerary, and drinking water in the vehicle. International flights, visas, travel insurance, tips and personal expenses are excluded.
Tanzania is a year-round destination. June to October offers classic dry-season game viewing; the green season (November to May) brings lush scenery, newborn animals and fewer crowds. The Great Migration moves through the Serengeti all year – tell us your dates and we will advise where the herds are likely to be.
Absolutely. Every itinerary is a starting point – we tailor the parks, pace, lodges and length to your interests and budget. Just let us know what you have in mind and we will build it around you.
Once you are happy with the plan we confirm availability and send a booking form and invoice. A deposit secures your dates, with the balance due before travel. We confirm exact amounts and payment options when you enquire.
Most visitors need a tourist visa for Tanzania (available online or on arrival) and a yellow-fever certificate if arriving from a risk country. We recommend consulting a travel clinic about malaria prevention and routine vaccinations well before departure.
Tell us your dates and what matters most - our team designs every journey by hand and replies within 24 hours, seven days a week.
Lake Manyara National Park is a compact, highly scenic sanctuary tucked directly beneath the sheer 600-meter cliffs of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The park’s eco-landscape is incredibly diverse for its size, transitioning rapidly from a lush, groundwater forest fed by underground springs into open acacia woodlands and marshy lake flats. The park is dominated by its expansive alkaline lake, which expands and contracts seasonally, covering up to two-thirds of the total park area during high water levels.
The park is legendary for its unique population of tree-climbing lions, which spend the heat of the afternoon resting high up in the branches of ancient mahogany and acacia trees. The groundwater forest is home to massive troops of olive baboons and elephants, while the open lake shores support thousands of seasonal pink flamingos and storks. Travelers can also expect reliable sightings of hippos at the northern pool, giraffes, zebras, and various plains game grazing along the grassy lake edges.
Activities inside Lake Manyara include day and night game drives, canoe safaris when water levels permit, and walking tours along an elevated forest canopy treetop walkway. Logistics are exceptionally convenient, as the park gate sits right off the main paved highway leading from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Crater, making it a perfect first-day safari stop. Lodging options are well-developed, featuring luxury clifftop lodges on the escarpment and intimate tented camps tucked into the surrounding acacia scrub.
Tarangire National Park is a classic safari destination in northern Tanzania, famous for its wild, dramatic landscapes dominated by thousands of ancient baobab trees. The park’s eco-landscape centers around the perennial Tarangire River, which serves as the primary northern water source during the harsh dry season. The surrounding terrain is a beautiful mix of open acacia savannah, seasonal swamps, and deep river valleys that create a highly photogenic backdrop for big-game viewing.
During the dry months from July to October, the park experiences a massive mini-migration as thousands of animals travel from the surrounding dry Maasai Steppe to gather along the riverbanks. Tarangire is world-renowned for hosting some of the largest elephant herds in Africa, with groups of up to 300 individuals frequently seen bathing and digging for water in the dry riverbeds. This high concentration of prey draws prominent predator populations, including tree-climbing lions, leopards, and large packs of spotted hyenas.
Safari activities focus on extensive game driving along the river loops, alongside options for guided bush walking tours and bird-watching excursions to spot over 500 native species. Logistics are straightforward, with the main park gate located roughly a comfortable two-hour drive on paved roads from Arusha town. Accommodations are diverse and upscale, featuring luxury eco-lodges perched on scenic ridges, elevated treehouse suites built directly into living baobabs, and classic mobile tented camps.
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge stands on the Rift Valley escarpment above Lake Manyara, part of the Serena Hotels group, with wide views over the park and the lake below. Its position makes it a comfortable base for game drives at Lake Manyara.
This is a comfortable, well-appointed lodge in the Serena style. Verified facilities include a swimming pool and a dining room serving buffet meals; further amenities are best confirmed before publishing.
Meals are provided in the dining room during safari stays. It is a mid-to-upper-range lodge suited to travellers who want reliable comfort near the park.
Tarangire Sopa Lodge is a large, unfenced lodge inside Tarangire National Park, an area famous for its elephant herds and baobab trees. Being inside the park gives direct access to game drives from the lodge.
Accommodation is in distinctive circular chalets under conical roofs. Verified facilities include a large outdoor swimming pool with an island bar, a dining hall and patio, a billiards room and library, and free Wi-Fi in the public areas.
Meals are full-board. As the lodge is unfenced and wildlife moves through the grounds, guests are asked not to walk unescorted at night – a practical safety note.