For those pressed for time, this two day/one night safari packs in two of Tanzania's most beloved national parks. You'll have the chance to see the Big Five and plenty more as you travel to these two wonderful parks.
Tarangire National Park, home to Tanzania's largest elephant population, is a fascinating park during the dry season when the Tarangire River becomes a vital source of water for animals throughout the region. As vast herds of wildebeest and zebra move to the river to replenish, the park's lions, leopards, and hyenas capitalise in a dynamic display of nature's cruel beauty.
It's then on to the world famous Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where cape buffalo, rhinoceros, and hippopotamus can be spotted amid the caldera's verdant plains. A picnic lunch by the hippo pool is a rare treat, allowing you to have a meal within a few dozen feet of these intimidating herbivores.
DAY ONE: ARUSHA - TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
You'll depart from Arusha after breakfast for the approximately two hour drive to Tarangire National Park. Along the way you'll pass bustling Masai villages and the vast, open plains that have become synonymous with images of Africa.
Once you've entered Tarangire, you'll begin your game drive across a rich vista of endless golden savannah that surrounds the Tarangire River. The river itself runs throughout the year and is a vital source of water for the animals of the region during the dry season. Lined with acacia and Baobab trees, the river is regularly visited by the park's large elephant population as well as other herbivores such as zebras and antelopes.
A picnic lunch with a view of the river is a great way to take it all in, but you'll have to keep on your toes as the local monkey population does its best to separate you from your lunch!
Driving through the park you'll also have the opportunity to see lions, leopards, cape buffalo, and a huge variety of antelopes. If you're particularly lucky, you might even see endangered animals such as the Greater Kudu or the Fringe-Eared Oryx.
After your day's drive is done, you'll retire to your accommodation for the evening.
DAY TWO: NGORONGORO CRATER - ARUSHA
After breakfast, you'll depart for Ngorongoro Crater; sometimes considered as the 8th Wonder of the World.
Home to over 120 species of mammal including the fabled Big Five, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most sought after safari destinations in the world. It's a particularly good place to see the endangered black rhinoceros enjoying a lonely meal out on the grass plains, as well as a place to see large numbers of hippopotamus enjoying the cool water.
From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you'll be able to observe and photograph some of Africa's most recognisable faces. The crater is home to a large number of predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas, as well as a large population of wildebeest, zebras, antelope, cape buffalo, and more. It is truly one of Africa's premier safari destinations.
After the thrills and excitement of the day, you will have a picnic lunch by the park's famous hippo pool. Thereafter, you will drive back to Arusha.
-Witness the Wildebeest Migration on the Serengeti.
-Spot the Big Five across three famous Northern Circuit parks.
-Venture into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to look for the endangered black rhinoceros.
-See Tanzania's largest elephant herds in Tarangire National Park.
-Look for tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara National Park.
-A full day game drive in the Serengeti.
-Optional hot air balloon safari.
-Optional Oldupai Gorge museum visit.
-Optional Maasai boma visit.