Tarangire river and baobabs on day one, with time to actually stop for elephant instead of racing the clock.
A night near Karatu or the crater gate so the descent starts at a civil hour, not at 4 a.m. from town.
Full morning on the Ngorongoro floor, picnic at a designated site, back to Arusha in the afternoon.
Overview
This is the trip we write when someone lands in Arusha with one spare night and still wants wildlife that is not a hotel brochure. You cannot do the Serengeti properly in two days. You can do Tarangire and the crater, eat dust, and be on a Kilimanjaro Airport flight the next evening.
We collect after breakfast, not before dawn, unless your hotel insists. The first game drive is the Tarangire river circuit. Overnight is on the Karatu side so you are not driving the crater rim in the dark. Next morning you drop onto the floor, work Lerai and the hippo pool, and we aim to be through Lodoare before the afternoon jam.
Day1Arusha to Tarangire, then KaratuTarangire National Park
Pick-up in Arusha after breakfast. Two hours to the Tarangire gate, then the river road for elephant, baobab and whatever lion the morning has decided to offer. Picnic in the park.
Late afternoon we climb toward Karatu. Dinner and overnight near the crater highlands, not back in town.
Day2Ngorongoro Crater and return to ArushaNgorongoro Conservation Area
Early descent onto the crater floor. We work the grassland, Lerai Forest and the soda lake edge, picnic at an NCAA site, then climb out and drive to Arusha with a late afternoon drop at your hotel or JRO if the flight is after 7 p.m.
If rhino are showing, we stay with the sighting. If not, we do not invent one.
Photos from the trip
What’s included
Park and conservation fees for the itinerary as written
Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and a TeenVibe driver-guide
Nights in the lodges or tented camps named on your quote, full board while on safari
Bottled water in the vehicle
Airport or hotel collection in Arusha at the start, and drop-off at the end
AMREF flying-doctor evacuation cover while you are on this safari
Not included
International flights and Tanzania visa
Lunches on arrival and departure days in Arusha unless the quote says otherwise
Balloon flight, Maasai boma visits and other extras not written on the day plan
Drinks at the lodge, laundry, and tips for guide, cook and camp staff
Travel insurance (required) and any COVID or medical tests
Prices by season
Per person in USD, 2026 rates, based on 2 travellers sharing.
High season
1 Jun – 31 Oct
$890
Shoulder season
1 Jan – 31 Mar
$820
Shoulder season
1 Nov – 15 Dec
$820
Green season
Best value
1 Apr – 31 May
$760
Travelling in a group? You save
Per-person price for the Green season rate.
1 traveller
$1,155
--52%
2 travellers
$760
-0%
3 travellers
$737
-3%
4 travellers
$722
-5%
5 travellers
$707
-7%
6 travellers
$692
-9%
7 travellers
$684
-10%
8 travellers
$676
-11%
Frequently asked questions
Is a joining safari available?
Yes, on set departure dates when we have other travellers on the same two-day loop. Private is the default if you want your own vehicle and timetable.
Can we add the Serengeti?
Not as a detour on this itinerary. Move to the 4-day or 5-day northern trips so you actually sleep inside the park.
What do we eat?
Picnic lunches, lodge dinner and breakfast. We ask about allergies before we shop, not at the gate.
