4-Day Lake Manyara and Tarangire Safari, Tanzania

A compact two-park itinerary pairing Lake Manyara’s forest-lake ecosystem with Tarangire’s elephant herds and baobab-studded landscape — ideal for travellers with limited time, or as the safari portion of a trip closing with a Zanzibar beach extension.

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1

Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park

Your driver-guide meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport for the drive to Lake Manyara, roughly two hours from Arusha, arriving with time for an afternoon game drive through groundwater forest and along the soda lake’s shoreline.

Accommodation Options

Mid-rangeLake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge

LuxuryTarangire Treetops

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2

Full Day Lake Manyara, Transfer to Tarangire

A morning game drive for tree-climbing lions resting in the branches of acacia and fig trees, and flamingos along the shore when water levels allow, then an afternoon transfer to Tarangire, roughly ninety minutes.

Accommodation Options

BudgetTarangire Sopa Lodge

Mid-rangeTarangire River Camp

LuxuryOliver’s Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3

Full Day Tarangire Game Drives

Exploring Tarangire’s riverine landscape, home to one of Tanzania’s largest elephant concentrations outside the Serengeti ecosystem, herds gathering along the Tarangire River even in dry season when other water sources fail.

Accommodation

As above

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4

Return to Arusha

Morning game drive before the return transfer to Arusha, roughly two hours, timed against your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Permits & Costs

Lake Manyara park entry	~$53 per person per day
Tarangire park entry	~$60 per person per day

Who This Itinerary Suits

Travellers with limited time, or those pairing a short safari with a Zanzibar beach extension for the rest of the trip.

Tour Includes

Travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof hatch
Professional English-speaking driver-guide
All accommodation per itinerary
Meals as specified
Park entry fees

Tour Excludes

International flights
Visas
Alcoholic drinks
Tips & gratuities
Travel insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this be extended with a Zanzibar beach stay?

Yes — this itinerary is genuinely designed to pair well with a Zanzibar extension for travellers wanting both safari and beach in one trip.

Is this itinerary too short to be worthwhile?

Not at all — both parks reward even a single dedicated day each, making this a genuinely satisfying short safari rather than a rushed sample.

Ready to Plan This Trip?

Tell us your dates and we’ll confirm lodges within one business day. Get in touch to start planning.