Our 5 Best Safari Tours to Tarangire & Lake Manyara 2026/2027/2028

What is the best safari to Tarangire & Lake Manyara?
The best Tarangire & Lake Manyara safaris combine game drives in Tarangire’s elephant-rich savannahs with Lake Manyara’s forest and flamingo-filled lakefront. Ideal durations are 2–5 days starting from Arusha, with top highlights including elephant herds, tree-climbing lions, flamingos, baobab forests & optional cultural visits.

Looking for the best safari to Tarangire & Lake Manyara in 2026/2027/2028?
This region of northern Tanzania delivers one of East Africa’s most rewarding wildlife circuits — combining Tarangire National Park, the land of elephants and towering baobabs, with Lake Manyara National Park, home to flamingos, tree-climbing lions, and lush groundwater forests.

Together, they make the perfect 2–5 day Tanzania safari combination, ideal for:

• Families

• Couples

• Small groups

• First-time safari travellers

• Birding enthusiasts

• Photographers

Just 2–3 hours from Arusha, these parks provide an excellent Big Five experience with limited drive time — allowing maximum time for game viewing, cultural visits, forest walks, and optional safari extensions to Serengeti or Ngorongoro.

Tarangire is famed for:

• Massive elephant herds

• Seasonal migration (June–Oct)

• Giant ancient baobabs

• Excellent predator sightings

Meanwhile, Lake Manyara highlights include:

• Huge flamingo populations

• Tree-climbing lions

• Birding paradise (400+ species)

• Hippos, giraffes, buffalo & more

This means travellers experience two dramatically different ecosystems, from open savannah to forest, floodplain, alkaline soda lake, riverine valley, and Rift Valley escarpment.

Whether you’re searching for a 2-day express safari, a full 5-day adventure, a family-friendly tour, or an add-on to Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater, we’ve curated the top 5 Tarangire & Manyara safari itineraries that deliver maximum wildlife, authenticity, comfort, and flexibility.

These hand-picked packages are real tours offered by our team. Explore each itinerary — including day-by-day breakdowns, highlights, inclusions, pricing insights, optional activities, maps, and insider tips.

Explore the Top 5 Tarangire & Lake Manyara Safari Tours below — from affordable group safaris to luxury lodge escapes — chosen to offer the best wildlife value anywhere in northern Tanzania.

TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks Authority) regulates how national parks and reserves are managed in Tanzania. Visitors are required to follow specific rules and guidelines designed to protect wildlife, support conservation efforts, and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

Top 5 Safaris to Tarangire & Lake Manyara (2026/2027/2028)

✅ 1) 2 Days Tarangire & Lake Manyara Safari – Best Express Tanzania Wildlife Tour

A short yet rewarding 2-day Tanzania safari visiting Tarangire & Lake Manyara with elephants, lions, flamingos, hippos & scenic Rift Valley landscapes. Ideal for tight schedules.

Perfect for: First-timers, short stays, add-on to Kilimanjaro climb or Zanzibar.

This compact two-day Tarangire & Manyara safari is ideal for travelers seeking maximum wildlife in minimal time. Starting from Arusha, you will explore two of Tanzania’s most diverse national parks — Tarangire National Park, known for its towering baobab trees and huge elephant herds, and Lake Manyara National Park, home to tree-climbing lions, flamingo-stained lagoons, hippo pools, and verdant groundwater forests.

Day one begins with a drive through Maasai countryside before entering Tarangire. Here, the Tarangire River acts as a vital water source, drawing vast numbers of animals including elephants, giraffes, buffalo, wildebeest, zebras, and predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs. The landscape creates world-class photography opportunities, especially during dry seasons (June–October).

On day two, Lake Manyara offers a different world — lush forests, volcanic cliffs, Rift Valley panoramas, and alkaline lakes shimmering with flamingos. Spot hippos, elephants, blue monkeys, hornbills, and iconic tree-climbing lions. The tour ends with an afternoon return to Arusha.

Wildlife highlights: Big cats, elephants, flamingos, giraffes, hippos, rare primates
Optional upgrades: Cultural village visit | Canoe safari (seasonal)

Explore a similar group itinerary:
2-Days Tanzania Group Safari

2) 3 Days Tarangire, Manyara & Ngorongoro Safari — Best Big Five Extension

A 3-day northern circuit safari covering Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Crater. See the Big Five, flamingos, tree-climbing lions & elephants. Perfect short tour.

Perfect for: Big Five seekers, first-time visitors

This three-day safari enhances the Tarangire–Manyara combo by adding the dramatic Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with one of the densest wildlife populations on the planet. Day one and two in Tarangire & Manyara provide wildlife variety across baobab country and lakeshore forest, while day three delivers crater-floor action with high chances of spotting black rhinos, lions, hyenas, buffalo, hippos, elephants, and more.

Ideal for travelers who want a stronger chance at Big Five sightings or want more safari without adding too many days, this tour can either end in Arusha or continue to Serengeti.

 Top highlights:

• Tarangire elephants & baobabs

• Manyara tree-climbing lions & flamingos

• Ngorongoro caldera wildlife concentration

 Add-on: Hot-air balloon over Ngorongoro rim

3-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro Safari

3) 4 Days Tarangire, Manyara & Serengeti Safari — Best Migration Connection

This 4-day Tarangire, Manyara & Serengeti safari blends elephants, flamingos & big cats with Serengeti migration. Excellent all-round wildlife circuit.

Perfect for: Guests wanting a Serengeti extension

Travel through three iconic reserves — Tarangire, Manyara, and Serengeti. Begin with elephants, baobabs, flamingos & forest wildlife, then continue into the endless plains of Serengeti, home of the Great Wildebeest Migration. This itinerary is ideal for travelers wanting a combo of fast-paced game drives inside smaller parks before ending their adventure within the Serengeti ecosystem.

Expect cheetahs, lions, leopards, elephants, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, over 500 bird species, and magical African sunsets.

 Perfect balance of habitats:

• Savannah

• Rift Valley lake

• Crater highlands

5-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari

4) 5 Days Tanzania Family Safari — Tarangire, Manyara & Ngorongoro

Meta Description (≈200 characters):
A family-friendly 5-day journey through Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro. Relaxed wildlife days, cultural visits, & great lodges for kids.

Perfect for: Families with young children

Designed with comfort and flexibility in mind, this Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro Crater safari prioritizes family-friendly accommodations, varied wildlife scenery, and cultural encounters with Maasai communities. Your children will love learning how Maasai beadwork is made, spotting elephants, watching hippos, and identifying flamingo flocks.

The shorter drive times and abundant wildlife keep children engaged, while optional experiences like forest walks, bike tours, and nature trails offer enrichment beyond vehicle game drives.

 Why families love it:

• Short driving distances

• High wildlife density

• Educational cultural experiences

• Child-friendly lodges

Tanzania Family Safari

5) 5 Days Tarangire, Manyara & Zanzibar — Bush + Beach Escape

Five days blending Tarangire wildlife & Lake Manyara beauty before relaxing on Zanzibar’s beaches. Ideal honeymoon & family safari.

Perfect for: Couples & beach lovers

This safari + beach combination is one of the best ways to experience northern Tanzania. Begin among elephants, lions, and flamingos in Tarangire & Manyara before flying to Zanzibar, where powder-white beaches, spice tours, Stone Town heritage, dhow cruises, and marine snorkeling await.

Perfect for:

• Honeymooners

• Families

• Relaxed travelers

• Photographers

Bush + Beach pairing
Can upgrade to luxury beachfront resorts

Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Packages

 Tables: Fast Comparison