2-Day Safaris from Arusha: Ngorongoro with Manyara or Tarangire
Two days, one night, two parks. Joining safaris from US$390 per person, private from US$525. Which pairing to pick, where you sleep and what the park fees are.
Nov 1, 2026 8 min read
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A two-day, one-night safari from Arusha pairs the Ngorongoro Crater with either Lake Manyara or Tarangire, and the joining (shared-vehicle) versions cost US$390 to US$700 per person. The Tarangire pairing is the cheapest way in at US$390, the Manyara pairing starts at US$510, and an on-demand departure with hotel pickup is US$525. You spend one night at a lodge or campsite, Ngare Lodge or Jangopili Campsite on the shared trips that name one, and day two on the crater floor. Park fees are why none of this is cheap: TANAPA charges US$70 per international adult at Manyara and at Tarangire, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area adds US$70.80 per adult plus a US$295 crater service fee for every vehicle that drives down.
Pick Tarangire for elephants and baobabs, Lake Manyara for forest, lake and a gentler day
Every package here gives the crater to day two, so the park you pair it with decides what day one looks like. Tarangire is the bigger park at more than 2,850 km². TANAPA describes it as having Tanzania's densest elephant population, more than 3,000 animals, and baobabs some of which are over 1,000 years old and 30 metres tall. In the dry season TANAPA describes massive herds of wildebeest, zebra and buffalo gathering in the park alongside the elephants. TANAPA's Tarangire page also lists night game drives, bush meals and balloon safaris. None of those is in the two-day packages below, so ask us if you want one added.
Lake Manyara is compact at 648.7 km², tucked under the Rift Valley escarpment. TANAPA calls it the only place in Tanzania where lions lounge in tree branches, and lists its groundwater forest of mahogany and fig trees with blue monkeys and bushbuck, lesser flamingos on the soda lake, more than 390 bird species, and a canopy tree walkway it says is one of the longest in Africa. The standard activity is a day game drive (TANAPA's Lake Manyara page). Choose Manyara when you want variety in a small area on your first safari day. Choose Tarangire when elephants are the point. Gates at both parks close at 6 pm, so a late start on day one costs you game-drive time.
Day two is the Ngorongoro Crater on every package
Whichever park you pair it with, the second day is a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, which the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) describes as the world's largest unbroken caldera, with all of the big five (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino) inside an 8,292 km² conservation area. One of the Tarangire packages below describes the descent as 600 metres from rim to floor. The crater service fee is charged per vehicle per trip, which is why joining safaris are cheaper: the US$295 is split between everyone in the Land Cruiser.
| Package | Parks | Format | Night | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serengeti Wildlife Safaris, 2 days Tarangire Ngorongoro Crater joining group safari | Tarangire + Ngorongoro | Joining, up to 28, meets at Kilimanjaro airport | Ask us | US$390 |
| Serengeti Wildlife Safaris, 2 Days Tarangire & Ngorongoro Joining Safari | Tarangire + Ngorongoro | Joining, shared Land Cruiser, picnic lunches | Jangopili Campsite | US$510 |
| Serengeti Wildlife Safaris, 2 Days Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Joining Safari | Manyara + Ngorongoro | Joining, shared 4x4, up to 28 | Ngare Lodge | US$510 |
| Wango Trail Safaris, 2 Days lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater safari | Manyara + Ngorongoro | On demand, hotel pickup and drop-off | Ask us | US$525 |
| Serengeti Wildlife Safaris, 2 Days Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater Joining Group Safari | Manyara + Ngorongoro | Joining, up to 28, meets at Kilimanjaro airport | Ask us | US$700 |
| Utukufu Travels and Adventures, 2-Day Tanzania Safari to Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater | Tarangire + Ngorongoro | Up to 20, starts in Moshi, ends in Arusha | Ask us | US$776 |
"Ask us" means the package publishes nothing on that point yet. We check it with the host before you pay.
Manyara and Ngorongoro packages
Day one here is the groundwater forest and the lakeshore, with the canopy walkway as a possible add-on, before you leave the park for your overnight stop.
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Lake Manyara's groundwater forest is where day one starts on the Manyara pairing.
Photo credit: Richard Mortel, CC BY 2.0
The best-described Manyara pairing is Serengeti Wildlife Safaris' 2 Days Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Joining Safari at US$510 per person: a shared 4x4 with a professional guide, a night at Ngare Lodge, departures of up to 28 people, bookable from one person. The meeting point is the arrivals area at Kilimanjaro International Airport, with exact pickup details confirmed after booking, so tell us where you're staying in Arusha when you book.
2 Days Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Joining Safari
Discover the beauty of northern Tanzania on this 2-day Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Joining Safari, an affordable Tanzania group safari designed for travelers with limited time. Visit the scenic Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its lush groundwater forests, diverse ecosystems, and stunning views of the Great Rift Valley, before exploring the world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This budget-friendly safari is perfect for solo travelers, couples, families, and friends looking to experience Tanzania's incredible wildlife while sharing safari costs. Travel in a comfortable 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional guide and enjoy an overnight stay at Ngare Lodge for a memorable African safari adventure.
per person
$510
View experienceWango Trail Safaris' 2 Days lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater safari is US$525 per person and runs on demand, with pickup and drop-off at the hotel where you're staying rather than a fixed departure from the airport. It publishes no group size, lodge or inclusions, so ask us what the US$525 covers and whether your date runs as a private vehicle before you compare it with the US$510 joining trip.
2 Days lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater safari
2 Days lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater safari. Book this safari or tour with Wango Trail Safaris on an on-demand basis. The published website price starts at USD 525 per person; group size, season, accommodation, and optional extras may affect the final quote. Pickup and drop-off are provided from the hotel or accommodation where the guest is staying. Confirm the exact property and pickup time after booking.
per person
$525
View experienceThe same host as the US$510 trip also lists a 2 Days Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater Joining Group Safari at US$700 per person, meeting at the airport, with no lodge named. Nothing published explains the US$190 difference, so book the US$510 version unless the host confirms what the extra buys.
Tarangire and Ngorongoro packages
Day one is Tarangire's elephants and baobabs. Day two is the crater.
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The Tarangire River. TANAPA describes massive dry-season herds of wildebeest, zebra and buffalo gathering in the park.
Photo credit: ProfessorX, public domain
Serengeti Wildlife Safaris' 2 days Tarangire Ngorongoro Crater joining group safari is the cheapest two-day package of all at US$390 per person: shared vehicle, up to 28 people, meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport arrivals. It publishes nothing on where you sleep or what is included, so ask us about the overnight stop and meals before you choose it over the US$510 version.
2 days tarangire Ngorongoro Crater joining group safari
Join an unforgettable 2-day group safari exploring two of Tanzania’s most iconic parks — Tarangire National Park and the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater . Perfect for travelers seeking a short yet rich wildlife experience, this budget-friendly group safari offers incredible game viewing and breathtaking landscapes.
per person
$390
View experienceThe same host's 2 Days Tarangire & Ngorongoro Joining Safari, at US$510 per person, is the better-described option. It starts in Arusha, uses a shared 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a professional guide, includes picnic lunches, spends the night at Jangopili Campsite and describes the crater descent as 600 metres to the floor. If you'd rather not camp, this isn't your package. The Manyara pairing at the same price sleeps at Ngare Lodge.
2 Days Tarangire & Ngorongoro Joining Safari
Experience an unforgettable 2 Days Tarangire & Ngorongoro Joining Safari, one of the best budget Tanzania safari packages for travelers looking to explore Tanzania's incredible wildlife in a short time. This affordable group safari takes you to Tarangire National Park and the famous Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is perfect for solo travelers, couples, families, and friends who want to share safari costs while enjoying an authentic African adventure. Your journey begins in Arusha before heading to Tarangire National Park, renowned for its giant baobab trees, beautiful landscapes, and large elephant population. The Park is also one of Tanzania's top birdwatching destinations and offers excellent wildlife viewing year-round. On the second day, visit the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest intact volcanic caldera. Descend 600 meters to explore this remarkable ecosystem, known for its rich wildlife, stunning scenery, and exceptional game viewing opportunities. Travel in a comfortable shared 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a professional safari guide, enjoy picnic lunches, and spend the night at Jangopili Campsite. This 2-day Tanzania joining safari is the perfect combination of affordability, adventure, and unforgettable wildlife experiences, making it an excellent choice for travelers seeking a short but rewarding Tanzania safari.
per person
$510
View experienceUtukufu Travels and Adventures' 2-Day Tanzania Safari to Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater is US$776 per person for up to 20 people and is the one to look at if you're coming from Moshi. The route runs Moshi, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha, so you start at the Kilimanjaro end and finish in Arusha. Accommodation and inclusions aren't published, so ask us, and confirm the Moshi pickup point when you book.
2-Day Tanzania Safari to Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater
2-Day Tanzania Safari to Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater. An expertly guided Tanzania safari, mountain, cultural or beach journey by Utukufu Travels and Adventures. Route: Moshi; Tarangire; Ngorongoro Crater; Arusha. Designed with flexible pacing, local professional guides and carefully selected accommodation. Activities include wildlife viewing, scenic drives, cultural encounters and/or trekking as appropriate to the route. Exact order, accommodation and rates are subject to availability. Contact [email protected] for dates and customization. Itinerary Day 1: Arrival, briefing and the first route segment. Days 2-2: Guided exploration across Moshi; Tarangire; Ngorongoro Crater; Arusha. Daily activities are adjusted to wildlife, weather and guest interests. Day 2: Final experience segment and return/finish at the listed end point. Official source listing: https://www.safaribookings.com/tours/t94959 Operator website: https://utukufutravels.com/
per person
$776
View experiencePark fees explain most of the price
Every package pays the same government fees, which is why two days cost several times one. On TANAPA's park pages, Lake Manyara and Tarangire each charge US$70 per international adult and US$20 per international child, with East African residents paying TZS 20,000. TANAPA's tariff page adds that children under five are free, child rates apply from 5 to 15, fees include 18% VAT where applicable, and a conservation fee is valid for 24 hours from entry.
Ngorongoro is separate and dearer. The NCAA tariff page lists entry at US$70.80 per non-East African adult aged 16 and over and US$23.60 per child, under-fives free, plus a crater service fee of US$295 per vehicle per trip for non-East African visitors, plus a vehicle entry fee that depends on the vehicle's weight and where it is registered. On a joining safari everyone on board shares the vehicle fees. On a private trip you carry them alone, which is the main reason private two-day quotes come in higher.
- Ask us to confirm in writing that park entry, the crater service fee and vehicle fees are inside the price. None of the six packages publishes an inclusions list.
- Carry your passport or ID. TANAPA says East African citizens must show a national ID or passport for resident rates, and expatriates a residence or work permit.
- Gates at Manyara and Tarangire close at 6 pm. Agree your day-one pickup time with us when you book.
Joining or on demand, and who each is wrong for
Joining safaris (US$390 to US$700 here) suit solo travellers and couples who want the lowest per-person price and don't mind a vehicle of strangers, a fixed meeting point at the airport, and a campsite or lodge chosen by the host. They're wrong for anyone who needs a specific hotel pickup or control over the pace. The on-demand Wango trip (US$525) and the Utukufu trip from Moshi (US$776) suit a family or a group who want their own pickup and route. They're wrong for a solo traveller watching the budget, because the vehicle fees aren't shared.
More on Tanzania: if you only have one day, read our Ngorongoro Crater day trips from Arusha and Tarangire day trip from Arusha comparisons. With more time, see 3 and 4-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safaris from Arusha and northern Tanzania safaris of 5 to 7 days. For the seasonal case between the two smaller parks, read Lake Manyara in September: when to keep it or choose Tarangire.
Prices checked 30 October 2026.
Good to know
Joining (shared-vehicle) two-day safaris pairing the Ngorongoro Crater with Tarangire or Lake Manyara are listed at US$390 to US$700 per person. An on-demand departure with hotel pickup is US$525, and a trip starting in Moshi is US$776. Park fees make up a large share of every price.
Tarangire if elephants are the point: TANAPA describes it as Tanzania's densest elephant population, with more than 3,000 animals and ancient baobabs. Lake Manyara if you want variety in a compact 648.7 km² park: groundwater forest, flamingos on the soda lake, more than 390 bird species and tree-climbing lions.
On the shared trips that publish it, the night is at Ngare Lodge (Manyara and Ngorongoro, US$510) or Jangopili Campsite (Tarangire and Ngorongoro, US$510). The US$390, US$525, US$700 and US$776 packages don't name the overnight stop, so ask us before you book.
TANAPA lists US$70 per international adult and US$20 per child at both Tarangire and Lake Manyara, with children under five free. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area charges US$70.80 per non-East African adult, US$23.60 per child, and a US$295 crater service fee per vehicle, plus a vehicle entry fee. Ask us to confirm in writing that these are inside your price.
No. A joining safari shares one vehicle with other travellers, up to 28 on the Serengeti Wildlife Safaris departures, and meets at Kilimanjaro International Airport arrivals. If you want your own vehicle and hotel pickup, look at the on-demand Wango trip at US$525 or the Utukufu trip at US$776 and ask us whether your date runs privately.