This 2-day Manyara and Tarangire Park Safari gives you a short but rich experience in two of Tanzania’s most exciting wildlife destinations. Tanzania, located in East Africa, is blessed with a wide range of animals and plants. Both parks are part of the famous northern safari circuit, and the tour starts and ends in Arusha.
Tarangire National Park is home to many animals, including hyenas, lions, elephants, impalas, zebras, leopards, and giraffes. The park is found in the Manyara region and was established as a game reserve in 1957 to protect wildlife during the dry season. It was later named after the Tarangire River, which flows through it and attracts many animals throughout the year.
You will also visit Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its rare tree-climbing lions that are also found in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. Lake Manyara National Park covers about 325 square kilometers between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley. It was first used for sport hunting in the 1920s, became a game reserve in 1957, and was officially declared a national park in 1960. Activities here include game drives, short nature walks, and sightseeing.
Manyara & Tarangire Park Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Pickup and transfer to Tarangire National Park – evening game drive
- Day 2: Transfer to Lake Manyara, game drive, and departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup & Transfer to Tarangire National Park – Evening Game Drive
At the agreed time and meeting point, our company representative will welcome you and brief you about the safari, planned activities, and other important details. You will then begin the 3–4 hour journey to Tarangire National Park. Enjoy views of the countryside, farmlands, and local villages along the way.
Upon arrival, register at the park headquarters and proceed for lunch at your lodge. In the evening, go for a game drive to see animals preparing to rest for the night. You may spot predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas, as well as grazers like elands, impalas, waterbucks, bushbucks, gazelles, buffaloes, zebras, and wildebeests.
After the sunset drive, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Transfer to Lake Manyara, Game Drive & Departure
Wake up early for breakfast at the lodge, then depart for Lake Manyara National Park around 5:00 a.m. The drive takes about 3–4 hours and passes through the scenic Great Rift Valley with views of small villages and the sunrise along the way.
On arrival, register at the park headquarters and receive a briefing from the ranger guides about the park, its wildlife, and the rules to follow during your visit.
You will then go on a 3–4 hour game drive through the park’s open plains, acacia woodlands, and along the lake shores. Look out for elephants, giraffes, warthogs, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, and if you are lucky, the famous tree-climbing lions.
After the game drive, enjoy a delicious lunch before beginning your journey back to Arusha or any other destination of your choice.
Your safari officially ends here, but the memories of Tarangire and Lake Manyara will stay with you forever.
