This compact three-day escape plunges you into two of Tanzania's most iconic wilderness areas, combining the lush, flamingo-fringed shores of Lake Manyara National Park with the breath-taking spectacle of the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the largest intact volcanic calderas on Earth. At Africompass we handcraft every detail so that all you need to do is arrive, breathe in the African air and let the wildlife come to you. Our multilingual guides, fluent in English, Spanish, Chinese, German and French, bring every landscape and creature to life with expert commentary and genuine passion. Whether you are a first-time safari-goer or a seasoned traveller adding new stamps to your passport, this itinerary delivers big-game encounters, sweeping scenery and the warm hospitality that defines the Africompass experience.
Your Africompass guide will collect you from your Arusha hotel or the airport and transfer you to Lake Manyara National Park, arriving comfortably in time for lunch at the lodge. The afternoon will be spent on a game drive through the park's diverse habitats, from the groundwater forest draped in fig trees to the alkaline lake shore where vast flocks of flamingos gather. As the golden light fades you will return to the lodge for dinner and a well-earned night's rest.
After breakfast you will depart Lake Manyara and drive up to the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, then descend approximately 670 metres to the crater floor for a full-day game drive across this natural wildlife sanctuary. The crater teems with black-maned lions, black rhinos, Cape buffaloes, elephants and an abundance of grazing plains game, offering some of the most reliable big-five sightings in Africa. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed at the Ngoitoktok Springs picnic site before an evening game drive on the crater floor, after which you will ascend to the rim for dinner and overnight at the lodge.
You will rise early for breakfast followed by a final morning game drive on the Ngorongoro Crater floor, making the most of the cool morning hours when wildlife is most active. After the game drive you will ascend from the crater and begin the scenic road journey back to Arusha, arriving in time for lunch and marking the conclusion of your safari. Your Africompass guide will transfer you to your Arusha hotel or the airport, leaving you with vivid memories of one of Africa's most extraordinary wildlife landscapes.
All rates are per person and vary by travel season. Choose your season below to view the applicable pricing.
| Per adult | USD 1,171.60 |
Tell us your dates and dream, and a local specialist will craft your trip.
It depends on what you want to see. For the Great Migration river crossings in the Maasai Mara, visit between July and October, when the herds cross the Mara River in search of fresh grazing. For calving season and dense predator activity, January to March is excellent, particularly around the southern Serengeti. Kenya's two dry seasons (June to October and January to February) generally offer the clearest skies and easiest game viewing across Amboseli, Tsavo, and Samburu, since animals gather around limited water sources. The 'green season' (November and April to May) brings lush scenery, migratory birdlife, and lower rates, though some rural roads can be muddy. Tell us your travel dates and priorities, and we will recommend the destinations that fit best.
Most nationalities need a Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), applied for online before you fly; Tanzania and Zanzibar require their own separate visa, available online or on arrival depending on your nationality. Entry requirements change from time to time, so confirm the current rules for your passport a few weeks before departure. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory if you are arriving from, or have transited through, a Yellow Fever risk country, and we recommend it in general along with being up to date on routine vaccinations (MMR, tetanus, hepatitis A and B). Most safari areas are malaria zones, so antimalarial medication is strongly advised. Always check final requirements with your doctor or a travel health clinic, and ask us for the latest entry rules when you book.
Every itinerary we build is private and tailor-made by default: your own vehicle, driver-guide, and schedule, with no strangers added to your trip. That means you can linger an extra morning at a favourite lodge, adjust the route on the go, or add a visit to the Emmanuel New Hope Rescue Centre we support. If you would rather share costs or travel as a solo guest, we can also arrange a scheduled group departure and match you with other travellers on similar dates. Either way, your safari is planned by our Nairobi-based specialists around your budget, dates, and interests, not a fixed package.
Safari costs vary widely depending on where you stay and how you travel. Budget camping safaris in parks like Amboseli or Lake Nakuru can start from around USD 150 to 250 per person per day, mid-range lodge safaris typically run USD 250 to 450 per day, and luxury tented camps in the Maasai Mara or Serengeti can exceed USD 750 per day. Your quote always includes a private vehicle, driver-guide, park fees, and accommodation as specified in your itinerary. Since every trip we build is tailor-made, tell us your budget and travel dates and we'll show you exactly what it buys, with no hidden extras.
Pack light, neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, beige) for game drives, since bright colours and dark blue can attract tsetse flies in some regions. Bring layers for early morning drives, which can be cold even near the equator, plus a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. A good pair of binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, and a portable charger make a real difference to the experience. Comfortable closed shoes are more useful than sandals, and most lodges offer laundry service, so you rarely need more than a week's worth of clothing even on a longer trip. We send a full packing checklist tailored to your specific itinerary and season once you book.
Yes. Alongside our guided safaris, we offer both self-drive car hire and chauffeur-driven vehicles for clients who want more flexibility around Nairobi, the coast, or shorter road trips. Self-drive suits experienced drivers comfortable with Kenyan road conditions, while a chauffeur-driven car is the better choice for game-viewing routes, night driving, or if you'd simply rather relax and let a local expert handle the roads. All our vehicles are well-maintained 4x4s suited to both tarmac and rougher safari tracks. Let us know your route and dates and we'll recommend the right option.
Millions of visitors travel safely to Kenya and Tanzania every year, and the main tourist circuits, national parks, and coastal resorts are well-established and closely monitored. As with any international travel, sensible precautions apply: use a reputable operator (we're KATO-verified), avoid displaying valuables in cities, and follow your guide's advice in wildlife areas, where the real risk is animals, not crime. We stay in regular contact with our clients throughout their trip, and our drivers know the routes and current conditions well. If you have specific safety questions about your itinerary, we're happy to talk them through before you book.
Absolutely, it's one of our most popular combinations. A typical itinerary pairs 4 to 7 days on safari in the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, or Serengeti with 3 to 5 days unwinding on the beach in Zanzibar or Diani Beach, taking advantage of short connecting flights between the two. We handle all the logistics, including domestic flight bookings and airport transfers, so you go straight from game drives to the Indian Ocean without the stress of planning it yourself. Tell us how many days you have and we'll suggest a balance between wildlife and beach time that fits your trip.
