3-Day Zanzibar to Ngorongoro, Tarangire & Hadzabe Safari

Crater, elephants and a morning with the Hadzabe, flown in from Zanzibar.

Duration

3 Days / 2 Nights

From

$1,250 pp

Style

Private journey

Overview

A short cultural-and-wildlife combo flying in from Zanzibar, Crater day, Tarangire elephants and a sunrise hunt with the Hadzabe at Lake Eyasi.

Highlights

  • Hadzabe morning
  • Ngorongoro Crater
  • Tarangire
  • Zanzibar fly-in

Day-by-day itinerary

Sample programme. Every journey is private and can be paced or extended to suit you.

Zanzibar Coast

Day 1 · Zanzibar Coast

Zanzibar to Tarangire National Park

Get ready for an exciting safari! Your transfer driver will pick you up early in the morning from your hotel in Zanzibar and take you to the airport. You’ll fly for about an hour to Arusha in a small plane. Then, your guide will meet you at Arusha Airport and drive for 2 hours to Tarangire National Park. This park is famous for having many elephants and ancient baobab trees, the biggest trees in Africa. In an open-roof vehicle, you can see seasonal swamps, grassy areas, and the Tarangire River, where you’ll spot all sorts of wildlife like birds, giraffes, zebras, lions, and more. After all the adventure, you’ll head to your lodge for dinner and spend the night there. Overnight at Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge • Mid-range lodge located outside Ngorongoro Crater.

After the dust of the safari, Zanzibar is balm: white sand, palm shadows and the Indian Ocean turning seven shades of turquoise. You arrive on the short flight from the mainland and are met at Abeid Amani Karume Airport for the drive to your beach hotel.

Days are yours to design. Snorkel the Mnemba Atoll, sail a traditional dhow at sunset, swim with dolphins at Kizimkazi, take a spice tour or simply do nothing under a coconut palm. Our local representative is on call for whatever you want to add.

Breakfast, Dinner (lunch on activities)

Today's plan

  • Snorkelling at the Mnemba Atoll
  • Sunset dhow cruise with grilled seafood
  • Spice farm tour and Swahili cooking class
  • Dolphin swim at Kizimkazi (optional)

Where you sleep tonight

Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge

Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge

Highland lodge near Ngorongoro

Spacious highland lodge with sweeping views, full-board dining and a fireplace lounge — perfectly placed for an early crater descent.

Ngorongoro Crater

Day 2 · Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater

Today, after having breakfast at the lodge, you’ll depart and drive for about 90 minutes to reach the Ngorongoro Crater. This incredible location showcases a wide range of wildlife native to East Africa, and you might even be fortunate enough to spot the elusive black rhinos. The crater spans around 20 kilometers in diameter, so you should plan for about 6 hours to fully explore it. You’ll have a chance to enjoy lunch at the scenic Ngoitoktok picnic site, which overlooks the Hippo lake. Afterward, you’ll continue with an afternoon game drive before making your way back to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Overnight at Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge • Mid-range lodge located outside Ngorongoro Crater.

The Ngorongoro Crater is a 260 km² collapsed caldera with 600 m walls, and the highest density of large mammals on Earth. Inside the crater floor live around 25,000 large animals, including the densest population of black-maned lions and one of the last strongholds of the eastern black rhino.

We descend at first light when the floor is still in shadow and the cats are working. A picnic breakfast on the rim, a full morning circuit past the soda lake's flamingos and Lerai Forest's elephants, then a climb back up the escarpment in time for a late lunch.

Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerCrater floor circuit ~6 hrs, 4×4 onlyRim 2,400 m, floor 1,800 m

Today's plan

  • Crater descent at first light
  • Search for the Big Five including black rhino
  • Picnic breakfast on the crater floor
  • Lerai Forest elephants and Munge soda flats

Where you sleep tonight

Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge

Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge

Highland lodge near Ngorongoro

Spacious highland lodge with sweeping views, full-board dining and a fireplace lounge — perfectly placed for an early crater descent.

Zanzibar Coast

Day 3 · Zanzibar Coast

Lake Eyasi to Zanzibar

Today, your journey takes you to Lake Eyasi, starting at around 5:30 am, accompanied by a packed breakfast. This day holds an authentic encounter with the Hadza community, known for their distinct cultural practices. You’ll have the unique opportunity to join them in hunting activities, as they are skilled hunters and gatherers. The Hadza’s traditional lifestyle involves hunting small game like dik-diks and gathering honey. Their dwellings are simple and easily constructed or abandoned. Communicating in a click language, the Hadza offer an immersive cultural experience. After engaging with the community, you’ll head to Arusha Airport for your return flight to Zanzibar. This marks the end of your enriching 3-day adventure with us.

After the dust of the safari, Zanzibar is balm: white sand, palm shadows and the Indian Ocean turning seven shades of turquoise. You arrive on the short flight from the mainland and are met at Abeid Amani Karume Airport for the drive to your beach hotel.

Days are yours to design. Snorkel the Mnemba Atoll, sail a traditional dhow at sunset, swim with dolphins at Kizimkazi, take a spice tour or simply do nothing under a coconut palm. Our local representative is on call for whatever you want to add.

Breakfast, Dinner (lunch on activities)

Today's plan

  • Snorkelling at the Mnemba Atoll
  • Sunset dhow cruise with grilled seafood
  • Spice farm tour and Swahili cooking class
  • Dolphin swim at Kizimkazi (optional)

Route map

3-Day Zanzibar to Ngorongoro, Tarangire & Hadzabe Safari, route

  1. 1Ngorongoro
  2. 2Tarangire
  3. 3Zanzibar

What makes this trip special

Private journey

Your own vehicle, guide and pace, no shared safari.

Local expertise

Designed and led by Tanzanians who grew up beside these parks.

Photo-friendly

Pop-top vehicles, beanbags on request and unrushed stops at every sighting.

Good to know

Everything you need to plan, pack and travel with confidence.

Best time to travel

Year-round. Peak game viewing runs June to October, when the bush is dry and animals concentrate around water. January to March is the dramatic green season, with wildebeest calving in southern Serengeti and excellent predator action. November is a brief shoulder month with low prices and lush landscapes.

Group size

Designed for 2 to 6 guests in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser with a guaranteed window seat for everyone. Families, honeymooners and small friend groups are our sweet spot. Larger parties travel in additional vehicles, never with strangers.

Physical rating

Easy. Days are spent in the vehicle with comfortable lodge or tented camp accommodation. Optional walking safaris are graded separately and require basic fitness.

Getting there

Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is served by KLM, Qatar, Turkish, Ethiopian, Kenya Airways and Precision Air. We meet you at the gate and handle every transfer for the rest of the trip.

Visa & entry

USD 50 single-entry e-visa for most nationalities, applied for online at eservices.immigration.go.tz at least two weeks before travel. US passport holders need the USD 100 multiple-entry visa.

Currency & payments

US dollars (post-2009 bills only) are widely accepted; Tanzanian shillings for small purchases. Major lodges accept Visa and Mastercard but a small surcharge may apply.

Electricity

230 V, UK-style three-pin plugs (Type G). Most camps have charging in the main area; bring a universal adapter.

Connectivity

4G coverage across Arusha and Zanzibar, intermittent in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Most lodges have Wi-Fi in the main lounge. A local Vodacom or Airtel SIM is cheap and easy to buy at the airport.

Tipping guidance

A guideline, not an obligation. Around USD 25 per guest per day for your driver-guide and USD 10 per day for lodge staff (collective tip box). On Kilimanjaro, USD 20 to 25 per climber per day for the crew is standard.

Responsible travel

We are a Tanzanian-owned company and 100% of our guides, cooks and office staff are Tanzanian. Park fees flow directly to TANAPA and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Our camps follow leave-no-trace principles and we offset every vehicle kilometre through a verified East African reforestation program.

Booking & cancellation

A 20% deposit confirms your dates. Balance due 60 days before travel. If you need to cancel, you receive a credit note for the full amount paid, valid 2 years to rebook — subject to individual accommodation policies which may differ.

What to pack

  • Neutral, layered safari clothes (long sleeves help with sun and mosquitoes)
  • A warm fleece for cold mornings on the Ngorongoro rim
  • Closed walking shoes and a wide-brimmed hat
  • Binoculars (8×42 is the safari standard) and a lightweight camera
  • Reef-safe sunscreen and a refillable water bottle
  • Soft duffel bag if flying between camps (15 kg limit)

Health & safety

  • Yellow fever certificate required only if arriving from a yellow fever country
  • Anti-malarial prophylaxis is strongly recommended, consult your travel clinic
  • Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is mandatory
  • Tap water is not potable, we provide unlimited bottled water in the vehicle

Photography

  • Pop-up roof and beanbags supplied on every vehicle
  • Bring at least a 100-400 mm zoom; a wide angle for landscapes
  • Extra memory cards and a charger that fits the 220 V UK-style plug
  • Drones are prohibited inside national parks without a written permit

Pricing, per person

Rates in USD, sharing twin/double accommodation. Final quote depends on chosen lodges and exact dates.

2 Pax3 Pax4 Pax5 Pax6 Pax
$1,600$1,500$1,400$1,330$1,250

Single supplement applies for solo travellers. "—" means group size not offered for this itinerary.

What's included

  • Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • All park & conservation fees
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • All meals on safari (B/L/D)
  • Bottled water in the vehicle
  • Airport transfers
  • Internal flight Zanzibar–Arusha
  • Hadzabe cultural visit

Not included

  • International flights
  • Tanzania entry visa (USD 50)
  • Travel & medical insurance
  • Personal expenses & tips
  • Optional activities (balloon, walking safari)

Frequently asked

When is the best time to go?+

June–October for classic game viewing; January–March for the calving season in southern Serengeti; July–October for the Mara River crossings.

Is it safe?+

Yes, our vehicles are radio-equipped, our guides are licensed, and we operate only in well-managed parks. We've been doing this for over a decade with zero incidents.

Can the itinerary be customised?+

Absolutely. Every tour is private and tailor-made, extend a day, add a balloon flight, or combine with Zanzibar.

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