3 Days Tanzania big 5 safari-Midrange Lodge

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3 Days Tanzania big 5 safari-Midrange Lodge

This is a group safari with accommodation in comfortable midrange lodges (the group has a maximum of 6–7 travelers, each guaranteed a window seat and access to a pop-up roof for excellent game viewing).

The highlight of this tour is the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the best wildlife parks in Tanzania. Its breathtaking landscape and unique ecosystem make wildlife spotting easy, with the chance to see the rare black rhino alongside many other species. You will also visit Tarangire National Park, known as the “home of elephants,” where herds of elephants roam among ancient baobab trees. The park is also home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, warthogs, ostriches, monkeys, baboons, and much more.

The safari also takes you to Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its flocks of flamingos and the legendary tree-climbing lions (though sightings are rare). This combination of destinations ensures you have the opportunity to spot Africa’s iconic Big Five and experience a diverse range of landscapes and wildlife.

Note: On this tour, you will share the safari vehicle with other guests, but your lodge accommodation will remain private.

Many travelers often ask about the best time to visit Tanzania. The truth is that there is no single perfect answer, as it largely depends on what you want to experience, your preferred destinations, your budget, and your personal interests. For a detailed breakdown, you can explore a comprehensive guide on the best time to visit Tanzania here.

Dry Season (June to October & December to February):
This is widely considered the best period for safaris and beach holidays. The weather is generally warm and pleasant, and wildlife viewing is at its peak as animals gather around water sources. However, this is also the high season, meaning higher accommodation prices and more visitors in popular parks and attractions.

Mid Season (March & November):
These months offer a good balance between cost and experience. You’ll find more moderate hotel rates and fewer tourists compared to peak season. Weather conditions can be mixed, with occasional rains, and some activities or routes may be slightly affected. Nevertheless, wildlife sightings remain excellent, and the overall safari experience is more relaxed.

Wet Season (April & May):
This is the best time for budget travelers, as it is the low season with the lowest accommodation rates and fewer crowds in the parks. The landscapes are at their greenest and most beautiful due to heavy rains. However, some travel plans may be impacted by weather conditions, and certain areas can be harder to access.

Our safaris in Tanzania provide an incredible opportunity to discover the country’s rich wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. We focus on private safari experiences, meaning you will have a dedicated 4×4 Land Cruiser or jeep exclusively for you and your travel companions.

This gives you full flexibility and comfort throughout your journey. You can choose when to start and end your game drives, and our professional safari guides are always available to advise you based on the best wildlife viewing conditions on the day.

Whether you prefer early morning and late afternoon game drives—when animals are most active and temperatures are cooler—or you would rather enjoy a relaxed pace and spend part of the day by the pool at your lodge, the choice is entirely yours.

Tanzania’s diverse ecosystems ensure excellent wildlife viewing throughout the day, giving you continuous opportunities to see animals in their natural habitat, from active predators at sunrise to grazing herbivores across the plains in the afternoon.

At Clotilda Safaris, we focus on co-creating your ideal journey. When you plan your Tanzania adventure with us, you are not simply booking a trip—you are starting a fully personalized travel experience. We begin by carefully understanding your preferences and wishes, and we continue refining the details until every part of your journey perfectly matches your vision.

Our team works closely with you throughout the entire process to ensure your trip is completely tailor-made to your satisfaction. For your convenience, we also provide a selection of our most popular Tanzania trips and safaris, which can serve as inspiration or a starting point for planning your customized adventure.

Absolutely, Tanzania is renowned as one of the prime destinations to encounter the Big Five. These magnificent creatures—lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo—can be seen thriving in their natural habitats, making Tanzania a top choice for wildlife enthusiasts and safari lovers from around the world.

Absolutely, Tanzania is considered a safe and welcoming destination for visitors. The country provides a friendly and hospitable atmosphere, particularly in popular tourist areas such as Arusha, allowing you to explore its stunning landscapes and rich wildlife with peace of mind. 

The local communities are warm and welcoming, and as with any travel destination, it is always wise to take basic precautions like looking after your belongings. Tanzania’s incredible natural beauty combined with the genuine hospitality of its people makes it a truly remarkable place to visit.

Price Per Person

Included

  • All Park entrances & taxes
  • All Meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner),
  • soft drinks & water (bottled water 3litres or more a day)
  • Transfer to & from the airport
  • Accommodation during safari
  • Transportation in a custom safari 4×4 with a viewing roof and guaranteed window seating
  • Safari vehicles have an inverter for charging batteries, communications radio, electric cooler, and filtered water
  • Flight From Zanzibar to Northern Serengeti (Kogatende Airstrip)
  • Arusha airport to Zanzibar.

Excluded

  • Tips for guides, driver
  • International and domestic flights
  • Tanzania Visa fee

Make your dream trip come true with Clotilda Safaris

At Clotilda Safaris, you can customize your trip to match your preferences, with fully flexible sample itineraries designed around your travel style.

Day by day Itinerary

Day
1

Arusha to Tarangire National Park

We will pick you up from your hotel in the morning. After meeting your guide and going over the safari briefing, you’ll drive about 2 hours to Tarangire National Park, famous for its stunning landscapes dotted with ancient baobab trees and for having the largest concentration of elephants in Tanzania. The park offers excellent opportunities to observe elephant herds and their fascinating family interactions.

Your game drive will take you across different areas of the park, following reports of wildlife sightings. Predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards can sometimes be spotted, while herbivores like giraffes, wildebeest, and zebras are abundant throughout the park.

Around midday, you’ll stop at the Tarangire River picnic site, where you can enjoy your lunch with views of the river and surrounding wildlife. Keep an eye out for curious monkeys and baboons, who often try to sneak close to visitors’ food.

After lunch, continue with a game drive before exiting the park around 4:30 pm. Later, you’ll head to your lodge in Mto Wa Mbu for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day
2

Ngorongoro Crater to Karatu

After an early breakfast, you’ll drive to the Ngorongoro Crater viewpoint, where you can admire the breathtaking panoramic views of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The vast crater, with its unique landscape, is often described as one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Africa.

You’ll then descend 600 meters into the crater for a full-day game drive. The crater floor is home to an incredible variety of wildlife—lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, and hippos, to name just a few. If lucky, you might spot the rare black rhino, one of the most endangered species in Africa.

What makes Ngorongoro truly special is that it is a self-sustaining ecosystem. With permanent water and grazing grounds, most animals remain in the crater year-round, which makes wildlife viewing easier and more rewarding.

After a picnic lunch inside the crater and further exploration, you’ll ascend to the crater rim and later return to your lodge in Karatu for dinner and overnight stay.

Day
3

Lake Manyara to Arusha

After breakfast, you’ll head to Lake Manyara National Park, a scenic gem famous for its large flocks of flamingos along the lakeshore and the rare tree-climbing lions (though sightings are uncommon).

During your game drive, you’ll explore the park’s diverse habitats and enjoy excellent birdwatching opportunities. With some luck, you may spot the iconic tree-climbing lions resting on the branches. You’ll also visit the hippo pool for a close look at hippos and pass by the park’s hot springs. Along the way, expect to see buffalo, wildebeest, zebras, warthogs, monkeys, baboons, and many species of birds of prey.

In the afternoon, after your game drive, you will return to Arusha and be dropped off at your hotel, marking the end of your 3-day safari adventure.

INQUIRE THIS TOUR

“This was the most unforgettable experience of my life! I captured stunning and rare wildlife photos, with incredible sightings that left me in awe. The expert guidance from our guide helped me improve my photography skills, and my memory cards were completely full! Beyond the safari, I loved visiting a local Maasai village, where I had the chance to photograph the vibrant culture, daily life, and the hardworking women in the fields. Every moment felt authentic and deeply inspiring. I can’t wait to return to Tanzania and explore even more breathtaking locations!”

Jane P.

Plan your Tanzania adventure

Looking for a Custom Safari Adventure?

From the moment you begin planning your adventure with Clotilda Safaris, we’re here to guide you through every detail, creating a personalized itinerary tailored to your preferences and level of exclusivity. While our remote team manages bookings, transfers, and activity arrangements, our dedicated ground team is available 24/7 to assist with any needs, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.