Lake Manyara Game Drive

Lake Manyara National Park runs along the base of the Rift Valley escarpment beside its alkaline lake. A game drive passes through groundwater forest rich in baboons and blue monkeys, open floodplain with elephant and buffalo, and the lakeshore where flamingos gather; lions are sometimes seen resting in trees.

Its compact size suits a half- or full-day, often paired with Ngorongoro.

Tarangire Game Drive

Tarangire is known for its ancient baobabs and for the elephant herds that gather along the Tarangire River, especially in the dry season. Game drives also turn up lion, giraffe, zebra and a rich variety of birds.

It sits within reach of Mto wa Mbu and is commonly combined with Manyara and Ngorongoro.

Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

A crater game drive descends around 600 metres to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, an enclosed grassland, swamp and lake supporting a dense concentration of wildlife. Lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo and flamingo are commonly seen, and the crater offers one of the better chances of spotting the endangered black rhino.

Drives usually start early from the rim or from Karatu.

Arusha National Park Half Day

Arusha National Park is overlooked by almost every safari operator — which is exactly why it is special. One hour from Arusha city, the park’s 552 km² encompass black-and-white colobus monkey forest, Momella alkaline lakes with flamingos and pelicans, and open glades where giraffe graze. The canoe safari on the Momella Lakes is one of Tanzania’s most peaceful wildlife experiences — paddling silently past hippos and waterbirds with Mount Meru reflected in the still water. A morning or afternoon here is a perfect first-day warmup or last-day farewell to Tanzania.