2 Days Safari From Zanzibar – Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Crater

2 Days Safari from Zanzibar – Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Crater

$1200 / per person

This 2 Days Safari from Zanzibar is perfect for travelers who have limited time but want to experience Tanzania’s best wildlife destinations. Your journey will take you to Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions, flamingos, and large elephant herds, and the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the Big Five and over 25,000 animals.

The adventure begins with a short flight from Zanzibar to Arusha, where your safari guide will meet you for a scenic drive to Lake Manyara. You’ll enjoy game drives through lush forests, open savannah, and along the shimmering lake shores. On the second day, you’ll descend into the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater for one of Africa’s most unique safari experiences before returning to Zanzibar.

Tour Plan

1 Day: Zanzibar – Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park

Your adventure begins early in the morning with a scenic flight from Zanzibar to Arusha, the safari capital of northern Tanzania. Upon landing, you will be greeted by your professional safari driver-guide who will give you a short briefing on the journey ahead. You’ll board your comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle and begin the drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a beautiful reserve set against the dramatic backdrop of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The journey offers stunning views of rural Tanzania, traditional Maasai villages, and lush farmlands. Upon entering Lake Manyara National Park, your game drive begins. This park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, an unusual behavior rarely seen elsewhere. Keep your camera ready as you may also spot large elephant herds, buffaloes, wildebeests, zebras, and grazing warthogs. The shimmering lake attracts flocks of flamingos, pelicans, and other waterbirds, adding a splash of pink to the scenery. You may also encounter baboons in large troops, agile vervet monkeys, and if you’re lucky, the elusive leopard. By late afternoon, you’ll exit the park and drive to Karatu, a charming town near Ngorongoro, where you’ll check in to your safari lodge. Enjoy a freshly prepared dinner and relax in the peaceful surroundings as you prepare for another exciting day of wildlife encounters.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Safari lodge in Karatu

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater – Fly Back to Zanzibar

After an early breakfast, you will head to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the legendary Ngorongoro Crater, often called the Eighth Wonder of the World. This massive volcanic caldera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to over 25,000 large animals, making it one of the most concentrated wildlife areas on Earth. Your half-day game drive across the crater floor will give you a chance to spot the Big Five lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and the rare black rhino. The crater’s diverse habitats, from open savannah to swamps and forests, support an incredible range of wildlife. You’ll likely encounter herds of zebras, wildebeests, hippos wallowing in the water, and hyenas on the hunt. The area is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with crowned cranes, ostriches, and various raptors soaring overhead. Midday, you will enjoy a scenic picnic lunch at a designated site near the hippo pool, surrounded by the crater’s breathtaking scenery. After lunch, your game drive continues, giving you more opportunities for photography and wildlife sightings. In the early afternoon, you will ascend from the crater and drive back to Arusha, where you’ll catch your flight back to Zanzibar. This marks the end of your short but unforgettable Tanzanian safari experience.