What You Need to Know: This 2-day private safari from Arusha takes you to Tarangire National Park on Day 1 and down into the Ngorongoro Crater on Day 2, with a night in Karatu. It costs from US$890 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range level (US$775 budget, US$1,120 luxury), including your private Land Cruiser and guide, park fees and the crater fee. Choose the Lake Manyara version for forest and birds rather than elephants.
Is the 2-Day Tarangire and Ngorongoro Safari Right for You?
It suits travelers with two days, a Kilimanjaro climber looking for an easy add-on, or anyone who wants two of the circuit's best parks without long drives. It is not the right trip if the Serengeti is the reason you are coming to Tanzania: you need at least three days, and ideally four, for that.
| This safari suits you if… | Consider another safari if… |
|---|---|
| You have two days in Arusha or Moshi | You want the Serengeti: the 3-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro or 4-day safari |
| You want elephants and the crater | You prefer forest and birds: the 2-day Manyara and Ngorongoro |
| You are traveling June to October | You have three days: the 3-day Tarangire, Manyara and Ngorongoro |
The 2-Day Tarangire and Ngorongoro Safari Route at a Glance
Arusha – Tarangire National Park – Karatu – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha.
| Day | Route | Driving or flying | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arusha – Tarangire – Karatu | About 2.5 hours to Tarangire, 2 hours to Karatu | Karatu |
| 2 | Karatu – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha | Short drive to the rim; 4–5 hours back to Arusha | — |
2-Day Tarangire and Ngorongoro Safari Itinerary, Day by Day
Day 1 is a full day in Tarangire; Day 2 is a morning on the crater floor and the drive back.
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Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire, then Karatu
We collect you from your hotel in Arusha after breakfast for the drive of about 81 miles (130 km), 2.5 hours, to Tarangire. You spend the day on game drives along the Tarangire River, with your lunch box at a picnic site inside the park.
In the late afternoon you drive about 2 hours up to Karatu in the cool Ngorongoro highlands, among coffee farms, for the night.
Elephants and baobabsTarangireLunch box, dinner -
Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater, back to Arusha
An early start for the short drive up to the crater rim and down the crater wall. You spend the morning on the crater floor looking for lions, buffalo, hyenas and black rhino, with a picnic lunch by the water.
In the afternoon you drive back up and on to Arusha, about 4–5 hours, arriving in the early evening.
The crater floorNgorongoroBreakfast, picnic lunch
How Much Does the 2-Day Tarangire and Ngorongoro Safari Cost?
The 2-day Tarangire and Ngorongoro safari costs from US$890 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range level, US$775 on a budget basis and US$1,120 at luxury level. Karatu is outside the parks, which keeps this one of our lowest-priced overnight safaris.
| Travelers | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US$1,270 | US$1,460 | US$1,675 |
| 2 | US$775 | US$890 | US$1,120 |
| 3 | US$600 | US$700 | US$920 |
| 4 | US$540 | US$650 | US$880 |
| 5 | US$480 | US$585 | US$810 |
| 6 | US$460 | US$575 | US$805 |
Park fees on the 2-Day Tarangire and Ngorongoro Safari
Included in the price, and shown here so you can see where part of it goes (2026 rates):
| Fee | 2026 rate (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Tarangire National Park | About US$59 per person per 24 hours |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area (also charged when you drive through) | US$70.80 per person per 24 hours |
| Ngorongoro crater service fee | US$295 per vehicle per descent |
The Ngorongoro crater fee is charged per vehicle, so it weighs most on small groups; with four to six travelers the price per person drops noticeably. Our Tanzania safari cost guide breaks down where the money goes.
What the 2-Day Tarangire and Ngorongoro Safari Price Includes
What you get for the price:
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and your own driver-guide
- All park fees and the Ngorongoro crater service fee
- 1 nights' accommodation at the level you choose
- Lunch box on Day 1; other meals at your lodges
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Not included in the 2-Day Tarangire and Ngorongoro Safari price
These costs stay with you:
- International flights and visas (US$100 for US citizens)
- Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult from October 1, 2026 (we can help you buy it)
- Travel insurance, including medical evacuation
- Tips for your guide and lodge staff
- Drinks at lodges and personal items
- Arusha hotel nights and airport transfers, which we can add
- Optional activities such as a Serengeti balloon flight
When Is the Best Time for the 2-Day Tarangire and Ngorongoro Safari?
Tarangire is at its best from June to October, when the elephants crowd the river. The crater is good all year.
Tarangire or Lake Manyara for a 2-Day Safari?
Both 2-day safaris end with the Ngorongoro Crater and cost the same. The difference is Day 1.
| Tarangire + Ngorongoro | Lake Manyara + Ngorongoro | |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 park | Tarangire: elephants, baobabs, lions | Lake Manyara: forest, baboons, birds |
| Drive on Day 1 | About 2.5 hours | About 2 hours |
| Best months | June – October | All year; birds November – March |
| Price from (2, mid-range) | US$890 | US$890 |
See the 2-day Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro safari. With three days, the 3-day Tarangire, Manyara and Ngorongoro safari covers all three parks.
How to Book the 2-Day Tarangire and Ngorongoro Safari
Our team drives this safari from Arusha. Send your dates and group size through the form, WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or jaynevytours@gmail.com, and say whether you want a budget, mid-range or luxury lodge in Karatu. A 30% deposit holds the booking, the rest is paid when you arrive, and the refund terms are on our FAQ page.
For the parks themselves, see our Tarangire guide, with its dry-season elephant herds, and the crater guide; our Land Cruisers are described on their own page.
Common Questions About the 2-Day Tarangire and Ngorongoro Safari
Is this safari private?
Yes. One Land Cruiser and driver-guide for your group alone, so you can stay with the Tarangire elephants as long as you like.
Can we start from Moshi?
Yes. Starting in Moshi adds the drive to Arusha, about 1.5 hours, to the first morning; ask us for the price.
Is there Wi-Fi in the vehicle?
There is Wi-Fi on board, plus charging points; in the more remote corners of Tarangire the signal can drop.
Should You Book the 2-Day Tarangire and Ngorongoro Safari?
If you have two days and want elephants and the crater, this is the safari to book: two of the circuit's best parks with short drives and a quiet night in Karatu. If the Serengeti matters to you, add at least one more day.