What You Need to Know: For the most wildlife in one day, choose the Ngorongoro Crater, but expect 4–5 hours of driving each way and a higher price (from US$533 per person for 2). For elephants with a shorter drive, choose Tarangire, about 2 hours from Arusha and best from June to October. Choose Lake Manyara for a compact park that suits children, and Arusha National Park, 45 minutes away, for giraffes, monkeys and the option of a walk with a ranger. Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Arusha National Park each cost from US$332 per person for 2.
The Four Park Day Trips Side by Side
The main differences at a glance, for a day trip from Arusha:
| Ngorongoro Crater | Tarangire | Lake Manyara | Arusha NP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive each way | 4–5 hours | About 2 hours | About 2 hours | About 45 minutes |
| Highlights | Lions, buffaloes, black rhino | Elephants, baobabs | Baboons, forest, lake birds | Giraffes, colobus, Momella lakes |
| Best months | All year | June to October | All year | All year |
| Walking possible | No | No | No | Yes, with a ranger |
| From (2 travelers) | US$533 | US$332 | US$332 | US$332 |
Ngorongoro Crater: The Most Wildlife in One Day
The crater floor holds lions, buffaloes, elephants, hippos, zebras, wildebeest and hyenas year-round, and it is one of the best places in Tanzania to see a black rhino. There are no giraffes, as they can't manage the descent. The catch is the distance: about 118 miles (190 km) each way, so 8–10 hours in the vehicle in total. It is worth it if you have only one day and want the most animals; read our Ngorongoro Crater guide or book the crater day trip.
Tarangire: Elephants and Baobabs
In the dry season, from June to October, hundreds of elephants gather along the Tarangire River, and the park's giant baobabs make it the most photogenic of the four. Lions, giraffes and zebras are common. It is about two hours from Arusha on tarmac, leaving 6–7 hours for game drives. See the Tarangire day trip.
Lake Manyara: Compact and Family-Friendly
Lake Manyara sits below the Rift Valley wall, with groundwater forest, woodland and a long lake shore. Baboons, elephants, giraffes and hippos are seen on most visits, and the park's famous tree-climbing lions only sometimes. It is small, so children don't spend the day in the vehicle. See the Lake Manyara day trip, and add the Mto wa Mbu village tour at its gate.
Arusha National Park: The Closest Park
Only 45 minutes from Arusha, the park covers Ngurdoto Crater, the Momella lakes and the forest on Mount Meru's slopes. Giraffes, buffaloes and black-and-white colobus monkeys are the highlights, and you can add a walk with an armed ranger or a canoe trip on Small Momella Lake. There are no lions or elephants to speak of, so it is a different kind of day. See the Arusha National Park day trip, or read about a walking safari.
Day Trip Prices by Group Size
Per person, private vehicle and guide, park fees and lunch included:
| Day trip | 1 traveler | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ngorongoro Crater | US$970 | US$533 | US$420 | US$320 | US$277 | US$250 |
| Tarangire, Lake Manyara or Arusha National Park | US$585 | US$332 | US$252 | US$213 | US$188 | US$173 |
How to Choose Your Park
Choose by what matters most to you:
- Most animals: the Ngorongoro Crater
- Elephants and shorter drive: Tarangire, especially June to October
- Traveling with young children: Lake Manyara or Arusha National Park
- Arrival or departure day: Arusha National Park, close to the airport
- Want to walk: Arusha National Park
Choosing a Park from Moshi
From Moshi, add about 1.5 hours each way to the Arusha times. Arusha National Park and Tarangire are the most practical; the crater is too far for a comfortable day, so we suggest the 2-day Tarangire and Ngorongoro safari instead.
Common Questions About Choosing a Park Day Trip
Short answers to the questions our guests ask us most often:
Which is better for a day trip, Tarangire or Ngorongoro?
Ngorongoro for the most wildlife and rhinos; Tarangire for elephants with half the driving.
Is Lake Manyara worth a day trip?
Yes, especially with children: it is compact, two hours from Arusha and has baboons, elephants and hippos.
Which park is closest to Arusha?
Arusha National Park, about 45 minutes from the city.
Can we do two parks in one day?
Not comfortably. For two parks, the 2-day safaris with a night in Karatu are better.
Which day trip is best in the rainy season?
The Ngorongoro Crater and Arusha National Park, which have wildlife all year.
Bottom Line: Which Park Day Trip Should You Choose?
The crater for the most wildlife, Tarangire for elephants with a shorter drive, Lake Manyara for families, and Arusha National Park when time is short. Still deciding whether one day is enough? Read is a 1-day safari worth it?