Budget Tanzania Wildlife Lodge Safari

Starting and ending in Arusha, Tanzania, this affordable Tanzania Lodge Safari is ideal for travelers with a short time or on a budget in East Africa!

First we explore the diverse Tarangire National Park, home to one of Tanzania's largest elephant populations and considered one of the most beautiful game reserves in Tanzania.

Next we drive into the highlands of the Great Rift Valley admiring breath taking views over the Masai Plains and Lake Manyara en route to the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, hosting Africa's Big Five and an abundance of other wildlife.

After game viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater teeming with wildlife we travel to Karatu passing through Tanzania's scenic landscapes along the way.

This Budget Tanzania Wildlife Lodge Safari offers a spectacular scenic and wildlife journey through one of East Africa's top safari destinations!

Day 1 Arusha – Tarangire National Park (Tanzania)

This Tanzania Budget Lodge Safari starts with a short tour briefing in Arusha before we set off southwest toward our first Tanzanian game viewing destination, Tarangire National Park.

This diverse game park is home to a large variety of wildlife and is considered one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in northern Tanzania. Tarangire Park hosts one of the largest elephant populations in Tanzania and is dotted with baobab and acacia thorn trees. This top Tanzanian game park is also home to various big cats including lions, leopards and cheetahs, as well as tree climbing pythons. Other wildlife inhabiting the game park include many giraffes, buffalos, zebras and various antelope species such as gazelles.

We spend the late afternoon enjoying superb game viewing in Tarangire Park followed by our first overnight stay at the Tarangire Safari Lodge or similar. The Tarangire Safari Lodge offers panoramic views over the Tarangire River visited by a variety of wildlife and features a swimming pool, thatched lounge / dining area and comfortable bungalow accommodation.

Lunch; Dinner

Day 2 Tarangire National Park - Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Tanzania)

On day two we depart from Tarangire National Park after breakfast admiring the scenic landscapes of northern Tanzania as we travel. A short drive on good roads brings us to the Great Rift Valley where the lowlands disperse making way for the richly vegetated crater highlands. The Great Rift Valley, known for its beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife, stretches over 6000 kilometers north to south from Syria to Mozambique in southern Africa.

We continue up into the higherlands enjoying spectacular views over the Masai Plains and Lake Manyara, pausing to take photos of the breathtaking views. Our next Tanzania safari destination is the world famous Ngorongoro Crater, also known as Africa's Garden of Eden.

Ngorongoro, part of the Serengeti ecosystem, is a massive caldera spanning an impressive 18 km in diameter with walls as high as 600m. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the densest mammalian population in Africa, at around 25,000 large animals. The diverse habitats found on the fertile crater floor support a variety of wildlife, including elephants, monkeys, hyena, jackal and herds of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and other antelope species. 

We overnight at at the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge (or similar), perched on the crater’s edge offering sweeping views over the crater. Located on the Eastern Crater rim guests can enjoy spectacular sunset views from this spacious and comfortable lodge featuring verandahs and large windows overlooking the crater. The lodge has a restaurant, swimming pool, bar, internet cafe and gift shop. 

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 3 Ngorongoro Crater – Karatu (Tanzania)

After breakfast at the safari lodge we descend the steep crater walls to explore this diverse wilderness area teeming with Africa's wildlife. The Ngorongoro Crater hosts the Big Five of Africa, boasting one of the highest concentration of lions in the world. Almost all of the wild animal species found on the savannahs of East Africa inhabit this compact crater. Ngorongoro offers first-class game viewing and is considered one of the best places to capture the endangered black rhino on film

We stop for a picnic lunch in the crater and after our thrilling wildlife experience we depart from the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation area heading to our next overnight lodge near Karatu. 

The safari lodge, Ngorongoro Farm House, is located in the middle of a coffee plantation providing lovely views out over the fertile highlands. The colonial-style Ngorongoro Farm House takes guests back in time offering a unique Tanzanian Lodge experience. This exclusive yet earthy lodge looks onto the dormant Oldeani Volcano and features a swimming pool, internet and  dining areas.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 4 Karatu – Arusha (Tanzania)

On the last day of our Tanzania Wildlife Lodge Safari we have a late breakfast at the lodge before leaving the crater highlands and descending into the Rift Valley. Returning to Arusha where this affordable East African safari started we pass through some of Tanzania's impressive landscapes again.

In the early afternoon we arrive in Arusha bringing the unforgettable wildlife adventure of this Budget Tanzania Lodge Safari to a close.

Breakfast; Lunch

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