FROM
Zanzibar
END
Zanzibar
DURATION
3 Days, 2 Nights
ROUTES
3 Options
PRICE
from $1,586
Discover Tanzania’s wilderness from Zanzibar in just 3 days
A 3-day safari from Zanzibar is often the moment a beach holiday turns into something you’ll remember for a long time. With a domestic flight from Zanzibar, you start without detours, right where the wildlife begins.
Why 3 days are the perfect balance
For many travelers, three days is ideal: long enough for real safari moments – yet short enough to fit smoothly into a Zanzibar itinerary without feeling rushed.
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Enough time for wildlife viewing, landscapes, and the true “bush” rhythm
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Easy to plan without unnecessary time loss
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Perfect as a standout highlight between beach days
It’s not the number of parks – it’s the plan
The key isn’t how many parks you “tick off,” but how those three days are designed: pace, transfers, daily flow, and time on safari are what separates “packed” from “truly rewarding.”
North or South: What kind of safari fits you best?
From the famous northern safari areas to the quieter, less-visited parks in the south, there are several meaningful ways to do a 3-day safari from Zanzibar. Each route has its own rhythm, scenery, and style of wildlife viewing – the “best” option depends on how you want your safari to feel.
Our 3 selected 3-day safari routes from Zanzibar
Below, you’ll find three carefully selected 3-day safari routes from Zanzibar, crafted for a rewarding experience without trying to squeeze too much into too little time.
Take a moment to compare the options and choose the journey that best matches your travel style.
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3-Day Safari from Zanzibar to Tarangire, Manyara & Ngorongoro
This 3-day Northern Circuit route is designed for travelers who want to experience three very different safari environments without rushing through them.
The journey begins in Lake Manyara National Park, a compact but remarkably diverse park known for its lush groundwater forest, open floodplains, and the wildlife that thrives between them. It’s a gentle and visually rich introduction to safari life ideal for easing into the rhythm of game drives.
On the second day, the experience deepens with a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife areas. The crater’s enclosed ecosystem creates exceptional game viewing, offering a chance to see a high concentration of animals in a single, dramatic setting.
The safari concludes in Tarangire National Park, where wide savannas, ancient baobab trees, and the Tarangire River draw large numbers of elephants and other wildlife. Ending the journey here adds a powerful sense of scale and openness, rounding out the experience with one of northern Tanzania’s most iconic landscapes.
Together, these three parks create a well-paced and rewarding 3-day safari from Zanzibar – combining variety, wildlife density, and a natural flow that makes every day feel distinct.
Highlights & Tour Route
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Elephant Encounters in Tarangire
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Explore the Ngorongoro Crater
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Forest & Lake Wildlife in
L. Manyara
Route Overview Day by Day
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Start: Zanzibar
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Day 1: L. Manyara National Park
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Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater
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Day 3: Tarangire National Park
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End: Zanzibar
Best Time for the 3-Day Classic Safari from Zanzibar
Peak season runs from July to October, while shoulder (March to May, & November) season offers lower prices, fewer crowds.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Excellent
Good
Fair
3-Day Classic Safari from Zanzibar Prices
This 3-Day Safari from Zanzibar to Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater offers 3 flexible pricing options - Camping, Midrange, and Luxury - based entirely on your preferred accommodation style.
Whether you’re looking for an adventurous budget experience, a balance of comfort and value, or the best of safari luxury, we’ve got the right package for you.
Rates for the 3-Day Tanzania Camping Safari for Different Group Sizes
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$ 1,586 per person when 2 people traveling together
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$ 1,341 per person when 3 people traveling together
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$ 1,219 per person when 4 people traveling together
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$ 1,145 per person when 5 people traveling together
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$ 1,097 per person when 6 people traveling together
Day by Day Itinerary
DAY 1
A Gentle Introduction — Forests, Water & Wildlife at Lake Manyara
The day begins with an early departure from Zanzibar, trading palm-lined beaches for the wide horizons of northern Tanzania. After arriving on the mainland, your safari journey officially starts as you travel toward Lake Manyara National Park, set dramatically at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment.
Lake Manyara offers a gentle yet captivating introduction to safari life. As you enter the park, the landscape shifts into a lush groundwater forest where tall fig and mahogany trees create cool, shaded corridors. Here, blue monkeys move through the canopy, baboons gather along the road, and the forest feels alive with quiet movement.
Deeper into the park, the scenery opens into grassy floodplains and the alkaline lake itself, often shimmering with flamingos and other water birds. Giraffes browse near the treeline, elephants emerge from the forest edges, and buffalo graze calmly in the open – a contrast of habitats that makes every turn of the track feel different.
Game drives continue through the afternoon, allowing you to settle into the pace of the safari: slow observation, changing light, and the thrill of spotting wildlife in unexpected places. By the end of the day, you’ll already feel the shift – from island time to safari time – as the first chapter of your 3-day Tanzania safari from Zanzibar comes to a close.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Drinks: Drinking water, soft drinks, beer & wine in the safari vehicle
Main Destination: L. Manyara NP
Best Time to Visit
July to November
Easier to spot animals
High Season
June to October
The park is full of visitors
Best Weather
June to October
Rainfall is little to none
Accommodation Options
For the camping option, you'll spend the night at Migombani Campsite in Mto wa Mbu town.
DAY 2
Ngorongoro Crater – a Stage for Tanzania’s Wildlife
DAY 3
Elephant Trails and Baobab Tales – Tarangire National Park
Who This 3-Day Safari from Zanzibar Option Is Best For
This 3-Day Safari from Zanzibar to Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater is ideal for travelers who want to experience maximum variety within a short timeframe, without feeling rushed.
It’s particularly well suited for:
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Travelers visiting Tanzania for the first time who want a well-rounded introduction to wildlife and landscapes
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Zanzibar-based travelers with limited time who still want to experience multiple iconic parks
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Couples and small groups looking for a smooth, balanced safari flow rather than long driving days
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Travelers who value diversity of scenery, from forests and crater floors to open savannas
If your goal is to see different ecosystems, enjoy strong wildlife viewing, and end your safari feeling satisfied rather than exhausted, this route offers a thoughtful and rewarding way to spend three days on a safari from Zanzibar.
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How to Choose Between These 3-Day Safari Options
Choosing the right 3-day safari from Zanzibar isn’t about which option is “better” – it’s about which experience fits how you want your safari to feel.
Each route on this page is carefully designed to work well within three days, but they offer very different rhythms, landscapes, and styles of wildlife viewing. Asking yourself a few simple questions can make the decision much clearer.
Choose Option 1 if you want maximum variety
If you like the idea of experiencing different ecosystems in a short time – forest, crater floor, and open savanna – this route offers the most contrast. It’s a great fit if you want to see a lot without feeling rushed.
Choose Option 2 if you value scenery and immersion
If you’re drawn to landscapes, atmosphere, and a gradual build-up, this option offers a softer start and a strong finish. The possibility of a walking safari adds an extra layer for travelers who enjoy connecting more closely with nature.
Choose Option 3 if you want depth and wilderness
If your priority is space, quiet, and spending real time in one vast environment, the southern circuit delivers a slower, more immersive safari. This option is ideal if you prefer fewer vehicles, water-based experiences, and a sense of remoteness.
If you’re still unsure, that’s completely normal – many travelers feel the same way at this stage. The best choice often comes down to whether you value variety, scenery, or wilderness immersion most.
And if you’d like guidance, we’re always happy to help you match the right safari to your travel style and time in Zanzibar.
Everything That's Included & Excluded in This 3 Day Safari from Zanzibar
Inclusions
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Park fees
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All activities (unless labeled as optional)
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All accommodations (unless listed as an upgrade)
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A professional guide/driver
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All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
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All domestic flights during the tour
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All taxes/VAT
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Roundtrip airport transfer
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Meals (as specified in the day-to-day section)
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Drinks (as specified in the day-to-day section)
Exclusions
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International flights (From/to home)
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Visa fees
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Additional accommodation before and after the tour
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Tips (the tipping guideline is $ 25.00 pp per day)
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Personal expenses and items (souvenirs, travel insurance)
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Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Looking for Something Different?
Here are some more itineraries to start your planning
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