3 Days Tanzania Big 5 Budget Safari — Top Rated & Affordable
3 Days Tanzania Big 5 Budget Safari — Explore the Wild at a Great Price
Looking for an exciting Africa Tanzania safari without spending too much? Our 3 Days Tanzania Big 5 Budget Safari is perfect for travelers who want an unforgettable wildlife adventure at a great price. This safari takes you to three of Tanzania’s best parks—Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara—all known for amazing wildlife, including the famous Big 5.
Whether it’s your first time or you’re returning to explore more, this short safari offers a full experience. You’ll enjoy game drives, beautiful landscapes, and cultural vibes, all in just 3 days.
Safari Highlights – 3 Days Tanzania Budget Safari
- See the Big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo, Elephant)
- Daily game drives in top parks
- Full board accommodation at Eileen’s Trees Inn in Karatu
- Explore Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Lake Manyara
- Great for photography and birdwatching
- Budget-friendly but full of value
Tour Summary
Duration
3 Days
Vehicle Type
4WD Safari
Tour Type
Private
Languages
Any Language
Places to Visit
Quick Itinerary Overview
| Day | Destination | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tarangire National Park | Elephants, baobab trees |
| Day 2 | Ngorongoro Crater | Big 5 game drive |
| Day 3 | Lake Manyara National Park | Tree-climbing lions, birds |
Tour Itinerary
Day-by-Day Safari Itinerary
Day 1:
Arusha to Tarangire National Park to Karatu
Your exciting 3 Days Tanzania Big 5 Budget Safari begins in Arusha. After a tasty breakfast, you will drive about three hours to reach Tarangire National Park. This park is famous for its large elephant families and giant baobab trees. Once you arrive, your guide will take you on a thrilling game drive to look for elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, and more. You will also enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park while listening to birds and soaking in the peaceful surroundings.
In the late afternoon, you will drive to the town of Karatu for your overnight stay at Eileen’s Trees Inn, a cozy and affordable lodge. This is a perfect place to relax after your first day on safari. You’ll have dinner and a good night’s sleep, getting ready for the next day’s adventure in Ngorongoro Crater. This is the ideal start to your top rated 3 days Tanzania Big 5 budget safari.
Highlights of Tarangire Safari:
Large herds of elephants
Huge baobab trees
Lions, giraffes, zebras, and more
Peaceful picnic lunch in nature
Tarangire is one of the best Tanzania safaris for elephant lovers. It’s also less crowded than Serengeti, making it a Tanzania hidden gem safari.
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Tarangire Game Drive
Tarangire National Park Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Karatu
- Room Type: Standard
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
Pro Tip:
Visit Tarangire between June and October, during the dry season, when many animals gather near the river. You’ll have a better chance of seeing more wildlife in one place, and the photos are incredible with the golden light and giant baobab trees in the background.
Day 2:
Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive
After breakfast at the lodge, your guide will take you to the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, one of the best places in Tanzania to spot the Big 5. You will descend into the crater, which is like a natural zoo full of animals. In one day, you may see lions, elephants, buffalos, and even rhinos. The views inside the crater are stunning—green plains, acacia trees, and beautiful lakes.
You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch at the hippo pool, a nice spot where you can watch the hippos in the water. After lunch, continue your game drive and take more amazing photos. In the afternoon, return to Karatu and spend another night at Eileen’s Trees Inn. This second day of your 3 days Ngorongoro safari is a favorite for many travelers because of the incredible number of animals.
What to Expect:
A full-day Tanzania wildlife safari
Picnic lunch at the famous hippo pool
Spectacular views of the crater rim
This is truly a highlight of any Tanzania safari itinerary. Ngorongoro is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is often featured in top Tanzania safari reviews.
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Game Drive In Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater Photos
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Location: Karatu
- Room Type: Standard
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
Pro Tip:
Ngorongoro Crater offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa, but off-road driving is not allowed to protect the delicate ecosystem. Stay on designated tracks and let nature come to you—animals often gather near water sources, so patience pays off!
Day 3:
Lake Manyara National Park – Lions in Trees and Colorful Birds
After breakfast, head to Lake Manyara National Park, a small but beautiful park at the base of the Great Rift Valley. This park is known for its green forest, flamingos, and the rare tree-climbing lions. As you drive through the park, you might see baboons, elephants, hippos, and many birds. It’s a peaceful place to enjoy nature and take nice photos.
During the visit, you will also enjoy a picnic lunch in the park’s scenic area. If you like, you can try the Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway, a fun walk on bridges high in the trees. After your game drive, your guide will drive you back to Arusha, which takes about three hours. This marks the end of your 3 days Tanzania Big 5 budget safari, full of memories and amazing wildlife.
Highlights:
Manyara Treetop Walkway adventure
Game drive near the lake
Over 400 species of birds
Enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch before heading back to Arusha, ending your Africa safari to Tanzania on a high note.
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Lake Manyara Game Drive
- Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway
Tanzania Safari Highlights:
Unique Lake Manyara Game Drive
Optional Treetop Walkway adventure
Great for Tanzania birding safaris
Lake Manyara National Park Photos
Pro Tip:
Lake Manyara National Park is a hidden gem in Tanzania, famous for its tree-climbing lions—a rare behavior not commonly seen in other lion populations. If you’re planning a safari, opting for a flight from Dar es Salaam to Lake Manyara will help reduce long driving hours and allow you to enjoy more time exploring the park’s stunning landscapes and wildlife.
This park offers a mix of lush forests, open savannahs, and the shimmering lake, making it a perfect spot to see elephants, flamingos, and the iconic lions lounging in the treetops. Arriving early by air ensures you have plenty of time to witness this extraordinary sight and soak in the beauty of the region! 🦁🌿
Looking for a 3 Days Tanzania Big 5 Budget Safari — Top Rated & Affordable for your dates?
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3 Days Tanzania Big 5 Budget Safari Cost
Here’s what’s included and not included in your safari package. To get your custom quote with up-to-date pricing based on your travel dates and group size:
| Group Size | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | Get a Free Quote |
| 2 People | Get a Free Quote |
| 4 People | Get a Free Quote |
| 6 People | Get a Free Quote |
Prices are subject to change based on season and availability.
These are average Tanzania safari prices for a budget tour. If you want more comfort, you can upgrade to a luxury Tanzania safari with top-rated Tanzania safari lodges.
👉 For best rates, travel during the low season or join shared tours.
We've got you covered
Our tours are top-notch but give you great value. The price we tell you upfront covers most of the costs for one person, like flights and all transfers.
Includes
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Air Ambulance Service by AMREF Flying Doctors;
Excludes
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips to your safari guide ($30-50 per day per car).
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcohol drinks
- Visas and visa fees where relevant
- Additional activities not offered as scheduled by the accommodation
- Lunch and dinner in hotel (only before and after safari);
How to plan your Tanzania safari
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Popular questions about Tanzania Safari 3 Days Tanzania Big 5 Budget Safari — Top Rated & Affordable
You can see the famous Big Five: lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos. You may also spot giraffes, zebras, hippos, flamingos, and many kinds of birds during game drives in Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara.
Yes, this 3-day Tanzania Big 5 safari is perfect for first-time visitors. It gives you a full safari experience in a short time and includes expert guides, comfortable lodges, and exciting wildlife viewing.
The safari includes all park fees, game drives, a safari vehicle with a guide, meals, water, and 2 nights of budget-friendly accommodation. It's a full package designed for good value.
You will stay at Gibbs Farm in Karatu, offering a comfortable lodge experience.
You will stay at Eileen’s Trees Inn in Karatu. It’s a clean, comfortable, and affordable lodge with friendly service, hot showers, and tasty meals.
The best time is from June to October (dry season) for easy wildlife spotting. But you can also visit during the green season (November to May), when the parks are lush and less crowded.
Yes! It’s a family-friendly safari. Kids love seeing animals in the wild. We recommend this trip for families with children aged 5 and above.
It’s easy! Just fill out our free quote request form here, and we’ll help you plan everything.
Yes, we can customize your safari. If you want to visit places like the Serengeti or add cultural activities, we can adjust the plan to fit your needs.
Each day, you’ll drive about 2–4 hours between parks or from park to lodge. The safari vehicle is comfortable with large windows for wildlife viewing.
Pack light, neutral-colored clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, camera, insect repellent, and a power bank. It gets cool in the morning and evening, so bring a warm jacket too.
Most lodges offer Wi-Fi, but it may be slow. In the parks, the phone signal can be weak, especially inside Ngorongoro Crater.
Yes, but it is recommended for children aged 5 and above for a better experience.
You can do this safari year-round, but the dry season (June–October) offers the best wildlife viewing.
It’s best to book 6-12 months in advance, especially during the peak season, to secure your preferred itinerary and accommodation.
Contact Seko Tours through their website or email [email protected] to make a reservation.
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