3 Days Lake Manyara | Ngorongoro Crater Tanzania Safari

.Lake Manyara National Park lies 130 kilometers outside of Arusha town and encompasses Lake Manyara and its surroundings. There are five different vegetation zones including groundwater forest, acacia woodland, open areas of short grass, swamps and the lake’s alkaline flats. The park’s wildlife includes more than 350 species of birds, baboon, warthog, giraffe, hippopotamus, elephant and buffalo. If lucky, catch a glimpse of Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions. Night game drives are permitted in Lake Manyara. Located beneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, on the edge of the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park offers varied ecosystems, incredible bird life, and breathtaking views. Known for its elephants and tree-climbing lions, Lake Manyara is also excellent for flamingos and other fascinating birds in and around the soda lake.

The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Forming a spectacular bowl of about 265 square kilometres, with sides up to 600 metres deep; it is home to approximately 30,000 animals at any one time. The Crater rim is over 2,200 metres high and experiences its own climate. From this high vantage point it is possible to make out the tiny shapes of animals making their way around the crater floor far below.  The crater floor consists of a number of different habitats that include grassland, swamps, forests and Lake Makat (Maasai for ‘salt’) – a central soda lake filled by the Munge River. All these various environments attract wildlife to drink, wallow, graze, hide or climb.

Day 2: Lake Manyara – Ngorongoro Crater

Early morning breakfast we check out of the lodge and drive with packed lunch to Ngorongoro Crater Rim. OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: You can visit Olduvai Gorge at an extra fee payable direct to the museum. Ngorongoro Crater is the world biggest whole volcanic caldera at 8300 sq km and is arguably the most stunning arena. It is frequently described as one of the wonders of the world not only because of its geological magnificence but also because it serves as an extraordinary natural sanctuary for some of Africa largest population of large mammals. The annual wildebeest and zebras migration passes through the Ngorongoro conservation, moving south into the area in December and moving north in June. This movement changes seasonally with the rains but the migration will traverse almost the entire plains in search of food. This has a healthy resident population of most species of wildlife in particular the Ndutu Lake area to the west has strong cheetah and lion populations. Dinner and Overnight at the campsite or Lodge.

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha

Early morning breakfast we check out of the lodge we descend to the Crater Floor with picnic lunch for game drive. We explore the crater and have lunch at the picnic site. Thereafter we continue with game viewing while ascending the Crater and drive back to Arusha arriving in the evening. You will be dropped either at your hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your home bound flight depending on the arrangements where the safari ends.