Self-Launched Safari Add-on: Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara
3 days · Tanzania
Exodus Travels charges £950
No-markup version: ~£305 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
After conquering Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route, this 3-day self-launched safari lets you explore three of Tanzania's most iconic wildlife areas — Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara — at a fraction of the cost of a guided group tour. By booking a shared safari vehicle through a local Arusha operator or GetYourGuide, and swapping the premium tented camp for a well-rated budget tented lodge, you'll still get the big-five action and dramatic crater scenery without the group tour premium. All estimated costs are approximate per person.
Day-by-day
Arusha to Tarangire National Park — Elephants & Baobabs
Tarangire National Park
Arrange a shared 4WD game drive vehicle through one of Arusha's many reputable budget safari operators (e.g. Roy Safaris, Sunny Safaris, or via GetYourGuide). Departure is typically around 7–7:30am from Arusha town. The drive to Tarangire takes approximately 2 hours. Tarangire is famous for its enormous elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and the seasonal Tarangire River, which draws lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras and buffalo. A full afternoon game drive inside the park gives you the best chance of big sightings before settling into your budget tented lodge for dinner.
🚌Shared 4WD safari vehicle booked through a local Arusha budget operator or GetYourGuide. Typical cost included in the safari day rate. Depart Arusha ~7:30am.
🛏Oliver's Camp Budget Tents or Maramboi Tented Lodge (budget option) — alternatively, ask your safari operator to recommend an affordable tented camp near Tarangire (~£25–40pp per night)
- →Full-day shared safari game drive in Tarangire National Park (~£60–80pp via local Arusha budget operator or GetYourGuide — includes park fees and guide)
- →Spot large elephant herds, giraffes, zebras, lions and leopards
- →Explore the Tarangire River circuit and iconic baobab landscape
- →Transfer from Arusha to Tarangire included in shared vehicle cost
Ngorongoro Conservation Area — Full Day in the Crater
Ngorongoro Crater
An early breakfast before your driver-guide takes you from your tented camp to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You'll drive along the crater rim for sweeping panoramic views before descending into the crater floor — one of Africa's greatest wildlife spectacles. The crater walls act as a natural enclosure, keeping a high density of lions, elephants, buffalo, black rhino and flamingos within a relatively compact area. The Maasai also graze their cattle in parts of the conservation area, offering a glimpse of traditional East African life. Full picnic lunch is provided by most operators inside the crater. Note: Ngorongoro crater entry fees are steep (~US$200–300pp/day including vehicle fee) but are typically bundled into shared safari quotes.
🚌Shared 4WD safari vehicle with your guide. Drive from Tarangire camp to Ngorongoro rim (~2–3 hours), then descend into the crater.
🛏Same budget tented camp as Day 1 (operators often use the same camp for nights 1 and 2) or a Ngorongoro-area budget lodge such as Rhino Lodge or Ngorongoro Farm House budget rooms (~£30–50pp per night)
- →Full-day game drive inside the Ngorongoro Crater — included in shared safari vehicle cost
- →Spot lions, elephants, black rhino, hippos, flamingos and buffalo
- →Drive along the crater rim for panoramic views
- →Observe Maasai communities in the wider conservation area
- →Packed picnic lunch inside the crater (arrange with lodge the evening before)
Lake Manyara National Park — Tree-Climbing Lions & Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport
Lake Manyara National Park
A morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, one of Tanzania's smaller but richest wildlife areas. The alkaline lake shores attract vast flocks of flamingos and other water birds, while the dense groundwater forest hides the park's famous tree-climbing lions — a rare and extraordinary sight. Look out also for large hippo pods, baboon troops and elephants. After the game drive your shared vehicle will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport, approximately 4–5 hours away. Make sure your departure flight is no earlier than 4pm to allow comfortable travel time.
🚌Shared 4WD safari vehicle transfer from Lake Manyara to Kilimanjaro International Airport (~4–5 hours). Confirm with your operator that the airport drop-off is included — most budget operators include this for a 3-day circuit.
- →Morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park (included in shared safari cost — ~£40–60pp including park fees)
- →Look for tree-climbing lions, flamingos, hippos and elephants
- →Packed breakfast or early lunch before departure
- →Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) — included in safari vehicle arrangement
Self-launched vs. Exodus Travels
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus Travels | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£305 | £950 |
| Duration | 3 days | 3 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £645 per person (68%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus Travels-style trips? Check them out here.~£305
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Safari Add-on: Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £305 per person for 3 days in Tanzania. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus Travels?+
Yes — Exodus Travels charges around £950 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £305 — a saving of roughly £645 (68%) per person.
How long is the Tanzania trip?+
This itinerary runs 3 days, covering 3 day-by-day stops through Tanzania.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a wildlife, adventure, culture trip through Tanzania, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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