Self-Launched Safari: Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara
3 days · Tanzania
Exodus Travels charges £950
No-markup version: ~£365 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 3-day Tanzania safari covering Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara — the same iconic wildlife circuit as the Exodus add-on, but booked independently through local operators in Arusha. Tanzania's northern safari circuit is very well-trodden, and budget safari operators based in Arusha can arrange shared or small-group game drives at a fraction of the price of a pre-packaged tour operator. All park fees are mandatory and included in cost estimates. Starting from Marangu (post-Kilimanjaro) and ending at Kilimanjaro International Airport, this itinerary mirrors the Exodus route day-for-day. Costs are estimated per person sharing.
Day-by-day
Marangu → Arusha → Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park
Arrange a shared shuttle or negotiate a local taxi/minibus transfer from your Marangu lodge to Arusha (roughly 90 minutes, ~£10–15 by shared minibus or dalla-dalla). In Arusha, link up with a budget safari operator — companies like Wayo Africa, Sunny Safaris, or Zara Tours offer competitive shared 4WD game drives with park fees included. Alternatively, book a budget shared-group day safari to Tarangire through GetYourGuide or direct with a local Arusha-based operator. Tarangire is renowned for enormous elephant herds, baobab-dotted plains, and excellent big-cat sightings. A full afternoon game drive gives you plenty of time to spot elephants, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, lions and leopards. Overnight at a budget tented camp near the park boundary.
🚌Shared minibus or dalla-dalla from Marangu to Arusha (~£12). Safari 4WD vehicle from Arusha into Tarangire, arranged through a local Arusha budget operator or GetYourGuide.
🛏Tarangire River Camp, Bushbuck Safari Camp, or similar budget tented camp near Tarangire (~£25–35/night including breakfast)
- →Shared minibus transfer from Marangu to Arusha (~£12)
- →Full afternoon game drive in Tarangire National Park in shared 4WD safari vehicle
- →Spot large elephant herds, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, lion and leopard
- →Sunset at Tarangire River viewpoint
Ngorongoro Conservation Area — Full Day Crater Safari
Ngorongoro Crater
An early start for the drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area — one of Africa's most jaw-dropping natural wonders. Drive along the crater rim for sweeping panoramic views before descending into the caldera floor. A full day inside the crater gives you the best chance of spotting the Big Five: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and (with luck) leopard. The dense concentration of wildlife within the crater walls makes this one of the most reliably spectacular game-viewing spots on the continent. Picnic lunch boxes can be arranged through your camp or operator. Note: Ngorongoro Conservation Area charges a mandatory crater service fee (~$70/person/day) on top of the standard conservation area entry fee (~$70/person) — these are factored into the day cost estimate. Return to your tented camp in the evening.
🚌Safari 4WD vehicle included in your booked itinerary with the Arusha operator.
🛏Rhino Lodge (NCA-run budget option on crater rim), Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge budget rooms, or return to Tarangire-area camp (~£30–45/night)
- →Drive along the Ngorongoro Crater rim for panoramic views
- →Descend into the crater floor for a full day game drive
- →Spot lion, elephant, buffalo, black rhino and hippo
- →Picnic lunch inside the crater
- →Observe Maasai settlements and cattle on the crater rim
Lake Manyara National Park → Kilimanjaro Airport
Lake Manyara / Kilimanjaro Airport
An early morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park — small but remarkably biodiverse. The lake shoreline teems with flamingos and waterbirds, while the groundwater forest hides olive baboons, blue monkeys and the park's famous tree-climbing lions. The dramatic Rift Valley escarpment forms a stunning backdrop to the whole park. After your game drive, pack up and begin the 4–5 hour drive south to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Ensure your outbound flight departs no earlier than 4pm. You can arrange your final airport transfer as part of the 3-day package with your Arusha operator, or separately via a local taxi (~£25–35).
🚌Safari 4WD vehicle for game drive and airport transfer, included in operator package. Budget for ~£25–35 if booking the airport drop separately by local taxi.
🛏No accommodation needed — fly out today.
- →Morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park
- →Look for tree-climbing lions in the fever tree forest
- →Birdwatching along the lakeshore — flamingos, pelicans and storks
- →Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (4–5 hours)
Self-launched vs. Exodus Travels
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus Travels | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£365 | £950 |
| Duration | 3 days | 3 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £585 per person (62%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus Travels-style trips? Check them out here.~£365
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: Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £365 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 £365 — a saving of roughly £585 (62%) 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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