3-Day Tanzania Tours

3-Day Tanzania Safari Tours

A Tanzanian safari is an unforgettable experience, even with a short 3-day safari. Though it’s just 2 nights away, you’ll still create lasting memories—especially with careful planning. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or booking your first safari, Tanzania offers something for everyone. With limited time, you’ll need to prioritize what matters most. Consider what you want from the safari, and make decisions accordingly. A fly-in safari can save time, but a drive to your destination, while slower, lets you experience Tanzanian life in the towns and villages.

All Tanzania 3-day holidays, itineraries, trips, packages & vacations

3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Safari Private Safari (Private)

Starting From
$1,250
Per Person

3-Day Flamingo Safari to Tarangire & Lake Natron (Private)

Starting From
$1,346
Per Person

3-Day Serengeti Safari From Sky (Private)

Starting From
$2,145
Per Person

3-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara (Private)

Starting From
$1,080
Per Person

3-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Eyasi (Private)

Starting From
$1,325
Per Person

3-Day Serengeti Safari From Sky (Private)

Starting From
$2,145
Per Person

3-Day Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Crater (Shared)

Starting From
$600
Per Person

3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Joining Group Safari (Shared)

Starting From
$630
Per Person

3-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Materuni Waterfalls (Shared)

Starting From
$650
Per Person

3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari From Zanzibar (Private)

Starting From
$2,145
Per Person

3-Day Fly in, Fly out Tarangire, Manyara, & Ngorongoro Crater (Private)

Starting From
$1,730
Per Person

3-Day Fly in, Fly Out Safari to Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Materuni From Zanzibar (Private)

Starting From
$650
Per Person

5 Questions About 3-Day Tanzania Safaris

A 3-day safari may seem brief, but whether it feels too short depends on your expectations. If you have the flexibility, I highly suggest extending your trip by a few more days. This extra time allows you to relax and fully immerse yourself in the wilderness experience. However, if you're limited by time or budget, a shorter safari is certainly better than none. In just three days, you'll still get the chance to explore and grasp the essence of a safari adventure. And perhaps, in the future, you'll return with more time to spare.

It's important not to cram too much into your safari, especially when it's only three days long. Keep in mind that a significant portion of your time will be spent traveling to and from your safari locations. As long as you have realistic expectations about what can be achieved in that time frame, a 3-day safari is definitely worthwhile.

There are many 3-day safaris available in Tanzania, giving you plenty of options to choose from. Since your trip will only last for two nights, I suggest staying in the same location for both nights to maximize your experience.

The Northern Circuit is the most popular choice for a 3-day Tanzanian safari. This route includes four parks: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park, and Tarangire National Park. While it’s technically possible to visit all four within three days, it’s not ideal. A more practical itinerary would be to explore the Serengeti and stop by the Ngorongoro Crater along the way.

Alternatively, Lake Manyara and Tarangire are near Arusha and can easily be paired with a visit to Ngorongoro on a 3-day safari.

In southern Tanzania, there are also a few 3-day safari options. You could opt for a fly-in safari to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) or Ruaha National Park from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. Mikumi National Park, on the other hand, is accessible via a shorter road trip, with a roughly 5-hour drive each way from Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania boasts a well-developed tourism sector with a wide variety of accommodations available.

For travelers on a tight budget, camping safaris are a popular choice. Not only is this the most cost-effective option, but it also provides a more immersive experience with nature.

If you're seeking a bit more comfort, budget lodges offer a step up. Although many of these lodges are located outside the parks, safari operators frequently use them as a base for game-viewing activities.

Mid-range accommodations can be found in and around all the major parks. These typically consist of larger, no-frills hotels that offer basic amenities.

At the higher end of the spectrum, luxury lodges provide a more upscale experience, often featured in fly-in safari packages. Expect excellent service and cuisine, with accommodations ranging from chic eco-lodges to stylish retreats that blend seamlessly into the natural landscape. For a safari with added elegance, these options are ideal.

Tanzania boasts an incredible diversity of wildlife, and the animals you encounter will depend on the parks you visit. While all popular parks offer a great variety of safari animals, each has a unique terrain that influences the wildlife commonly found there.

If you're up for some long drives, you can visit both the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater on a 3-day road safari. This combination gives you a fair chance of spotting the Big Five in a short time. Ngorongoro is the most reliable park to see black rhinos, while both the Serengeti and the Crater are excellent for predators, with lions being especially easy to find. Leopards are trickier to spot on a 3-day safari, but luck may be on your side. To minimize driving, you could fly to and from the Serengeti, skip the Ngorongoro Crater, or drive one way via the Crater and fly back.

A 3-day safari to Ruaha or Nyerere in the south can also be rewarding. Predator sightings are less predictable, but there’s a strong chance of seeing lions. The southern parks are renowned for wild dogs, and Ruaha is home to a wide range of rare antelope species, including the majestic greater kudu.

Pricing for a 3-day safari can vary greatly due to numerous factors. A budget camping tour starts at around US$600 per person, while mid-range lodge tours cost approximately US$1,000 per person. Luxury options come at a higher price. You may find better deals during the low season. Once you know your preferences, gather multiple quotes to compare.

Tanzania's national parks and reserves rank among Africa's finest, offering unforgettable experiences. However, this comes with a higher price tag, reflecting the value of the experience.

Accommodation ranges from budget to mid-range and luxury. Camping is an excellent way to lower costs if you're comfortable with basic amenities, and it brings you closer to nature. Safari prices also depend on whether you choose a private or group tour.

Although many 3-day road safaris are available, time constraints may make a fly-in safari more appealing. While typically more expensive, it offers a quicker, more convenient experience than a road safari.

3-Day Tanzania Tours

3-Day Tanzania Safari Tours

3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari Private Safari (Private)

3-Day Flamingo Safari to Tarangire & Lake Natron (Private)

3-Day Serengeti Safari From Sky (Private)

3-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara (Private)

3-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Eyasi (Private)

3-Day Serengeti Safari From Sky (Private)

3-Day Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Crater (Shared)

3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Joining Group Safari (Shared)

3-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Materuni Waterfalls (Shared)

3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari From Zanzibar (Private)

3-Day Fly in, Fly out Tarangire, Manyara, & Ngorongoro Crater (Private)

3-Day Fly in, Fly Out Safari to Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Materuni From Zanzibar (Private)

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5 Questions About 3-Day Tanzania Safaris

3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Safari Private Safari (Private)