Tour Overview
This 2-day Lake Manyara and Arusha National Park safari offers an exceptional blend of wildlife viewing and active adventure, combining two of Tanzania's most unique and rewarding national parks. Lake Manyara National Park, nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, is famous for its tree-climbing lions – one of the few places in Africa where this rare behavior can be observed. The park's diverse habitats, from groundwater forests to soda lakes, support over 400 bird species, including thousands of flamingos.
Arusha National Park, often called the "Mini-Serengeti," is a hidden gem offering unique experiences such as walking safaris and canoeing on the Momella Lakes. With the towering Mount Meru as a backdrop, this compact park delivers stunning scenery and close encounters with giraffes, zebras, and buffaloes.
This safari is perfect for travelers seeking both active exploration and exceptional wildlife viewing, with shorter driving distances from Arusha making it an ideal 2-day getaway.
Tour Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night
Price: Available on Request
Destinations: Lake Manyara National Park, Arusha National Park, Great Rift Valley, Mount Meru
Activities: Private game drives, walking safari, canoeing (optional), birdwatching, tree-climbing lion spotting
Departure: Arusha or Moshi
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park
The day begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi. After a brief introduction from your professional driver-guide, you will embark on a scenic 2-hour drive through the Great Rift Valley. The journey offers stunning views of Mount Meru and the Rift Valley escarpment, passing through traditional Maasai villages and farmland.
Upon arrival at Lake Manyara National Park, you will enter through the main gate and begin your full-day game drive. The park's groundwater forest is home to one of the largest baboon troops in Africa, along with blue monkeys, bushbucks, and waterbucks. The forest gives way to acacia woodlands where you will search for the park's famous tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior seen in only a few places in Africa. As you continue toward the lake shore, thousands of flamingos line the alkaline waters, joined by pelicans, storks, and over 400 bird species. At the hippo pools, you can observe hippos wallowing and crocodiles basking on the shores.
Midday brings a delicious picnic lunch at a scenic site with views of the lake and Rift Valley escarpment. In the afternoon, you will explore different habitats, from seasonal swamps to open grasslands, searching for giraffes, zebras, elephants, and predators like lions and spotted hyenas. You will also visit the natural hot springs, where unique vegetation and bird species thrive. In the late afternoon, you will depart the park and transfer to your accommodation for check-in, sundowner drinks, and a relaxing dinner.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Choice of budget, mid-range, or luxury
Day 2: Arusha National Park – Arusha
After an early breakfast, you will drive to Arusha National Park, a short 45-minute journey. Upon arrival, you will enter the park and begin your day with a unique walking safari accompanied by an armed ranger. This is a rare opportunity to walk through the lush montane forests and open grasslands, getting closer to wildlife than you could from a vehicle. You will encounter giraffes up close, zebras grazing, buffaloes at a safe distance, and a variety of primates including blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
Following the walking safari, you will explore the park by vehicle, driving to the Momella Lakes. This series of seven shallow lakes is a birdwatcher's paradise, with flamingos, pelicans, and storks, and offers spectacular views of Mount Meru reflected in the water. You will also visit the Ngurdoto Crater, a smaller volcanic crater with a forested rim and swampy floor. For those seeking extra adventure, an optional canoeing experience on the Momella Lakes is available, offering unique views of Mount Meru and close encounters with waterbirds.
After a picnic lunch at a scenic site, you will have additional game viewing opportunities before departing in the late afternoon. You will then return to Arusha for drop-off at your hotel, marking the end of your 2-day safari.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Not included (return to Arusha)
