There are few travel experiences that compare to a 3-day Tanzania safari tour, in my opinion. From the moment you set off onto the vast plains, to watching a herd of elephants cross in front of you.
In a place like Tanzania, home to the legendary Serengeti National Park and the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater, you’ll have plenty of unforgettable moments in only three days.
In this post, I’ll share my personal experience of a 3-day Tanzania safari tour from the daily game drives to accommodation and what surprised me most. Plus all the wildlife you might be lucky enough to see. If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing and African safari, this is your sign to start planning.
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Where Is Tanzania?
Tanzania is in East Africa, bordered by a number of countries known for their wildlife viewing opportunities. Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda and the DR Congo to the west, and Zambia to the south.
Tanzania stretches to the eastern coast where you’ll find the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, and the island of Zanzibar. But we’ll be focusing on the more landlocked parts of the country. Here the incredible natural beauty of its vast savannahs and volcanic landscapes make up world-famous safari destinations like the Serengeti.
You can reach Tanzania’s main safari regions through two of its most popular international airports. Kilimanjaro International in the north, and the eastern capital Dar es Salaam for the southern parks. I had been to Kenya first so did a land border crossing with a private guide from Nairobi to Arusha.
Why Would You Want To Do A Safari?
Do you really need to ask? It’s like the Lion King but in real life – minus the dancing animals. Getting to see animals you could only dream of seeing in the wild since you first learned of them from children’s books or a visit to the zoo. It just can’t be beaten.
What makes it more incredible is the scenery. The endless horizons and sparse trees which get even better towards the end of the day with a fiery sunset. Far different from anything you might have seen before.
For me it was also the excitement of spotting a pride of lions lounging in the shade or catching a glimpse of a leopard draped over a tree branch. With a little luck, you might encounter the iconic Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), but trust me that you’ll probably get giddy over seeing any wildlife when you actually get there.
Why Choose Tanzania For Your Safari?
It’s true, you have many options when booking an African safari. So what makes a Tanzania safari tour outweigh everything else?
Firstly, it’s one of the most iconic wildlife destinations on the planet. In only three days you can explore legendary landscapes like the Serengeti National Park and the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, the latter so dense with wildlife it feels like the ending to the Land Before Time.
Tanzania is also a country that offers the chance to see the Big Five and see so much over relatively short driving distances. Dusty plains, thick forests, lakeside retreats, Tanzania has it all.
More importantly, as far as countries go, Tanzania is a relatively safe one for visitors. They pride themselves on being welcoming, and friendly, and of course making sure visitors have a great experience. When tourism is your business you don’t want your reputation ruined. I had such great experiences in Tanzania and did not want to leave.
Is A 3 Day Tanzania Safari Enough?
It’s going to feel like a lot of time until your last day when you won’t want it to end. There’s nothing I would happily do more than watch animals all day, scanning the horizon for just one more wildlife sighting.
A 3-day Tanzania safari tour is a good amount of time, though. Especially if its your first time doing a safari, or if (like me) you have other plans for your trip.
I planned my safari adventure as an acclimatization tour before hiking Kilimanjaro. It was a great way to distract me from the nerves of the upcoming epic climb.
3 days is enough to visit multiple wildlife rich areas of Tanzania without feeling rushed. While I did a one-day safari adventure in Kenya, three days in Tanzania allowed more time in case the day didn’t go as planned. You won’t feel like you’re on the clock to see everything in only a day. No lions today? There’s always tomorrow.
You’ll likely spend upwards of 7 hours each day out and about looking for wildlife. An extra day or two might be better, but if three days is all you can allow (or afford), I think you’ll be happy with time well spent.
How Much Will A 3 Day Tanzania Safari Tour Cost?
Safaris are big business in Tanzania. And if you’ve ever looked into booking an African safari you’ll know they aren’t cheap. Not to say there aren’t cheap-er options, but for a 3 day Tanzania safari tour expect to pay at least a few hundred dollars per day.
When considering a safari, costs come down to three main factors: Transportation, Accommodation and Guides.
TRANSPORTATION
Will you rely solely on a jeep/ground vehicle, or will your safari tour include a flight? That depends on how much you want to see. My safari had us fly from Arusha to the Serengeti and then drive back. This meant we could cover more ground than simply driving.
ACCOMMODATION
How luxurious are you expecting? Camping, or basic lodges? Or maybe a fully furnished tented lodge. Inside the national park vs. outside the national park? We spent a night at Kilima Valley tented camp in the Serengeti and another night at a mid-range lodge.
GUIDE
How knowledgeable is your guide? Do they follow crowds to popular spots so you can see the animals with dozens of other vehicles with minimal info? Or do they know secret spots and have a deep commitment to conservation and education? Companies build up reputations through their impressive guides.
Our 3 day Tanzania safari tour cost around $2000 USD per person (flight, transportation, 2 nights accommodation and meals for 3 days). It ended up just my friend and I, which was really good as it was a private tour. Tips are extra. In the absence of a larger group we increased the guide tip amount. Budget another $100-150 for tips to your guide, hotel workers etc. for a mid-range safari.
A safari can be cheaper if you want. Maybe half the cost with budget accommodation or omitting the flight option. Since I didn’t know if I’d get the opportunity to do a safari again, I was prepared to pay a little more.
What Is The Best Time To Go On Your Tanzania Safari?
While I have only visited Tanzania once, we did ask our safari guide for his opinion on the best time to visit. He agreed that we came at the right time of year, the end of August, as we were in the middle of the dry season which runs from June to October.
During this time, the weather is a lot more comfortable, often cool enough that you don’t mind being out all day and can get a good night sleep. As bad as it is for the wildlife out on a daily search for water, the sparse vegetation increases your chance of seeing animals.
The Great Migration of wildebeest happens in June/July if that’s what you’re aiming to see. For us, we were also timing it for the best time to climb Kilimanjaro without too much heat or cold.
We were advised that late February through April is rainy season and not the best time to travel. You might get cheaper rates than a popular time, but you’ll also be competing with the weather and the mosquitoes (which we had almost none of in dry August).
Where Will A 3 Day Tanzania Safari Go?
Many classic Tanzania safari tour itineraries focus on the northern circuit. This is where I went and it allows visitors to combine two or three different parks. My trip started in Serengeti National Park, day two in Ngorongoro Crater and the final day was Tarangire National Park.
A visit to the Serengeti National Park will increase your chance of spotting predators. If you time your visit right, you might see the Great Migration of wildebeest.
Ngorongoro Crater was my favorite place to explore. It’s such a wildlife-rich area that you’ll see one amazing animal after another. Although typically none of the bigger predators.
For some larger herds of elephants and the impressive baobob trees then Tarangire National Park is the spot for you. Tarangire is close to Arusha and Moshi which is perfect for those hiking Kilimanjaro.
The same goes for Lake Manyara National Park which is where you can see flamingos lining the lake. And you could be lucky to find lions lazing up in the trees, something that doesn’t happen in many other places.
As well as these amazing places, there are other areas of Tanzania to the south and east for an incredible safari adventure. Nyerere National Park and the Selous Game Reserve in southern Tanzania are abundant in lions and wild dogs. Experience a unique boat safari or walking safari activities here.
Ruaha National Park, in central Tanzania, is the largest national park in Tanzania. Want to see chimpanzees? You’ll probably have to go to the more remote regions along the western border of the Congo such as Mahale Mountains National Park.
Each region of Tanzania offers a varying mix of landscapes and animal sightings, but whichever you choose while no doubt give you an unforgettable safari experience.
What Animals Will You See On Your 3 Day Tanzania Safari?
So many animals, you’ll lose track. Especially of the ones you weren’t expecting, and therefore had trouble knowing what they were. Another benefit of having a knowledgeable guide who was on high alert for 3 days of us asking “What’s that over there?”.
But let’s dive into some of the most common animals you might see, and some of the more unique ones. Note to everyone – ALWAYS have your camera ready.
THE BIG FIVE
Did you know the term “Big Five” was coined by hunters who determined the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino as the most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot? Conservation for the win, though, as these animals are now the biggest draw for tourism and the term BIG FIVE has been turned into a genius marketing campaign.
THE CATS
Of the big cats you might see on a Tanzania safari tour, the leopard is usually the most difficult to spot. They spend their time high in the trees, lounging on branches, almost consumed by the foliage. I finally spotted one after it came to a lower branch to get more comfortable.
Lions on the other hand are the most brazen of all the big cats. The King of the Jungle doesn’t have much to fear, and it shows. My most incredible moment was watching a lioness scout the horizon for prey, a few meters from where I stood in the jeep. Silent, deadly, beautiful.
But a male lion nonchalantly sauntering past my open car window was a moment I won’t forget. With massive paws and powerful teeth on display, he gets all my respect.
THE NON-CATS
Unfortunately seeing a rhinoceros was not meant to be on my Tanzania trip. Fingers crossed you’ll have more luck. While guides typically give it a valiant effort to help visitors find all the big five animals, you can’t guarantee sightings. On my safari we could hear the rhinos, they just wouldn’t emerge from the jungle. Luckily I’d seen a few on a Nairobi safari the week prior.
The often slow moving, travel-in-herds cape buffalo might be easier to spot. Maybe thankfully for us, the buffalo we saw were rather inert and remained lying down or uninterested in our vehicle. Seeing how huge they are with their solid horns, you can understand why they may be intimidating.
The elephant, however, remains my favorite of the Big Five. The most beautiful gentle giants and by far the most fun to watch. Watching a herd of elephants pass in front of you is unreal. Seeing them drink from a watering hole, the little ones splashing each other to cool down, just magical. Together as a family, or a solo elephant walking in the distance through the long grass.
CHEETAH
Not one of the Big Five, but one of the big cats you’ll really want to see, the cheetah was one of the highlights of my 3 day Tanzania safari tour. While we saw a family of cheetahs at one point, it was the first cheetah that was the most incredible.
The beautiful cat was resting in the shade of a tree just inches from the road, avoiding the unforgiving mid-day African sun. She didn’t bother as we snapped photos, pausing only a few minutes, then driving on to allow others the same opportunity, and to soon leave her in peace.
A cheetah’s markings are stunning up close, and their soft faces are almost reminiscent of your domestic cat at home. Unlike the grizzled muzzle of the male lions you might see. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I didn’t witness a fast-paced cheetah in pursuit of a kill, but I’m happy with the experience I got.
ANTELOPES
From the tiny dik dik to the mighty hartebeest, there are lots of antelopes you’ll come across on a 3 day Tanzania safari tour.
Some, like the world’s largest antelope the eland, might give a predator a second’s pause with their gnarly looking horns. Others, like the unassuming and timid Thomson’s gazelle, might have you biting your nails each time you see a big cat eyeing it up.
We had a tense moment where we saw a gazelle get separated from his family, unaware of the lioness stalking him on the other side of some long grass. Luck was on his side as the heat of the day meant the lion gave up when he skipped off a little further.
You might also see the slightly larger impala, the reedbuck, Grant’s gazelle, or one of many other types of antelope roaming the Serengeti or other areas of Tanzania.
GIRAFFE
The Masai Giraffe is Tanzania’s national animal. Their long necks makes them a little easier to spot next to the tallest of trees. Their slow and steady movements also give you a good chance of getting a picture before they go too far.
I was able to see lots of giraffes on my Tanzania safari tour, all 3 days, in multiple national parks and regions. Both in the distance, silhouetted against the vast emptiness of the savannah, and up close munching on leaves at the side of the road.
Seeing a giraffe up close – bucket list item for me. I was lucky enough to spot a couple of them devouring vegetation outside my tented camp one evening. Watching giraffes feeding in the Serengeti from the comfort of my bed? Unreal.
HIPPOPOTAMUS
You might smell them before you see them. Driving across a ridge, submerged hippos wallowing in the muddy water either side, the smell of these animals is something I’m unlikely to forget. Not that their scent is the main reason to give the hippopotamus a wide berth. These grumpy animals are not too tolerant and are best left alone.
But you are very likely to see a hippo somewhere on your Tanzania safari tour – they’re big enough, and smelly enough, not to miss. Eyes peeking out of the mud is a classic hippo sighting, but you might be lucky enough to catch them in a playful mood like I did.
The center point of Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Magadi is an oasis where you’ll spot all kinds of animals bathing, or drinking. Which is where we saw a mama hippo rolling around in the water, like a playful puppy, trying to cool down. Her baby only occasionally came into view as she moved, but a baby hippo is a pretty precious thing to see.
BIRDLIFE
Speaking of Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Magadi is a great spot to find hundreds of pink hued flamingos. They can also be seen in abundance in Lake Manyara National Park. Flamingos won’t be the only birds you’ll see, and may not even be the most colorful. The Lilac-Breasted Roller probably takes that title.
Keep an eye out for the leggy Gray Crowned Crane, or the Yellow Billed Stork. Or my favorite, the awkward looking Secretary Bird, often standing tall in the long grass, like an eagle on stilts.
One picnic had us accosted by lots of iridescent blue Superb Starlings, and a rather brazen menacing-looking Marabou Stork. These birds are huge – the one I saw must have only been about 8 inches shorter than me.
ZEBRAS
These funny looking stripey stocky horse-like creatures are entertaining to watch. Running in herds, or playfully trotting along zig-zagging the roads. I feel lucky to have seen as many zebras as I did.
One such early evening encounter saw three zebras taking turns rolling in a dusty patch of red dirt, clearly enjoying themselves while ignoring our vehicle.
Like any animals on your African safari, zebras are not a guarantee, but they are a little easier to spot if they’re around.
CROCODILE
Even more submerged than the hippo, spotting a crocodile is a skill. Look for a pair of eyes, peeking out of the water on a hot day. Or scan the shore of a watering hole or lake, where a statue-like croc might be silently observing everything around without moving a muscle.
The Nile Crocodile is a terrifying-looking animal. They’re much larger than you expect them to be, and seeing them in action stalking prey is something you might be lucky enough to experience.
But most of the time they’ll be standing still, often with mouths slightly open, local birdlife picking scraps from their teeth. Or you could see birds resting on the backs or heads of the freshwater crocs.
OTHER CARNIVORES
There are a few other carnivores you could hopefully see on your Tanzania safari tour that I was unfortunately not able to spot. Hyenas. The kind of crazed and odd looking animal is often thought of as a scavenger, but is also a skilled hunter.
Traveling in a cackle (could there be a more appropriate group name?), they have a distinctive sound. Keep an eye out later in the day as they are most active at dusk and at night. I heard them all night from our tented camp but didn’t realize until the next day that’s what it was. However, I didn’t actually see any.
The African Wild Dog, or Painted Dog, is not too dissimilar to a hyena at first glance. Although more like man’s best friend at home, just with larger ears. They are quite rare so you might not see them. Apparently Nyerere National Park has one of the best chances. I, however, saw none on my safari.
More cats you might see include the Serval and the African Wildcat (which looks uncannily like a domestic cat you might have at home). In the dog column you could see a Bat-eared Fox, or Jackal. I spotted a jackal at sunset on the way to camp. And a smaller, but still interesting creature is the Banded Mongoose. They are especially prevalent around the picnic sites you’ll stop at.
WARTHOG
While you’re unlikely to see Timon (the Lion King favorite meerkat) in Tanzania, you can find his best buddy Pumbaa. Much to my happiness, since I love warthogs. Actually. They don’t get enough love so I feel a little sorry for them, but they are interesting to watch, despite their lack of traditional cute appeal.
Much like their Disney movie persona, you can often find them at a water hole, or rustling through the undergrowth. They’re quick when they want to be, and somewhat skittish from what I saw. But you have a good chance of seeing these funny looking tusked pigs on your safari.
Where Will You Stay On Safari?
One of the best experiences I had in Africa was the night I spent at a more luxury tented camp in the middle of the Serengeti. Kilima Valley Tented Camp Serengeti was comfortable, with great hosts, good food, and big comfortable beds inside the massive tent.
Complete with en-suite bathroom and plenty of space for our luggage, this was the nicest tent I’ve ever “camped” in. Watching giraffes from my room and hearing animal noises outside the tent all night was the icing on the cake. Although guests are not allowed to walk outside without an escort for obvious reasons.
Farm of Dreams Lodge was the second place we stayed. A mid-range lodge near Ngorongoro Crater conservation area. Comfortable enough after a couple days on the road and all the individual buildings made it feel less like a hotel.
Where you stay is often outside of your control on a safari as accommodation is typically included in the full cost. That said, you pick the level of safari you take from budget to luxury and we found the accommodation seemed to match quite well. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who’s done a more budget safari and how camping accommodation might have been.
Will I Be Bored Of Seeing Animals After 3 Days?
Are you kidding? How anyone could be bored scanning the horizon for giraffes, or scouting trees for big cats, I don’t know. I was simultaneously on high alert, and the most relaxed I’ve felt on vacation.
Sitting back, driving through the plains of East Africa, watching the world go by. Life doesn’t get much better. Our Tanzania safari tour wasn’t all just driving and waiting though.
We had the chance to get out of the car a few times for rest stops, lunch breaks, and a geological site or two. But if you’re the kind of person who hates road trips and needs to have lots of entertainment, three days on safari might be your outer limit.
Personally, I could stare out a car window for hours and not get bored. But I did make the trip a little more fun with a homemade safari bingo game. Crossing off animals as we saw them was a great way to engage more with the safari. Plus, a little friendly competition never hurt anyone. Shout out to the lack of hyenas for costing me the game!
What About My Tanzania Safari Tour Guide?
If you get the right tour guide, your Tanzania safari tour will go from great to spectacular. For the guides in this country take their role seriously, and are often overly enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge with a willing audience. Their friendliness and generosity will leave you aching to visit Tanzania again.
We lucked out with our guide, who was not only knowledgeable but cared deeply for the wildlife he introduced us to. Giving animals enough space, scolding drivers who didn’t, and knowing when to move on and leave the animals in peace.
Any safari guide can follow the rest of the drivers in a mad dash to be front of the line, a really good driver knows the secret spots where you get to watch the animals without interference of the crowds.
The education programs for safari tour guides is top notch in Tanzania. They receive intense and ongoing training, and those who wish to succeed will work hard to be the best. Our guide told us of the evenings of studying, even after 10 years in the job. He is part of a “Guide For Life” group where each day they share articles, photos and information so they can continue to learn to be better guides.
Is A 3 day Tanzania Safari Tour Worth It?
Three days on a Tanzania safari tour will fly by. It’s enough to give you an unforgettable taste of safari life, but not enough to explore multiple regions in depth. If you have more time in your vacation schedule, an extra day or two would allow a slower pace and up your animal spotting odds even more.
But if it’s a choice between a shorter safari and no safari at all, I can 100% guarantee that any safari is better than nothing. A 3 day Tanzania safari tour was probably the highlight of my incredible African adventure.
Could I have spent longer? Of course. Did I miss seeing some of the animals I wanted to see? Yes, you’ll never see everything. Was a safari still worth doing? Without a doubt.
The Best Thing About A 3 day Tanzania Safari
The volume and variety of animals you can see is undoubtedly the best thing about a 3 day Tanzania safari tour. After all, they are the reason you’re out there for days at a time, silently observing the vast landscapes of Africa.
Having a herd of elephants meander happily across the road feet from where you stand watching them.
The sound of a mama lion angrily chastising a chaotic pair of over-zealous lion cubs, just another tired mother keeping her kids in check.
Or seeing a small group of awkward-looking zebras start prancing around happily as a brief rain shower fills dusty puddles, the first rain they may have seen in weeks.
Moments like these are why you’ll love taking a safari through the beautiful country of Tanzania. From the wild, barren landscape of the Serengeti, to the lush, green sanctuary of the Africa’s “Garden of Eden”, Ngorongoro Crater, there’s an abundance of remarkable wildlife waiting to be seen.
Never have I felt more at peace than standing in the soft evening light of the African Serengeti, watching a gentle breeze rippling the tall grass around a statuesque lioness just meters away from where I silently observe.
Between the wildlife-rich regions, the stellar safari guides and he hospitable accommodation along the way, Tanzania is one of the best places on Earth to experience an authentic African safari.
If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Have you taken a Tanzania safari tour before? Or been somewhere else in Africa? How many days would you recommend?
