2 Day Safari in Tanzania
A 2 day safari is the quickest way to see Tanzania's famous wildlife when time is short. Starting from Arusha you can combine Tarangire National Park, known for its elephants and baobab trees, with the Ngorongoro Crater, where lions, rhinos and hippos live inside one of the world's largest intact calderas.
A 2 day safari is the quickest way to see Tanzania's famous wildlife when time is short. Starting from Arusha you can combine Tarangire National Park, known for its elephants and baobab trees, with the Ngorongoro Crater, where lions, rhinos and hippos live inside one of the world's largest intact calderas.
Our 2 day safaris start from USD 500 per person. They are popular with travellers who are climbing Kilimanjaro, flying to Zanzibar or visiting Tanzania for a long weekend.
What you can see in 2 days
The classic 2 day plan is a game drive in Tarangire on the first day, an overnight in a lodge near Karatu or on the crater rim, and a morning descent into the Ngorongoro Crater on the second day. You return to Arusha in the late afternoon. Another popular plan is Lake Manyara on the first day and the crater on the second.
You will not see the Serengeti on a 2 day safari, because it is a long drive or a flight away. If the Serengeti is your priority, consider our 3 day or 5 day safari.
Day by day: Tarangire and Ngorongoro
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire
After a pick-up at your hotel in Arusha you drive about two hours to Tarangire National Park. The park has some of the largest elephant herds in Tanzania, especially from June to October when they gather along the Tarangire River. Baobab trees, lions, giraffes and over 500 species of birds make a full-day game drive. In the evening you drive to your lodge near Karatu.
Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater and return
After an early breakfast you descend into the crater, a volcanic caldera about 600 metres deep and 19 kilometres wide. Its floor holds an estimated 25,000 large animals, including lions, hyenas, elephants, hippos, buffalo and the rare black rhino. You have a picnic lunch by a hippo pool and drive back to Arusha in the late afternoon.
Who is a 2 day safari good for?
It suits first-time visitors with limited time, travellers on a Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar trip, and families who want a short introduction to safari. It is also the lowest-cost way to do an overnight safari with a private vehicle. If you have more time, a longer safari gives you more time with the animals and fewer long drives.
Best time for a 2 day safari
The dry season from late June to October is best for Tarangire, because the animals gather at the river. The crater is excellent all year, though the roads are busiest in the high season. In the green season from November to May Tarangire is quieter and the birdlife is outstanding.
Tips to get the most from 2 days
A short safari works best when it is simple. These habits make a big difference.
- Start early: leaving Arusha before seven o’clock gives you a long afternoon in the park
- Pack a small soft bag for the night and leave the rest at your hotel in Arusha
- Ask your guide to prioritise what you most want to see, whether elephants, big cats or birds
- Wear layers: the crater rim is cold in the morning even in the dry season
- Bring a snack and water for the drive, and cash for tips
2 day safari or day trip?
A day trip is the lowest cost way to see the Ngorongoro Crater or Tarangire, but the driving is long and the time in the park short. A two-day safari lets you sleep near the park, so you start the second day fresh and spend more of it with the animals. For a small extra cost you see far more.
Combine with Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar
A 2 day safari fits neatly before or after a Kilimanjaro climb, when you want an easy introduction to wildlife without more strenuous days. It also fits with a Zanzibar holiday through our fly-in safaris from Zanzibar, which pick you up on the island and return you the next day.
2 day Tanzania safari packages
Prices are per person for two travellers sharing a private vehicle unless the package says joining safari.
- 2 Day Tarangire & Ngorongoro Joining Safari (2 Days, from USD 500 per person) Two days from Arusha for travellers with limited time: a full day in Tarangire, one lodge night, then Ngorongoro Crater before the evening drop-off in town.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 2 day safari worth it?
Yes, if you only have a short time. You will see elephants, lions, giraffes and probably rhinos, but you will not have the time or the distance of a longer safari.
How much does a 2 day safari in Tanzania cost?
Our 2 day safaris start from USD 500 per person for two travellers sharing. The price includes park fees, accommodation, meals and a guide.
Can I do a 2 day safari from Zanzibar?
Yes. We offer fly-in, fly-out safaris from Zanzibar. See our 2 day safari from Zanzibar page.
Does a 2 day safari include the Serengeti?
No. The Serengeti needs at least three days by road or two days with a flight. See our 3 day and 5 day safari pages.
What time does a 2 day safari start?
We pick you up between seven and eight in the morning in Arusha and return you in the late afternoon of day two.