Ngorongoro Crater (Conservation Area)

Ngorongoro is known across Africa as the Garden of Eden because of its beauty and because it’s a conservation area. The locals call Ngorongoro the black hole because mist covers the crater in the morning and evening.

The name Ngorongoro is derived from the Maasai who lived in the crater long ago. They tied a bell around the neck of leading grazing cattle to help them determine their location and the speed with which they moved. Different clans had different sounding bells so they could tell each other apart. The sound of the bell in this area was ngor ngor. So they named the park area Ngorongoro.

Your day will seem complete and beautiful if your time in Tanzania allows you to set foot in this beautiful garden of Eden.

The game area is within a caldera. You can see five of the big animals, including elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopards, and lions, as well as many birds. The area is beautiful with a nice view of Lake Makati in the middle of the crater.

The drive takes 3 to 3.5 hours from Arusha.

Ngorongoro View Point
A view of the lake in the midst of Ngorongoro Crater.

Arusha National Park (Momela National Park)

We’ll offer you a full game drive in this park where there are many animals to see, including zebra, buffalo, warthog, giraffe, waterbuck, and dik-dik, as well as many flowers and birds. 

We’ll walk within the park so you can spot animals, like giraffes and buffalo only a few meters from you. There are also several waterfalls within the park.

There is no need for you to worry — you will be provided with a ranger who will make sure you’re safe from the animals! You’ll also see a nice view of Mt. Meru.

The drive is about 45 kilometers (40 minutes) from Arusha.

East African native Maasai giraffe, also known as the Kilimanjaro giraffe, or Giraffa tippelskirchi.

Lake Manyara National Park

The Manyara name comes from the Maasai word originating from the area of Emanyara, which means spiky. If you’re a bird watcher enthusiast, Lake Manyara is the best in Africa. The extraordinary concentration of birdlife has made this place world-renowned among ornithologists.

There are many animals, including elephant, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and lions. Many beautiful birds, including flamingos, can be seen around this lake.

We’ll give you a full game drive, as well as a chance to walk around.

The drive is about 1.5 to 2 hours from Arusha.

Extremely prevalent in East Africa, including Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, Lake Manyara, and Serengeti Tanzania

Tarangire National Park

Like many other areas in Tanzania, the Maasai originally lived in this park. In Maasai, tara means river and ngire means Warthog. So you can call it the warthog river park. 

Like Lake Manyara, the Tarangire National Park is a wonderful birding destination and home for elephants. Tarangire river is the only source of water. The ecosystem of the park is defined by the long-term migration of zebras and wildebeest. The landscape is astonishingly beautiful. 

There are other wild animals to spot, including buffalo, lions, zebras, giraffes, leopards, cheetahs, baboons, and antelopes like Thomson’s gazelle, waterbuck, Grant’s gazelle, eland, and impala.

However waterbuck, kudu, and eland (the largest antelopes) are hard to spot because they stay hidden away from predators like lions who can easily ambush them. Their heart is covered with a large amount of fat, which makes it hard for them to run long distances.

The drive is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours from Arusha.

Elephant calves under three months can fit under their mothers’ stomachs and can also be held close to them.

Mt. Kilimanjaro Day Hike to Mandara Hut

You’ll take Marangu Route (known as the Coca Cola Route), the most well-known route on Kilimanjaro.

We’ll pick you up at your hotel in Arusha at 6:30 a.m. and leave for the mountain entrance.

Via the Marangu Coca Cola route, trek through the rainforest to Mandara Hut at 2,700 meters/8,858 feet. Walk beyond Maundi Crater for the best view of Kibo and Mawenzi.

Explore the rainforest of Kilimanjaro and waterfalls.

  • Destination: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
  • Elevation: 1,800 meters/5,905 feet to 2,700 meters/8,858 feet
  • Distance: 8 km/4.97 miles
  • Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Rainforest
  • Meals: Lunch 

Tropical woodland on Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Mt. Kilimanjaro 3 Day Hike to Horombo Hut 

Day 1: We’ll pick you up at your hotel and leave Arusha at 7:30 a.m. for the mountain entrance — Marangu Gate. The walk on this day is relatively easy and passes through the rainforest.

  • Destination: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
  • Elevation: 1,800 meters/5,905 feet to 2,700 meters/8,858 feet
  • Distance: 8 km/4.97 miles
  • Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Habitat: Rainforest
  • Meals: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: This is a long and steep day. We’ll leave the rainforest and get a view of Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks. During this day the landscape changes from forest to grasslands. On arrival to Horombo take a short walk to Zebra Rock for a better view of Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. Enjoy the view and landscape then back to Horombo.

  • Destination: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
  • Elevation: 2,700 meters/8,858 feet to 3,750 meters/12,303 feet
  • Distance: 13 km/8.08 miles
  • Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
  • Habitat: Heath, moorland
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 3: This is the last day on the mountain. It is all downhill, back to Marangu Gate where you will be met by a Diamond Glacier Adventures officer. Then we’ll drive you back to your hotel or departure.

  • Destination: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
  • Elevation: 3,750 meters/12,303 feet to 1,800 meters/5,905 feet
  • Distance: 21 km/13 miles
  • Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
  • Habitat: Moorland, heath, rainforest 
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Horombo-Hut
At Horombo Hut, Mawenzi Peak in the background.

Mt. Kilimanjaro Day Hike to Machame Hut

Machame Route, also known as the Whiskey Route, is one of the most scenic routes on Mt. Kilimanjaro. On clear weather it offers amazing views, including Shira Plateau, Kibo Peak, and a stunning sunset with Mt. Meru in the background.

We’ll pick you up at your hotel and leave Arusha at 6:30 a.m. for the mountain entrance.

  • Destination: Machame Gate to Machame Hut
  • Elevation: 1,800 meters/5906 feet to 3,000 meters/9,843 feet.
  • Distance: 11 km/6.84 miles
  • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
  • Habitat: Rainforest
  • Meals: Lunch 

Native to central and eastern Africa, the blue monkey is commonly referred to as the diademed monkey (Cercopithecus mitis).

Mt. Kilimanjaro 3 Day Hike to Shira Peak

Explore the beauty of Shira Peak, which is the third highest peak on Mt. Kilimanjaro. 

Day 1: We’ll pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the mountain entrance gate. We’ll register at the gate then proceed to the starting point. 

  • Destination: Hotel to Londorosi Gate to Moram Point to Shira 1 Camp
  • Elevation: 3,600 meters/11,880 feet to 3,500 Meters/11,482 feet
  • Distance: 4 km/2.5 miles
  • Hiking time: 2 hours
  • Habitat: Heath
  • Meals: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: Leave Shira 1 Camp in the morning after breakfast and walk toward Shira Peak. Explore Shira Peak for the rest of the day and get back for dinner and overnight. The view of Kibo Peak is amazing from this camp.

  • Destination: Shira 1 Camp to Shira Peak
  • Distance: 5 km/3.11 miles
  • Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours
  • Habitat: Heath to Moorland
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 3: Walk back to the starting point, take a jeep to the gate and drive back to Arusha or departure.

  • Destination: Shira 1 Camp to Moram Point to Londorosi Gate to Arusha
  • Elevation: 3,600 meters/11,880 feet 3,500 Meters/11,482 feet 
  • Distance: 4 km/2.5 miles
  • Hiking time: 2 hours
  • Habitat: Heath
  • Meals: Lunch 

This is the finest choice if you’re looking for a three-day activity to do on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Take a memorable photo at Mt. Kilimanjaro’s Shira Peak, the third peak.