A day's safari from Arusha will take you to one of Lake Manyara, Tarangire or the Ngorongoro crater. It will involve an early start and you will see enough wildlife, some Maasai villages, and lovely landscapes.

Highlights of 1-Day Safari

  • Taste African Safari

    You might have come to Tanzania just to climb Kilimanjaro or relax in Zanzibar or even for a business trip. If so, and you even slightly curious about African safaris, then a day trip is perfect. Be warned, there will be a lot of driving, but the rewards will be rich!

  • World Famous Parks

    You will cover Lake Manyara or Tarangire national parks based on your preferences and suitability for the time of the year. Manyara is famous for its flamingoes and its tree climbing lions. Tarangire is famous for its large herds of Elephants and iconic Boabab trees.

  • Amazing Views

    Whether you see the Lake Manyara escarpment or the Ngorongoro caldera, these magnificent views will be imprinted in your mind for life. Along the way you will spot Maasai folk, huge Boabab trees and incredible wildlife.

  • Big 5

    While we cannot guarantee viewing all the big 5 animals in Tanzania, you are more than likely to see giraffes, elephants, zebras, lions, buffalos, hyenas and a whole lot of other smaller animals and birds.

  • Picnic Lunch

    We will find a nice shady spot under a tree, set up a table and chairs, and serve you a picnic lunch in the open. You will appreciate the warm lunch we provide after a few hours on the rugged safari trails!

5-Star Reviews for Popote

Below are some reviews specifically from clients who did 1-Day Safari with us. See more of our fantastic testimonials on Tripadvisor and Google.

  • "Communication with Sabino, who owns the company, was very easy before we flew out, and he came to meet us 3 times whilst we were in Tanzania... we booked a1-day safari for the day before our trek and had the most amazing experience. Driven round by our Safari Guide Victor, we saw lions, elephants, buffalo, zebra, ostriches..."

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  • "Went hiking Kilimanjaro over 8 days route and spent 1 day in safari national park. The communication was excellent, all promises full filled, even the team payed extra efforts in many situations which we really appreciate. The extra ordinary & generous staff made the experience unforgettable..."

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  • "Two cousins and I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro as well as a 1 Day Safari through Popote. We chose the Lomosho route and although I've never been on another route so don't have anything to compare it to, it is apparently one of the most popular and I'd probably choose it again if we were to return...."

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Is a 1-Day Safari for Me?

This day safari trip is ideal for individuals who are curious to get a taste of safari or are simply limited by time. Depending on the time of the year and your preferences, we will take you to either Lake Manyara, Tarangire or Ngorongoro crater. You will get the chance to see a variety of animals, including the “big four animals” (lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo). Along the way you will also see extremely picturisque views such as that of Lake Manyara and the escarpment that rises up or the jaw-dropping sight of the 20 km wide Ngorongoro crater that is home to many big animals. You will get a glimpse of authentic Maasai villages along the way. This day trip will involve a lot of driving.

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The Popote Advantage

We have taken more than 4,000 travelers on Tanzania safari since 2011. The following 4 aspects are the most important for anyone wanting to book a safari. And we guarantee uncompromising quality for all and more.

#1 Safari Experience Matters

We are built on our experience of guiding over 4000 travelers on safaris over a decade. There are hidden challenges to operating safaris that we've uncovered during this time. That gives us a competitive advantage over most other safari operators. How to seamlessly sew together a Kilimanjaro climb with a safari? Or bring down the cost while still staying in excellent lodges? Or arrange a transfer from Nairobi after your flight was delayed? Cross border Tanzania-Kenya safaris? Fly straight from Serengeti to Zanzibar? Our local team will plan your safari with you and ensure all your expectations are met and more.

#2 Comfortable 4x4 Land Cruisers

We only use specially designed and converted 4x4 Toyota Landcruisers. They have large sliding windows and pop-up roofs, offering excellent views and great opportunities for safe and undisturbed photography while on game drives. There is a fridge to keep your drinks cool and 220V electric sockets for battery chargers. The powerful engines allow the vehicles to manage various kinds of terrain without any difficulty even when traveling off the beaten track. There are 5 to 7 seats with handrests offering plenty of room for a comfortable ride.

#3 Unlimited Game Drives

With Popote's private safari trips, you are in charge of how you want game drives from 6am to 6pm each day of your trip. There is no mileage restriction unlike the budget operators. We want your vacation to be perfect and without any bounds. So if you want to track a lioness as it hunts its prey, you have the freedom to go for it!

#4 Lunch Breaks in the Wild

We appreciate that you might want to stretch out and take a break from the dusty and bumpy game drives. So your guide will find a nice and shady spot to spread your lunch table and serve you pre-packed lunch in the wild. If some wine would make it perfect, just let us know! Its just one of those idyllic moments that you will never forget, especially in the Serengeti!

1-Day Safari Itineraries

You can visit any one of Arusha National Park, Tarangire, Lake Manyara or Ngorongoro Conservation Area in a day safari trip from Arusha. Depending on the time of the year and other factors, one location may have certain advantages over another. Contact us for detailed information.

  • Arusha National Park

    Just a 40-minute drive from Arusha, Arusha National Park is Tanzania's most accessible park. This area is home to Africa's largest giraffe population. It is also the best place in Tanzania for walking and canoe safaris. After breakfast, you will be picked up in Arusha by your safari guide and drive to the national park to enjoy game drives and wildlife. You can also combine standard game drives with canoe safari and walking safari but the latter two attract an cost extra. You'll return to Arusha in the late afternoon.

  • Lake Manyara National Park

    After breakfast your guide will drive you to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive with our picnic lunch. Upon your arrival you will get breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley Escarpment. We will travel through the agricultural town of Mto Wa Mbu, which is situated next to the entrance of Lake Manyara. You will do two exciting game drives in morning and afternoon, along with a view of famous hot spring known as "Maji Moto". Late afternoon we depart for Arusha.

  • Tarangire National Park

    You will be picked up after breakfast at your hotel in Arusha and depart for your 2-hour drive to Tarangire around 8 am. Upon arrival, you will begin your game viewing experience in this magnificent park, which is famous for its large collection of baobab trees, mammal population, and a wide variety of bird species. It also features one of the largest concentrations of elephants in the country. After your game drive, you will have a picnic lunch inside the park. You will then drive back to Arusha, arriving at around 5:00 pm. This will conclude your safari.

  • Ngorongoro Crater

    You'll depart from Arusha at the crack of dawn for the long but scenic drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Upon arrival at the park, you'll sign in and then begin the winding descent into the caldera. You'll stop at the Ngorongoro viewing area for a stunning view of the caldera's sheer scale before continuing to the crater. This is the best place in the northern circuit to see the black rhinoceros and the cape buffalo, but is home to the entirety of the Big Five. A picnic lunch by the famous hippo pool is also a surreal experience, as you'll lunch just a few feet from the hippos. Across five hours, you'll see the very best that Africa has to offer. You will return to Arusha in late afternoon.

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1-Day Safari Prices

Safari prices depend a lot on the quality of accommodation chosen, whether it is located inside a national park or outside, the number of people in the vehicle and the time of travel.

Day safari trips can cost between $205 - $890 per person depending on the national park visited and the number of participants doing the safari per vehicle.

  • The safari cost includes

    Entry fees:

    • Park Fees: all park fees collected by National Park authorities (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others). 

    Accommodation:

    Please note: by default, you will share a room and a tent with your travel companion. If you travel solo on a group expedition, we will room you with a same-sex participant. Single supplement is available upon request.

    Meals:

    • All meals during safari, except when specified otherwise
    • Water and coffee or tea.

    Equipment:

    • VHF Radio
    • 2 Binoculars per vehicle
    • Fridge

    Professional Safari Guide:

    • Professional guides licensed by Tanzania National Park Authority. All guides have 7+years of successful experience

    Taxes:

    • 18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy. Popote Africa is an honest and responsible tour operator working in full compliance with the tax law of the United Republic of Tanzania.
  • The safari cost excludes

    • International flights
    • Tips (30-50 USD per vechile per day)
    • Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others)
    • Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb)
    • Travel insurance
    • Internal flights or other activities

Why choose Popote?

Read about all that make us one of the best outfitters running Klimanjaro climbs and operating Tanzania safaris.