2 Day Tanzania Camping Safari
Overview
Experience the ultimate wilderness adventure on this 10 Day Tanzania Camping Safari, an unforgettable journey through Tanzania’s spectacular Northern Safari Circuit. Designed for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, adventure seekers, and nature lovers, this itinerary combines exceptional game viewing with authentic camping in some of Africa’s most celebrated protected areas. From the giant elephant herds of Tarangire National Park to the seasonal wildlife paradise of Ndutu, the endless plains of Central Serengeti, and the breathtaking landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, this safari offers the perfect balance of adventure, comfort, and unforgettable experiences.
Your journey begins with your arrival in Arusha, Tanzania’s safari capital and the gateway to the country’s world-renowned national parks. Nestled beneath the slopes of Mount Meru, Arusha provides the ideal introduction to Tanzania’s warm hospitality before your safari begins. After meeting your professional safari guide, you will receive a detailed briefing about the upcoming adventure, allowing you to prepare for ten incredible days in the African wilderness.
The safari officially starts with a drive to Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania’s most remarkable wildlife destinations. Covering approximately 2,850 square kilometers, Tarangire is famous for its ancient baobab trees, vast savannahs, seasonal swamps, and the permanent Tarangire River, which attracts thousands of animals throughout the year. The park boasts one of East Africa’s largest elephant populations, with family groups often numbering more than one hundred individuals. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, waterbucks, elands, warthogs, and over 500 bird species make Tarangire an exceptional destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Spending two days exploring the park allows plenty of time to discover different habitats while enjoying outstanding photographic opportunities.
From Tarangire, your adventure continues to the charming village of Mto wa Mbu, situated beneath the Great Rift Valley Escarpment. This multicultural community serves as the gateway to the southern Serengeti ecosystem and provides a convenient overnight stop before continuing toward the wildlife-rich plains of Ndutu.
The next destination is Ndutu, located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and forming part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem. Ndutu is internationally recognized for hosting one of the most spectacular periods of the Great Wildebeest Migration between December and March. During this season, hundreds of thousands of wildebeests gather on the nutrient-rich short grass plains to give birth, attracting an extraordinary concentration of predators including lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and jackals. Witnessing newborn calves taking their first steps while predators patrol nearby creates one of Africa’s most dramatic wildlife spectacles.
Three days in Ndutu provide exceptional opportunities to explore the area’s diverse habitats, including open plains, acacia woodlands, seasonal lakes, and marshes. Besides the migration, visitors frequently encounter elephants, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, buffaloes, ostriches, secretary birds, and numerous raptors. The flexibility of multiple game drives allows your experienced guide to follow wildlife movements and maximize every safari experience.
Your journey then continues into Central Serengeti, the heart of Serengeti National Park and one of Africa’s greatest wildlife destinations. Known for its rocky kopjes, vast grasslands, and permanent water sources, Central Serengeti supports abundant resident wildlife throughout the year. The Seronera Valley is particularly famous for its high density of big cats, making it one of the best places in Africa to observe lions, leopards, and cheetahs in their natural habitat. Every game drive offers exciting opportunities to witness wildlife behavior while surrounded by breathtaking landscapes.
Leaving Serengeti, you will travel through the spectacular Ngorongoro Conservation Area, enjoying panoramic views across volcanic highlands before returning to Arusha. The scenic journey showcases Tanzania’s remarkable diversity, from endless savannahs to fertile highlands and traditional villages.
Throughout the safari, you will travel in a customized 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser equipped with a pop-up roof for outstanding wildlife viewing and photography. Accompanied by a professional English-speaking safari guide and an experienced safari cook, you will enjoy freshly prepared meals, comfortable camping equipment, and personalized service throughout the adventure. Camping inside Tanzania’s national parks creates a unique connection with nature, where evenings are filled with the sounds of lions roaring, hyenas calling, and countless nocturnal creatures beneath brilliant African skies.
This 10 Day Tanzania Camping Safari combines an unforgettable experience of exceptional wildlife sightings, dramatic migration scenery, authentic camping, breathtaking landscapes and world-class safari experiences. Whether you’re witnessing thousands of wildebeests calving in Ndutu, photographing elephants beneath ancient baobab trees in Tarangire or lions patrolling the Serengeti plains, each day promises memories to last a lifetime.
Safari Itinerary
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be met by our professional safari guide who will transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. Relax after your international flight or have a gentle introduction to the safari capital of Tanzania under the beautiful slopes of Mount Meru, depending on your time of arrival. In the evening your guide will give you a full safari briefing covering the itinerary, camping arrangements, wildlife expectations, safety procedures and important travel information. Enjoy a tasty welcome dinner and prepare for the thrilling journey to come. Overnight in Arusha and enjoy a good night’s sleep before setting off on your unforgettable Northern Tanzania camping safari.
Accommodation: Arusha
Meals: Dinner
After breakfast depart Arusha and drive to Tarangire National Park, known for its giant Baobab trees and large herds of elephants. Enter the park for an exciting game drive through open savannahs, acacia woodlands, seasonal swamps and along the wildlife rich Tarangire river. Look for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, waterbucks, ostriches and many other birds. Enjoy a picnic lunch in beautiful surroundings before your afternoon wildlife adventure. Arrive at the public camp site at the end of the day. Your safari cook will prepare a delicious dinner ahead of your first memorable overnight camping experience in the African wilderness.
Accommodation: Tarangire Public Campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Have an early breakfast, then spend the day exploring Tarangire National Park. Follow the Tarangire River through different sections of the park where wildlife congregates in all seasons. Look out for large elephant families, lions resting under the shade of acacia trees, giraffes browsing, buffaloes grazing, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, elands, warthogs and over 500 bird species. With your expert guide you will learn about the park’s unique ecosystem and the behaviour of its wildlife, whilst ensuring excellent photographic opportunities. Have lunch with a picnic in the park and continue your afternoon game drive. Return to the campsite before sunset for dinner and another unforgettable night under the brilliant stars of Africa.
Accommodation: Tarangire Public Campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast depart Tarangire and proceed to Lake Manyara National Park for a rewarding game drive. Look for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, baboons, blue monkeys, zebras and the park’s famous tree-climbing lions as you explore lush groundwater forests, open floodplains, acacia woodlands and the alkaline lake. Bird lovers will enjoy spotting the flamingos, pelicans, storks, hornbills and fish eagles. Following a picnic lunch, continue your exploration before you leave the park and head to nearby Mto wa Mbu. Arrive at your campsite in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner before a relaxing overnight stay.
Accommodation: Mto wa Mbu Campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After an early breakfast leave Mto wa Mbu and drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area towards the famous Ndutu area. Before you reach the short grass plains full of wildlife, enjoy spectacular views of the highlands. Start an afternoon game drive in search of lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, jackals and many bird species. Calving season is one of the best times to see thousands of wildebeest giving birth across the plains, attracting impressive predator activity. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring before arriving at your public campsite for dinner and an unforgettable night camping in the heart of the wilderness.
Accommodation: Ndutu Public Campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy a day of discovery in the amazing Ndutu ecosystem, one of the top wildlife viewing locations in East Africa during the Great Migration calving season. Early morning game drives are a great chance to see predators on the prowl and newborn wildebeest calves taking their first steps across the plains. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, elephants, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, jackals, ostriches, and many species of bird can be seen throughout the day. Continue your afternoon safari, enjoying a picnic lunch in a scenic spot. Every game drive is different as your guide will track the movement of the wildlife to ensure maximum sightings. Return back to the campsite before sunset for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Ndutu Public Campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast continue your exploration of the extraordinary landscapes of Ndutu on another full day safari. Search for the wildlife that is unique to this remarkable ecosystem as you explore different areas of the plains, seasonal lakes, marshes and acacia woodlands. Depending on the season watch for huge herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle with impressive numbers of predators. The secretary birds, kori bustards, vultures, eagles and many migratory species will also please the birdwatchers. After lunch, enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing your afternoon game drive through the spectacular scenery. Return to your campsite in the evening for dinner and your last night in Ndutu.
Accommodation: Ndutu Public Campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Have breakfast before leaving Ndutu and drive to Central Serengeti, one of the richest wildlife areas in Africa. Carry on your search for wildlife as you traverse beautiful terrain into the renowned Seronera Valley. On arrival you will enjoy an afternoon game drive exploring the open plains, rocky kopjes and river systems where lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles and many species of antelope live. Your experienced guide will take you to the best wildlife viewing areas in the park before arriving at the public campsite. Relax and enjoy dinner and another unforgettable night camping under the spectacular African sky of the Serengeti.
Accommodation: Central Serengeti Public Campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy one more morning game drive through the Central Serengeti in search of predators and other wildlife before starting your journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Cross stunning highland scenery with spectacular panoramic views across the rim of the crater and the surrounding volcanic landscape. Stop for a picnic lunch before continuing through traditional Maasai areas and fertile coffee growing areas to Arusha. Along the way your guide will share some insights into the region’s history, wildlife conservation and local communities. This is your last overnight, on an unforgettable camping safari arriving in Arusha late in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Arusha
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Breakfast and morning at leisure on your own depending on your international flight schedule. If time permits you may visit the local souvenir shops or relax before your transfer to the airport. When it’s time, your safari guide will take you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your next flight. On the last day of your incredible Tanzania camping safari, leave with unforgettable memories of incredible wildlife encounters, breathtaking landscapes, authentic camping experiences and the warm hospitality that makes Tanzania one of Africa’s premier safari destinations. We wish you a safe journey home and hope to see you again on another unforgettable African adventure.
Meals: Breakfast
CAMPING INCLUDES
- All Meals as per Itinerary
- Airport Transfers
- National Park Fees
- Private 4x4 safari Jeep with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Government taxes and levies
- Soft Drinks & Wines/Beers
- Services of a professional safari cook
- All camping fees
- Spacious waterproof dome tents
- Sleeping mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, tables, and chairs
- First aid kit
CAMPING EXCLUDES
- Travel Insurance
- International Flights
- Tipping
- Personal Equipments
- Visa fees
FAQs
A Tanzania camping safari is a real wildlife adventure, staying in fully equipped campsites within or close to Tanzania’s national parks. You can combine exciting game viewing with overnight stays in spacious safari tents, where you can experience the sights and sounds of the African wilderness, while enjoying freshly prepared meals and comfortable camping facilities.
Yes. Our camping safaris are designed to be comfortable yet still authentic bush experiences. Guests are accommodated in quality waterproof tents with comfortable sleeping mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, tables and chairs. Throughout the trip a dedicated safari cook will prepare delicious meals.
Camping safaris can include some of Tanzania's most famous destinations, including Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Arusha National Park, Lake Natron, and Ndutu during the Great Migration calving season.
Wildlife sightings vary by season, but you can expect to see elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, and hundreds of bird species. Depending on the time of year, you may also witness the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Yes, sure. And when camping safaris are done with experienced guides, they are very safe. Campsites are set up in designated areas and your safari team will conduct safety briefings and provide guidance throughout your trip. Wildlife is always respected and trained staff are available to assist.
No. You do not need any camping experience to enjoy a Tanzania camping safari. Our experienced safari team handles tent setup, meal preparation, campsite organisation, and all logistics, allowing you to simply relax and enjoy your adventure.
We recommend packing lightweight clothing in neutral colours, a warm jacket for early mornings and evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera, personal toiletries, medications, and a reusable water bottle.
Our professional safari cook prepares freshly cooked meals every day, including breakfast, picnic or hot lunches, and delicious dinners. We can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary requirements when informed before your safari begins.
Yes. Most of the public and special campsites have shared toilets and showers. Depending on your itinerary, private mobile camping safaris can also include portable toilets and safari showers for your convenience.
Tanzania offers great camping safaris all year round. The dry season (June to October) is great for wildlife viewing and seeing the Great Migration river crossings, and the green season (January to March) is best for the calving season in Ndutu and great birding.
Yes. Camping safaris are a perfect choice for families with children, couples, solo travellers and groups. Family-friendly itineraries can be customised with shorter driving distances, suitable campsites and activities aimed at creating unforgettable experiences for all ages.
At Tanzaniatrail we specialise in tailor-made camping safaris with professional guides who have a wealth of knowledge about the wildlife and national parks of Tanzania. We offer dependable 4×4 safari vehicles, quality camping equipment, delicious fresh cooked meals, flexible itineraries and a personal service from arrival to departure. We are dedicated to safety, comfort, authentic experiences and outstanding customer service, to ensure that every guest enjoys an unforgettable adventure in the heart of Tanzania.
Giving Back Through Every Journey
At Tanzaniatrail, we believe that travel should create lasting memories and make a positive difference. That’s why 1% of every safari package you book goes directly back to local communities in Tanzania. We regularly visit and support orphanages and community centers, and our dream is to establish a dedicated children’s home under Tanzaniatrail’s care. When you travel with us, you’re not only exploring Tanzania’s beauty — you’re also helping provide education, food, and brighter futures for vulnerable children. Your adventure changes lives. Travel with purpose.