3-Day Tanzania Camping Safari - Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara

You'll stay at an established public campsite with a perimeter fence or boundary, shared ablution blocks with toilets and showers, and a dedicated area for our mess tent and cooking, for both nights of this itinerary. Dome tents are set up before you arrive and taken down by our crew, you just bring your sleeping bag (or rent one from us) and personal items. Campsites in this area are well used by safari operators and are not isolated, security is part of the campsite arrangement, though as with any campsite in wildlife areas, you're asked not to walk around alone after dark and to use a torch and call our crew if you need to.

This is a vehicle-based safari, no fitness threshold applies and no walking is required for the game drives. The only physical consideration is camping itself, getting in and out of a tent, and using shared ablution facilities a short walk from your tent, for two nights. Travellers with limited mobility should let us know in advance, as camping may not suit everyone, our 3-Day Tanzania Lodge Safari covers the identical route with step-free lodge accommodation.

June to October is the dry season, when wildlife concentrates around water sources and Tarangire's elephant herds are at their largest, and camping is most comfortable with dry ground and cooler nights. January and February offer warm, dry weather and good general game viewing with fewer crowds. The long rains in April and May can make campsites muddier and affect road conditions around Lake Manyara, though rates are at their lowest. The Ngorongoro Crater is productive year-round.

In Tarangire, expect large elephant herds, giraffe, zebra, buffalo and a wide range of birdlife around the baobabs and river. In the Ngorongoro Crater, lion, elephant, buffalo and hippo are routine, with one of Tanzania's most reliable chances of spotting black rhino. Lake Manyara is known for its tree-climbing lions (sightings are not guaranteed but the behaviour is well documented in this park), large baboon troops, and flamingos along the lake shore when water levels are right.

The price covers a private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and English-speaking driver-guide, all park entry and conservation fees including the Ngorongoro Crater service fee and Lake Manyara entry, camping equipment (dome tent, camp bed, mess tent, camp chairs and table) for both nights, a safari cook and all meals as specified, campsite fees, and drinking water throughout. International flights, Tanzania visa, travel insurance, sleeping bag rental, alcoholic drinks, tips and personal expenses are not included. See the full "What's included" and "Not included" sections on this page for the complete breakdown.

The route, game drives, park fees, vehicle and guide are identical to our 3-Day Tanzania Lodge Safari. The only difference is where you sleep, a dome tent at a public campsite for both nights on this itinerary versus a lodge or tented camp on the lodge version, and the price reflects that difference. If you're undecided, consider that camping puts you closer to the sounds of the bush at night, while the lodge version offers en-suite rooms and more creature comforts after long game-drive days.

Most nationalities can obtain a Tanzania tourist visa online via the eTA system before travel, or on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport. The visa costs USD 50 for most nationalities and USD 100 for US citizens. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation is recommended for all safari travelers, and we can arrange membership with the Flying Doctors Service on request.

SafariBando operates from Moshi with our own vehicles, camping equipment and team. If a vehicle has an issue, our Arusha operations base can dispatch a replacement, all three parks on this itinerary sit on the same road corridor between Arusha and Karatu. All vehicles carry a means of emergency communication, and campsites have phone or radio contact with our operations base. The Flying Doctors Service covers medical evacuation from all three parks, and we can arrange membership as part of your booking on request.