7 Day Budget Camping Safari in Tanzania 2025

7 Day Budget Camping Safari in Tanzania

Tour Highlights

• Explore 4 major parks: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater
• Multiple game drives with chances to spot the Big Five
• Stay in budget-friendly campsites under the African sky
• Enjoy local cuisine and expert-guided safaris
• Experience the Great Rift Valley and diverse landscapes

Destinations Covered

• Tarangire National Park
• Lake Manyara National Park
• Serengeti National Park
• Ngorongoro Crater
• Mto wa Mbu Cultural Village (optional)

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire National Park

After breakfast in Arusha, your guide will pick you up around 8:00 AM for a drive to Tarangire National Park. Known for its vast herds of elephants and towering baobab trees, Tarangire offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. Game drive begins as soon as you enter the park, and a packed lunch will be provided inside. Expect to see elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, and even pythons resting in acacia trees. By late afternoon, you’ll head to a campsite near Mto wa Mbu for dinner and overnight stay under the stars.

Day 2: Lake Manyara National Park

Start your day with breakfast at camp, then proceed to Lake Manyara National Park, just a short drive away. This park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, flamingos, and lush groundwater forest. You'll enjoy a full-day game drive including lunch at a scenic picnic site. Look out for hippos, elephants, monkeys, and abundant birdlife. In the evening, return to your campsite for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Drive to Serengeti via Ngorongoro Highlands

After an early breakfast, depart for Serengeti National Park with a stop at the Ngorongoro Crater viewpoint. The drive across the highlands is scenic and dotted with Maasai villages and wildlife along the way. Enter Serengeti through Naabi Hill Gate and enjoy a game drive en route to the central area (Seronera). Keep your camera ready for possible sightings of big cats, giraffes, and buffalo. Dinner and overnight at a public campsite in the heart of Serengeti.

Day 4: Full Day Game Drive in Serengeti

Spend the entire day exploring Serengeti’s endless plains. Depending on the season, you might witness the Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest and zebras move in search of greener pastures. Your guide will lead you through prime areas to track lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and possibly rhinos. You’ll break for a picnic lunch in the wild and resume your game drive in different sectors of the park. Return to camp for a night under the starlit sky.

Day 5: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater Rim

Begin with a sunrise game drive to catch predators before they retreat for the day. After breakfast, continue with a short game drive while exiting Serengeti and heading toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Stop at Maasai bomas (optional visit at extra cost) to learn about traditional life. Arrive at a campsite near the crater rim for dinner and overnight, with a stunning view of the surrounding forests.

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive – Return to Mto wa Mbu

After an early breakfast, descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The crater floor is teeming with wildlife, including black rhinos, lions, hyenas, jackals, flamingos at Lake Magadi, and more. Enjoy a half-day game drive followed by a picnic lunch. Later, ascend the crater and drive to Mto wa Mbu village for your final overnight in a nearby campsite. Optional evening walk in the village is available.

Day 7: Mto wa Mbu – Arusha (Departure)

After breakfast, enjoy an optional cultural tour of Mto wa Mbu village—visit banana plantations, local markets, and interact with local artists. After the tour, drive back to Arusha for drop-off at your hotel or airport, marking the end of your adventure-packed 7-day camping safari in Tanzania.

Why Choose This Safari?

• Perfect for travelers seeking adventure on a budget
• Campsites located inside or close to major parks
• Professional, experienced safari guides and cooks
• Small group experience for personalized attention
• Opportunity to witness the Great Migration (seasonal)

Inclusions

• All park entrance fees
• Transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
• Professional English-speaking guide and cook
• Camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, mattresses)
• Accommodation in public campsites
• Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during safari
• Bottled drinking water
• All government taxes

Exclusions

• International/domestic flights
• Tips for guide and cook
• Personal travel insurance
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Items of personal nature
• Optional cultural visits (Maasai boma, Mto wa Mbu tour)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is this safari suitable for solo travelers?

Yes, solo travelers can join group departures, making it affordable and sociable.

What kind of tents and gear are provided?

We provide quality 2-person dome tents, foam mattresses, sleeping bags, and camping chairs. A cook prepares all meals on-site.

Is the trip safe?

Yes, the tour is led by experienced guides and safety is prioritized. Campsites are within secured areas.

Can I charge my devices during the safari?

Some campsites have charging points, but it's advisable to carry a power bank.

Do you cater for vegetarians or special diets?

Yes, let us know in advance and our cook will prepare suitable meals.

What is the best time to take this safari?

Year-round, but June to October and December to March offer optimal wildlife viewing.