Adventurous Camping Safari Tanzania & Zanzibar
This back to basic camping safari offers an adventurous introduction to Tanzania and Zanzibar.
You will spend the night in (dome) tents in beautiful and unspoilt landscapes, where you can experience the rich Swahili culture and countless wildlife up close. Awesome! But don’t expect luxury, you will experience camping as it was once intended: in a direct connection with nature. This adventure will remain in your memory for a long time!
During this trip you will explore the Tarangire National Park, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, where you will experience unforgettable safaris among the wildlife. Of course you will look for the Big Five. Your tour ends on the beautiful island of Zanzibar, where you can relax in an idyllic location on the tropical beach!
- Travel schedule Click to view
- Arusha Day 1
- Tarangire Day 2 - 3
- Serengeti Day 3 - 5
- Ngorongoro Crater Day 5 - 6
- Zanzibar Day 7 - 12
- Zanzibar - back home Day 12 -13
Travel schedule
During this trip, discover the unspoiled nature, wildlife, hospitable people and delicious dishes of Tanzania. Explore several parks in the north, each with a unique landscape. On this adventurous safari you camp in simple dome tents, on public camping sites in the park, surrounded by nature.
Visit Tarangire National Park, known for its elephants, the Ngorongoro Crater where you can spot the Big Five, and experience the impressive wildebeest migration in the Serengeti National Park. After the safari it is time to relax on the tropical island of Zanzibar.
We would like to invite you to read the travel stories of previous adventurers, such as the story ‘Hakuna Matata – no worries’ by Julia and Thomas who experienced a camping safari with Explore Tanzania.
Arusha
The journey starts in Arusha city, the safari capital of Tanzania. Upon arrival at the airport you will be warmly welcomed and spend the first evening in a comfortable hotel on the outskirts of Arusha, surrounded by a beautiful tropical garden.
This is an excellent place to relax with a refreshing drink and unwind after your flight.
Tarangire
After breakfast, the guide (and chef) from Explore Tanzania will pick you up. Your adventurous camping safari has begun. You travel west, through the Maasai Steppe, towards Tarangire National Park. This park is known for its majestic baobab trees and impressive elephant herds.
You will stay in a (dome) tent on a camping pitch within the park. The tents are set up and after a refreshing drink you enjoy a fresh meal prepared by the chef.
Serengeti
Today you leave for an amazing drive to the Serengeti after a hearty breakfast. You drive past the beautiful Lake Manyara, the bustling village of Mto wa Mbu and through the green Ngorongoro area. The road from the Ngorongoro Highlands to the Serengeti is one of the most beautiful routes in Tanzania.
Literally translated, Serengeti means ‘endless plains’. You can see as far as the eye can see here! Millions of animals pass through this park all year round, meaning everywhere you look you’ll see wildebeest, giraffes, zebras and the predators; lions, cheetahs and hyenas. We spend the night here in cozy (dome) tents on a nice camping spot in nature.
With a lunch box, you go on safari the next day and enjoy the unspoiled nature and wild animals. Just like the Ngorongoro Crater, this is one of the few places on earth where nothing has changed in 500 years.
Ngorongoro Crater
Today you will leave the Serengeti quietly and take the time to enjoy special encounters with the animals here. Observe and enjoy is the motto!
Then you set course for the Ngorongoro Highlands, the beautiful Maasai area. By the end of the afternoon you will reach your camping spot high on the rim of the crater, where you can relax and enjoy the view.
The next day a half-day safari is planned in the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. With a bit of luck you might just see the Big Five (elephant, giraffe, lion, rhino, leopard)!
Zanzibar
After breakfast you leave for Arusha and pass the bustling village of Mto wa Mbu. It is highly recommended to stop here for an optional village walk or mountain bike safari, a local lunch or treetop walk.
In the afternoon you will fly from the airport in Arusha to Zanzibar Island. A breathtaking flight with spectacular views awaits you. The coming days will be all about sun, sea, beach and culture… And if you don’t just want to hang out in your hammock, there are countless other options. Consider a spice tour, a visit to the historic Stone Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site), go kitesurfing or go for a sailing trip on a traditional dhow, snorkel and enjoy a fresh seafood BBQ on a deserted sandbank.
You don’t camp here. You will spend the night in a simple lodge on the beach of the azure blue Indian Ocean.
Zanzibar - back home
After a last day on the beach and a fond farewell to your hammock, you will fly from Zanzibar’s Abeid Karumi Airport back to Amsterdam in the evening, where you will arrive the next morning, full of new stories and experiences that you will cherish forever.
Maybe you have now caught the ‘Tanzania virus’ and are already longing for the next adventure in this beautiful country that is no less than 22 times the size of the Netherlands.
Trip Details
This back to basic camping safari with Explore Tanzania is completely private. You and your group travel in your own permanent jeep, together with a professional safari guide and chef from Explore Tanzania.
Don’t expect luxury, but expect nature, culture, animals and adventure.
Highlights
- Large herds of elephants in Tarangire National Park
- The animals up close in Ngorongoro Crater (World Heritage Site)
- The great migration in Serengeti National Park
- An attractive lodge on the beach on Zanzibar Island
Price indication
Camping *:
€2680 p.p. for 2 people
€2170 p.p. for 4 people
* = You spend the night in simple accommodations in Arusha and Zanzibar, and in between you spend the night in (dome) tents at public camping sites in the various parks, where there are several travelers and you sometimes share the sanitary facilities with them.
Note 1: This is the price for the most common travel period. This may be lower in the low season, favorable exchange rate, the number of travelers and/or children. This may be slightly higher during public holidays or less favorable exchange rates.
Note 2: This sample trip is indicative and will be adjusted to the season you travel, for the most interesting safari experience.
Including
- All transfers and local transport
- Simple and atmospheric accommodations in Arusha and Zanzibar
- In between (dome) tents during the safari
- All meals during the safaris (except Zanzibar: breakfast only)
- Camping equipment during safari
- Private 4WD jeep with experienced English-speaking guide / driver and chef
- Mineral water during safaris
- Entrance fees National Parks and conservation area
- Domestic flight Arusha – Zanzibar Island
- SGR – consumer contribution
- Calamity fund contribution
- Reservation costs
Excluding
- International flight
- Tanzania visa
- Zanzibar Infrastructure Tax
- (Mandatory) insurance Zanzibar
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Tips
- Optional activities
- Personal necessities
- Meals not mentioned on Zanzibar
Gallery
Experience the Tanzanian camping adventure together with a varied safari, in beautiful landscapes, and a wonderful beach holiday at the end!
Need help creating your trip?
Have a look at other example trips that can be fully adapted to your wishes or
contact us directly!