14 Days Tanzania Camping Safari
A 14-day Tanzania camping safari is one of the most rewarding ways to experience East Africa. Instead of simply visiting the parks, camping allows you to immerse yourself in the sounds, sights, and atmosphere of the African wilderness. You’ll wake up to birdsong, enjoy breakfast surrounded by nature, and spend your evenings under skies filled with countless stars.
This itinerary takes you through Tanzania’s renowned Northern Safari Circuit, including Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Lake Eyasi, while also allowing time to relax and explore the cultural heritage of Mto wa Mbu and Karatu.
Safari Highlights
Experience close encounters with elephants in Tarangire National Park.
Explore the diverse ecosystems of Lake Manyara National Park.
Spend four unforgettable days searching for the Big Five in Serengeti National Park.
Descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater.
Meet the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers and Datoga blacksmiths at Lake Eyasi.
Camp inside or near Tanzania’s most iconic national parks.
Witness breathtaking African sunsets and enjoy evenings around the campfire.
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be welcomed by your safari guide and transferred to your accommodation in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the city, visit local markets, or simply relax after your international flight.
Accommodation: Campsite or lodge in Arusha
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, begin your safari with a drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its giant baobab trees and enormous elephant herds. During the game drive, you may encounter lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, warthogs, impalas, and numerous bird species.
Tarangire’s permanent river attracts wildlife throughout the year, making it one of Tanzania’s finest wildlife destinations.
Accommodation: Public campsite near Tarangire
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park
Following breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Although relatively small, the park boasts remarkable biodiversity. Dense groundwater forests, open grasslands, and the alkaline lake create habitats for a wide variety of wildlife.
Look out for elephants, hippos, giraffes, baboons, blue monkeys, flamingos, pelicans, and the famous tree-climbing lions.
Later, continue to Mto wa Mbu or Karatu for overnight camping.
Accommodation: Campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Karatu to Central Serengeti
Today is one of the most scenic drives of the safari. Travel through the Ngorongoro Highlands before entering the endless plains of Serengeti National Park.
Wildlife sightings often begin immediately after entering the park. Depending on the season, you may encounter migrating wildebeest, cheetahs, hyenas, elephants, lions, and countless antelope species.
Enjoy an afternoon game drive before reaching your campsite.
Accommodation: Public campsite inside Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Full Day in Central Serengeti
Spend the entire day exploring Central Serengeti, renowned for its exceptional concentration of predators.
The Seronera Valley provides year-round wildlife viewing thanks to permanent water sources. Lions rest beneath acacia trees while leopards are often spotted along riverbanks. Cheetahs patrol the open plains searching for gazelles.
Accommodation: Public campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Northern or Western Serengeti Exploration (Seasonal)
Depending on the Great Migration, your guide will take you toward the northern or western sections of Serengeti.
From July to October, the northern region offers opportunities to witness dramatic Mara River crossings. Between May and July, western Serengeti hosts river crossings along the Grumeti River.
Outside migration season, enjoy excellent resident wildlife throughout the park.
Accommodation: Campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Serengeti Wildlife Safari
Continue exploring different regions of Serengeti while searching for elusive wildlife including black rhinos, serval cats, bat-eared foxes, jackals, and large prides of lions.
Your experienced guide will adapt the route according to recent wildlife movements.
Accommodation: Campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Enjoy a final morning game drive before leaving Serengeti.
On the way to Ngorongoro, visit one of the Maasai villages (optional) to learn about traditional pastoral lifestyles and culture.
Camp on the crater rim where cool evening temperatures provide a refreshing contrast to the plains below.
Accommodation: Simba Campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater Tour
Descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater for one of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife experiences.
The crater supports an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, including black rhinos, lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, hyenas, zebras, wildebeest, and numerous bird species.
Enjoy a picnic lunch before ascending the crater walls and returning to Karatu.
Accommodation: Campsite in Karatu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Lake Eyasi Cultural Experience
Drive to Lake Eyasi where you’ll spend the day with the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers.
Join them on a traditional hunting excursion, learn about their survival techniques, and gain insight into one of Africa’s oldest cultures.
You’ll also visit the Datoga community, renowned for their blacksmithing skills.
Accommodation: Campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Lake Eyasi to Mto wa Mbu
Return toward Mto wa Mbu, a vibrant village representing over 120 Tanzanian tribes.
Take a guided cultural tour through banana plantations, rice fields, local farms, workshops, and colorful markets.
Sample locally prepared Tanzanian dishes and fresh tropical fruits.
Accommodation: Campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Arusha National Park
Head to Arusha National Park, one of Tanzania’s most scenic but underrated parks.
Enjoy a game drive through forests inhabited by black-and-white colobus monkeys, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, and flamingos around Momella Lakes.
Optional activities include a walking safari accompanied by an armed ranger or canoeing on Momella Lake.
Accommodation: Campsite in Arusha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 13: Leisure Day in Arusha
Enjoy a relaxed day exploring Arusha.
Optional activities include visiting local coffee plantations, cultural heritage centers, souvenir markets, museums, or simply relaxing before your international departure.
Accommodation: Campsite or lodge
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14: Departure
Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey.
If time permits, optional excursions can be arranged before departure.
Meals: Breakfast
Best Time to Visit
This camping safari can be enjoyed year-round, although wildlife viewing varies with the seasons.
- January to March: Calving season in the southern Serengeti.
- June to October: Dry season with exceptional wildlife viewing.
- July to October: Mara River crossings in northern Serengeti.
- November to December: Green season with fewer visitors and beautiful scenery.
What to Pack
Pack lightweight clothing in neutral colors, a warm fleece for chilly evenings, a waterproof jacket, comfortable hiking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera with spare batteries, reusable water bottles, and personal medications.
What’s Included
- Airport transfers
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Camping equipment
- Park entrance fees
- Ngorongoro Crater fees
- All meals as specified
- Drinking water during safari
- Government taxes
What’s Excluded
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Optional activities
- Personal expenses
- Tips for guides and camp staff
Final Thoughts
A 14-day Tanzania camping safari offers the perfect balance of adventure, wildlife, culture, and relaxation. From the elephant-filled landscapes of Tarangire and the endless plains of the Serengeti to the remarkable Ngorongoro Crater and authentic cultural experiences at Lake Eyasi, every day brings new discoveries.
Camping allows you to experience Tanzania in its most authentic form, creating unforgettable memories while staying close to nature. Whether you are a first-time safari traveler or a seasoned adventurer, this two-week journey showcases the very best that Tanzania has to offer.