Tanzania Camping Safari

Tanzania Camping Safari : Everything To Know : Preparing for your camping safari in Tanzania: A safari that allows you to wake up in the wild and eat breakfast in the bushes is truly unique. Camping that is specifically tailored to your needs is the only way to experience the true wilderness. Tanzania camping safari tours are very affordable, and you get to sleep in tents, keeping you close to nature and wildlife. This is an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that is also within your budget!

Our Tanzania camping safaris offer an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with nature and wildlife. You’ll be completely immersed in the beauty of Tanzania’s diverse landscapes, from vast savannas to dense forests, if you stay in well-equipped tented camps.

During your Tanzania camping safari, you’ll go on thrilling game drives and see a variety of wildlife species in their natural habitat, including lions, elephants, and giraffes. Furthermore, guided walking safaris provide an up-close look at the African bush’s smaller wonders, such as flora, insects, and birdlife.

Gather around a crackling campfire in the evenings to share stories and bond with fellow travelers as you relive the day’s adventures. Our safari chefs prepare delicious meals using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Finally, as you sleep in your comfortable tent beneath a blanket of stars, listen to the sounds of the African night. A Tanzania camping safari is an unforgettable, immersive experience that immerses you in the true spirit of Africa’s wilderness.

WHY GO CAMPING IN TANZANIA?

Camping is a fantastic option for those looking to enjoy the best that Tanzania has to offer without breaking the bank, whether you want to save money or feel more connected to nature. Camping can be added to any itinerary that includes the Serengeti National Park or the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, as both have camp sites in or near them.

 CAMPING GEARS: WHAT IS NEEDED FOR TANZANIA CAMPING SAFARI?

 A full set of quality camp gear consists of the following items:

  • Folding foam mattress
  • Sleeping bag with pillows and bed sheets
  • Chairs and a small table
  • Storage box
  • 1 gas tank, 1 burner
  • Cups, plates, and bowls
  • Coffee percolator
  • Pots, frying pans, cutlery set, knife, can opener, and corkscrew
  • Cutting board
  • Dishtowel, detergent, washing line, and pegs
  • Solar table lamp

NOTE: From mid-June to mid-September, nights can get chilly, especially when camping at higher altitudes, such as the Ngorongoro Crater Rim. The provided sleeping bags are thin. It is recommended that you bring an extra fleece blanket.

HOW DO I DECIDE WHAT IS BEST: A ROOFTOP TENT OR A GROUND TENT?

Rooftop tents and dome tents both have benefits and drawbacks, and depending on a few variables, you can choose the one that works best for you.

The pros and cons of a rooftop tent

The simplest way to sleep off the ground is in a rooftop tent. This is useful if the ground at your campsite is rocky, wet, or uneven. People often choose rooftop tents in wilderness areas to put some distance between themselves and wild animals that might be lurking around at night. This is a false sense of security, and a ground tent that is securely fastened will keep you just as safe. Although we are aware that perceptions of safety also play a part in this,

Pros:

  • If you camp inside a game park, there is a case to be made that you feel safer. However, many stunning campsites today are located away from safari parks and are privately owned.
  • Rooftop tents are quick and simple to erect, although ground tents can also be set up in a flash.

Cons:

  • Every time you need to use your car, you must pack up your rooftop tent.
  • Renting a rooftop tent costs more than renting a ground tent and necessitates taking a Land cruiser.
  • How are you moving around? Going up and down the stepladder of a rooftop tent can be uncomfortable for people who are rather stiff.

    Tanzania Camping Safari
    Tanzania Camping Safari

TANZANIA CAMPING FEES 2023

  • Public campsites managed by TANAPA cost $30 per person per night.
  • Special campsites cost $60 per person per night.
  • Campsites outside a national park typically cost around $5–15 per tent.

ARE CAMPSITES WIDELY AVAILABLE IN TANZANIA?

Tanzania’s national parks have expensive lodges. Knowing that Tanzania is a fantastic country for camping safaris is great! Tanzania can be explored on a budget because there are many campgrounds spread out across the nation. The latter allow you to stay at a secured site with good amenities while sleeping for a dime. Other options include basic bush campsites inside parks and private campsites run by lodge owners. Furthermore, due to Tanzania’s warm climate, camping opportunities are available all year.

DO I NEED TO BOOK MY CAMPSITES IN ADVANCE?

Your public campsites don’t need to be reserved in advance. Every national park has a number of open campsites, and you will always be given one when you get to the park’s entrance. If you want to stay somewhere that is part of the Wildlife Management Association or the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, like Lake Natron, it works a little differently. Before proceeding to the gate to pay for park entrance, you must first obtain a reservation quote if you want to visit these conservation areas. You must identify the campsite where you will be staying on this reservation quote.

HOW DO I BOOK A SPECIAL CAMPSITE IN TANZANIA?

Private safari companies typically reserve the so-called special campsites by bidding on them for the season. You cannot stay there if you are a lone traveler. Individual travelers can reserve the less desirable special campsites since the safari companies do not use them.

 Although these camps are more expensive and harder to get into, you will have a more authentic wilderness experience by camping in a remote area.

Spend a day in Arusha before your safari to visit the TANAPA and NCA headquarters (open Monday through Friday), see what is available, and try to reserve a spot if you would rather stay at a private campsite rather than one of the public campgrounds. It is difficult to find the sites, and there are no facilities (so there are also no restrooms or showers). Online registration for the special campsite permit is not an option.

IS TANZANIA’S CAMPING SAFARI SAFE?

Looking forward to spending the night in a tent in the Tanzanian wilderness but concerned about safety? The entire safari in a tented camp in Tanzania is secure. The tents are placed in a park area where there are no animals. Those are safe and are watched over at night by an armed ranger.

 Is there a possibility of a wildlife attack? There hasn’t been an incident reported up to this point. Animals won’t bother you because they are more interested in finding and pursuing food in Tanzania.

You will be far from the wildlife’s natural habitat, and until now, no cases of this nature have been reported over the years. However, since you are in the wild, there is a chance that you will encounter spiders, scorpions, and other small insects inside your tent. Purchasing a bug spray is actually helpful if you don’t like to welcome these little visitors.

 In order to avoid smaller insects, you must keep your tents tidy and free of any food leftovers. You will have the option of transportation in a 44-passenger vehicle with a convertible roof and covered windows while on a Tanzania safari tour. You will always travel with an experienced guide, and you will all be kept safe.

WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR CAMPING SAFARI

Here are a few essentials that will make your journey comfortable:

  • Prescription medications should be put in your handbag, and pack enough medications to last your entire safari.
  • Prescription glasses, sunglasses, sunblock, a hat, long sleeves, and lip balm
  • Camera and binoculars for optimum wildlife viewing.
  • Insect repellent to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
  • Hand sanitizer, eye drops, and anti-malaria tablets
  • Walking shoes and swimsuits
  • A good flashlight is a must.
  • A travel diary and a good book
  • Clothes, undergarments.
  • Passports, itineraries, travel insurance documents, and e-tickets are at the top of the list to pack.

TIPS FOR A TANZANIA CAMPING SAFARI:

Follow a few handy tips to enjoy the experience of a Tanzania budget camping safari:

Keep your tent clean: Because the tents are in the open countryside, a filthy tent might attract unwanted guests like snakes, scorpions, geckos, etc. If you don’t like them, you should try to keep the tent and the area around it tidy. Additionally, it is advantageous to wildlife.

Staying healthy: Health is wealth, as we all know, and if you are traveling to a foreign country or are particularly susceptible to climate change, you run the risk of getting sick. Always practice good hygiene to prevent stale food.

Stay safe: Since you are surrounded by wildlife, you cannot be completely guaranteed to be risk-free. Never venture into the bushes or plains by yourself. Safari vehicles must not be used without permission. However, a ranger with a weapon will defend you.

Eat these: Have some fruits, vegetables, greens, snacks, and soft drinks in addition to the prepared food.

Maintain Hydration: Throughout your safari, you should consume more than 2 liters of water each day. If not, you can drink other liquids like juice, melons, etc.