Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Eyasi
📌 Package Overview
Experience an immersive, raw connection with nature through our 7-Day Tanzania Camping Safari, expertly organized by African Traces. Designed for adventurous travelers seeking an authentic wilderness experience, this journey takes you through Tanzania's iconic Northern Circuit: Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, the famous Serengeti National Park, the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, and the cultural haven of Lake Eyasi.
Sleep under stars in quality dome tents set up inside designated public campsites, listen to nocturnal bush sounds, and wake up to wild african sunrises. You will be accompanied by a dedicated private safari guide as well as a skilled professional safari chef who prepares delicious, fresh bush meals daily.
Travel in robust 4×4 Safari Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs for optimal game viewing, charging outlets, and onboard fridges. Experience unmatched wildlife tracking alongside cultural interactions with the ancient Hadzabe bushmen.
Safari Highlights
● Authentic Bush Camping: Sleep under canvas in the heart of prime national park wilderness.
● Private Safari Chef: Enjoy freshly prepared 3-course bush meals cooked daily by your dedicated chef.
● Tarangire Baobab Haven: Encounter gigantic elephant herds roaming beneath ancient baobab trees.
● Lake Manyara Wildlife: Observe tree-climbing lions, baboon troops, and colorful flamingo flocks.
● Serengeti Big Cat Action: Track lions, cheetahs, and leopards across the iconic Seronera plains.
● Ngorongoro Crater Floor: Descend into the world's largest intact volcanic caldera to spot the Black Rhino.
● Hadzabe Cultural Experience: Join the ancient Hadzabe hunter-gatherers on a morning bush walk at Lake Eyasi.
● Custom 4×4 Safari Vehicle: Pop-up roofs, power outlets, fridge, and guaranteed window seats for everyone.
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – Arusha Briefing
• Activities: Airport Pick-up • Hotel Transfer • Comprehensive Safari Briefing
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met by your African Traces representative and transferred to your comfortable budget lodge in Arusha.
Meet your safari team for an evening briefing covering gear preparation, routes, and safari expectations, followed by dinner. • Meals: Dinner • Accommodation: Arusha Tourist Inn / Outpost Lodge
Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire National Park Camping
• Driving Time: Approximately 2.5 Hours • Activities: Full-Day Game Drive • Baobab & Elephant Search • Camp Setup
Depart Arusha early after breakfast and drive south to Tarangire National Park, renowned for its massive elephant herds and towering baobab trees.
Enjoy game viewing along the Tarangire River, spotting lions, giraffes, zebras, and diverse bird species. In the late afternoon, head to your public campsite where tents will be pitched and a warm dinner served by your chef. • Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Hot Dinner • Accommodation: Kigongoni Public Campsite / Panorama Campsite
Day 2: Tarangire – Lake Manyara National Park – Karatu
• Driving Time: Approximately 1.5 Hours • Activities: Ground Forest Safari • Alkaline Lake Bird Watching • Tree-Climbing Lion Tracking
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park located beneath the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment. Explore groundwater forests home to large troops of baboons and blue monkeys.
Scan the acacia trees for famous tree-climbing lions and view thousands of flamingos at the lake edge. Later afternoon, drive up the Rift escarpment to Karatu for camping. • Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Fresh Bush Dinner • Accommodation: Sunbright Campsite / Lilac Campsite (Karatu)
Day 3: Tarangire – Central Serengeti National Park (Seronera)
• Driving Time: Approximately 4.5 Hours (en route game viewing) • Activities: Highlands Drive • Serengeti Entry • Afternoon Seronera Game Drive
Traverse the Ngorongoro Conservation Area highlands into the endless plains of the Central Serengeti National Park.
Game drive through Seronera Valley, an area famous for resident big cats (lions, cheetahs, and leopards). Arrive at your public campsite inside the Serengeti as night falls for dinner under bush skies. • Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Camp Dinner • Accommodation: Seronera Public Campsite (Central Serengeti)
Day 4: Full-Day Serengeti Wilderness Game Drives
• Activities: Sunrise Game Drive • Big Cat Tracking • Bush Picnic Lunch
Begin with an early morning game drive to catch predators during active hunting hours. Return to camp for a hot breakfast before setting out for a full day exploring Kopjes and river valleys.
Track wildebeest migration movements (seasonal), hippos at retina pools, and secretive leopards resting in acacia branches. Return to camp for campfire stories and dinner. • Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Camp Dinner • Accommodation: Seronera Public Campsite (Central Serengeti)
Day 5: Central Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater Rim Camping
• Driving Time: Approximately 3.5 Hours (game drive en route) • Activities: Early Morning Serengeti Safari • Crater Rim Scenic Transit • Fireside Camp Night
Enjoy a final morning safari drive in the Central Serengeti before traveling back toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Pitch camp at Simba Campsite situated directly on the Ngorongoro Crater rim. Enjoy spectacular views over the caldera and warm up by the campfire on cool mountain evenings. • Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Hot Dinner • Accommodation: Simba Public Campsite (Ngorongoro Crater Rim)
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Floor Safari – Transfer to Lake Eyasi
• Driving Time: Approximately 2.5 Hours • Activities: 600m Crater Descent • Black Rhino Search • Lake Eyasi Transfer
Descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater floor for an incredible 5-hour game drive. Spot endangered black rhinos, giant bull elephants, hyenas, and flamingo-filled Lake Magadi.
Savor a scenic picnic lunch near the hippo pool before ascending the crater walls and driving southwest to Lake Eyasi for your overnight camp. • Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Camp Dinner • Accommodation: Lake Eyasi Bush Campsite
Day 7: Hadzabe Bushmen Cultural Experience – Return to Arusha / JRO
• Driving Time: Approximately 4 Hours • Activities: Morning Bush Hunting Walk • Datoga Blacksmith Visit • Return Transfer
Join the ancient Hadzabe Bushmen early at dawn to learn traditional bow hunting and fire-making skills. Visit the neighboring Datoga tribe known for traditional metal blacksmithing.
After an authentic cultural morning, return to camp for brunch before driving back to Arusha or direct to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) for departure. • Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Short Summary
Day 0: Arrival at JRO – Arusha Transfer
Pick-up from JRO, transfer to Arusha lodge, meet your safari guide for an evening itinerary briefing. (Overnight: Arusha)
Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
Game drive tracking large elephant herds and big cats among baobabs, first night camping under bush skies. (Overnight: Tarangire Campsite)
Day 2: Tarangire – Lake Manyara – Karatu
Explore Manyara groundwater forest for tree-climbing lions, baboons, and pink flamingos, tented camp in Karatu. (Overnight: Karatu Campsite)
Day 3: Karatu – Central Serengeti National Park
Highland transit into Serengeti, afternoon game drive along Seronera Valley tracking big cats. (Overnight: Serengeti Campsite)
Day 4: Full-Day Serengeti Camping Wilderness
Full day game driving across Serengeti plains,kopjes exploration, and evening bush campfire dinner. (Overnight: Serengeti Campsite)
Day 5: Central Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Morning game drive in Serengeti, transit south to camp on the dramatic Ngorongoro Crater rim. (Overnight: Crater Rim Campsite)
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Lake Eyasi
Crater floor safari drive tracking Black Rhinos, picnic at hippo pool, drive to Lake Eyasi bush camp. (Overnight: Lake Eyasi Campsite)
Day 7: Hadzabe Cultural Experience – Return to Arusha / JRO
Morning bush hunt with Hadzabe tribe, Datoga blacksmith interaction, drive back to Arusha or JRO airport drop-off.
📋 Camping Package Inclusions & Exclusions
Package Includes
All national park entry fees, public campsite fees, and crater fees
Professional senior English-speaking safari guide
Private professional safari chef preparing fresh meals daily
Private 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and fridge
Experience Mount Kilimanjaro with local experts who prioritize your safety, comfort, and summit success. From custom itinerary planning
to high-acclimatization routes, African Traces guides you every step of the way to Uhuru Peak with unmatched Tanzanian hospitality.
