Tanzania Camping Safari – Everything You Need to Know
Should You Go on a Tanzania Camping Safari?
When I went on an African safari last summer, I finally crossed off an item from my Africa Bucket List. Camping safaris Tanzania trips to Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are not just any safari. See if I can persuade you to add a budget camping safari Tanzania expedition to your list by sharing my thoughts and experiences from the trip there.
After months of examination, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater camping safari in Tanzania won out over other well-known safari locations like South Africa and Botswana. A variety of considerations went into my decision.
Aside from the Great Migration of Wildebeest, one of my all-time favorite wildlife events, I would see lions, leopards, and cheetahs up close.
As you may already be aware, I frequently travel alone in search of the best safari camps in tanzania deals. The cost of a safari can go into the thousands of dollars, whereas camping can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Finally, the possibility of hearing wildlife outside my tanzania safari tented camp at all-night hours had me giddy with anticipation.
Zanzibar seemed like the perfect place to unwind after hiking and exploring. Zanzibar is a Tanzanian island, although it has a semi-autonomous administration with its immigration and customs procedures distinct from the rest of the country. The pristine sand, clear water, and friendly locals made an idyllic getaway.
Arrival Time and Method
Before this trip, I had never gone to East Africa or any of the famous masai & tanzania camping safari areas in Africa. Tanzania is a long way away from the west coast of the United States. Because there are no direct flights, you should plan on spending a significant amount of time in the air. The eastern United States, Europe, and North Africa are all possible destinations for your layovers.
With points (another one of my interests), I booked every leg of my Tanzania budget Camping Safari trip and saved a significant amount of money. There was only one layover in Istanbul on my Turkish Airlines flight to Dar es Salaam. After flying the same course back, I delayed my layover in Istanbul to around a week to get two expeditions for one price. If you include Zanzibar, there are three!
The Great Migration of the Wildebeest usually occurs in July, so I chose July as my travel month. For months, I researched this topic. According to several websites, the wildebeest will be in the Serengeti and Kenya at different times. This makes Kenya Tanzania camping safari ideal during the months of July and August. Climate change is one possible explanation for the claims that contradict one another.
The Great Migration sees the wildebeest follow the water’s path. The wildebeest migrate to new areas of rich vegetation when riverbeds in one area become dry and vice versa. As a result, changes in water levels and locations cause wildebeest populations to move.
Based on what I’ve seen, there is a reasonable probability you’ll see wildebeest migrating northward in the western Serengeti in July. If seeing the wildebeest is a must-see, verify with tour operators before making a reservation.
A Tanzania Camping Safari: What to Expect
A Tanzania Tented Camp Safari
A Tanzanian camping safari is not for the faint of heart, as no armed guards or fences surround the campsites. The wildlife of the Serengeti has the same freedom to come and go as you do at the campsite.
While on vacation, the wildlife I encountered, including elephants, hyenas, zebras, and cape buffalo, were all right outside my tent door. If my tent hadn’t been zipped, I could have reached out and touched a few of them. Through the night, one could hear the roars of surrounding lions. I’ll never forget the sound of an elephant trumpeting amid the tents or the roar of lions nearby. However, for some, this may be their worst nightmare.
A typical camping safari lasts anything from one to ten nights in Tanzania. I recommend more than 4 days camping safari Tanzania, because you won’t see anything in a one- or 4 days tanzania camping safari stay. Due to the Serengeti’s changing landscape, different species seek distinct habitats. As a result, it is pretty unlikely that you will be able to see all of the species you seek or make the drive worthwhile in the park.
My recommendation is that you spend at least 5 days Tanzania camping safari. I opted for a six-day Tanzanian camping safari- a serengeti safari camp Tanzania, which worked out well. If the timing is correct, you’ll be able to see the Big Five and the wildebeest migration in this park.
To compare prices and tour providers such as the g adventures tanzania camping safari, you can utilize the website www.bookallsafaris.com. You may narrow your search by price, date, and duration with a few clicks. Not all alternatives are available at all times of the year, so this will show you what you can do and when you go. An additional benefit of this website is that it includes authentic reviews made by people who have taken the tours.
A List of the Big Five in the Industry
These animals are collectively known as “The Big Five” because of their size and rarity. I visited all five on my Tanzania Camping Safari trip, and I’ll never forget it. Because of their elusiveness and small populations, leopards and rhinoceroses are the most difficult to track down. In addition to three leopards (one of which was a cub), I also saw two black rhinos from afar.
I was a little apprehensive about traveling during the high season before I left. I was worried that the parks would be overcrowded in July, a popular vacation time for Americans and Europeans. However, that was my only chance to witness the Great Migration. For some reason, I never felt crowded in the Serengeti because of its enormous size. We drove for a long time without seeing any other vehicles.
Unless you’re going with close relatives or friends, you’ll almost certainly share a vehicle with other tourists if you hire a guide. Serengeti self-driving is conceivable, but keep in mind that vehicle criteria are highly stringent, and there will be large swaths of the Serengeti without cell coverage.
This is one of the few times I do not recommend a self-planned Tanzania Camping Safari trip. If you’ve spent a lot of time, money, or effort getting there, I recommend hiring a local specialist familiar with the area and who understands where to look for wildlife at any given time of year. My excursion to view the Big Five was worth it, as I’ve seen them. This trip would be far less educational had I not had a tour guide to help me navigate my way around.
The Everyday Life
From Dar es Salaam, you can take a bus or a cheap plane to Arusha, which is the starting point of your Tanzanian adventure. To see more of Tanzania, I flew to Arusha but then took a bus to see through the country.
Your nomad Tanzania serengeti safari camp will change nearly every night as you travel deeper into the Serengeti. A significant benefit of this strategy is that you don’t have to waste time driving back and forth between your starting point and the next place, setting up camp, and packing up the following day. You must help put up the tents, but if you are unsure how to do so, the guide will be happy to show you how. I’ve been camping before, so it’s a breeze for me.
Each day, you can explore more of the park because of this nomadic pace, which is a great way to make the most of your limited time in the area.
You will have to leave camp early in the morning, but the sunrises will be well worth it!
A cook will make breakfast and dinner and pack a sandwich for lunch if the plan is to be on the road all day for most days. After reading multiple reviews, I was worried about the lack of vegetarian options, but I was pleased again. The presence of another vegetarian passenger in my vehicle contributed to my success.
Vegetable-based foods, including eggplant curries with rice, vegetable pasta, and soups, were served for dinner. Our lunch sandwiches were nothing more than cheese and bread with a smattering of fruits and chips and sliced vegetables, so I was more than content.
Mental Preparation Required for Some Situations
Initial dust storms can be pretty severe in some parts of the country! Even though you may be scoffing at the concept, the automobiles’ open-air character requires a warning. There would be a lot of dust on your face, hair, eyes, and mouth. If you have long hair, you’ll need sunglasses and a cap to protect your eyes from the sun and to feel your hair rather than straw. Here is my whole Tanzania Camping Safari packing list.
Secondly, most Tanzania safari camps bathroom showers only have access to chilled water. The Ngorongoro Crater region at nights in July is exceedingly cold, even if this isn’t the world’s end. This is because it is situated on a high plateau. For the morning and the night, you’ll want to dress warmly. My traveling companions were amazed and bewildered at the same time since I cleaned the filth from my clothes every night with cold water, regardless of the weather. Getting ready for bed requires me to “wipe the day off,” even at home.
Tanzania Safari Camps
When planning your Tanzania safari, be sure to consider all of your options for accommodation. There are a variety of safari camps to choose from, each with its own unique benefits.
Some things to keep in mind when choosing budget camps and Tanzania luxury safari camps include: location, amenities, and cost. Location is important as it will determine what kinds of animals you’re likely to see. For example, if you want to see lions, you’ll want to stay in an area where they are known to roam. Amenities are also important to consider, as some camps offer more luxury than others. Finally, cost is always a factor to consider when planning your trip.
With all of this in mind, be sure to do your research and choose the safari camp that’s right for you. Here are some of the safari camps located in the Serengeti;
Serengeti safari camp nomad tanzania
Base camp tanzania safari
Ikuka safari camp tanzania
Manyara wildlife safari camp tanzania
Mbalageti safari camp tanzania
My Tanzanian Camping Safari: Pros and Cons
There is no way to state that this trip was utterly trouble-free if you are a regular traveler. I want to share some of the highs and lows of my trip, which are not meant to be judgmental but rather to convey the reality of what I encountered. I have no regrets about going on a tented camp safari Tanzania, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I want to travel to other countries in East Africa too.
The Pros:
- I got to see the Big 5: For the first time. On our final day in Ngorongoro Crater, two rhinos finally, at last, completed the list, even though we had the feeling we couldn’t complete the list. It’s incredible to have been a part of it all! It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
- Friendships we made: Everyone in my car became my buddies, and we’re still in touch. There is a group chat we made between Ireland, the US, Colombia, and India simultaneously.
- Get Close and Personal with Cheetahs in the Wild: Cheetahs were very close. My favorite giant cat is the cheetah, and I found this fascinating. First time I’ve seen them in the wild. I’ve seen them at sanctuaries or breeding centers as a child, and it’s so magical.
- Listening to Night-Time Creatures: This is astounding. I have vivid memories of each campground and the animals we encountered there. An elephant was strolling and trumpeting about the campground, entirely at ease.
The Drawbacks:
- The Source of Energy: This didn’t ruin my day since I was prepared, but I’m mentioning it here so that you can be, too. At the very least, bring a large power bank. Charging devices like cameras and cell phones can be difficult or impossible on some african safari camp Tanzania grounds. The vehicle had an electrical outlet, but the roads were so bad that everyone’s wires came undone. Pack a power bank instead of relying on your car or tent for power. There will also be limited mobile coverage, but one of the campgrounds was unexpectedly well-equipped with Wi-Fi.
- The Bathrooms On Campground: Some rooms lacked adequate illumination, but they were otherwise fine. Make sure you have a flashlight with you. Having mine came in handy quite a bit! Hot water wasn’t always readily accessible. As you make your way back and forth from your tent, you may come face to face with golden eyes.
- Loss of luggage: When we arrived at the final camp, our guide and cook “forgot” or “left behind” one of the visitors’ backpacks. The suitcase owner was neither enraged nor angry at the tour guide because everyone made mistakes. The fact that there were no apologies should be noted. Although they loaded the bags, the guests were expected to take responsibility for their safety and well-being. When we called other tour firms to inquire about the backpack’s whereabouts, they screamed at us. Lack of cooperation in searching for the backpack and their desire to protect their reputation and place blame on the visitor, they were more interested in doing so than in helping this man get his stuff! In all honesty, it impacted our final few days of travel. I don’t want to keep it to myself, even though it was a letdown for the trip. It was so unfortunate.
And here we go, that’s the end of it! The Camping Safari Tanzania encounter had both positive and negative aspects. It would be best if you were prepared for the unexpected, which means being open to new experiences. Nevertheless, my Tanzanian camping safari was the highlight of my summer and has piqued my interest in a future journey to Africa.
I recommend making a reservation through Booking.com if you want to spend more time in Tanzania than just on your safari. In my experience, they provide the most flexible cancellation options at the most affordable pricing.
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