Imagine yourself under canvas beneath a clear African sky, shining stars above and the sounds of the bush all around – that is camping in Tanzania. A camping safari is an affordable, thrilling way to reach the heart of the wilderness in a country that hosts the Great Migration, the second-largest terrestrial mammal migration on earth, and some of Africa’s friendliest people.

Where to go on a Tanzania camping safari

Lake Manyara National Park

The closest park to Arusha, Lake Manyara covers about 325 km² including the soda lake itself, squeezed between the Gregory Rift wall and the lakeshore. Its diverse landscapes – Rift Valley escarpment, woodland, grassland – shelter buffaloes, cheetahs, baboons, elephants, hippos, and the park’s famous tree-climbing lions, plus over 370 bird species and up to 1.9 million pink flamingos along the shores.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

A UNESCO World Heritage Site built around the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera – 610 metres deep with a 260 km² floor – Ngorongoro packs astonishing wildlife density, including all the big cats, into one natural amphitheatre. Camping on the crater rim is an experience in itself.

Tarangire National Park

Famous for elephant herds that can number in the thousands and its ancient baobab trees, Tarangire is also a birder’s heaven with over 550 recorded species.

Serengeti National Park

No Tanzania camping safari is complete without the endless plains of the Serengeti – see our guide to planning a Serengeti safari and the month-by-month migration guide.

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Where to camp in Tanzania

Tanzania is one of Africa’s greatest camping destinations, home to the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and the second-largest land mammal migration on Earth. Camping safaris here range from budget public campsites to exclusive mobile tented camps that follow the Great Migration across the plains.

Budget vs. luxury camping

Budget camping safaris use public campsites with shared facilities and are a superb, affordable way to see the northern circuit. Special and mobile camps offer more comfort and privacy in prime wildlife areas. Either way, sleeping under canvas in the heart of the wilderness – with the sounds of the African night around you – is an experience like no other.