Tanzania Safari: Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire Group Camping

Summary

Camping beneath the wide sky, lions at dusk and coffee at dawn

You’ll travel from Arusha into Tarangire’s elephant country, camp beneath Serengeti stars with your group, and descend into Ngorongoro Crater at dawn with a local guide. Expect dusty roads, wild animal sightings, laughter around campfires—and moments that linger long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

Hands gripping the edge of the jeep, I watched a herd of elephants cross the red-dusted road in Tarangire. Our guide—Jackson, who knew every birdcall—pointed out a baobab tree so old it looked like it might remember the first travelers here. Lunch was simple but good; honestly, I was too distracted by zebra stripes flickering through the heat haze. Someone spilled water and we laughed—there’s something about being out there that makes you lighter.

The drive to Serengeti took longer than I thought (roads here have their own sense of time), but rolling into those endless plains felt almost unreal. We set up camp near Seronera as the sun dropped fast—one minute gold, next minute gone. Dinner tasted smoky from the fire and my hands still smelled faintly of dust. At night hyenas called somewhere close; I couldn’t sleep much but didn’t really mind. You don’t come on a group camping safari for comfort anyway.

Next morning was all about chasing light and movement—lions stretched in tall grass, wildebeest everywhere you looked. Jackson brewed coffee thick enough to stand a spoon in before we packed up for Ngorongoro. The drive wound past Maasai kids waving at us (I waved back; they grinned). The crater itself is hard to describe: mist hanging low over everything, flamingos bright against the lake like someone had scattered confetti. I kept thinking how small we are compared to all this space.

I’m not sure what I expected from a day trip through Ngorongoro Crater after three days on safari—maybe just more animals—but standing there watching hippos blink in the shallows while our group ate biscuits for breakfast felt oddly peaceful. The ride back to Arusha was quiet; everyone tired in that good way when you’ve seen more than you can process. Sometimes I still hear those hyenas if I wake up early enough.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park

• Breakfast in Arusha
• Depart for Tarangire National Park
• Arrive at lodge for lunch
• Afternoon game drive in Tarangire
• Dinner and overnight at Twiga campsite

Day 2 — Serengeti National Park Safari

• Breakfast at lodge
• Depart for Serengeti via Karatu and Ngorongoro
• Arrive Serengeti for lunch
• Afternoon game drive in Serengeti
• Dinner and overnight at Seronera campsite

Day 3 — Serengeti to Ngorongoro Area

• Early morning coffee and biscuit
• Morning game drive with lunch boxes
• Depart to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Dinner and overnight at Simba campsite

Day 4 — Ngorongoro Crater and Return

• Early breakfast
• Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for wildlife viewing
• Visit Lake Magadi and observe wildlife
• Transfer back to Arusha for drop off

Top questions

How many days is this Tanzania group camping safari?

The safari lasts 4 days and includes Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro.

Is pickup included for this Serengeti safari?

Yes, hotel pickup in Arusha is included at the start of your tour.

Do we camp inside Serengeti National Park?

Yes, you’ll camp overnight at Seronera Campsite inside Serengeti.

Are meals provided during the safari?

All dinners and breakfasts are included during your camping safari.

What wildlife can I expect to see?

You may see elephants in Tarangire, lions and wildebeest in Serengeti, plus flamingos and hippos in Ngorongoro Crater.

Is this group camping safari suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels but not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Are park entry fees included?

Yes, all park entry fees are included in your booking price.

Is transportation between parks provided?

You’ll travel between parks in a private 4x4 safari vehicle with your guide.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup in Arusha, all transportation by private 4x4 vehicle with a local guide who really knows these lands, park entry fees throughout Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, nightly campsite accommodation with dinner and breakfast each day—and plenty of stories shared around the fire before heading back to Arusha or the airport at the end.