Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Group Camping

Summary

Tarangire elephants, Serengeti sunrise drives, Ngorongoro crater rim nights

You’ll wake up to elephants in Tarangire, cross endless Serengeti grasslands chasing lions and wildebeest, then camp on the edge of Ngorongoro Crater as mist rolls in. With a local guide handling everything from meals to stories by the fire, this Tanzania group safari brings you close to wildlife—and each other—in ways you’ll remember long after you’ve shaken out your shoes.

★★★★★★★★★★

4.85

(107 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely finished our first cup of coffee in Arusha when the van rolled out—windows down, dust already sneaking in. I remember the way Tarangire hit me: tall baobabs everywhere, their trunks like something out of a storybook. Our guide Joseph grinned when we spotted our first elephant herd—he said they come for the river in dry season. The air was thick and earthy, and you could hear birds that sounded like rusty swings. Lunch was just sandwiches on the hood of the jeep but honestly, I didn’t care. Felt like we were miles from anywhere.

The drive to Serengeti is long—hours of bumping along red roads—but somehow it doesn’t drag. I kept catching glimpses of giraffes moving through acacia trees, and at one point someone in our group tried to count zebras (gave up fast). That first night camping at Seronera, I lay awake listening to distant hyenas and someone snoring two tents over. The next morning started early—like before sunrise early—and we watched the plains go gold while Joseph pointed out lions sprawled under a bush. There’s this weird mix of excitement and quiet that settles over you during a Serengeti game drive; you’re waiting for something huge but also just happy to watch wildebeest run for no reason at all.

I’ll admit—I wasn’t prepared for how cold it gets on the Ngorongoro rim. We huddled around mugs of tea at Simba Camp while fog rolled up from the crater below. In the morning we descended into that green bowl—Ngorongoro Crater feels almost unreal with its steep walls and herds everywhere you look. Maasai kids waved as we drove past; Joseph explained bits about their cattle and traditions, though I probably mangled every Maasai word I tried to say (he laughed anyway). By afternoon, everyone was tired but happy—dusty faces, full memory cards.

5d

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Drive from Arusha to Tarangire
Game drives with picnic lunch
Depart Tarangire late afternoon
Dinner and overnight at Kizumba Camp

Day 2 — Tarangire to Serengeti National Park

Breakfast at camp
Depart for Serengeti with picnic lunch
Game drives en route to Serengeti
Dinner and overnight at Seronera Campsite

Day 3 — Full day in Serengeti National Park

Morning game drive in Serengeti
Return to camp for hot lunch
Afternoon game drive with picnic lunch
Dinner and overnight at Seronera Campsite

Day 4 — Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Breakfast at Serengeti
Game drives in Serengeti
Drive to Ngorongoro Crater Rim with picnic lunch
Dinner and overnight at Simba Campsite

Day 5 — Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha

Breakfast at Simba Campsite
Drive to Ngorongoro Crater
Descend for game drives with picnic lunch
Ascend from crater late afternoon
Drive back to Arusha
End of services

What’s included

Your days include pickup from Arusha each morning, all park entry fees covered, game drives in a pop-up roof Land Cruiser with an English-speaking guide who knows every shortcut (and animal call), camping accommodation at Kizumba Camp, Seronera Campsite and Simba Campsite with full board meals—plus bottled water and plenty of tea or coffee around campfires before heading back to Arusha at sunset on day five.