Arusha: Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro 4-Day Camping Safari
Four Days Camping Across Tanzania's Three Greatest Parks
You drive from Arusha through Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro over four days, camping each night and game driving each day. The itinerary includes a six-hour crater floor tour on the final morning, packed lunches throughout, and a professional guide who explains the wildlife and landscape as you travel. You return to Arusha by late afternoon on day four.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park
- Have breakfast
- Drive to Tarangire National Park
- Game drive with packed lunch
- Drive to Karatu
- Dinner and overnight camping
Day 2 — Karatu to Serengeti National Park
- Have breakfast
- Drive to Serengeti via Ngorongoro
- Game drive en route
- Stop at Naabi Hills gate for lunch
- Drive to Seronera campsite at sunset
- Dinner and overnight camping
Day 3 — Serengeti to Ngorongoro
- Relaxing morning
- Early lunch
- Drive to Ngorongoro crater
- Driver explains wildlife and scenery
- Dinner and overnight at crater rim campsite
Day 4 — Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
- Have breakfast
- Drive to crater floor
- 6-hour crater game drive with picnic lunch
- Drive back to Arusha
The Experience
What if you could see three of Tanzania's most wildlife-dense parks in a single trip without spending four nights in a hotel? That's the shape of this four-day safari from Arusha—you leave after breakfast on day one, drive straight into Tarangire National Park for your first game drive with packed lunch, and by evening you're at a campsite in Karatu. The rhythm is steady: drive, watch, camp, repeat. Your guide handles the route and the wildlife spotting; you just show up and look out the window.
Day two takes you from Karatu toward Serengeti National Park, but you don't go straight there. You pass through Ngorongoro Conservation Area first, so you're already game driving before you reach the park gate at Naabi Hills. By afternoon you're at Seronera campsite in the Serengeti itself, and the next morning you have time to rest before the drive to Ngorongoro begins. That's the pacing—no rush, no cramming five parks into three days. The camping keeps costs down and puts you closer to the animals than a lodge would, though you're sleeping in a tent, not a bed.
On day three you reach Ngorongoro and spend the night on the crater rim at Simba campsite. Day four is the main event: a six-hour game drive on the crater floor itself, with a picnic lunch somewhere down there among the wildlife. The crater is a closed ecosystem—everything lives inside it, nowhere to go—so the animal density is unlike anywhere else. After lunch you drive back up and head toward Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon. Your driver is experienced and will point out things as you go; the company prioritizes making sure clients feel looked after, not rushed through.
Camping means you pack light and accept that showers are basic, but it also means you're not sitting in a vehicle for twelve hours a day waiting for the next lodge. The packed lunches are straightforward—nothing fancy, but enough to keep you going. If you've never done a safari before, this is a solid entry point. If you've done one and want to see more parks in one trip, this covers the three that matter most.
What’s included
- Game drives in Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
- Packed lunches during each day's game drive.
- A six-hour crater floor tour on the final morning with picnic lunch.
- Three nights camping accommodation (Karatu, Seronera, and Simba campsites).
- Professional driver and guide throughout.
- Dinners and breakfasts at each campsite.
- All transport from Arusha and back to Arusha.
Operated by Crater explorer tours and safaris
Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see three major parks in one trip without arranging transport, park fees, and timing yourself—the fixed four-day schedule handles all of that, and camping keeps the cost lower than lodge-based safaris while putting you closer to the wildlife.
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How many days is the safari?
Four days and three nights. You leave Arusha after breakfast on day one and return by late afternoon on day four.
What parks are included?
Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You game drive in all three.
Where do you sleep?
In camping sites. Night one is in Karatu, night two at Seronera campsite in the Serengeti, and night three on the crater rim at Simba campsite in Ngorongoro.
Is food included?
Packed lunches are included during game drives. Dinners and breakfasts are provided at the campsites.
How long is the crater floor game drive?
Six hours on the final morning, with a picnic lunch included.
Do I need camping experience?
No. The campsites are set up for you; you just need to be comfortable sleeping in a tent and accepting basic facilities.
Is this suitable for families with children?
Yes, the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Check with the operator about age-appropriate accommodations.
What should I bring?
Light clothing, sun protection, binoculars, and a camera. Camping gear is provided at the sites.
Arusha: Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro 4-Day Camping Safari
4d · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 970 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.98115 reviews






