2 Day Tarangire Camping Safari
A simple, affordable overnight safari with two game drives in Tarangire National Park and a night under canvas at a campsite just outside the park.
- Duration
- 2 days
- Route
- Arusha – Tarangire National Park – Campsite near Tarangire – Tarangire National Park – Arusha
- Start / end
- Starts and ends in Arusha (pick-up from your hotel or Kilimanjaro Airport)
- Best time
- Tarangire is best from June to October, when the dry season draws animals to the river in large numbers.
- Trip style
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with driver-guide and cook, camping one night at an established campsite near the park with tents provided.
Tour overview
This short camping safari is ideal for travelers on a tight budget or a short schedule who still want a proper overnight in the bush. It suits backpackers, volunteers, students and anyone with a free couple of days before or after a Kilimanjaro climb.
Tarangire National Park is only about 2 to 2.5 hours from Arusha, which means more time watching animals and less time driving. The park is famous for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and the Tarangire River, which draws wildlife from far around in the dry season.
With an afternoon drive on Day 1 and an early morning drive on Day 2, you see the park in both of its best light conditions, and you spend the night at a campsite close to the gate with your own cook.
Highlights
- Two game drives in Tarangire, afternoon and early morning
- Some of Tanzania's largest elephant herds
- Iconic baobab trees and the Tarangire River valley
- Excellent birdlife, including lovebirds and hornbills
- Overnight camping close to the park gate
- Freshly cooked meals by your safari cook
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arusha to Tarangire National Park and Campsite
Your guide picks you up from your Arusha hotel in the morning, and you drive about 2 to 2.5 hours south through Maasai country to Tarangire National Park. Enter the park around midday for a picnic lunch, then spend the afternoon on a game drive through the river valley and baobab woodland. Elephants are the stars here, but look out for giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, warthog, impala and dik-dik, as well as lions resting in the shade. As the light softens, leave the park and drive a short distance to your campsite outside the gate, where your cook has dinner under way.
Day 2Morning Game Drive and Return to Arusha
Wake before sunrise with a hot drink and head back into Tarangire as the gate opens. The early hours are the best time for predators, and you may find lions on the move or a leopard returning to its tree. Continue exploring different areas of the park, including the river bends and swamps where elephants come to drink. Stop for breakfast at a picnic site, then enjoy more game viewing before a picnic lunch. In the early afternoon, leave the park and drive about 2 to 2.5 hours back to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon for drop-off at your hotel.
What is included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Safari cook preparing fresh meals at camp
- All park entry and conservation fees as per the itinerary
- Campsite fees
- Camping equipment: dome tents, foam mattresses and camp chairs
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle throughout
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Arusha hotel
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Tips for your guide and crew
- Sleeping bag (can be hired locally)
- Drinks other than drinking water
- Personal items, laundry and souvenirs
Good to know
- Tsetse flies can be present in parts of Tarangire; wear light, neutral colors and avoid dark blue and black.
- Campsite facilities are simple, with shared toilets and showers.
- Bring a headlamp, insect repellent and a light sleeping bag.
- The morning game drive starts early, so be ready shortly after sunrise.
Frequently asked questions
Why camp outside the park rather than inside?
Campsites just outside the gate are more affordable and have good facilities, while still being only minutes from the park. This lets you be inside the park early for the best morning game viewing.
Is two days in Tarangire worthwhile?
Yes. Two game drives at different times of day give you a much fuller picture of the park than a single day trip, and the overnight stay adds the experience of a night in the bush.
Can I upgrade to a lodge?
Absolutely. We can swap the campsite for a mid-range or luxury lodge near Tarangire on request. Contact us for a revised quote.
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