5 Day Camping Safari
Camp in the Serengeti for two nights to witness the wildebeest migration, with Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge and a Ngorongoro Crater game drive along the way.
- Duration
- 5 days
- Route
- Arusha – Lake Manyara – Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha
- Start / end
- Starts and ends in Arusha/Moshi, with access via Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Best time
- The Serengeti offers good game viewing year-round; the Kopjes Circuit is especially rewarding in the dry season, and the migration's location varies with the rains.
- Trip style
- A camping safari in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a guaranteed window seat and a professional English-speaking guide, staying at public campsites plus one lodge night at Lake Manyara.
Tour overview
Our 5 Day Camping Safari includes two nights in Serengeti National Park, giving you more time in the Serengeti to witness the wildebeest migration.
You will experience the excitement of game viewing in some of the most spectacular wildlife parks in Africa, from the soda lake and tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara to the Seronera area of the Serengeti and the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Highlights
- Afternoon game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, known for tree-climbing lions and flamingos
- Two nights camping in the Serengeti's wildlife-rich Seronera area
- Game drives on the Sogore River Circuit and the Kopjes Circuit
- Optional hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti plains
- Stop at Olduvai Gorge, where the Leakeys uncovered key fossils in human evolution
- Half-day safari in the Ngorongoro Crater, including Lake Magadi
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arusha – Lake Manyara
After pick-up in Arusha, transfer to Lake Manyara National Park, arriving in time for lunch at the lodge. After lunch we head into the park for an afternoon game drive. Lake Manyara is one of Tanzania's most dramatically located wildlife areas, with a massive but shallow soda lake covering two-thirds of the park at the foot of the Great Rift Valley's western escarpment. Its varied habitats attract a wide range of animals, including one of Africa's largest concentrations of elephants, the park's famous tree-climbing lions and large flocks of flamingos drawn by the algae in the lake.
Day 2Lake Manyara – Serengeti Plains
After breakfast we head to Serengeti National Park via the beautiful highland farmland of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Leaving the highlands behind, we descend into the heart of wild Africa, the Serengeti, with its endless plains rolling as far as the eye can see. We head to the central Seronera area, one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park, where the Seronera River provides a valuable water source that attracts most of the Serengeti's species. We arrive in time for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Day 3Serengeti Plains
Begin with an optional hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti plains, offering stunning views and unique wildlife sightings (available at extra cost). After breakfast, enjoy a game drive along the Sogore River Circuit, known for lions, gazelles, cheetahs and ostriches. Visit the Seronera Visitor Centre, with wildlife displays, a gift shop and shaded picnic spots under acacia trees. In the afternoon, explore the Kopjes Circuit, a haven for lions and other wildlife in the dry season, where granite outcrops provide water and shade. End the day with dinner and an overnight stay at the campsite.
Day 4Serengeti Plains – Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping at the historic Olduvai Gorge, where Drs. Louis and Mary Leakey uncovered key fossils in human evolution. Arrive in time for lunch before descending 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day safari. Sustained by year-round water, this wildlife haven is home to wildebeest, zebras, buffalo, elephants and predators such as lions, hyenas and cheetahs. Visit Lake Magadi, known for flamingos, hippos and water birds, before dinner and an overnight stay at the campsite.
Day 5Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha
After breakfast, transfer back to Arusha, arriving in time for lunch. This marks the end of your African safari adventure, and you will be taken to your hotel, concluding our services. If time permits, you may choose an additional half-day game drive in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area at extra cost before the drive back to Arusha.
What is included
- All accommodation in public campsites and lodges according to the itinerary
- A safari briefing
- Guaranteed window seat in a 4x4 safari vehicle driven by an experienced driver guide
- Professional, English-speaking guide
- All sightseeing and game viewing as per the itinerary
- Meals according to the itinerary
- All park entrance fees
Not included
- Domestic and international flights
- Tanzania visa entry fees
- Tips and gratuities for the driver guide and cook
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
- Accommodation before and after the safari beyond the nights listed in the itinerary
Good to know
- Guide tipping guidance: the group is encouraged to tip the guide approximately US$20 per day.
- Departure dates are flexible, and the safari can be tailored to suit your schedule.
- We can help you select international flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport, but you will need to book them yourself.
- Airport transfers and extra hotel nights before or after the tour can be arranged at extra cost.
Frequently asked questions
Is every night spent camping?
No. The first night is at HKH Safari Lodge near Lake Manyara, with full board. The remaining nights are at the Serengeti Campsite and Simba Campsite on the Ngorongoro rim.
Can I choose my departure date?
Yes. Departure dates are flexible and the safari can be tailored to suit your schedule. Contact us with your preferred dates.
What optional extras are available?
You can add a hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti on Day 3 at extra cost. If time permits, an extra half-day game drive in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area can also be added on the last day.
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