Discovering The Best Campsites In Tanzania For Nature Enthusiasts

By Azure Lee | Update on: Jan 02, 2024

Tanzania, the land of diverse landscapes, breathtaking wildlife, and rich cultural heritage, offers an adventure unlike any other. For nature lovers and camping enthusiasts, Tanzania stands as a beacon of unparalleled beauty and serenity. With its array of national parks, reserves, and wilderness areas, there are some of the best camping sites in Tanzania that provide an immersive experience in the heart of nature.

There are lodging choices to suit every taste and budget, from opulent designer lodges with all the amenities to rustic tented camps with an authentic bush setting. If you are stumped for ideas, here are ten of our top picks for the best campsites in Tanzania:

Table of Contents

Why go camping in Tanzania?
Check Out Top Camping Sites In Tanzania
Tips For A Memorable Tanzania Camping Safari

Why go camping in Tanzania?

If you want to save money or feel more intimate with nature, camping is a fantastic option for those who want to enjoy the best experience Tanzania has to offer without costing anything.

Campgrounds are available within or near the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Reservation, so you can add camping to any itinerary that includes these destinations.

Check Out Top Camping Sites In Tanzania

Tanzania is home to several notable parks, including the Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti National Park, and Nyerere (previously Selous Game Reserve) National Park. It is also one of the most popular safari destinations in Africa, with a wide range of lodges and camps servicing these safari hotspots. Explore our selection of exceptional camping sites ideal for experiencing unforgettable adventures while camping in Tanzania.

Tanzania, the land of diverse landscapes, breathtaking wildlife, and rich cultural heritage

Tanzania, the land of diverse landscapes, breathtaking wildlife, and rich cultural heritage

Serengeti Tanzania bush camp

The Serengeti Tanzania bush camp is a semi-permanent camp located in the wilderness surrounded by flora and fauna, offering endless opportunities for adventure and the ideal place to unwind. Getting there requires a 6-7 hour drive from Arusha town to Serengeti national park and 1-2 hours by air to the nearby SERONERA airstrip, after which it takes a few minutes to be transferred to the camp. The camp is located at Tana Springs, within the central and inside Serengeti national park (seronera areas) in Tanzania.

The Tanzania bush camp comprises 10 elegantly comfortable en-suite tents that overlook stunning scenic vistas and offer modern amenities. These tents are tastefully decorated, elevated on raised platforms, and furnished with en-suite facilities including clean flushing toilets, bush showers with both hot and cold water sourced from safari bucket showers, solar energy provisions, mosquito nets, tables, and complimentary toiletries. Guests also receive complimentary bottled water, slippers, and other essential amenities.

Each tent features spacious sleeping and sitting areas, providing breathtaking views across the Serengeti plains and its surrounding landscape. The tents boast immaculately clean beddings with both queen and king-sized beds. Additionally, the camp features a communal gathering spot with a crackling fireplace, allowing guests to unwind, share stories, and immerse themselves in the safari experience.

Serengeti Tanzania bush camp is a semi-permanent

Serengeti Tanzania bush camp is a semi-permanent

Ngorongoro Wild Camp

Many people believe that the best safari camp in Tanzania is Ngorongoro Wildlife Camp. Situated around 50 km to the west of Karatu Town, in the southern portion of the Ngorongoro Conservation room, Ngorongoro Wild Camp is a permanent camp with 20 luxurious tents and 6 cottages, as well as a spacious dining and reception room.

A wonderful wild experience is provided by the distinctive and cozy Ngorongoro Wild Camps, which offer a variety of modern amenities like dining and bar activities, internet, sundowner cocktails to bush meals at a private site, fireplace, Maasai grill, and Ngorongoro Multi-cuisine restaurant.

Lake Natron Tented Camp

Nestled between the Serengeti plains and the Ngorongoro Highlands in northeastern Tanzania, wild and isolated Lake Natron offers more to see than wildlife; the Maasai people live in this arid, lonely, and eerily beautiful terrain surrounding the lake.

Lake Natron, one of the world's most alkaline lakes, is home to millions of tiny crustaceans that draw thousands of lesser flamingos, making it one of the most significant flamingo breeding grounds on Earth. The lake is situated at the foot of Oldonyo Lengai, Africa's only active volcano.

The Lake Natron Tented Camp is situated in a unique location, nestled among trees next to the lake's edge. The simple yet hygienic safari tents have private verandas, cozy beds, and showers. The fully stocked bar and candlelit restaurant guarantee that you will have a cold beverage and delectable food after a strenuous hike or day of climbing.

The Lake Natron Tented Camp is situated in a unique location

The Lake Natron Tented Camp is situated in a unique location

Tarangire Treetops

For those who want to enjoy some glamorous camping, the Tarangire Treetops is one of the best ways to get that experience. Tarangire Treetops, located in a private game reserve bordering Tarangire National Park, is another of the best safari camps in Tanzania. It offers breathtaking views of the Rift Valley wall, Lake Manyara, and Mount Kilimanjaro.

The lodge is comprised of twenty roomy treehouses with private balconies, double showers, and high ceilings made of baobab and marula trees. The main guest area is surrounded by a thousand-year-old baobab tree, and a sparkling pool overlooks a watering hole that draws thirsty animals from far and wide.

Tarangire Treetops is another of the best safari camps in Tanzania

Tarangire Treetops is another of the best safari camps in Tanzania

Serengeti Wildlands Camp

If you want to camp in one of the most popular camping sites in Tanzania, Serengeti Wildlands Camp is possibly the best option. This camp, situated within Serengeti National Park, operates seasonally and offers access to some of Africa's best game-viewing opportunities. While the camp's design remains uncomplicated, it prioritizes providing every comfort for guests. Leveraging its seasonal nature, the camp relocates every three to six months, granting access to prime game viewing areas within the park.

Serengeti Wilderness Camp has just ten large tents, each with a shaded verandah where guests can unwind and read in peace or perhaps watch birds and animals. Each tent has comfortable beds with fine linens, an en suite eco-friendly flushing toilet, and a bush shower off an intimate dressing room area. Lighting is provided by 12-volt (solar-powered) bedside lamps.

Tips For A Memorable Tanzania Camping Safari

Advanced Reservations: Securing reservations in advance is essential due to the popularity of these camps, especially during peak seasons.
Packing Essentials: Packing essentials such as sturdy boots, insect repellent, and clothing that can be worn in a variety of ways is also essential.
Respecting Nature: During your camping safari, it is important to follow park regulations, keep a safe distance from wildlife, and respect the environment.
Safety Measures: Adhering to safety guidelines provided by campsite staff and experienced guides ensures a safe and enjoyable experience in the wilderness.
Travel Document: For hassle-free travel arrangements, travelers planning a Tanzania adventure can conveniently apply for a Tanzania eVisa through Tanzania Immigration Services. Applying for a Tanzania eVisa through our website streamlines the essential visa acquisition process, allowing travelers to focus on planning and enjoying their Tanzania camping safari without the hassle of traditional visa applications.

Discovering The Best Campsites In Tanzania For Nature Enthusiasts

Why go camping in Tanzania?