What You Need to Know: The 3-day camping safari costs US$1,125 per person for two travelers (US$375 per person per day). It includes pickup in Arusha, two nights at public campsites in Mto wa Mbu and on the Ngorongoro crater rim, tents and mattresses, a cook and all meals, park and campsite fees, the crater fee and a private Land Cruiser with your own guide. It is our lowest-priced way to see the crater with a private guide.
Who Should Book the 3-Day Camping Safari?
It suits travelers on a budget, backpackers and anyone who would rather hear lions at night than sleep behind walls. You give up hot showers and private bathrooms; you keep your own vehicle and guide, and the parks are the same as on our lodge safaris. If you want the Serengeti too, you need at least four days.
| This safari suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| You want the crater at the lowest price | You'd like beds and private bathrooms: the 3-day lodge safari on the same route |
| You don't mind basic shared facilities | You want the Serengeti as well: the 4-day Serengeti camping safari |
| You enjoy the sounds of the bush at night | You're traveling with very young children: our budget lodge safaris |
3-Day Camping Safari Itinerary
Two parks on the first two days and the crater on the last. Day by day:
-
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire, camp in Mto wa Mbu
Pickup from your Arusha hotel and the drive of about two and a half hours to Tarangire, for an afternoon with the elephant herds and baobabs. Your tents are ready at a campsite in Mto wa Mbu by the time you arrive.
ElephantsTarangire, Mto wa MbuLunch, dinner -
Day 2: Lake Manyara, then up to the crater rim
A morning game drive in Lake Manyara, from the groundwater forest with its baboons and blue monkeys to the hippo pool, then up to Simba Campsite on the Ngorongoro crater rim, at about 7,500 ft (2,300 m), for a cold night with views into the crater.
Forest and lakeLake Manyara, Simba CampsiteBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: The Ngorongoro Crater, then Arusha
An early start down the crater wall for a game drive on the crater floor among buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest and lions, with a chance of a black rhino, then the drive back to Arusha in the afternoon.
Crater game driveNgorongoro, ArushaBreakfast, picnic lunch
Campsites on the 3-Day Camping Safari
We use public campsites with shared toilets and showers, which are basic and vary from site to site; hot water is not guaranteed:
| Area | Campsites we use (or similar) |
|---|---|
| Mto wa Mbu, near Lake Manyara | Fanaka Campsite, Lake Manyara Lodge and Campsite |
| Central Serengeti | Nyani Campsite, Engiterata Adventure Campsite |
| Ngorongoro crater rim | Simba Campsite |
Simba Campsite is unfenced, and animals sometimes walk through at night; stay in your tent after dark and follow your guide. More on what to expect in our camping safari guide.
How Much Does the 3-Day Camping Safari Cost?
US$1,125 per person for two travelers, which works out at US$375 per person per day with everything on the list below. For a group or a solo traveler, we quote the price for your group size.
Park fees on the 3-Day Tanzania Camping Safari
Included in the price; 2026 rates:
| Fee | 2026 rate (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Tarangire National Park | About US$59 per person per 24 hours |
| Lake Manyara National Park | About US$59 per person per 24 hours |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area (also charged when you drive through) | US$70.80 per person per 24 hours |
| Ngorongoro crater service fee | US$295 per vehicle per descent |
What the 3-Day Tanzania Camping Safari Includes
Your price covers:
- Sleeping tents and mattresses, set up at each campsite
- A cook, with hot breakfasts, picnic or packed lunches and dinners at camp
- Public campsite fees and all park fees, including the Ngorongoro crater service fee
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, a window seat for every guest (at most 6), charging points and a fridge for drinks, with your own driver-guide
- AMREF Flying Doctors evacuation cover
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Not included in the 3-Day Tanzania Camping Safari price
Bring or budget for:
- International flights and visas (US$100 for US citizens)
- Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult from October 1, 2026 (we can help you buy it)
- Travel insurance, including medical evacuation
- Tips for your guide and lodge staff
- Drinks, except where a lodge includes them, and personal items
- A sleeping bag: bring a warm one or ask us when you book
- Nights in Arusha before and after the safari
What to Pack for a Camping Safari
Nights on the crater rim are cold all year, so warm layers matter more than anything else. Bring a warm sleeping bag, a headlamp, flip-flops for the showers, a quick-dry towel and earplugs if you sleep lightly. Our safari packing list has the rest.
How to Book the 3-Day Tanzania Camping Safari
Send your dates and the number of travelers through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com. Our team sends a written quotation with each night's lodge named. Pay a 30% deposit to confirm, by Pesapal or a US-dollar bank transfer, and the rest when you arrive; our booking terms cover cancellations.
Common Questions About the 3-Day Camping Safari
Short answers to the questions our guests ask us most often:
How much is a 3-day camping safari in Tanzania?
US$1,125 per person for two travelers, including campsites, tents, meals, park fees, the crater fee and a private vehicle and guide.
Is camping on the crater rim safe?
Yes, when you follow the rules: stay in your tent after dark, keep it zipped and keep food out of it. Many travelers camp there every night.
How cold is Simba Campsite?
The rim is at about 7,500 ft (2,300 m), so nights are cold all year, often close to freezing. Bring a warm sleeping bag and layers.
Do the campsites have showers?
Most have basic shared showers and toilets; hot water is not guaranteed.
Is the vehicle shared with other travelers?
No. You have your own private vehicle and guide.
Should You Book the 3-Day Camping Safari?
Book it if you want Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater at the lowest price, with a night on the crater rim you won't forget, for US$1,125 per person. Add a day for the Serengeti with the 4-day camping safari, or see all our Tanzania safaris.