What You Need to Know: The 5-day camping safari costs US$1,875 per person for two travelers (US$375 per person per day). It includes four nights at public campsites (Mto wa Mbu, two in the central Serengeti and the 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 from and back to Arusha.
Who Is the 5-Day Camping Safari Best For?
Travelers who want proper time in the Serengeti on a budget. The extra night on the plains means a full day there, which is when the best sightings tend to happen: a lion hunt in the afternoon heat, a leopard coming down from its tree, or the migration herds passing through the central plains. It is the camping safari we recommend if you can spare five days.
| This safari suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| You want a full Serengeti day on a budget | You'd like lodges on a similar route: the 5-day lodge safari |
| Two nights of Serengeti campfires appeal | You have four days: the 4-day Serengeti camping safari |
| You're happy with shared campsite facilities | You want the calving herds: the 5-day budget calving group safari |
5-Day Camping Safari Itinerary
Tarangire, two Serengeti nights and the crater. Day by day:
-
Day 1: Tarangire and Mto wa Mbu
After pickup in Arusha you head to Tarangire for its elephant herds, then to camp at Mto wa Mbu.
ElephantsTarangire, Mto wa MbuLunch, dinner -
Day 2: Into the Serengeti
Over the highlands and across the short-grass plains into the Serengeti, with a game drive to your campsite near Seronera.
PlainsCentral Serengeti campsiteBreakfast, picnic lunch, dinner -
Day 3: A full day on the Serengeti plains
Out at sunrise and back at sunset, following the Seronera River and the kopjes; your guide plans the day around what you most want to see, with a picnic in the park.
Big catsCentral Serengeti campsiteBreakfast, picnic lunch, dinner -
Day 4: Serengeti to the crater rim
A last morning drive, then back to the highlands and Simba Campsite on the crater rim for a cold, starry night.
Game driveSerengeti, Simba CampsiteBreakfast, picnic lunch, dinner -
Day 5: The crater floor, then Arusha
An early descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, a morning on the crater floor, then the drive back to Arusha.
Crater game driveNgorongoro, ArushaBreakfast, picnic lunch
Campsites on the 5-Day Safari
Four nights at public campsites, "or similar":
| 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 |
Toilets and showers are shared and simple. See what to expect in the camping safari guide.
How Much Does the 5-Day Camping Safari Cost?
US$1,875 per person for two travelers, US$375 per person per day; other group sizes are priced in your quotation.
Park fees on the 5-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 |
| Serengeti National Park | US$82.60 per person per 24 hours |
| Concession fee (nights inside the parks and on the crater rim) | Per person per night, by season |
| 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 5-Day Tanzania Camping Safari Includes
What you get:
- 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 5-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
When to Go Camping in Tanzania
The dry season, June to October, is the most comfortable time to camp, with cool nights and little rain. December to March is warm and green, with short showers and the calving herds in the south. We don't recommend camping in the long rains of April and May. See the best time for a Tanzania safari.
How to Book the 5-Day Tanzania Camping Safari
Send your dates and group size through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com. We reply from Moshi with a written quotation naming every lodge or campsite for your dates. A 30% deposit confirms the trip and the balance is paid on arrival, by Pesapal (card or mobile money) or bank transfer in US dollars; cancellations follow our booking terms.
Common Questions About the 5-Day Camping Safari
Short answers to the questions our guests ask us most often:
How much is a 5-day camping safari in Tanzania?
US$1,875 per person for two travelers, including campsites, tents, meals, park and crater fees and a private vehicle and guide.
Is 5 days enough for the Serengeti?
For a camping safari, yes: two nights and a full day on the plains, plus Tarangire and the crater.
What do you eat on a camping safari?
Your cook prepares hot breakfasts, picnic or packed lunches and dinners at camp; vegetarian, vegan and allergy needs are followed.
Will we see the migration?
It depends on the month: the herds pass through the central Serengeti at times, are in the south from December to March and in the north from July to October.
Can a solo traveler book a camping safari?
Yes. We quote the price for one; it is higher per person because the vehicle isn't shared.
Should You Book the 5-Day Camping Safari?
Book it if you want a full day in the Serengeti, Tarangire and the crater, sleeping under canvas, for US$1,875 per person. Shorter on time? The 4-day and 3-day camping safaris are cheaper. See all our Tanzania safaris.