CAMPING SAFARI
5-DAY NORTHERN CIRCUIT CAMPING SAFARI
- Best Time: June to November
- High Season: July to September
Welcome to Tanzania!
Get ready for an unforgettable five-day camping adventure with Grey Joy Safari Adventures in Tanzania! This incredible journey takes you through some of the country’s most iconic national parks — including Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Along the way, you’ll have the chance to witness a variety of wildlife wonders: spot tree-climbing lions in the lush forests of Lake Manyara, follow the awe-inspiring wildebeest migration across the vast plains of the Serengeti, and keep an eye out for the rare black rhino inside the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater.
Let the adventure begin!
Tour Features
Budget camping
This is a budget camping tour.
Shared tour
On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 6 people per vehicle.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Cannot be customized
The contents of this tour cannot be changed.
Suitable for single travelers
Single travelers can join this group tour.
Minimum age of 2 years
The minimum age for this tour is 2 years.
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park – Welcome to the Wild
Your adventure begins bright and early at 8:00 AM, departing from Arusha with packed lunches in hand. Today’s destination is the beautiful Tarangire National Park, known for its vast herds of elephants, ancient baobab trees, and sweeping savannah landscapes. As you explore on a full-day game drive, keep your eyes peeled for lions, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and a wide variety of birds.
You’ll stop midday at a scenic picnic site inside the park to enjoy your packed lunch, immersed in the sounds of nature. In the afternoon, continue your safari through different areas of the park, especially along the Tarangire River—a vital water source where animals often gather during the dry season.
As the sun starts to dip, you’ll exit the park and head to Twiga Camp, located just outside the park, for dinner and your overnight stay. The camp offers cozy budget camping accommodations and even has a swimming pool—perfect for a refreshing dip after your first day in the wild.
Main Destination: Tarangire National Park
Accommodation: Twiga Camp (Budget camping, outside Tarangire NP)
Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided
Day 2: From Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park – A Day by the Lakeside
After breakfast, you’ll hit the road at 8:00 AM for Lake Manyara National Park, with your packed lunch ready for another exciting day. Nestled beneath the Great Rift Valley escarpment, this park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, massive troops of baboons, and flocks of pink flamingos lining the lake’s shore.
You’ll spend the day exploring the park’s diverse landscapes—from lush groundwater forests and grassy plains to acacia woodlands. Wildlife sightings may include elephants, giraffes, hippos, and a rich array of bird species. Midway through the day, you’ll enjoy lunch at one of the park’s peaceful picnic spots.
After your afternoon game drive, you’ll return to Twiga Camp by around 6:00 PM for a well-earned dinner and a relaxing evening. The camp’s swimming pool offers another chance to unwind and take in the views as the sun sets over the African bush.
Main Destination: Lake Manyara National Park
Accommodation: Twiga Camp (Budget camping, outside Lake Manyara NP)
Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided
Day 3: Journey to Serengeti National Park – Into the Endless Plains
Following an early breakfast, you’ll depart Twiga Camp at 7:00 AM with packed lunches and begin your drive toward Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s most iconic safari destination. Along the way, you’ll have the option to visit a traditional Maasai village (optional, at an extra cost) for a fascinating insight into their culture and way of life.
You’ll arrive at the Serengeti entrance by midday, enjoy your lunch, and head into the heart of the park—the Seronera region—for an afternoon game drive. This central area is known for its high concentration of wildlife, especially big cats like lions and leopards, and the classic savannah scenery.
As the day winds down, you’ll arrive at Seronera Campsite, your home for the night, nestled within the park. Enjoy dinner under the stars and fall asleep to the distant calls of the wild.
Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Seronera Campsite (Budget camping, inside Serengeti NP)
Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided
Day 4: Morning in Serengeti, Evening at Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Your day starts early with a sunrise game drive from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM—this is one of the best times to spot predators on the move. Look out for cheetahs, hyenas, and the Great Migration’s grazers such as wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles roaming the open plains.
After a late breakfast back at camp and a bit of rest, you’ll depart Serengeti around noon and begin the journey to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Enjoy an en-route game drive as you leave the Serengeti behind, passing through varied terrain and wildlife-rich corridors.
By late afternoon, you’ll reach Simba Campsite, perched on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater at 2,700 meters above sea level. From here, enjoy cool mountain air, forest surroundings, and spectacular views of the crater floor below. Dinner will be served at the camp, where you’ll spend the night.
Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation: Simba Campsite (Budget camping, on crater rim)
Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided
Day 5: Crater Safari and Return to Arusha – The Grand Finale
After an early breakfast, you’ll descend into the Ngorongoro Crater at 6:00 AM for a half-day game drive with packed lunches. This natural wonder, often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” is home to a stunning concentration of wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, lions, hyenas, and the rare black rhino.
You’ll explore the crater floor, stopping for a scenic picnic lunch by the Ngoitoktok Hippo Pool, where you can enjoy your meal while watching hippos wallow and birds wade through the shallows.
By around 1:00 PM, you’ll begin the drive back to Arusha, arriving in town or at your hotel by approximately 5:00 PM—bringing your unforgettable Tanzanian safari to a close.
Main Destination: Arusha (End of tour)
Accommodation: Not included
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch included; drinking water provided
END OF THE TOUR
Included
- Park fees(For non-residents)
- All activities(Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation(Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation(Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals(As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks(As specified in the day-by-day section)
Excluded
- International flights(From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips(Tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)
- Personal items(Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- The government imposed an increase in taxes and/or park fees
- Some meals(As specified in the day-by-day section)
- This tour starts and ends in Arusha/Moshi/Zanzibar
- Book your own international flights when using this operator
- A transfer from and back to the airport is included
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Important to Know
- This tour is not available to solo travelers or groups larger than 6 people.
- Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
- This tour accepts children who are 1 year and older.
Rates Per Person
Start dates | Solo1 tent | 2 people1 tent | 3 people2 tents | 4 people2 tents | 5+ people |
Jan 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025 | n/a* | $1,265 | $1,128 | $1,018 | Request a Quote |
Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026 | n/a* | $1,265 | $1,128 | $1,018 | Request a Quote |
*n/a = not available. This tour is unavailable for solo travelers or groups larger than 4 people.
