Overview:
This brief camping safari in Tanzania commences and concludes in Arusha, traversing the game-abundant Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit. This economical Tanzania Safari is suitable for those with constrained time and finances.
Commence your economical African safari at the varied Lake Manyara National Park, one of Tanzania’s most exquisite game reserves. Embark on a 4×4 wildlife drive in the picturesque Lake Manyara National Park, renowned for its tree-climbing lions, baboon groups, diverse avifauna, and elephant herds. Subsequently, investigate the renowned Serengeti National Park, habitat of abundant predators and the annual Great Migration. Ultimately, engage in game viewing at the renowned Ngorongoro Crater, home to Africa’s Big Five and a plethora of additional animals.
This exclusive Budget Tanzania Safari provides a visually stunning and wildlife-abundant experience in one of Africa’s premier safari destinations.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania
This four-day budget safari in Tanzania visits three of the country’s premier wildlife reserves. Your journey will commence at Lake Mayara, followed by Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, all situated within the Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit.
Our Tanzania Camping Safari commences with a brief tour orientation in Arusha before we proceed westward to Lake Manyara National Park. This tiny national park, our initial safari location in Tanzania, is among the most stunning wilderness regions in the country. Our journey traverses the picturesque terrains of northern Tanzania, passing through the varied settlement of Mto wa Mbu, and into the Great Rift Valley.
This afternoon, we commence the inaugural wildlife expedition of our Tanzania Safari. We traverse the picturesque Lake Manyara Park on a 4×4 safari, appreciating the breathtaking landscapes and observing wildlife. This national park is situated in the Great Rift Valley, at the foot of the steep Rift Valley escarpment, encompassing shallow soda lakes and wooded regions. The game drive occurs in an open-topped safari vehicle, optimal for observing animals and avifauna. The varied national park is characterized by Lake Manyara, an alkaline lake situated in the Great Rift Valley. Lake Manyara draws a diverse array of waterbirds, with more than 400 bird species documented in the area. Observations encompass migratory species and aquatic avifauna, including cormorants, geese, pelicans, and storks. During certain seasons, flamingos congregate at the lake in the thousands.
Lake Manyara National Park is renowned for its tree-climbing lions, large baboon troops, and a plethora of elephants, particularly formidable bull elephants with remarkable tusks. Additional animals we may encounter include buffalo, cheetahs, wildebeest, zebras, Masai giraffes, hippopotamuses, monkeys, and diverse species of antelope. The area is inhabited by numerous warthogs, hippos, mongooses, monkeys, and a few elusive leopards.
In the late afternoon, we depart from the picturesque Lake Manyara and proceed to our initial overnight camp in the settlement of Mto wa Mbu.
Repasts: Luncheon; Supper
Distance: 140 kilometers (about 2-3 hours)
Day 2: Transition from Lake Manyara Region to Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
Day two commences with breakfast at our campsite in Mto wa Mbu. Subsequently, our Tanzania Safari proceeds to Serengeti National Park across the highlands of Tanzania.
in approximately noon, we arrive in Tanzania’s premier wildlife park and get our initial encounter with the renowned Serengeti Plains. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s largest and most renowned national park, is frequently regarded as the premier safari destination in Africa. This varied wildlife area supports abundant animal life year-round. It encompasses a variety of vegetation zones, ecosystems, and landscapes in northern Tanzania, adjacent to Masai Mara in Kenya. While traveling to our camp, we traverse several habitats of the Serengeti, including grassland plains, savannahs, dense scrub, marshes, and lakes. Observe the unusual stone formations, referred to as kopjes, scattered throughout the expansive plains teeming with wildlife.
The Great Migration may be observed in Serengeti National Park, contingent upon the season. This renowned natural phenomenon witnesses the annual migration of thousands of animals between the Serengeti and Masai Mara. During the brief wet season in November and December, one may observe herds migrate from the northern hills to the southern plains while on safari. The migration of the herds is contingent upon annual rainfall, resulting in variability in both the specific sites and time of the migration. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you to the prime locations in Serengeti for wildlife observation during your safari, maximizing your experience regardless of the migratory status.
This evening, we will camp in central Serengeti, an area famous for its large feline observations and diverse fauna.
Repasts: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Distance: 200 kilometers (about 4 to 6 hours)
Day 3: Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
On the third day of our Budget Tanzania Safari, we embark on an exhilarating early morning game drive in the Serengeti. Observe a tranquil sunrise over the expansive Serengeti Plains as we view creatures traversing the bush in the early morning illumination.
In the Seronera region of central Serengeti, herds of wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores are frequently observed in proximity to predatory animals. With fortune, we may observe lions, cheetahs, and potentially leopards in Serengeti National Park.
Following our fulfilling wildlife drive, we return to our tent for a substantial breakfast. Subsequently, we exit the Serengeti, surveying the plains for wildlife along the route. Departing the beautiful Serengeti Plains, we ascend into the highlands en route to our ultimate Tanzanian safari destination, the renowned Ngorongoro Crater. This afternoon, we arrive at the crater rim and observe the breathtaking landscape. We establish our camp on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, absorbing the vistas of this 600-meter deep caldera (unflooded volcano) as the sun descends.
Repasts: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Distance: 140 kilometers (about 3 to 5 hours)
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha, Tanzania
On the final day, we partake in an early breakfast at our campsite with a view of the crater. Subsequently, we descend into the renowned Ngorongoro Crater for the concluding 4×4 wildlife expedition of our Budget Tanzania Safari. The trees on the steep crater slopes rapidly transition to acacia-dotted savannahs abundant in wildlife. The Ngorongoro Crater is renowned as Africa’s Garden of Eden for compelling reasons.
Ngorongoro constitutes a segment of the Serengeti habitat, abundant with African fauna. It is a vast caldera measuring 18 km in diameter, with walls reaching heights of 600 m. This UNESCO World Heritage Site hosts the highest density of mammals in Africa, with over 25,000 big animals. The varied ecosystems present on the rich crater floor sustain an extensive array of fauna, including elephants, monkeys, hyenas, jackals, hippos, and herds of zebras, wildebeests, buffalo, and other antelope species.
The Ngorongoro Crater is home to Africa’s Big Five, with one of the greatest lion populations globally. Nearly all wild animal species inhabiting the savannahs of East Africa are present in this small crater. Ngorongoro Crater provides premier wildlife observation and is regarded as one of the optimal locations to photograph the endangered black rhino.
Following a dynamic morning of wildlife observation, we pause for a picnic lunch in the Ngorongoro Crater. Subsequently, we scale the precipitous crater walls, departing from the temperate highlands. We return to Arusha, the origin of this economical camping safari in Tanzania. We traverse the Great Rift Valley, renowned for its stunning landscapes and diverse fauna, extending over 6000 kilometers from Syria in the north to Mozambique in Southern Africa.
We return to Arusha in the early evening, marking the conclusion of this remarkable journey on the Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit.
Repasts: Breakfast; Lunch
Distance: 190 kilometers (about 3 to 4 hours)
Notice Regarding Tanzania Camping Safari
This brief and economical Tanzania Safari is the perfect complement to Zanzibar holiday excursions or Tanzania hiking expeditions. For further information, please contact African Budget Safaris.
Explanation of the Wildebeest Great Migration
The Wildebeest Great Migration is a seasonal phenomenon. It is a dynamic and unexpected natural wildlife occurrence. Consequently, witnessing the Great Migration cannot be assured.
The wildebeest and other wild herbivores migrate between the Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania. These herds traverse an extensive circular path of approximately 1200 miles (1931 kilometers). It is a perpetual migration of wildlife observable in various regions at distinct periods throughout the year. During some parts of this annual migration, the animals either disperse or decelerate, whilst at other times, the migration accelerates, resulting in larger and denser herds. The Wildebeest Great Migration not only differs by location and season but also fluctuates annually in the travel of these substantial animal herds.
Consult a travel advisor from African Budget Safaris on the Wildebeest Great Migration during your safari for further information. Additionally, consult our comprehensive essay regarding the Great Migration in the Serengeti and Masai Mara.