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Home Safari Northern Tanzania Budget Camping Safari 5 Days

Northern Tanzania Budget Camping Safari 5 Days

5 Days 📍Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park 👤1-7 people 💰From $1,250 USD*

Overview

This 5-day budget camping safari covers three of the Northern Circuit's classic parks: Lake Manyara National Park, known for its birdlife and predator sightings; the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with its wildlife-dense crater; and the Serengeti, offering some of the widest variety of animals anywhere in Tanzania.

Camping accommodation throughout keeps this itinerary genuinely affordable, making it a strong option for travelers who want real access to the Northern Circuit's highlights without lodge-level pricing.

See our budget safari cost guide, or contact us to book this itinerary.

Like every itinerary Abakombe Tours and Safaris runs, this one is a starting point rather than a fixed package — tell us your dates and what matters most to you, and we'll adjust the route, pace and accommodation level to fit.
Route
Map of Tanzania showing this tour's real route Day 2-4 Day 4-5 Day 1-2
Tanzania 🇹🇿
StartSerengeti National Park (Day 1)
EndLake Manyara National Park (Day 5)
Tour Features
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Tailor-madeAccommodation level and pace adjusted to you.
Can be customizedRequest changes to this itinerary any time before booking.
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Private tourOrganized for you and your group only.
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Can start any daySubject to availability.
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Private vehicleYour own 4x4 safari jeep and driver-guide.
Start / EndSerengeti National Park to Lake Manyara National Park
Accommodation & Meals
AccommodationConfirmed together with you — see the Rates tab for general comfort levels we work with.
MealsFull board on safari days; meals as specified for any city/beach nights, per your final itinerary.
Next: Day by Day →

Day by Day (5 days)

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Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park— Game drive.
Day 1 Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park— Game drive.

You will be met at the reception of your hotel in Arusha and driven to the Lake Manyara National Park. Not only is this park a bird-lover’s paradise with over 400 species of birds, but is also home to primates such as baboons and blue monkeys and many herbivores, such as elephants, hippos, wildebeests, impalas, and giraffes. You might even catch a glimpse of the carnivorous inhabitants, such as leopards and lions. . After extensive game viewing, you will leave the park and head to Kizumba Camp Site  for dinner and overnight. The camp is located at the top of the East African Rift Valley.

Main Destination: Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park— Game drive.
Midrange Accommodation: Zondela House Midrange-tier lodge or camp in Arusha
Luxury Accommodation: Manyara Best View Lodge & Spa Luxury-tier lodge or camp in Lake Manyara
Budget Accommodation: Available upon request — tell us your budget and we'll find the right fit near Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park— Game drive..
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Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park— Game drive
Day 2 Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park— Game drive

After the breakfast plates have been cleared, you will continue towards the fertile highland where wheat, coffee, and corn are grown by the Iraqw people. Passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you will be able to see the breath-taking Ngorongoro Crater viewpoint before traveling onward to the Serengeti National Park which you will reach by midday. You have the chance for an evening game drive in the Park.  Your overnight will be at the Seronera Nyani Campsite  area in central Serengeti.

Main Destination: Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park— Game drive
Midrange Accommodation: Luwela Camp (by Lake Duluti Lodge) Midrange-tier lodge or camp in Central Serengeti
Luxury Accommodation: Kiriche Luxury Camp Luxury-tier lodge or camp in Central Serengeti
Budget Accommodation: Available upon request — tell us your budget and we'll find the right fit near Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park— Game drive.
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Full day game drive in Serengeti National Park
Day 3 Full day game drive in Serengeti National Park

Today, you will explore the Serengeti National Park in a full-day game drive. Your guide will take you closer to where the wildebeest migrating herds are to be found. During the short rainy season in November and December, the herds make their way from the hills in the north to the plains of the south, returning north during the longer rainy season from April to June. Lurking close by, you might even spot some leopards, cheetahs, and lions. After an eventful day you will return to your campsite for dinner and an overnight stay.

Main Destination: Full day game drive in Serengeti National Park
Midrange Accommodation: Luwela Camp (by Lake Duluti Lodge) Midrange-tier lodge or camp in Central Serengeti
Luxury Accommodation: Kiriche Luxury Camp Luxury-tier lodge or camp in Central Serengeti
Budget Accommodation: Available upon request — tell us your budget and we'll find the right fit near Full day game drive in Serengeti National Park.
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Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 4 Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area

In the early morning, you will set out on another game drive in the Serengeti before continuing towards the Ngorongoro Crater. Soon the 600 meters deep unbroken caldera will open up before you and you will have a moment to take in the fantastic, awe-inspiring views of the collapsed volcano. Your campsite lies directly on the crater’s edge, offering a once-in-a-lifetime view as the sun slowly sets over the crater. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Simba- A campsite.

Main Destination: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Midrange Accommodation: Luwela Camp (by Lake Duluti Lodge) Midrange-tier lodge or camp in Central Serengeti
Luxury Accommodation: Kiriche Luxury Camp Luxury-tier lodge or camp in Central Serengeti
Budget Accommodation: Available upon request — tell us your budget and we'll find the right fit near Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
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Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha Town
Day 5 Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha Town

Early in the morning, you will head down the forested slopes into the crater on a steep and narrow path. The crater floor is covered in open grassland with the occasional acacia tree and two small wooded areas. You will be able to see many animals in a short period of time and might even be able to tick the “Big Five” – lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard – off your list. You will spend the entire morning exploring the park and after a picnic lunch in the crater, you will return to Arusha where you will arrive by early evening. END OF THE TOUR.

Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha Town
Accommodation: Departure day — no accommodation booked for tonight.
Next: Rates →

Rates Per Person

Important to know: exact pricing depends on your travel dates, group size and accommodation level. The figure below is a starting estimate, not a fixed quote — international flights, visas, tips and personal expenses are never included.
FROM
$1,250 USD
per person, based on 1-7 people

See "Accommodation & Meals" on the Overview tab for the general comfort levels available — send us your dates and group size for an exact quote.

Next: Inclusions →

Inclusions

Included

  • Private vehicle with your own driver-guide
  • Park entry and conservation fees
  • Accommodation as specified in your itinerary
  • Meals as specified per day (full board on safari days)
  • Airport pickup and drop-off

Excluded

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
Next: Getting There →

Getting There

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Tour Start & End

This trip starts in Serengeti National Park and ends in Lake Manyara National Park.

Airport Information

Kilimanjaro International Airport and Mwanza Airport are the most common arrival points, depending on your route.

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Transfer Information

Airport pickup and all transfers between destinations are included and arranged by our team.

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Accommodation Before/After

Need a night in Mwanza or Arusha before or after this trip? We can arrange that on request.

Get a Free Quote →
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