10 Days Budget Camping Safari
Arusha, Ngorongoro, Serengeti & Lake Natron
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), your safari guide will warmly greet you and transfer you to Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania. Along the way, admire the majestic Mount Meru towering above the city. After check-in at your lodge, receive a detailed safari briefing covering your adventure. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in the lodge’s tranquil gardens.
Overnight: Outpost Lodge
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 2: Walking Safari in Arusha National Park
Begin your adventure with a guided walking safari in Arusha National Park, accompanied by an armed ranger. Traverse varied landscapes — from montane forest to open savannah — with stunning views of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro (on clear days). Spot colobus monkeys, flamingos at Momella Lakes, and bushbuck or giraffes grazing peacefully nearby.
Overnight: Outpost Lodge
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 3: Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park
Journey to Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions and abundant birdlife. Explore groundwater forests, acacia woodlands, and the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Spot elephants, hippos, giraffes, and thousands of pink flamingos lining the lake shore.
Overnight: Karatu Peak Hotel
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater
Descend into the legendary Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Big Five. This natural wonder shelters over 25,000 animals, including black rhinos, lions, and elephants. Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the crater’s breathtaking scenery before heading to camp on the crater rim.
Overnight: Simba A Public Campsite
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 5: Serengeti National Park
Drive across the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to reach the endless plains of the Serengeti. En route, visit Olduvai Gorge, known as the Cradle of Mankind, where early human fossils were discovered. Continue with game viewing as you enter the park, spotting predators and grazing herds across the plains.
Overnight: Public Campsite in Serengeti
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 6: Full Day Game Drive in Serengeti
Spend a full day exploring Serengeti National Park, following the Great Wildebeest Migration routes (seasonal). Witness vast herds of wildebeest and zebras, and track lions, cheetahs, and leopards on the hunt. Enjoy sunrise and sunset game drives — the golden hours of the Serengeti.
Overnight: Public Campsite in Serengeti
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 7: Journey to Lake Natron
Travel north to the surreal landscapes of Lake Natron, famous for its flamingo colonies and volcanic backdrop. Hike through the Engero Sero Gorge to the refreshing waterfalls, where you can swim in natural pools. Enjoy the view of Ol Doinyo Lengai, Tanzania’s only active volcano and a sacred mountain for the Maasai.
Overnight: Lake Natron Campsite
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 8: Lake Natron – Tarangire National Park
Start your day with a sunrise walk along the lake shore, watching flamingos in the morning light. After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, known for its ancient baobab trees and large elephant herds.
Overnight: Tarangire 1 Public Campsite
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 9: Tarangire – Return to Arusha
Enjoy a morning game drive through Tarangire’s wildlife-filled plains, spotting elephants, zebras, giraffes, and maybe even lions. After lunch, return to Arusha, reflecting on your safari memories.
Overnight: Outpost Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 10: Farewell Tanzania
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning before your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight. Leave Tanzania with unforgettable memories of its wildlife, landscapes, and warm hospitality.
