Camping or Lodge Safari in Tanzania? How to Choose
By Sam Diah | Founder, CEO & Head Tour Consultant, Tanzania Travel & Safari Company.
The short answer: choose a camping safari if you want the lowest price and the feeling of sleeping out in the wild, and a lodge safari if you want an en-suite bathroom, a proper bed and a hot shower every night. On our own itineraries of the same length, camping costs about 11–13% less: $1,950 against $2,200 for five days, and $2,300 against $2,650 for six. Both visit the same parks, in the same 4x4 safari vehicles with pop-up roofs, with the park fees included.
Prices are in US dollars per person and were last checked on 9 November 2026.
Camping vs lodge at a glance
| Camping safari | Lodge safari | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you sleep | Sturdy dome tents on public or private campsites, including campsites inside the parks | Permanent lodges or luxury tented camps |
| Bathroom | Shared campsite washrooms, usually basic | En-suite, with hot showers |
| Meals | Cooked at camp by a dedicated safari chef who travels with you | Lodge restaurant, often with a buffet or set menu |
| Extras | Campfire evenings, the sounds of the bush at night | Swimming pools at many lodges, bar and lounge |
| 5-day price | From $1,950 | From $2,200 |
| 6-day price | From $2,300 | From $2,650 |
| Best for | Budget travelers, adventurous couples and friends, anyone who wants to feel close to nature | Families with young children, honeymooners, anyone who values comfort after long days on the road |
What a camping safari is really like
On our camping safaris you travel with your own guide and a dedicated chef. The camping equipment is included, and the crew pitches the tents and cooks fresh meals at camp, so there is nothing for you to carry or set up. Some of our camping safaris use TTC Mobile Camp, our own camp set up near Makuyuni, close to Tarangire, and in the central Serengeti, together with Simba public campsite on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. You can see this on the 5-Day Budget Safari Adventure.
Campsites inside the parks are not fenced, which is a large part of their appeal: it is common to hear lions or hyenas at night. Your guide briefs you on staying safe, which mostly means staying in your tent after dark and using a torch when you step out.
Two things to prepare for. Washrooms at public campsites are shared and simple. And the Ngorongoro Crater rim sits at over 2,000 meters, so nights there are cold: pack a warm jacket and layers, even in the dry season.
What a lodge safari is really like
Lodge safaris stay in permanent wilderness lodges or luxury tented camps, with en-suite bathrooms, hot showers and a restaurant. Many lodges have a swimming pool, which is welcome after a dusty day in the vehicle. On our 3-Day Standard Lodge Safari, for example, you spend two nights at Endoro Lodge in Karatu, between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Many lodges sit just outside the park gates or on the crater rim, so you may drive a little further to the first game drive than you would from a campsite in the park. In return, you get a full night’s sleep in a real bed, and space to relax between drives.
Luxury tented camps: the middle ground
A luxury tented camp gives you the canvas walls and the sounds of the bush of a camping safari, with the beds, en-suite bathrooms and service of a lodge. Many are seasonal camps that move to follow the wildebeest migration. They cost more than standard lodges, so we quote them on request for your dates.
Same parks, same vehicles, same guides
Whichever you choose, the safari itself is the same. Our camping and lodge itineraries cover the same northern-circuit parks, Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, in the same 4x4 safari vehicles with pop-up roofs, with all park and crater fees included. The difference is only where you sleep and eat.
You do not have to choose one or the other for the whole trip. We can combine nights of camping in the Serengeti with a lodge on the Ngorongoro Crater rim in any itinerary; our 12-Day Footsteps of the Maasai safari is built that way.
Which should you choose?
- Choose camping if your budget is tight, you are traveling with friends or as an adventurous couple, and you want to fall asleep to the sounds of the bush.
- Choose lodges if you are traveling with young children, on a honeymoon, or simply sleep better in a real bed with your own bathroom.
- Mix the two if you want the wild nights in the Serengeti and a comfortable finish on the crater rim.
Frequently asked questions
Is a camping safari in Tanzania safe?
Yes, when you follow your guide’s briefing. Campsites in the parks are unfenced and animals do pass through, so you stay in your tent at night and keep food out of it. Your guide and crew camp with you.
Do I need my own camping gear?
No. The camping equipment is included in our camping safaris, and the crew sets up and takes down the camp. Bring warm clothes, a headlamp or torch, and any personal items.
Is a camping safari good for families?
It can be, with older children who enjoy an adventure. For younger children, a lodge safari is usually easier: en-suite bathrooms, a pool and more space. Our 6-Day Tanzania Family Adventure is designed with families in mind.
How much cheaper is camping than staying in lodges?
On our own itineraries, about 11–13% for the same number of days. See our guide How Much Does a Tanzania Safari Cost? for prices by trip length.
Plan your safari
Tell us your dates, your group and whether you lean towards camping, lodges or a mix, and our team in Arusha will send you a tailored quote within 48 hours. You can also browse all our wildlife safaris.
