Camping in Tanzania is an extraordinary experience that every tourist must enjoy. In the gorgeous country of Tanzania, tourists can find magical sights of nature and greenery, ancient ruins and artefacts, breathtaking beaches, lively urban areas, mouthwatering dishes, friendly and helpful locals, exotic birds, and spectacular wildlife. A camping trip in Tanzania can be an exciting and enriching experience, Here is a step by step guide to help you plan your trip!
Step 1: Planning where to go
First you should decide where you want to go so you can plan accordingly. A great camping spot is the magnificent Serengeti, which is home to wildlife such as zebras, gazelles, Nile crocodiles, hippos, and wildebeests, and has a range of landscapes such as pools and rivers, the grassy hills, and the vast savannah. You could go to Ngorongoro Crater, where you find lions, leopards, elephants, antelopes, hyenas, buffaloes, and black rhinos! The vast grassland is excellent for a walking safari or game drive, and the perfect spot for a camping trip. You could also visit Tarangire National Park, where you can see wild animals such as giraffes, badgers, zebras, and baboons, as well as large herds of elephants and many species of exotic birds including herons, shrikes, storks, and ostrich. Other great camping locations include Lake Manyara National Park, Mahale Mountains National Park, Selous Game Reserve, and Ruaha National Park.
Lion Cub, Image Source: Christine Sponchia via Pixabay
Step 2: Choosing when to go
The timeline of your travel depends mostly on personal factors such as budget and events coming up in your life. Once you have a clear schedule, you should consider when you want to visit. From June to October, the region faces its dry season which means your camping will not be interrupted by rain. As animals gather near waterholes, game viewing is easy and fun. From July to October, the migrating wildebeests cross the Grumeti river, which is a spectacular sight to behold. The Great Migration of 2 million wildebeests is an extraordinary sight. In February, you can witness the calving season when 500.000 babies are born. November to March is the low season, with less tourists and lower prices as the region faces short rains. Game viewing is wonderful during these months.
Elephants in Serengeti National Park, Image Source: Nici Keil via Pixabay
Step 3: Online bookings
Online bookings can help you avail discounts and offers, avoid inconveniences, gain important information beforehand, and be prepared before the arrival. One has to make bookings for travel, facilities and accommodation, and these can help save time and avoid any last minute hastles. Get in touch with your tour guide and camping facility beforehand so you know what to expect.
Step 4: Packing
Before leaving for the trip, you should ensure you have packed everything that you might need during the vacation. This includes necessities such as important documents, devices such as mobile phones, cash or credit cards, clothing, a camera and spare batteries, necessary medication, tickets, proofs of bookings, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and body care products such as tissues and soaps.
- Documents: passport, tickets, visa/permit, health insurance, ID card
- Devices: phones, chargers, batteries, cameras, power bank, adapter
- Money: cash, wallet, credit and debit cards
- Products: gloves, masks, sanitizer, lotion, soap, dry shampoo, toilet paper, sanitary products, sunscreen, required medication, mosquito repellant
- Clothes: light weight, light colored fabrics, fleece or jacket, hat, scarf, shoes for comfortable walking, sandals or flip flops, clothing with pockets
- Other: binoculars, water bottles, torch, large towel, sleeping bag
Camping equipment is mostly provided by the lodge or camp. It is easy to find comfortable and luxurious accommodation, although joining in participatory camping allows tourists to help set up their own tents.
Giraffe in Tanzania, Image Source: ramalholore via Pixabay
Step 6: Activities
It is good to know beforehand what one can do in these locations. Exploring the region on foot is a good idea as it provides an authentic experience, but it is tiring and the area might get too unfamiliar. At the camps, tourists can enjoy the delicious local food. You can be one with nature and have a unique and memorable experience that might prove to be life changing. You can go on game drives, visit a nearby village for a cultural tour, or even have a cycling tour of the region. The Serengeti can be explored through a hot air balloon ride which provides a bird’s eye view of the vast and stunning location.
Acacia Tree in Tanzania, Image Source: Michelle Maria from Pixabay
Planning a camping trip can be difficult, but keeping in mind issues of budget, safety, location, timing, packing and booking, you can ensure that you have the trip of a lifetime, and never forget the exciting experiences you had in your camping trip in Tanzania.
