4-Days budget Camping Safari

Trip Overview
Itinerary
Cost Info

Trip Overview

Discover the wild beauty of Tanzania on a 4-day budget camping safari with Gardenia African Safaris. Explore three iconic national parks: Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara, each offering diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. Enjoy thrilling game drives led by experienced guides, spotting elephants, lions, zebras, flamingos, and possibly rare rhinos. Overnight stays at Twiga Public Campsite in Mto wa Mbu offer comfort, local interaction, and authentic safari charm. This package is ideal for adventurous travelers seeking a close-to-nature experience without sacrificing quality. All meals, park fees, and camping equipment are included. The journey ends with a scenic return to Arusha or airport drop-off, marking the conclusion of an unforgettable wilderness adventure with Gardenia African Safaris.

Itinerary

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1
Arrival in Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha, a Gardenia African Safaris representative will warmly greet you. You’ll be transferred to your lodge or designated campsite in Arusha. After check-in, relax and refresh from your journey. In the late afternoon or early evening, meet your professional safari guide for a detailed briefing on your upcoming adventure. They will review the itinerary, discuss wildlife expectations, and answer questions. This day is all about settling in, adjusting to the local environment, and preparing for the days ahead. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore Arusha town or visit a local market or cultural site as an optional activity. Dinner will be served at your accommodation. Rest well—the wild awaits you tomorrow. Overnight stay in Arusha ensures you're positioned perfectly for an early departure toward Tarangire National Park and the beginning of your unforgettable Tanzanian safari adventure with Gardenia African Safaris.

Accommodation: Tulia Boutique Hotel

Meals: Full Board
Day 2
Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, depart Arusha for Tarangire National Park—approximately a two-hour scenic drive through Maasai villages and savannah landscapes. Upon arrival at the park gate, begin your first game drive. Tarangire is famous for its massive elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and golden savannahs. As you drive deeper into the park, keep your eyes open for lions resting under trees, giraffes gracefully moving through the bush, and large troops of baboons. The Tarangire River, which flows year-round, attracts a rich concentration of wildlife including wildebeests, impalas, hartebeests, and a wide variety of bird species like lilac-breasted rollers and hornbills. Enjoy a packed picnic lunch at a designated viewpoint inside the park. In the late afternoon, exit the park and drive to Twiga Public Campsite in Mto wa Mbu. Settle in, shower, and enjoy dinner around a campfire.

Accommodation: Twiga Public Campsite

Meals: Full Board
Day 3
Ngorongoro Crater .
Rise early and departure for Ngorongoro Conservation Area, arriving at the crater rim just after sunrise. After registration, descend 600 meters into the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This natural enclosure is home to over 25,000 animals, offering unmatched game viewing in a compact area. Your morning game drive will cover the crater floor, where you may spot the endangered black rhino grazing peacefully, large prides of lions lounging near watering holes, and massive bull elephants wandering the grasslands. Hippos wallow in freshwater pools, while flamingos decorate Lake Magadi’s shores. Zebra, wildebeest, jackals, hyenas, and cheetahs also inhabit this fertile basin. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a scenic crater-viewing area before continuing your drive. In the late afternoon, ascend the crater wall and return to Twiga Campsite in Mto wa Mbu. Reflect on the day’s sightings over dinner and rest under the African sky.

Accommodation: Twiga Public Campsite

Meals: Full Board
Day 4
Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, head to Lake Manyara National Park, a short drive from Mto wa Mbu. Known for its lush groundwater forest, tree-climbing lions, and bird-rich soda lake, this compact park is a biodiverse gem. Begin your morning game drive through forested areas where you may encounter blue monkeys, baboons, and elephants emerging from the trees. Drive along the lake’s edge to spot hippos wallowing in the shallows and flamingos painting the water pink. Keep an eye on tree branches for the unique sight of lions resting above ground. Manyara is also home to bushbucks, warthogs, waterbucks, and countless bird species. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated site overlooking the lake. After lunch, enjoy a final short game drive before exiting the park. Return to Arusha by late afternoon or receive an airport drop-off for your flight. Your unforgettable safari with Gardenia African Safaris concludes here—rich with memories and incredible wildlife encounters.