For travellers who are short on time or budget but still want a genuine taste of the northern circuit, this three-day camping safari packs two of Tanzania's most rewarding parks into a compact loop. Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its unusual tree-climbing lions and dense forest-to-lake habitats, while the Ngorongoro Crater delivers a full day of Big Five game viewing on one of the most wildlife-dense floors on earth.
To keep the trip affordable, it runs on public campsites with a dedicated cook and camp crew rather than lodges, so you get the same parks and wildlife covered by our longer itineraries at a fraction of the time and cost.
Lake Manyara's famously unusual resident prides
A full-day Big Five descent onto the caldera floor
Public campsites with a full camp crew and cook
Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater both hold resident wildlife year-round, so this is a rewarding trip in any season. The dry months of June through October bring the clearest skies and easiest driving conditions, while the green season from November to May is quieter and greener, with the flamingo-lined lake at its fullest, though some campsite tracks can be muddier after heavy rain.
Depart Arusha after breakfast and drive to Lake Manyara National Park for an afternoon game drive through the park's groundwater forest and open lake shore, keeping an eye out for the resident tree-climbing lions. Continue on to a public campsite near Karatu for the night.
An early descent onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a full day of Big Five game viewing across open grassland, forest, and soda lake, with a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool. Climb back up to the rim in the late afternoon and return to the same campsite for a second night.
Break camp after breakfast and drive back to Arusha, with a stop along the way to break up the journey, arriving at your hotel by early afternoon.
Prices are per person for the complete 3-day, 2-night camping safari, including hotel pickup and drop-off in Arusha. Rates decrease with larger groups.
| Group Size | Price (Per Person) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person (Private) | $1,450 | Available |
| 2–3 People | $1,050 | Available |
| 4+ People | $850 | Available |
Price includes everything: private guiding, all park and crater descent fees, camping fees, a cook and camp crew, all meals from Day 1 lunch through Day 3 breakfast, and hotel transfers. No hidden costs. A dome tent, mattress, and camp chairs are provided; a sleeping bag can be rented on request.
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), roughly a 45-minute drive from Arusha, where the safari begins and ends. Onward flights to Zanzibar or other destinations can be arranged after Day 3.
Pickup is available from any hotel in Arusha town centre on the morning of Day 1, with drop-off back at the same hotel on the afternoon of Day 3.
Transport is by private 4x4 safari vehicle throughout, which doubles as the game-viewing vehicle for all game drives and the crater descent.
Warm layers for the Karatu campsite, a headlamp, sunscreen, a hat, binoculars if you have them, and a sleeping bag if not renting one from us.
Arusha, Tanzania • Established 2015
Nashivai Safaris is a locally owned and operated safari company based in Arusha, Tanzania. Alongside our premium lodge safaris, we run a range of budget camping itineraries for travellers who want the same parks and wildlife at a more accessible price.
We only had a few days to spare and this fit perfectly. Saw two lions up in the trees at Manyara, then the crater floor the next day was incredible.
— Grace O., UK • June 2024Great short safari before flying to Zanzibar. Camping was simple but the crew looked after us well and the guide knew exactly where to find wildlife.
— Noah & Ellie, USA • August 2024