Package Overview What this trip is, in a nutshell
Under Canvas is a six-day small-group camping safari for travelers who would rather spend their budget on time inside Tanzania's great wildlife areas than on lodge rooms. The route begins with Lake Manyara's groundwater forest and lakeshore, crosses the Ngorongoro highlands into the Central Serengeti for two nights, continues to a cold but spectacular night on the Ngorongoro crater rim, descends to the crater floor, and finishes among Tarangire's baobabs and elephant country.
All five nights are genuine public-campsite camping in supplied dome tents. The safari chef and camp crew pitch and strike camp, cook fresh meals, provide mattresses and sleeping bags, and heat washing water. Campsites have shared ablutions, limited electricity and no dependable Wi-Fi. Serengeti campsites may be unfenced and wildlife can move through at night, so every traveler must follow the guide's camp-safety briefing.
The shared pop-up-roof 4x4 carries no more than seven travelers and provides a window seat for each guest. A minimum of four confirmed travelers is required for a departure to run. This shared structure keeps the headline rate accessible while retaining an experienced English-speaking Tanzania guide-driver, a full camp crew, park fees, crater fees, game drives, meals from Day 1 lunch onward, drinking water and round-trip Kilimanjaro Airport transfers.
Wildlife possibilities across the route include lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, zebra, wildebeest and, with luck in Ngorongoro Crater, black rhino. Great Migration herds may be accessible from Central Serengeti between roughly December and March, but migration positions, river crossings and individual wildlife sightings are natural events and cannot be guaranteed.
The displayed USD 1,201 rate is the supplied high-season estimate per person for two travelers joining a shared departure. The supplied estimates range from USD 1,030 to USD 1,250 per person according to season and booking size; child, single-tent and private-departure rates differ. Exact dates, campsite allocation, group confirmation, government fees and requested upgrades are reconfirmed in a personal quotation.
Package Summary Everything at a glance
| Item | Package detail |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 Days / 5 Nights |
| Safari type | Shared (Group Joining) |
| Comfort level | Budget |
| Starting point | Arusha, with Kilimanjaro International Airport transfers included |
| Ending point | Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport |
| Main destinations | Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Manyara |
| Accommodation type | Camping (Camping, Tented Camp) |
| Meal plan | Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Picnic lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Picnic brunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Picnic lunch, Dinner for late-departure flights |
| Suitable travellers | Family, Friends, Sole travellers, Couples and small groups |
| Customization | Yes — this itinerary can be tailored to you |
Route Overview 6 days — where you go and how far
| Day | Route | Overnight | Approx. distance | Approx. time | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arusha → Mto wa Mbu and Lake Manyara National Park → Public campsite near Lake Manyara National Park | Manyara | About 130 km, plus the park game-drive circuit | About 2.5 hours of road driving, plus a full afternoon game drive | — |
| Day 2 | Lake Manyara area public campsite → Ngorongoro highlands and Naabi Hill → Seronera public campsite, Central Serengeti | Serengeti | About 210 km | About 5-6 hours, broken by viewpoints and afternoon game viewing | — |
| Day 3 | Seronera public campsite, Central Serengeti → Seronera River, Retima Hippo Pool and kopje circuits → Same Central Serengeti public campsite | Serengeti | Flexible local game-drive loops | Typically a full day with picnic lunch or two drives with a camp break | — |
| Day 4 | Central Serengeti public campsite → Seronera Valley, Naabi Hill and Malanja Depression → Public campsite on the Ngorongoro crater rim | Ngorongoro | About 190 km | About 5 hours, structured as game drives with breaks | — |
| Day 5 | Ngorongoro crater-rim public campsite → Ngorongoro Crater floor → Public campsite in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area | Ngorongoro | About 60 km including crater access roads | About 1.5 hours of road driving, plus up to 5 hours in the crater | — |
| Day 6 | Ngorongoro Conservation Area public campsite → Karatu, Tarangire National Park and Maasai Steppe → Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport | No accommodation — departure day | About 240 km total, plus the Tarangire game-drive circuit | About 4 hours of road driving, plus a half-day game drive | — |
Distances and driving times are indicative and vary with road and game-viewing conditions.
Day 1 Lake Manyara - Forest, Flamingos and the First Camp
Day 1 — Lake Manyara - Forest, Flamingos and the First Camp
| Starting location | Arusha |
|---|---|
| Pass-by location | Mto wa Mbu and Lake Manyara National Park |
| Ending location | Public campsite near Lake Manyara National Park |
| Main destination | Manyara |
| Approx. departure | 08:00 from the Arusha hotel |
| Approx. arrival at lodge | Approximately 18:00 |
| Approx. distance | About 130 km, plus the park game-drive circuit |
| Approx. road-driving duration | About 2.5 hours of road driving, plus a full afternoon game drive |
Day description
Meet the guide and fellow travelers in Arusha, then drive along the Great Rift Valley to Lake Manyara. Explore groundwater forest, acacia woodland, hippo pools, hot springs and the seasonal lakeshore before the first public-campsite night.
Morning
Meet the group for a briefing, load the shared vehicle and travel west along the Rift Valley escarpment toward Mto wa Mbu and Lake Manyara.
Afternoon
Enter Lake Manyara after a picnic lunch and explore groundwater forest, acacia woodland, hippo pools, hot springs and accessible lakeshore habitat.
Evening
Arrive at the public campsite where the crew has pitched the tents and heated washing water. Eat a fresh camp dinner and settle into the first night under canvas.
Landscapes & attractions
Wildlife possibilities
Photography opportunities
Read about where you are
Activities
- 🏞 Transfer — Arusha To Lake Manyara (3 Hours)
- 🏞 Game Drive — Lake Manyara National Park (Half Day)
- 🏞 Bird Watching — Lake Manyara National Park (Half Day)
- 🏞 Camping — Lake Manyara Area Public Campsite (Overnight)
Meals
Public campsite near Lake Manyara
About this stay
Budget public-campsite accommodation with supplied dome tents, mattresses, sleeping bags and shared facilities. The exact campsite is allocated by the park authority and confirmed operationally; electricity, hot water and connectivity are limited. Panorama Campsite or another approved Manyara-area public campsite may be used.
Bring a head torch, a small luggage padlock and an accessible warm layer. Breakfast should be taken at the pre-safari Arusha hotel before the 08:00 departure.
Day 2 Onto the Plains - Into the Serengeti
Day 2 — Onto the Plains - Into the Serengeti
| Starting location | Lake Manyara area public campsite |
|---|---|
| Pass-by location | Ngorongoro highlands and Naabi Hill |
| Ending location | Seronera public campsite, Central Serengeti |
| Main destination | Serengeti |
| Approx. departure | 07:00 |
| Approx. arrival at lodge | Approximately 18:00 |
| Approx. distance | About 210 km |
| Approx. road-driving duration | About 5-6 hours, broken by viewpoints and afternoon game viewing |
Day description
Climb through the Ngorongoro highlands, pause at the crater rim and cross the short-grass plains through Naabi Hill. Continue on a first Central Serengeti game drive to the public campsite in the Seronera area.
Morning
Eat an early breakfast while the crew breaks camp, then climb through the highlands to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and a safe crater-rim viewpoint.
Afternoon
Cross the short-grass plains through Naabi Hill, complete park formalities and search kopjes, river loops and open savannah while moving toward Seronera.
Evening
Reach the public campsite for dinner around the fire and an unfenced Serengeti night beneath a dark sky.
Landscapes & attractions
Wildlife possibilities
Photography opportunities
Read about where you are
Activities
- 🏞 Full-day Game Drive — Manyara Area To Central Serengeti (Full Day)
- 🏞 Photographing — Ngorongoro Highlands And Serengeti (Full Day)
- 🏞 Camping — Central Serengeti Public Campsite (Overnight)
Meals
Public campsite inside the Serengeti
About this stay
Budget public-campsite accommodation with supplied dome tents, mattresses, sleeping bags and shared facilities. The exact campsite is allocated by the park authority and confirmed operationally; electricity, hot water and connectivity are limited. The campsite will be in the Seronera area or another Central Serengeti public-campsite zone allocated by the park.
This is one of the longest road days. Serengeti public campsites may be unfenced; remain in the tent after dark unless escorted, keep food out of tents and follow the guide and crew instructions.
Day 3 A Full Day in the Seronera Valley
Day 3 — A Full Day in the Seronera Valley
| Starting location | Seronera public campsite, Central Serengeti |
|---|---|
| Pass-by location | Seronera River, Retima Hippo Pool and kopje circuits |
| Ending location | Same Central Serengeti public campsite |
| Main destination | Serengeti |
| Approx. departure | 06:30 |
| Approx. arrival at lodge | Around sunset |
| Approx. distance | Flexible local game-drive loops |
| Approx. road-driving duration | Typically a full day with picnic lunch or two drives with a camp break |
Day description
Use the transfer-free day for flexible wildlife viewing around Seronera river loops, granite kopjes, woodland edges and open plains. Take a picnic lunch or return to camp for a midday break before a second game-drive session.
Morning
Depart at dawn and follow fresh tracks and current wildlife information through river loops, kopje fields and open plains in the cool morning light.
Afternoon
Explore a different sector after lunch, including woodland edges, plains and river habitat selected around current animal movement and group priorities.
Evening
Return to the familiar campsite for sundowners, dinner around the fire and a second night under the Serengeti stars.
Landscapes & attractions
Wildlife possibilities
Photography opportunities
Read about where you are
Activities
- 🏞 Full-day Game Drive — Central Serengeti (Full Day)
- 🏞 Photographing — Central Serengeti (Full Day)
- 🏞 Hot Air Balloon — Seronera Valley (Morning)
- 🏞 Camping — Central Serengeti Public Campsite (Overnight)
Meals
Public campsite inside the Serengeti
About this stay
Budget public-campsite accommodation with supplied dome tents, mattresses, sleeping bags and shared facilities. The exact campsite is allocated by the park authority and confirmed operationally; electricity, hot water and connectivity are limited. This is the second night in the same Central Serengeti public-campsite area.
Agree the group priorities with the guide before departure. A sunrise balloon safari is optional, weather-dependent and must be booked in advance.
Day 4 Across the Plains to the Crater Rim
Day 4 — Across the Plains to the Crater Rim
| Starting location | Central Serengeti public campsite |
|---|---|
| Pass-by location | Seronera Valley, Naabi Hill and Malanja Depression |
| Ending location | Public campsite on the Ngorongoro crater rim |
| Main destination | Ngorongoro |
| Approx. departure | 06:30 |
| Approx. arrival at lodge | Approximately 17:30 |
| Approx. distance | About 190 km |
| Approx. road-driving duration | About 5 hours, structured as game drives with breaks |
Day description
Take a final dawn drive through the Seronera Valley, cross the plains through Naabi Hill and climb into the Ngorongoro highlands. Camp on the crater rim for sunset caldera views and quick access to the descent road.
Morning
Complete a final Seronera wildlife drive before turning east across the plains toward Naabi Hill.
Afternoon
Take a picnic lunch, exit Serengeti and climb through the conservation area as the light changes over the highlands.
Evening
Arrive at the high crater-rim campsite, watch mist and sunset over the caldera, then eat dinner around the fire under the crew watch.
Landscapes & attractions
Wildlife possibilities
Photography opportunities
Read about where you are
Activities
- 🏞 Game Drive — Central Serengeti Exit (Morning)
- 🏞 Transfer — Serengeti To Ngorongoro (Full Day)
- 🏞 Photographing — Serengeti And Ngorongoro Highlands (Full Day)
- 🏞 Camping — Ngorongoro Crater-rim Public Campsite (Overnight)
Meals
Public campsite on the Ngorongoro crater rim
About this stay
Budget public-campsite accommodation with supplied dome tents, mattresses, sleeping bags and shared facilities. The exact campsite is allocated by the park authority and confirmed operationally; electricity, hot water and connectivity are limited. The assigned campsite will be on or near the crater rim; a rim lodge upgrade can be quoted.
This is the coldest night of the trip. The rim is about 2,300 metres and can approach freezing, so bring thermal layers, a warm fleece, hat and socks for sleeping.
Day 5 Dawn on the Crater Floor
Day 5 — Dawn on the Crater Floor
| Starting location | Ngorongoro crater-rim public campsite |
|---|---|
| Pass-by location | Ngorongoro Crater floor |
| Ending location | Public campsite in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area |
| Main destination | Ngorongoro |
| Approx. departure | 06:00 |
| Approx. arrival at lodge | Approximately 16:30 |
| Approx. distance | About 60 km including crater access roads |
| Approx. road-driving duration | About 1.5 hours of road driving, plus up to 5 hours in the crater |
Day description
Descend before dawn into Ngorongoro Crater and explore grassland, forest, marsh and lake-edge habitat. After a picnic brunch and final crater circuits, ascend to a lower and warmer public campsite within the conservation area.
Morning
Descend as the mist lifts and explore crater grassland, marsh, forest and lake-edge habitats according to traffic and wildlife distribution.
Afternoon
Eat a picnic brunch, complete the crater circuit and ascend the exit road before driving to the lower conservation-area campsite.
Evening
Enjoy the final camp dinner and a last full night under canvas in a lower and warmer setting than the crater rim.
Landscapes & attractions
Wildlife possibilities
Photography opportunities
Read about where you are
Activities
- 🏞 Crater Tour — Ngorongoro Crater (Full Day)
- 🏞 Game Drive — Ngorongoro Crater (Full Day)
- 🏞 Photographing — Ngorongoro Crater (Full Day)
- 🏞 Camping — Ngorongoro Conservation Area Public Campsite (Overnight)
Meals
Public campsite in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
About this stay
Budget public-campsite accommodation with supplied dome tents, mattresses, sleeping bags and shared facilities. The exact campsite is allocated by the park authority and confirmed operationally; electricity, hot water and connectivity are limited. The campsite is below the rim within the conservation area; a Karatu lodge upgrade can be quoted.
Crater-floor time is regulated, making the pre-dawn departure important. Layer clothing for the cold descent and warmer caldera floor. Black rhino is possible but never guaranteed.
Day 6 Tarangire - Baobabs, Elephants and the Road Home
Day 6 — Tarangire - Baobabs, Elephants and the Road Home
| Starting location | Ngorongoro Conservation Area public campsite |
|---|---|
| Pass-by location | Karatu, Tarangire National Park and Maasai Steppe |
| Ending location | Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport |
| Main destination | Tarangire |
| Approx. departure | 07:00 |
| Approx. arrival at lodge | Arusha approximately 18:00; airport transfer timed to the confirmed flight |
| Approx. distance | About 240 km total, plus the Tarangire game-drive circuit |
| Approx. road-driving duration | About 4 hours of road driving, plus a half-day game drive |
Day description
Break the final camp, descend through Karatu and enter Tarangire for a half-day game drive among baobabs, river habitat and seasonal swamps. Return across the Maasai Steppe to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Morning
Eat breakfast while the crew strikes camp, then descend through Karatu and the Rift Valley corridor toward Tarangire.
Afternoon
Explore baobab woodland, river habitat and Silale Swamp fringes before leaving the park and crossing the Maasai Steppe toward Arusha.
Evening
Arrive in Arusha for the confirmed hotel or airport drop-off. No post-safari accommodation is included.
Landscapes & attractions
Wildlife possibilities
Photography opportunities
Read about where you are
Activities
- 🏞 Transfer — Ngorongoro To Tarangire (3 Hours)
- 🏞 Game Drive — Tarangire National Park (Half Day)
- 🏞 Photographing — Tarangire National Park (Half Day)
- 🏞 Airport Drop Off — Arusha Or JRO (Evening)
Meals
About this stay
No accommodation is included after the safari. A day room or additional Arusha hotel night can be quoted.
Tarangire can be dusty in the dry season. Keep clean onward-travel clothes protected and settle discretionary crew gratuities before the final drop-off.
Safari Highlights 12 reasons this trip stands out
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Spend two nights camping inside the Serengeti for two dawns on the plains and a full game-viewing day without transfer.
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Camp on the Ngorongoro crater rim at about 2,300 metres for sunset views and first-light crater access.
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Explore Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire in one complete six-day circuit.
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Travel with genuine Big Five potential, while recognizing that all wildlife sightings remain natural and unguaranteed.
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Let the camp crew pitch tents, cook hot meals, heat washing water and manage equipment throughout the safari.
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Receive breakfast, lunch and dinner every full safari day, with dietary requirements handled on advance notice.
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Use a shared pop-up-roof 4x4 with a window seat for every traveler and no more than seven guests per vehicle.
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Travel with an experienced professional English-speaking Tanzania guide-driver.
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Experience unfenced Serengeti nights, star-filled skies and wildlife sounds that no lodge can reproduce.
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Meet independent travelers around the campfire on a departure that runs with at least four confirmed guests.
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Receive round-trip Kilimanjaro International Airport transfers and Arusha operational support.
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Follow responsible wildlife-viewing, campsite and park-authority rules throughout the journey.
Included
- Shared pop-up-roof 4x4 safari vehicle with a guaranteed window seat for every traveler and a maximum of seven guests per vehicle
- Experienced English-speaking Tanzania guide-driver throughout the safari
- Safari chef and camp crew who travel with the group and handle camp operations
- Dome tents
- mattresses
- sleeping bags
- camp chairs
- tables and cooking equipment
- Public campsite fees for all five camping nights
- Meals stated in the itinerary from Day 1 lunch onward
- cooked fresh by the camp crew
- National park entry fees for the stated route
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area and crater service fees for the confirmed itinerary
- Game drives and shared road transfers described in the itinerary
- Drinking water throughout the safari
- Round-trip Kilimanjaro International Airport transfers
- Government taxes and VAT applicable to the quoted services
- Pre-departure safari briefing in Arusha
- AMREF Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover during the safari
- Emergency logistical support from the Splendor Safari Arusha operations team
Excluded
- Alcoholic drinks
- Alcoholic drinks
- International flights to and from Tanzania
- Tanzania visa and immigration charges
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- medical expenses and vaccinations
- Accommodation and meals in Arusha before Day 1 or after Day 6
- Tips and gratuities for the guide
- chef and camp crew
- Personal purchases
- souvenirs
- laundry
- phone or data charges
- bottled soft drinks and beer
- Sleeping-bag liner or personal camping extras
- Serengeti balloon safari
- cultural visits
- lodge upgrades and other optional activities
- Domestic flights unless expressly included in the quotation
- Bank-transfer and card-processing charges
- Government-imposed increases in park
- conservation or camping fees after quotation
- Anything not expressly listed under inclusions
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best time of year for this tour?
Dry seasons often offer easier wildlife viewing (Jun–Oct). Green seasons are beautiful and quieter (Nov–Mar).
Can we customize the itinerary?
Yes — add days, change lodges (lodge/camp), or include balloon safaris/cultural visits.
What is the typical group size?
Private tours are just your party with a driver-guide. Shared departures may have 4–7 guests per vehicle.
See it for yourself
A few moments from this safari, filmed on the ground.
