6 Days / 5 Night Camping Only Safari

Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater

If you only have 5 days to spend game viewing in Tanzania, camping in the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area will give you a good look at the best of Africa. Usually a safari this short would be added to another section such as a Kilimanjaro Climb or a Walking Safari.

Day 1:Ngorongoro Crater Luxury Camp: Leave Arusha after breakfast heading initially south and then crossing the great Rift Valley  en route to Ngorongoro.

On the way up there they would have time to visit Lake Manyara National Park - a fascinating place - very different to most of the other parks in the area in that it is a narrow strip of land sandwiched between the Great Rift escarpment and Lake Manyara itself. The springs at the base of the escarpment produce unique, lush groundwater forests, whilst the lake shores offer open grazing. Whilst the park is famous for its tree climbing lions it is also home to a large resident populations of elephant and giraffe. The freshwater stream feeding into the soda waters of the lake are a tremendous feeding ground for hundreds of birds from pelicans to flamingos as well as the favourite wallow of the hippo pods.

Late afternoon leave Manyara and continue on towards Ngorongoro. The route takes you through the rolling fertile foothills of Ngorongoro up to the gate of the Conservation Area. Once through the gate the scenery changes dramatically – the murram road threads its way up steep heavily wooded hills until finally bursting on to the crater rim – enjoy spectacular views into the crater before continuing on around the rim and then onto the Southern flank of the highlands – the heart of Massai Country – to our Mysigio Camp.

African Environments have a luxury camp near Ngorongoro Crater. The camp is located about 20 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist highway in a grove of ancient acacia trees near the village of Ole Dorop, a massai elder. We have worked with ole Dorop for ten or fifteen years on our walking safaris, he is a fascinating character who is trying to lead his people along the narrow line between embracing the modern world (education, schooling, health and veterinary care) and preserving his unique culture. He speaks good English and is a fascinating guide to the area, he will proudly show you his village and take you on walks in the surrounding hills – as well as sitting around the hot stove and talking about his life in Africa. 

The camp itself is made up of large sleeping tents made up as singles, twins or doubles - each with a ensuite shower and toilet, twin washbasins and a private veranda. There are separate Mess and Lounge tents, each with a wood burning stove to make them cozy in the evenings. The lounge tent is a wonderful place to relax, read books, play games or simply mull over the days experiences.

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater Luxury Camp: An early start for a full day exploring the Ngorongoro Crater - this amazing caldera is home to a large number of resident animals. The animals here are more habituated so it's the perfect spot for those close up animal shots and is a great place to watch the behaviour of the wildlife. Mid to late afternoon head back to the camp for the night - perhaps arriving in time to visit Ole Dorops village to see the cows coming home and being counted back into the safety of the 'boma' for the night, a chance to see and be a part of this classic African lifestyle or perhaps to join in one of the many dancing festivals.

Day 3: Serengeti National Park Luxury Camp: A morning to enjoy the unique culture of the Massai. The morning will be flexible but could include things like time in the local village. The Massai here live a very traditional lifestyle in circular huts placed in family groups, cattle and goats are herded into enclosures in the village at night to protect them from leopards. This is a tremendous opportunity to visit a real village as opposed to one of the many show villages. Time to talk to the Massai and learn about their lifestyle and why their culture has survived. Learn about the different roles and expectations of men and women, about the age sets and stages in the life of every Massai. Discuss with them how they are adapting to the pressures of modern life – from the availability of veterinary services through to the impact of higher education on the young people. Perhaps a hike with a Massai guide in the rolling hills surrounding the camp – stopping to chat to the herders enroute and revelling in the fantastic views of the Serengeti Plains. Take part in Massai ceremonies and learn about the oral tradition of passing on their lore and values or for the more energetic a more challenging hike up to the peaks and extinct volcanoes that dot the area.

In the afternoon drive on to the Serengeti – game viewing as you cross the plains.

The Serengeti Ecosystem is a vast area with no fences, it includes the plains of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area as well as the Serengeti National Park itself. Home to the annual wildebeest migration – the largest migration in the world. The movement of the  migration is tied into the seasonal  rains so is hard to predict exactly however we have a mobile luxury camp that we move around the Serengeti to get it in the best position to view the wildlife for the time of year. The camp is pitched in one of the National Parks ‘special campsites’ – we get exclusive use of these campsites, there are no facilities beyond their amazing location!. From the camp you can game drive to your hearts content – and the camp revolves around your routine and schedule. If you want to get out game viewing with the dawn then the camp crew will make sure you have a cup of tea or coffee before you go and send you off with some freshly made breakfast biscuits to keep you going – then back to camp at about 10 o’clock for a big breakfast ……… or perhaps venturing further afield for  a long day of game viewing with one of our sumptuous picnic lunches. Days can be planned with your guide so as to give you the best possible experience.

Drive on to the Serengeti – game viewing as you cross the plains, perhaps stopping in at the Olduvai Gorge archaeological site on the way.

The Serengeti Ecosystem is a vast area with no fences, it includes the plains of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area as well as the Serengeti National Park itself. Home to the annual wildebeest migration – the largest migration in the world. The movement of the  migration is tied into the seasonal  rains so is hard to predict exactly however we have a mobile luxury camp that we move around the Serengeti to get it in the best position to view the wildlife for the time of year. The camp is pitched in one of the National Parks ‘special campsites’ – we get exclusive use of these campsites, there are no facilities beyond their amazing location!. From the camp you can game drive to your hearts content – and the camp revolves around your routine and schedule. If you want to get out game viewing with the dawn then the camp crew will make sure you have a cup of tea or coffee before you go and send you off with some freshly made breakfast biscuits to keep you going – then back to camp at about 10 o’clock for a big breakfast ……… or perhaps venturing further afield for  a long day of game viewing with one of our sumptuous picnic lunches. Days can be planned with your guide so as to give you the best possible experience.

Day 4 & 5: Serengeti National Park Luxury Camp: Spend another two days exploring this vast ecosystem – seeking out the concentrations of game and the attendant predators. One of the great things about the Serengeti - aside from the vastness of it - is the sense of timelessness and peace that it bestows - on this day you can move as the wildlife dictates and your whims take you, a rare treat in our fast paced modern world. Then as the day draws in head back to camp for another night under the stars.

Day 6: Return to Arusha: Wake up in the morning and take one last early game drive if you would like before heading back to Arusha,

Some options to add on here would be :-

Scenic scheduled Flight back from the Serengeti - much quicker and a great perspective on the landscape - the flight usually flies over Ngorongoro Crater and the Rift Valley.

Day Room in Arusha - if you are flying out that night we can arrange a day room for you to freshen up before your flight

Airport Transfers - either on arrival or departure.

 

WANT MORE???

This is a great introduction to safaris but if you have more time or want more why not add a day at Ngorongoro and another day in the Serengeti to really explore!

Elephants by an African Environments car in Ngorongoro
A rainstrom in Ngorongoro crater seen from the crater rim
Leopard in the Serengeti National Park
leopard in the Serengeti National Park
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