On the way from Arusha to Serengeti, I had the chance to camp on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater – and how cool was that! At night you hear the animals that are somewhere around you, and, just after arriving, two elephants visited the Simba Campsite looking for water (from the water tanks). The facilities, both restrooms and dining area, are very basic. The camping grounds are not fenced in, and therefore there are armed guards (in case of animals). A campfire was built after dinner. Even though there are a lot of people, it never felt cramped. Just remember to bring warm clothes, as it gets cold at night, and ear plugs, as the animals in the neighboring tents might keep you awake…snoring…
Who did you book this camping safari through, i.e, how would anyone else get the chance to do that?
Hi Biche!
Yes, anyone can, and should, do this 🙂 I went with Roy Safaris (roysafaris.com) in Arusha, and I would definitely recommend them! I didn’t join a group, but had the safari tailor made for my needs and wishes, which means I had my own safari vehicle, driver and cook 🙂 Doing it this way definitely added to the costs, but it was more than worth it in my opinion. So if possible, I’d recommend you go with your unit, if it’s by yourself or your family. There are several different accommodation options, but I thought this one was too amazing not to try. I also spent a night at a high-end lodge in the Serengeti.
Thanks for sharing. You are the second person who has recommended Roy Safaris to me, so I might just look to to them to organize the 2 night/3 day Serengeti safari I promised my “baby” brother for his 29th birthday. I’ll come back and leave a comment if I do. 🙂
What an amazing birthday present! Lucky brother 🙂 Going on a safari is one of the best things I’ve ever done! Now I refuse to go to zoos… I did both the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti. If I were you I’d add a game drive in the crater to your plans. You can do it on your way to the Serengeti from Arusha. Saw tons of animals, incl the Big Five on my first day. Think there was a bigger variety of animals here than in Serengeti, but the herds were bigger in Serengeti. Also time your visit with the migration – insanely impressive! Just checked out your website, and realised you live in Tanzania, and some of my above advice might be redundant – sorry 🙂 I’m about to follow you on Twitter and Facebook as I fell in love with Africa, and will most definitely be back some day!!
Hahaha,
Yes, I am Tanzanian and live in Tanzania. Thanks for the advice though. It’s always nice to have another opinion. I have done both the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater and just like you, somehow I enjoyed the Crater more (though the Serengeti was strewn with animals). There’s just something special about the Crater.
About my brother, he like me is Tanzanian living in Tanzania (so it’s super cheap to go on safari) and yet he has never been though he watches hours and hours of NatGeoWild. So, I figured if he won’t take himself, I will. I know he’ll thank me later! 🙂
I saw on your Twitter profile that you are a solo traveler. How come?…Just out of curiosity! 🙂
Biche
Lucky you! I had an amazing time in Tanzania! Wish I stayed longer. I spent one week in Arusha, and one week in Zanzibar. Had a night only in Dar.
If I lived there, I’d probably be off on a safari every weekend 🙂 We spent so many hours in the car, but time flew by.
Most of my friends are not able to, or have the desire to, take off on a several week adventure to distant places. After years of waiting for someone to join me, I realised that if I was gonna see the world, I would have to go at it alone. I guess my desire to travel beat the fear of doing it alone. And I don’t regret it. Now I actually prefer it. I experience so much more than what I would have done travelling with someone.
Thanks for sharing that. Yes, it’s so important to be able to enjoy your own company and to do the things you want to do whether or not there are people to do them with you. Kudos to you on that! If it’s not to invasive, where do you live when you are not traveling?
True! 🙂 I live in not so tropic Norway 🙂