Safari Camps

SAFARI CAMPS
swala@habari.co.tz
Revised April 3, 2009
Camp Tariffs Camping safaris Lodge Tours Trekking safaris Transfers

Safari camps are an alternative for those who do not wish to stay in hotels. Staying at a camp is part of one's wildlife experience in Africa. When you arrive back at the camp after a day of game viewing, the day doesn't end there. There is still the night skies to look at, the camp fire to sit around, and even night game drives. During the day walks can be arranged. The camps have their own ambiance and very different attractions.

CAMP TARIFFS FULL BOARD (per person per day US$):

Serengeti            Ikoma Safari Camp       $80     Fully Inclusive $120 (+$30 Serengeti Entrance Fee)
Lake Manyara   Migunga Forest Camp $55   Fully Inclusive $90
Rift Valley          Lake Natron Camp        $60   Fully Inclusive $95

OPTIONS (per person):

Night game drive at Ikoma $20
Guided walks                        $10
Cultural - tribal dancing       $30 per dance group
Visit to local village              $10

FULLY INCLUSIVE: Includes accommodation, all meals (picnic lunch/bruch if full day out), AND game viewing.

TRANSFERS: per person. Minimum two persons.

BY ROAD:
Arusha-Migunga Forest Camp $ 35 (120 kms/2 hours)
Arusha-Ikoma Safari Camp $ 70 (250 kms/6 hours) + $60 Park Fees.
Migunga F. Camp-Lake Natron $ 50 (120 kms/4 hours) + $20 District & Village Levies
Lake Natron-Ikoma Bush Camp $ 70 (265 kms/7 hours) + $30 Park Fee

BY AIR:
Arusha-Ikoma Bush Camp $145 (daily flights)
Migunga F. Camp-Ikoma B.C. $ 90 (daily flights)

DE LUXE CAMPING SAFARIS are wildlife orientated. Permanent safari camps are used for accommodation. They give an opportunity of hiking for those that want to have a change from viewing animals from a vehicle. De Luxe Camping is one of the best experiences you can get in African safaris. You are much more with nature. Even at night you will hear the howls of hyenas, the roaring of lions, the grazing of antelope, and the thudding of hooves of animals passing by the camp. The camp fire and the normally star-filled skies are added attractions. Minimum two persons per group.

The camps are small and comfortable. Tents are spacious having their own bathroom with hot and cold water, for shower and flush toilet. There is also a thatched bar and dining room. Electricity is supplied by solar panels. Migunga has a few chalets.

Migunga Forest Camp: ideal for the start and end of a safari. For a short safari of less than three nights, it is recommended to base yourself at Migunga and either visit near-by Lake Manyara National Park or take a day trip to Ngorongoro or Tarangire. For those that have more time, include the Serengeti.

Ikoma Safari Camp: allow three or more days - the Serengeti covers a big area so you may want to spend more time there. The western corridor, Grumeti River, and the northern and central areas are all within an easy distance. Lake Victoria is three hours away.

Lake Natron Camp is off the beaten track. Include Natron if you intend to spend ten or more days in northern Tanzania. It's a very interesting circuit and avoids the milk-run back-tracking route. Natron also offers the challenging climb of the active volcano Oldoinyo Lengai and the two day Embakai - Natron Hike starting from the Ngorongoro Highlands.

For safaris of 6 to 9 days it is strongly recommended to fly to the Serengeti and drive out (or vice versa) rather than travel on the rough and uncomfortable roads. The air fare is $135 single. It will save two days of uncomfortable travel better spent in the Serengeti doing game drives or walking.

LODGE TOURS are based on using one of the many lodges on the tourist circuit. If you are nervous of animals and insects this is the way to experience your safari. You have the advantage of being in the familiar surroundings of concrete. Game viewing vehicles may be 4-wheel drive Landrovers or Landcruisers or minibuses. At Ngorongoro we use one of the lodges on the rim of the Crater. This is preferable to camping on the rim where it can be very cold and damp.

Camping Fees per person per night in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is: $20 at public sites and $40 at a private site. Thee is only one public site (Simba Camp Site) and can be rather crowded. Facilities are very basic.