Tanzania Safari Budget Tour Accommodation Review: How It Is Like
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This is a comprehensive review of Tanzania safari budget tour accommodations for your trip planning. I took an 11-day safari tour during my last vacation to Kenya and Tanzania. During the tour, my accommodation varies from a campsite, tent-camping to a hotel, depending on the itinerary.
Before I had the tour, what I worried the most about was the tent-camping in Tanzania. In detail, I had no idea what to expect from budget accommodations in Tanzania—visions of roughing it in tiny tents with no facilities danced in my head.
Yet in the end, my worries were totally unnecessary. The wild camp in Tanzania, even for the budget one, is with facilities out of my expectation, including a sheltered dining hall with a grocery shop, a large toilet with a shower (some even with hot water), a large tent that could fit 2 people plus 2 big luggage, 24-hour wifi, charges, and paid private lockers.
It was the best wild camp I had ever been to. Plus, it is also a wild camp in the safari and well-cooked local food by a local chef!
🐘🐃🦓🐆🦒🦏 Recommended African Safari Package
Tanzania 🇹🇿 :
✅ Same Day – Safari trip from Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater
✅3 Days 2 Nights – Safari trip including Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Kenya 🇰🇪 :
✅ Same Day – Safari trip from Nairobi:
Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru + Naivasha / Amboseli / Nairobi National Park
✅ 3 Days 2 Nights – Masai Mara Safari trip from Nairobi:
✅ 7 Days 6 Nights – Kenya Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi:
✅ 11 Days 10 Nights – Kenya & Tanzania Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi in Kenya; Serengeti & Ngorongoro in Tanzania with departure back to Nairobi:
✅ There are also other packages online (GetYourGuide / Viator) !
And Also A Comfortable One
Though I had worried about the tent-camping in Tanzania before my departure. The facilities and comfort level were well beyond my expectations. While being well equipped, it also provides you with a real tent-camping experience in the wild with great local, freshly cooked food
In General, How’s the Accommodation Like For a Safari Tour In Tanzania
Very similar to the accommodation for the Kenya part of my trip, there are three options for your stay in Tanzania in including campsite, hotels, and lodges. For basically all of the organized tours, you will be staying in a hotel in Arusha (the hub city connecting to the Serengeti).
For your accommodation in safaris like Ngorongoro and Serengeti, the options are either a campsite or a lodge. For a budget tour, your accommodation will be the campsite. During my time in Tanzania, I stayed in Nyani campsite for the Serengeti and Simba campsite for the Ngorongoro.
Unlike the large tent house that you would have in a Kenyan campsite, in Tanzania, it is a real tent-camping experience in the wild. But rest assured, both the tent and sleeping bag are provided by your tour operator. Also, although you would not be having a buffet like Kenya, your meal is also well covered by the local chef in Tanzania.
For resort lodges, they are as well equipped as the ones in Kenya, but again, it will cost 500 USD per day more, as compared to ~ 200 USD for a 2-day 1-night safari trip as a whole.
Tent Camping In Tanzania
I stayed at Nyani Campsite in Serengeti and Simba Campsite in Ngorongoro—both classic examples of real wild camping on a budget Tanzania safari. It’s a true bush experience, but don’t worry: you don’t need to set up anything yourself except perhaps carrying your sleeping bag from the jeep (most tours provide everything else).
The tents are large, dome-style ones that comfortably fit two people with space for bags, and they’re generally cozy with foam mattresses. Although the basic facilities are sufficient, I would advise you to get a jacket, as it could get pretty cold at night and early morning. Also, you may want to get a torch for the toilet at night.
Other than the tent, there’s 24-hour WiFi and electrical plugs available in the dining hall for charging devices. Public toilets and showers are generally clean, but I recommend using them as soon as you arrive at the campsite, as hot water (if available) can run out quickly—some sites like Simba Campsite may have it, but it’s not guaranteed.
He camps only fully operate when multiple tour groups arrive, so facilities feel communal but efficient. Food is cooked by your dedicated chef right there in the kitchen area and served after your safari tour around 7 pm.
Lodges in Tanzania
Lodges in Tanzania are similar to those in Kenya—expect buffet-style dining (a step up from campsite Tanzania safari tour food), swimming pools, private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, and often breathtaking views. Some, like those in Serengeti, even feature fenced viewing areas where you can safely observe herbivores without leaving the property. But of course, the cost could be 500 USD more per night compared to camping, pushing your total trip budget way up. If you’re on a budget tour, upgrading means forking out extra for these amenities, which might not be worth it given the limited downtime. As mentioned, you’re out on game drives most of the day, so the gym or pool sees minimal use.
Hotels in Arusha
For the one transit day in Arusha, budget tours typically book a standard hotel like Clarity Hotel. It’s nothing fancy but reliable: WiFi throughout, complimentary water, tea, and coffee in the room, with a breakfast buffet included (think eggs, fruits, and local staples—ties into Tanzania safari tour food nicely). The rooms are spacious with comfortable beds, a steady supply of hot water, and even a balcony for some fresh air. Dinner usually isn’t included on that first day, which is perfect—use the time to explore Arusha city center for local eats and vibes. Bolt is available in Arusha, so transportation is not a problem.
🐘🐃🦓🐆🦒🦏 Recommended African Safari Package
Tanzania 🇹🇿 :
✅ Same Day – Safari trip from Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater
✅3 Days 2 Nights – Safari trip including Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Kenya 🇰🇪 :
✅ Same Day – Safari trip from Nairobi:
Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru + Naivasha / Amboseli / Nairobi National Park
✅ 3 Days 2 Nights – Masai Mara Safari trip from Nairobi:
✅ 7 Days 6 Nights – Kenya Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi:
✅ 11 Days 10 Nights – Kenya & Tanzania Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi in Kenya; Serengeti & Ngorongoro in Tanzania with departure back to Nairobi:
✅ There are also other packages online (GetYourGuide / Viator) !
With All Equipment Provided
What amazed me the most is all the great facilities in the budget campsite, including 24-hour wifi, dining hall, toilets, showers (some even have hot water) and etc, with tents and sleep bags provided. This allowed me to fully focus on immersing in the wild environment of the safari where I am camping, and I loved it.
Safety Regarding Camping In Tanzania
Although you’re camping in the wild, the situation is generally safe. You may spot herbivores wandering near the site, but accidents involving carnivores are extremely rare—most campsites are designed with safety in mind, and predators tend to avoid human-populated areas. Most group tours consist of tourists or tour guides, so theft is rare, but general caution applies: lock valuables in the jeep or keep them with you. You’ll find other tourist groups camping in the same site, so no need to worry about being alone—there’s safety in numbers, and staff are always on hand.
Conclusion: A Real And Comfortable Wild Camping Experience
The Tanzania safari budget tour accommodation is amazing, with a unique camping experience in the safari. It’s safe, affordable, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with nature in a way lodges can’t replicate. You can do luxury accommodations elsewhere in the world, but you can only camp amid the wilds of Eastern Africa like this. Despite the basic setup, it’s comfortable enough with the essentials provided, making budget Tanzania safari tours accessible and memorable. I hope this review will provide you a great assurance for your adventure coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tanzania Safari Budget Tour Accommodations
What are the main accommodation options on a budget Tanzania safari?
Tent camping in public sites like Nyani or Simba, or upgrading to lodges; Arusha has hotels.
Is tent camping in Tanzania comfortable?
Yes—large tents, foam mats, WiFi in dining halls, clean shared facilities.
Do I need to set up my own tent?
No, tours handle it; you just carry your sleeping bag.
What’s the difference between Tanzania camping and Kenya campsites?
Tanzania is a large tent; Kenya is a tent house with a private bathroom and multiple double beds.
Are lodges worth the extra cost?
Not really—$500+ per night for pools/gyms, but limited time to use them.
What about food in campsites?
Chef-cooked meals; see my Tanzania safari tour food review.
Is hot water available in campsites?
Sometimes, like at Simba, use showers early. But expect no for most of the camps.
How cold do nights get?
Chilly, especially in Ngorongoro—bring a thick jacket.
Is camping safe from animals?
Yes, rare incidents; herbivores may visit, but no carnivore attacks have been reported recently.
What hotel to expect in Arusha?
Standard like Clarity hotel: WiFi, breakfast buffet, spacious rooms.
