Whether you are travelling Tanzania on a budget, love the outdoors, or want to stay flexible during your trip - camping and roadtripping with a 4x4 is a wonderful way to explore the country and experience a great sense of freedom. Check out our tips below to make the most out of your camping adventure in Tanzania!
When renting a car with Roadtrip Africa, we can outfit your vehicle with camp gear and all the essentials you need for a camping trip in Tanzania.
Our Landcruisers can be equipped with a rooftop tent or ground tent. Our rooftop tents come in the following sizes:
Each Landcruiser can hold two standard rooftop tents or one family rooftop tent.
Our Suzuki's can be equipped with a ground tent only and costs €5,- per person per day.
Both tents come with a full set of quality camp gear, consisting of:
TIP: bring a headlight and an extra fleece blanket for chilling on the grass or to cover up during the chillier nights. The sleeping bags provided are thin.
For Landcruiser, we also provide the option of renting an electrical fridge (55L) for €5/day. Ideal for those who fancy a cold drink in the bush or plan to camp a lot.*
Kindly note that Roadtrip Africa does not provide camp gear rental in Tanzania as a standalone service.
* Please note that we don’t do field repairs or send a replacement vehicle when there are problems with the fridge. Wiring and piping are sensitive and suffer from bumpy roads and dust. The knowledge and equipment (Frigo gas) to repair fridges are sadly not available in the field. We understand it's unfortunate when the fridge stops working. In the rare case that this happens, notify us, and our Netherlands office will promptly refund your rental.
Rooftop tents are quick and easy to set up. Just watch this step-by-step instruction video, made by Muhire and Jackson from the Roadtrip Uganda team.
For many people, sleeping in a rooftop tent depicts the ultimate camping safari experience. However, a ground tent comes with its advantages too. There are a few factors that will determine whether a rooftop tent is the best choice for you:
The pros & cons of sleeping in a rooftop tent
A rooftop tent is the easiest way to sleep off the ground. This is helpful when your campsite is uneven, or when the soil is wet or rocky. People tend to prefer rooftop tents over ground tents in wilderness areas, as it puts some distance between themselves and wild animals lurking around at night. However, this is a FALSE sense of security and you will be just as safe in a ground tent that is properly zipped up. Although we understand that perception of safety plays a role here as well….
Pros of camping in a rooftop tent:
Cons:
Whether you choose a rooftop- or ground tent for camping in Tanzania, both guarantee an unforgettable experience!
Wondering what to pack for your camping trip to Tanzania? We advise you to keep the following in mind:
Forgotten something? Arusha and Dar es Salaam have many well-stocked supermarkets and pharmacies where you can buy almost anything you need. This is not the case for the provincial towns in Tanzania.
Lodges inside Tanzania's National Parks can be quite expensive. Camping, therefore, can be a great alternative for budget travellers and adventures alike.
There are numerous campsites available throughout the country, ranging from basic bush campsites inside the parks to private campsites owned by lodge operators. The latter option provides secured sites with good amenities, such as a communal fireplace, restaurant, and sometimes even a swimming pool. Additionally, camping in Tanzania is possible year-round due to its warm climate.
When looking for a campsite or budget guesthouse in Tanzania, we highly recommend using the free app iOverlander, where every campsite is plotted and reviewed. Furthermore, the Bradt Travel guide - which is included in Roadtrip Africa's car rental - lists many campsites throughout the country.
The so-called 'special campsites' in Tanzania are largely reserved by private safari companies. They bid on these particular campsites, which allows them to set up their mobile tented camps. Not all of them will be taken though, and are therefore available to book by individual travellers.
Securing your spot at a special campsite is not easy and will be slightly more expensive than normal. You will enjoy a true wilderness experience though, when camping in Tanzania at an isolated location.
Booking your special campsite in Tanzania should be done in advance, via the Tanapa website. You can make an account via this link. For any questions or help with the online reservation, you can contact support@tanzaniaparks.go.tz
If the reservation system is down (which is not unusual for Tanzania), you can also visit the Tanapa office in Arusha and check out what's available there.
When camping in Tanzania, there is no need to reserve your camping spots in advance. Your camping permit is obtained at the gate on arrival. Each national park has several public campsites, and you will always be assigned one when arriving at the park entrance.
Do you want to camp inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area? Then you need to obtain a reservation quote first.
Roadtrip Africa can help you organize your NCA reservation. Please select this option in our booking form when renting your car. We charge a handling fee of €25,- in total. The actual entrance and camping permit can be paid for by credit card at our office in Arusha.
Any more questions about camping in Tanzania? Check out our rental car fleet or get in touch with us. Our team at Roadtrip Africa is happy to help you create the camping trip of a lifetime!