Adventure Camping Safaris

campsite photo Camping safaris are designed for those who don't mind eating and sleeping outside. We recommend that only people who have camped before choose the adventure camping option. Duma campsites consist of sleeping tents with mattresses and pillows and tables and chairs. During some safaris we include additional equipment such as shower and toilet tents.

During a camping safari, the cook and driver will pitch the tents, cook the food and setup camp. Guests relax while snacking on popcorn, peanuts and fresh fruit. Tea, coffee and bottled drinking water are always available at the campsite, and guests are encouraged to make special meal and snack requests. Usually, a hot breakfast is served in the morning before leaving on the game drive.

If you are going on an early morning game drive, we serve tea and coffee before you depart and then a hot brunch around 10:30am. Lunches are a combination of picnic lunches in the park and hot lunches at the campsite. Dinner is generally served just after sunset, allowing you to have a couple of hours before the meal during which you can explore the campsite on foot. Most private campsites have shower and toilet facilities while the public campsites maintained by the national park generally have pit toilets and no showers.

Duma uses both locally made canvas tents and imported REI brand tents. Our tents can sleep from two to six people and we tailor tent sizes based on your group's needs. We recommend that families with small children share our large family tent. Because the campsites are often in areas with wildlife, you may hear and sometimes see wildlife close by. It is recommended that campers visit the bathrooms in pairs and that they refrain from leaving their tents after dark.

grabbing food Whenever possible, we select privately-owned campsites that are just outside the park boundaries to provide a more intimate camping experience. (National park campsites located inside the parks are generally very crowded, sometimes accommodating more than 200 people at a time.) Generally, the maximum number of people staying at a private campsite is 20. At many of the private campsites, you can go on walking safaris or night game drives with camp staff. During walking safaris, you'll learn about plant life and birds, as well as traditions of the local people. Night game drives offer the opportunity to see wildlife that is active at night, including several cat and bird species.

Duma's Recommended Campsites

Lake Manyara National Park
Kiboko Campsite (private) - walking available
Jambo Campsite (private) - close to Mto wa Mbu Town, swimming pool

Tarangire National Park
Paradise Campsite (private) - bush walks and bush dinners available

Ngorongoro Crater
Simba Campsite (public) - the only campsite on the Crater rim, showers not available

Serengeti National Park
Ikoma Bush Camp (private) - recommended for safaris spending three or more nights in the Serengeti, night game drives and bush walks available
Seronera Campsite (public) - the only campsite in the Central Serengeti, showers not available
Lobo Campsite (public) - showers not available, best visited in August and early September

Arusha National Park
Colobus Campsite (private)

Lake Eyasi
Lake Eyasi Bush Camp (private) - walks to Lake Eyasi available

Pricing Details

Camping safaris include:
- All park entrance fees, camp fees and administrative costs
- 4WD Land Rover or Land Cruiser transportation including unlimited mileage on safari
- Experienced drivers, guides and cooks (each employee has at least seven years experience in the safari industry)
- All meals and bottled drinking water (vegetarian and vegan meals are available for those with special dietary needs)
- Tents, sleeping mattresses, pillows, tables & chairs are provided by Duma free of charge, while other equipment such as sleeping bags and clothing are available for rent

Camping safaris do not include gratuities, soda/alcohol, lodging before and after the safari, visa fees, health/travel insurance, airfare, or personal equipment such as sleeping bags and clothing.

What's Next?

Please visit our safari packing list page for details on what to bring on safari. All extra gear can be stored at the Duma office or your hotel in Arusha. Be sure to contact us for details!