Camping in Tanzania- Camping gears and rooftop Tent

Camping and roadtripping in Tanzania with a 4×4 is a fantastic way to see the country and feel incredibly free, regardless of your travel budget, love of the outdoors, or need for flexibility. To get the most out of your Tanzanian camping trip, read our advice below!

What camp gear do I need in Tanzania?

Roadtrip Africa offers automobile rentals that include all you need for a Tanzanian camping trip, including camp equipment.

A ground tent or a rooftop tent can be installed on our land cruisers. The following sizes are available for our rooftop tents:

1. Standard rooftop tent ($20 | Sleeps 2)
2. Family rooftop tent/ 2 rooftop tent ($35 | Sleeps 4 adults )

One family rooftop tent or two regular rooftop tents may fit atop each Land Cruiser.

Our Rav4 can only be equipped with a ground tent and costs $5 per person/per day.

A set of camp supplies is included with each tents and includes:

• Folding foam mattress
• Sleeping bag with pillows and bed sheets
• Chairs and small table
• Storage box
• 1 gas tank & 1 burner
• Cups, plates & bowls
• Coffee plunger
• Pots, frying pans, cutlery set, knife, can opener, corkscrew
• Cutting board
• Dish towel, detergent, washing line & pegs
• Solar table lamp

TIP: In order to be warm on the grass or to cover up on chilly nights, pack a headlamp and an additional fleece blanket. The supplied sleeping bags are not very sturdy.

We now offer the option to rent a 55L electrical refrigerator for the Land Cruiser for $5 per day. Perfect for people who intend to camp frequently or who want a cold beverage in the outdoors.*

Please be aware that Self drive Tanzania does not independently offer camp equipment rental in Tanzania.

 Please be aware that when there are issues with the refrigerator, we do not provide field repairs or send a replacement car. Pipework and wiring are delicate and are harmed by dust and uneven roadways. Unfortunately, the field lacks the expertise and tools (Frigo gas) necessary to fix refrigerators. We recognize how inconvenient it is when the refrigerator breaks down. Please let us know if this occurs, and our  office will swiftly reimburse your rental.

How to set up a roof top tent in Tanzania

Setting up a rooftop tent is quick and simple. Simply view this detailed instruction video.

Do I bring a ground tent or rooftop tent with me on safari?

For a lot of folks, the ideal camping safari experience is sleeping in a rooftop tent. But there are also benefits to using a ground tent. Whether a rooftop tent is the best option for you will depend on a few factors:

The pros & cons of sleeping in a rooftop tent

The simplest way to sleep off the ground is with a rooftop tent. This is useful if the ground is rough or rainy, or if your campsite is uneven. In wilderness locations, people typically prefer rooftop tents over ground tents because they provide some separation from nocturnal wild creatures. This is a FALSE feeling of security, though, and a properly zipped-up ground tent would keep you just as safe. However, we are aware that perceptions of safety also come into play here.

Pros of camping in a rooftop tent:

• One argument for camping inside a game park is that it makes you feel safer. These days, however, a lot of lovely campsites outside of safari parks are privately owned.
• Although ground tents can also be built up quickly, rooftop tents are quick and simple to erect.

Cons:

• Every time you wish to utilize your car, you must fold up your rooftop tent.
• Renting a rooftop tent necessitates using a Land Cruiser and is more costly than renting a ground tent.
• How mobile are you? Getting up and down a rooftop tent’s stepladder can be uncomfortable for persons who are more rigid.

When camping in Tanzania, either a ground tent or a rooftop tent will provide a memorable experience!

Packing tips for Tanzania

• Bring sunscreen and bug repellent (DEET is the best option), as these are more costly in Tanzania.
• In the evenings, the highlands get colder, so pack a fleece jumper or vest.
• You will need to bring your own USB and audio cords, but your Tanzanian rental car has a cigar lighter to power your gadgets.
• Don’t forget to download your favorite car trip tunes to listen to offline if you use Spotify.
• When you go camping frequently, a power bank is useful.
• Listening to audiobooks while resting in your tent, sitting around a campfire, or taking long trips is also a lot of fun (try a thriller!).
• The locals will be very grateful if you use the Rough Guide Swahili Phrasebook to learn a few Swahili terms.

Have you forgotten something? You may purchase nearly whatever you need at the several well-stocked pharmacies and supermarkets in Arusha and Dar es Salaam. For Tanzania’s regional towns, this isn’t the case.

Are campsites widely available in Tanzania?

The cost of lodging in Tanzania’s national parks can be high. Therefore, camping might be a fantastic substitute for both adventurous and low-budget travelers.

From private campsites run by resort owners to simple bush campsites inside the parks, there are many different types of campsites available around the nation. The latter choice offers safe locations with nice features like a restaurant, a common fireplace, and occasionally even a swimming pool. Tanzania’s warm climate also makes camping there possible all year round.

The free program iOverlander, which plots and reviews every campsite, is a great resource for anyone searching for a camping or inexpensive guesthouse in Tanzania.

Booking a special campsite in Tanzania

Private safari companies primarily reserve Tanzania’s so-called “special campsites.” They are able to set up their mobile tented campgrounds because they bid on these specific campsites. However, not all of them will be taken, so individual travelers can make reservations.

It’s difficult to reserve a seat at a unique campsite, and it will cost a little more than usual. Nonetheless, camping in a remote area of Tanzania will provide you with a genuine wilderness experience.

You should use the Tanapa website to reserve your particular campsite in Tanzania in advance. You can use this link to create an account. Contact support@tanzaniaparks.go.tz if you have any questions or need assistance with the online reservation.

You can also check out what’s available at the Tanapa office in Arusha if the reservation system is down, which is often in Tanzania.

Do I need to book campsites in advance in Tanzania?

It is not necessary to book your camping spaces in advance when visiting Tanzania. When you arrive, you pick up your camping permit at the entrance. When you arrive at the park entry, you will always be given one of the many public campsites available in each national park.

Within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, are you interested in camping? After that, you must first get a reservation quote.

You may plan your NCA reservation with the assistance of Roadtrip Africa. When renting a car, please check this box on our booking form. We charge a total processing fee of $25. At our office in Arusha, you can pay with a credit card for the real entrance and camping permit.

Do you have any additional inquiries concerning Tanzanian camping? Visit our fleet of rental cars or contact us. We at Roadtrip Africa are delighted to assist you in planning the camping adventure of a lifetime!