TANZANIA BUDGET ACCOMMODATIONS

Camping sites come in many shapes and forms and the same goes for the experience.

Adventure camping requires the guest to assist with camp duties. The guides assist but an essential part of this type of safari is to participate. You will have to put up your tent, pack the vehicle, and help prepare the meals.

The campsites can be located inside or outside the national parks but essentially it will entail you, the tent, and the wilderness. The comfort level depends on the campsite but notes that you’ll sleep in sleeping beds. Generally speaking, the campsites located in public parks may only offer basic amenities (bucket shower and pit bathroom), while the private option may even offer a pool.

Full-service camping is the typical modern-day equivalent of the “traditional safari”. There are both en-suite and non-en-suite options.

You will not have to help with anything, there will be proper flush toilets, but you will sleep in sleeping beds. The vehicles used are 4×4 safari vehicles and you’ll even have a chef to prepare the meals. The spacious tent may have or not have an en-suite bathroom (depending on the option chosen).

Tented camps are considered one of the best options for a safari and are usually small camps (5-20 tents). You’ll find a real bed, en-suite bathroom, and wi-fi service (where available).

They come with private decks and amazing views of the surrounding area. There is always cold and hot running water, as well as electricity. The dining service is comparable to fine restaurants.

Generally, they come both in mid-range and luxury options. Depending on the country you are visiting, the tented camps may or may not be fenced. However, they are typically patrolled 24h a day by armed rangers that keep you safe

Budget accommodation options

For budget African safari traveling, the accommodation options available in Tanzania are usually classified as either budget or mid-range. Accommodation types can range from camping tents to lodges, and sometimes a basic tented camp as well. The difference between budget and mid-range really depends on the facility but generally, what varies are the size of the room, the amenities included and/or the level of service provided.

To differentiate camping tents with lodges and tented camps, here’s an overview:

• • Camping tents: tents, usually bivouac tents, set up in a designated camping ground just outside the park or inside it. Toilet and baths are available for public use.

• • Tented camps: tents usually made of special canvas, strategically located in some of the most action-packed or most exclusive areas of the park. These can be permanent or mobile tents, and they usually come with ensuite baths.

• Lodge: a basic hotel- or inn-style accommodation with solid walls and the usual hotel amenities. Most lodges are located a bit further away from the middle of the wilderness, however, they are usually just a short drive away.

Public camping

One very common option for adventurous travelers on a budget is public camping. These campsites are spread out in the park, usually by a gate entrance, or just a little outside the park’s premises.

Public restrooms and bathrooms are available and about 50 to 80 visitors per night can typically be accommodated. For food, meals are usually taken on a designated eating area or sometimes, a restaurant. This accommodation option is highly recommendable for those who would love to rough it out or who are on a shoestring budget.

Just always mind the park rules and listen to every park ranger’s or guide’s rules.