Camping in the Serengeti — the honest guide to tents and stars

Can you really camp in the Serengeti?

Yes. The Serengeti has both public campsites and special campsites, and understanding that distinction is crucial.

A public campsite is exactly what it sounds like: a designated spot in the park where you pitch a tent for a set fee ($30 per person per night in 2025). Facilities are minimal — a toilet, sometimes a tap with water. No fence. No security. Just you, your tent, and the park.

A special campsite is more exclusive: you hire a location for your group alone ($120 per night for the site + $30 pp). More remote, more spectacle, more silence.

Then there are tented camps — not camping in the traditional sense, but luxury or mid-range sleeping accommodation in permanent tent structures. With a bed, water and meals. This is what most Simba Tours guests choose when they "want to sleep in the park."

Public campsites — for the adventurer

There are several public campsites in the Serengeti, spread across the park. The best-known are near Seronera (central), Lobo (north) and Ndutu (south).

What to expect: you pitch your own tent, cook on your own stove, and sleep literally under the stars in the wild. There is no fence. Animals can pass through — buffalo, hyenas, even lions at night.

I've had guests who considered this the highlight of their trip. I've also had guests who never wanted to talk about it again.

It's adventure in its purest form. But you need to choose it consciously and be prepared: your own equipment, your own food, your own nerve.

Special campsites — the best of both worlds

If you want the raw feeling without being entirely on your own, special campsites are the best option.

You reserve an exclusive location — sometimes on top of a kopje (a granite rock island in the plain), sometimes along a river. You bring your own tent, but you're the only group at that location.

Fee: approximately $120 per night for the site ($30 per person on top of normal park fees).

My favourite special campsites in the Serengeti: the kopjes in Simba Hills (northwest Serengeti) by moonlight. The best view you can imagine.

Tented camps — luxury in the wild

If you want to "sleep in the park" but with a real bed, choose a tented camp. These are permanent or semi-permanent tent structures with a solid base, furniture and a private bathroom.

Prices vary widely: from approximately $200 per person per night (budget tented camp, basic facilities) to $1,500+ per night (ultra-luxury camps like Singita or &Beyond).

The best mid-range tented camps for Simba Tours guests are camps in the Seronera area that are open year-round, with good meals and an experienced team.

Safety when camping

This is the most frequently asked question: isn't it dangerous?

The honest answer: risk is real but manageable. Rules for public and special campsites:

Never leave your tent at night without a torch and without a guide or local escort. Hyenas and buffalo are the most common unwanted visitors.

Never store food in your tent. Cook at least 100 metres from your sleeping area.

Bring a horn or whistle as an alarm device.

Trust your guide. Jonas and Collin know the park rules and know what to do if a buffalo gets too close.

What we recommend

For most guests, a quality tented camp is the best combination: you sleep in the park, you hear the sounds, you see the stars — but you have a real bed and feel safe.

For the true adventurers: one special campsite night as an addition to your safari gives you a moment you will never forget. Plan it as one of the nights in a longer trip, not as your only accommodation.

Camping for camping's sake alone? The Serengeti is not a holiday park. Make sure you're ready for it.