Fly Camping in Tanzania

Fly camping is a stripped-back, close-to-nature safari experience. Unlike permanent or luxury tented camps, fly camps are simple, mobile set-ups typically consisting of lightweight mosquito-net tents or bedrolls, positioned in remote locations deep in the bush. Despite its simplicity, this is a well-organised, safe, and deeply atmospheric way to immerse yourself in the African wilderness.
You’ll arrive at your private camp, lit by hurricane lanterns and a crackling campfire, after a guided walk or short game drive. Dinner is cooked over open flames, and stories are shared beneath the stars before you retire to your tent to sleep with nothing but canvas or netting between you and the wild.

Nyerere is renowned for its vast, untamed landscapes of river systems, lakes, and open plains, ideal for fly camping. Most fly camping experiences here follow a walking safari, allowing you to explore areas inaccessible by vehicle and end the day at a beautifully remote, temporary camp. Featuring the sounds of hippo grunts and night birds, nights in Nyerere feel truly wild.

Sand Rivers Camp, founded by famous guide Richard Bonham in the early 1990s and now run by one of our favorite safari companies, Nomad Tanzania, is undoubtedly our top pick for fly camping in Nyerere. Camp is usually pitched on a sandy riverbank fringed with baobab trees, where guests can fall asleep listening to hippos snorting and the gorgeous Milky Way expanse above. As with most camps, fly camping is available only in the dry season.

Katavi is one of Africa’s last great wildernesses – remote, little-visited, and brimming with wildlife. Fly camping here is a rare privilege, with vast floodplains, dense riverine forests, and seasonal rivers setting the scene. It’s common to see huge herds of buffalo, elephant, and a wealth of birdlife during the day, followed by evenings spent around the fire in utter seclusion.

Chada Katavi is our go-to for fly camping in this vast and remote park. Guiding standards are phenomenally good, and they provide one- or two-night options, which offer travellers the chance to experience the bush in the most spectacular way possible.

Fly camping in the Serengeti offers an entirely different perspective on this famous park. Away from the lodges and main game-viewing areas, you’ll camp in the true wilderness, sometimes following the movements of the Great Migration or exploring quieter corners of the park. It’s an incredible way to experience the Serengeti’s vastness and solitude, with expert guides ensuring your safety and comfort throughout.

Our favorite fly camping camp in Serengeti is undoubtedly Serian’s Serengeti South (Kakessio). One of Africa’s most famous professional guides, Alex Walker, runs this camp – and it’s nothing short of exceptional. Fly camping lasts for a minimum of three nights and is one of the best ways to explore this magical terrain in the presence of exceptional guiding and storytelling. Cozy beds, warm bucket showers, and a fire-cooked meal await you at the end of every exciting day out in the wilderness. Fly camping is open from the 15th of December to the 1st of May.

Remote and rugged, Ruaha is a fly camper’s paradise. The park’s ancient baobabs, sand rivers, and predator-rich plains make it an unforgettable setting. Fly camping here is often combined with walking safaris, allowing you to discover Ruaha’s secrets on foot before settling into your private bush camp for a night under the stars.

At Yellow Zebra, our experts love the fly camping experiences at both Jongomero Camp and Kichaka Expeditions. Fly camping at both camps generally takes place as an extension of a walking safari. Most experiences include two or three days of game walking with one or two nights under the stars.

We work with camps and guides who specialize in authentic, expertly guided fly camping experiences. While the set-up is simple, safety is paramount, and a professional guide will always accompany you. Expect warm hospitality, superb bush cuisine, and a chance to disconnect from the modern world in one of Africa’s last true wildernesses. Fly camping isn’t for everyone. It’s for those who crave adventure, solitude, and a deep connection to nature.