Fly Camping in Serengeti: The Ultimate Wild Experience

What Is Fly Camping in Serengeti?

Fly camping is an adventurous, back-to-basics safari experience that connects you directly with the raw and untouched landscapes of Tanzania. Unlike traditional glamping or lodge safaris, fly camping strips the experience down to its most essential parts: you, nature, and the wild.

In Serengeti National Park, fly camping means sleeping in a lightweight canvas tent or under a mosquito net in remote, off-the-map areas. These makeshift camps are set up for just one or two nights before moving on, offering unmatched solitude. It’s a chance to experience the Serengeti not just as a visitor but as a part of its rhythm — listening to distant lion calls or the rustling of wildebeests as you fall asleep under the stars.

Perfect for those seeking authenticity, solitude, and personal adventure, fly camping is guided by professional rangers and trackers who ensure your safety while allowing you to explore on foot. Expect simplicity, but not discomfort: cozy cots, bucket showers, delicious bush meals, and campfires await you after days spent exploring on foot.

Where to Fly Camp in Serengeti

Some of the top-rated and most scenic fly camping options in Serengeti include:

Asanja Under the Stars – This mobile camp by Asanja Africa brings rustic luxury to secluded corners of the Serengeti.
Alex Walker’s Serian – Pair fly camping with expert-led walking safaris across the northern and southern regions.
Entara Camps – With fly camp setups near Olmara and Olkeri, these camps blend wilderness with comfort.
Namiri Plains Camp – A base for wildlife-rich fly camping in the Central Serengeti, perfect for photographers.
Serian Adventure Fly Camp – Their minimalist design and remote setups make it a favorite among adventurers.
Singita Camps – If you’re looking for luxury even in the wild, Singita’s fly camp experience is high-end and exclusive.

Each of these camps offers a unique ambiance, but all share one promise: immersion in the wild Serengeti under open skies, without distractions or crowds.

What to Expect on a Fly Camping Safari

Walk, Explore, and Sleep Wild: You’ll walk for a few hours each day, led by knowledgeable guides and sometimes Maasai warriors. These walks offer insight into animal tracks, plant life, and bird calls that you’d otherwise miss from a vehicle.

Bare Essentials, Big Impact: The camps are set up with just the basics: simple canvas tents, cots with fresh linens, a portable toilet, and a bush shower. There are no generators or paved paths — only nature.

Unforgettable Evenings: As the sun sets, gather around the campfire with your group. Listen to stories from your guide, enjoy freshly prepared meals, and feel the stillness of the African night as stars stretch from horizon to horizon.

Wildlife, Unfiltered: Fly camping places you in the heart of wildlife habitats. You may spot elephants grazing nearby or hear hyenas laughing at night. The experience is thrilling but carefully managed to ensure your safety and minimize environmental impact.

The Magic of the Wildebeest Migration

One of the most extraordinary times to experience fly camping in Serengeti is during the wildebeest migration in Tanzania. This annual movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, along with zebras and gazelles, is one of the natural world’s most spectacular events.

Fly camps can be strategically placed to follow the herds — whether it’s near the Grumeti River or further north near the Mara River. Here, you can witness dramatic predator-prey encounters, river crossings, and wide open plains thundering with hooves.

It’s no surprise that seasoned photographers and travel couples refer to this as the ultimate in wild romance. According to our Honeymoon Safari Photography Guide, fly camping during the migration offers unrivaled intimacy, light, and landscape for breathtaking photos.

Meet the Maasai in Africa

Many fly camping safaris offer enriching cultural experiences with the Maasai in Africa, who have coexisted with Serengeti’s wildlife for generations. These visits are not touristy stops but immersive opportunities to learn and connect.

Discover the Maasai people’s average height, often towering over 6 feet tall.
Observe their distinctive stretched Maasai earlobes adorned with beadwork.
Join in a traditional jumping dance or explore a homestead to see how they live in harmony with nature.

These encounters add depth to your trip, offering a cultural counterpoint to your wilderness experience while directly supporting local communities.

What to Pack for Fly Camping

Breathable clothing in earth tones (avoid bright colors)
Comfortable hiking shoes and flip-flops
Warm layer for evenings
Headlamp and extra batteries
Biodegradable soap and wipes
Binoculars and a DSLR camera
Personal first aid kit and medications
Power bank (no electricity at camp)

Photography Tips

Catch the early golden hour and twilight for magical lighting
Use a zoom lens for wildlife action without getting too close
Shoot landscapes during walks for panoramic views
Night photography: capture star trails or silhouette your tent against the fire
Take candid portraits of Maasai guides and trackers

Final Thoughts

Fly camping in Serengeti is a return to the soul of safari — simple, raw, and unforgettable. It strips away luxury and replaces it with something deeper: presence. You’re not just seeing Africa; you’re feeling it — hearing the wind, watching animal tracks unfold beneath your boots, and falling asleep to the rhythm of the wild.

For honeymooners seeking intimacy, photographers craving the perfect light, or adventurers wanting to walk the land instead of just driving through it — fly camping delivers. This is where you forge a connection not just with the Serengeti but with yourself.

So trade walls for canvas, Wi-Fi for stars, and a safari lodge for the ancient heartbeat of Africa.