How much does it cost to go on Tanzania Safari?

Adventure camping safaris in Tanzania cost about $285 to $425 per person per day. This is one of the cheapest ways to travel in Tanzania and you’ll be travelling in a group of only 7 people. You’ll travel on rough roads and camp in two-man dome tents in the bush. Nature lovers – this style of travel is perfect for you. The camps are located in or near the national parks and are either public or private campsites. The camps in the national parks are unfenced so you are quite likely to encounter wildlife as you go about your daily life at camp.

Even though this is an adventurous style of travel there is a safari cook who prepares the meals and all camping and cooking equipment is included.

These excellent-value camping safaris include the following expenses: transport in 4×4 safari vehicles, a professional English-speaking guide and cook, camping equipment (tent and mattress), national park fees, meals as indicated and mineral water on safari.

Adventure Camping Tours in Tanzania:

4 Day Budget Tanzania Camping Safari ($300 per day)

7 Day Tanzania Wildlife Camping Safari ($285 per day)

3. Budget Tanzania Lodge Safaris ($320 – $625 per day)

Budget lodge in Tanzania Safari cost between $320 and $625 per day at the entry to mid-range price levels. Tanzania has a wide variety of lodge accommodation, ranging from 3 to 5 Stars, catering for all budget levels. Lodge safaris can include either hotel style, small lodges and guesthouses or luxury tented camps. There are both permanent and semi-permanent tented camps in Tanzania which offer affordable classical African safari experiences.

African Budget Safaris features mid-range lodge safaris that travel in small groups on scheduled departure dates. These safaris range from 4 to 15 days in length, with several packages combining Kenya’s famous Masai Mara with Tanzania’s legendary Serengeti Park and Ngorongoro Crater. On these budget-friendly lodge safaris, transport is usually in a safari vehicle with a pop-up roof

Budget Lodge Safaris typically include airport transfers, tour transport, most meals, 3-4 star accommodation, park entry fees and most activities (game drives, boat cruises etc). Tanzania lodge safaris that visit Zanzibar Island generally include the costs of the ferry to and from the main island, transfers on the island and accommodation, but often not meals and activities.

Budget Tanzania Lodge Safaris:

7 Day Tanzania Deluxe Safari ($320 per person/day)

More Tanzania Lodge Safaris

4. Mobile Camping Safaris ($540 – $620 per person/day)

Mobile Camping Safaris are more expensive than adventure camping tours because they stay at private campsites and offer extra comfort, glamping style. These are non-participation tours that travel in small groups of up to 7 people making them more exclusive. There is little or no participation required from clients, so you can sit back and relax. No cooking and cleaning or chores and helping to set up or dismantle camps.

Tanzania mobile safaris include a combination of camping (dome tents with camping beds) and tented lodge accommodation. This style of travel usually takes you to private concession areas and enables you to spend some time alone in the bush.

5. Tailor-made Private Tanzania Safaris ($300 – $600+ Per Day)

The cost of private safaris in Tanzania varies based on a few key factors. Firstly, the size of your travel party – group size. The larger your group the cheaper the group rate will be per person. For example, a 6-day private camping safari in Tanzania costs about $400 per person per day when you book for a group of two people, whereas the same safari costs about $295 per person for a group of four and only $250 per person for a group of seven.

The second Tanzania Safari cost factor is which game parks you want to visit in Tanzania. Visiting various destinations in Tanzania entails different travel and entry fee costs (see Tanzania Safari Destinations below). Then the duration of your safari is another key factor that will determine the overall cost of your travels.

Lastly, the style of travel you choose will be one of the most important factors determining the cost of a private safari in Tanzania, as with group tours.

The cheapest option is a private safari with basic camping accommodation, costing about $300 per person sharing (for a group of four travelers). That includes your own guide, cook, 4×4 transport, park fees, all meals during the safari, mineral water, activities, Flying Doctors Insurance, tents and camping equipment.

The next step up from standard private camping safaris is the fully-serviced mobile camping safaris which offer extra comforts and make use of at private camps. These private mobile safaris offer excellent value-for-money when booking for private groups of 4 or more travelers. Private mobile camping safaris in Tanzania cost from $340 to $445 per person per day based on a group of four travelers or private lodge safaris in Tanzania, costs start at about $320 per person per day for a 2 or 3-day safari to Ngorongoro Crater and Northern Safari Circuit national parks, excluding Serengeti.

Budget tailor-made lodge safaris can cost up to about $600 per person per day (for a group of four) in the low season for a 6-day private safari in Tanzania, which includes Serengeti Park. These are just a few starting prices for well-priced customized safaris but you can easily spend much more on a private safari, depending on the level of luxury at the tented camps and lodges, ranging from 3 to 5-star establishments.

Budgeting Tip: Rustle up a group of 5 or more to get the best rates on private safaris in Tanzania. The bigger your group the cheaper the cost per person per day. Ask one of our safari experts for a quote.

6. Luxury Tanzania Safaris for Less ($470 – $1300 Per Day)

For Luxury Tanzania Lodge Safaris, the best-priced packages start from about $470 per person sharing per night in the low season. That’s a private safari to Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire, with 4 to 5-star lodge accommodation, fine dining and expert guides.

If you opt for 4-star lodge accommodation in Serengeti then you can find prices as low as $269 per person per night BUT that price excludes game drives ($150 per person per day), park entry fees ($60 per person per day) and airstrip transfers ($60 per person one way).

A more luxurious 5-star Tanzania Lodge Safari costs from about $796 per person sharing per night in low season to about $1300 in the high season on a full board basis. That includes all meals and drinks (excluding champagne, private cellar wines and spirits) shared and scheduled game drives, a guided walking safari, sundowners and transfers to and from the airstrips, laundry, service charge and VAT.

To book a well-priced Luxury Tanzania Safari talk to one of our travel experts who can tailor-make a private safari for you.

8 Safari Cost Factors explained

• Transport on Tour
• Seasonality
• Tanzanian Safari Destinations
• Tanzania Flights
• Tanzania Visas
• Safari Add-Ons
• Special Interest Safari Costs
• Often-Overlooked Costs

These are the main factors you’ll need to consider but you’ll still need to budget for vaccinations (see Vaccinations needed for your African Safari), communication and African safari gear (appropriate clothing, insect repellent and sun protection).

1. Tour Transport Options & Costs

Travelling overland (in a vehicle on land) is far cheaper than flying from destination to destination, plus it’s way better for the environment!

On Tanzania group safaris you are collected from the airport upon arrival on day one and transferred back to the airport on the last day of your trip. Alternatively, pick-up and drop-off can usually be arranged at/from your pre- and post-safari hotel if you prefer. During Tanzania Safaris, land travel is typically conducted in a 4×4 vehicle that can cope with rough African roads.

Fly-In Safaris entail domestic flights to the local airstrips close to your chosen wildlife destination and lodge. Flights are conducted in a small fixed-wing plane, transferring clients from one of Tanzania’s cities or towns to the local airstrip. From there on out, a 4×4 safari vehicle is used for wildlife viewing activities at the lodges and parks. When visiting multiple lodges on a fly-in safari clients take a “bush flight” from the airstrip of one lodge to the next. This is where Fly-in Safaris become pricey, as bush flights don’t come cheap.

2. Safari Seasons in Tanzania – the price differences

Tanzania is a seasonal safari destination, with marked high and low seasons, so the time of year that you decide to travel has a noticeable impact on costs.

High season: July to October and December

Mid-Season: Jan and Feb and June (about 20% off high season)

Low Season: March to May and November (up to 40 % off high season rates)

Most lodges and tour companies offer low and high season rates. Off-peak rates are often much lower and travelling in low season has its perks so consider booking in the shoulder and low seasons. Low season in Serengeti is during the long rains (March and April) and high season is from late June/ early July to late August / early September when wildlife viewing is at its best.

This 5-day Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Tanzania Lodge Safari, for example, costs $355 per person per day in the low season (March to May) but $431 during December.

Wildebeest Migration Time

During the Great Migration in the Serengeti, prices are higher. In the southern region of Serengeti, prices go up in about February and in the northern area around July to August depending on animal movements in the given year. Find out all about the Great Migration here to get your timing right.

Budgeting Tips: Travel during the low or shoulder seasons when safari and lodge prices are lower. Talk to one of our in-house safari experts to find out what conditions are like this year and where the Great Migration is at this season.

3. Tanzania Safari Destinations & the cost implications

Where you choose to go on safari in Tanzania can have a major impact on the cost of your safari.

Most notably, the park entry fees for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are higher than for other Tanzanian national parks. The Serengeti Park is after all (arguably) Africa’s most legendary safari destination and thus Tanzania’s top tourist destination, whilst Ngorongoro Crater is world-renowned for its abundant wildlife and archaeological significance.

Budgeting Tip: Serengeti Safaris cost from $1000 extra as add-ons to a Tanzania Safari, so check to see if the Serengeti is included in your trip when booking. Talk to our safari team.

Northern vs Southern Safari Costs

The Serengeti and Ngorongoro form part of the Northern Safari Circuit in Tanzania which includes Arusha National Park, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park. This Northern Safari Circuit is Tanzania’s most popular safari region. The higher park fees, especially for Serengeti and Ngorongoro, generally make safaris to the famous Northern Safari Circuit more expensive than trips to Tanzania’s Southern Game Parks.

However, visiting the Southern Game Parks of Tanzania requires more driving time and tours to this less-renowned region usually operate on a private departure basis which makes them more expensive for 2 to 4 travelers. The main appeal of the Southern Circuit game parks – Selous Game Reserve, Ruaha National Park, Mahale National Park and Katavi National Park – is that they offer a more off-the-beaten-track safari experience.

Affordable private safaris to Southern Tanzania’s Parks include our Ruaha Safaris and Selous Game Reserve Safaris.

For Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit parks, on the other hand, there are private and group departure safaris to choose from. The set group departures offer better value for money if you are prepared to join a group travelling with a tour company on a pre-defined itinerary.

Northern Safari Circuit Tours typically depart from Arusha – browse budget safaris starting in Arusha.

Southern Game Parks Safaris usually depart from Dar es Salaam – see upcoming safaris from Dar es Salaam.

Private Concession Area Costs

Tanzania’s private concession areas host the more exclusive safari lodges, which makes them more expensive to visit. The extra cost will get you a more exclusive Tanzania Safari experience because access to the private concession areas is restricted to the guests staying at the lodges located inside these private reserves. Private concession areas are found inside or bordering/near most of the official national parks of Tanzania. Entry fees range from $25 to $50 per adult per day, depending on the location of the concession area. View Tanzania concession fees at the main national parks or talk to one of our travel consultants.

4. Flights to Tanzania

You can pick up return flights from New York to Dar es Salaam for about US$840 depending on the time of year. Return flights from London to Dar es Salaam start at about £550, again depending on when you travel.

During the peak safari seasons, flights to Tanzania are more expensive and you need to book well in advance to secure cheap flights.

The peak season for wildlife viewing in Tanzania is from June to October (dry season). The best time to see the Great Migration in the Serengeti is June to July although the timing varies from year-to-year. The wildebeest have their calves from late January to February which makes this another popular time to visit the Serengeti.

Low season in Tanzania is from March to May which is when you’ll find the cheapest flights. This is one of the two wet seasons however which makes it less ideal for beach holidays. The shorter rains take place from October to December, another good time to pick up cheap flights.

Search for cheap flights with Travelstart who offer the best possible flight prices available.

Budgeting Tip: Check flight prices to Nairobi in Kenya as these are often cheaper. From Nairobi, you can travel overland to Arusha, the gateway to the Northern Safari Circuit in Tanzania or you can join a Kenya & Tanzania group safari that starts in Nairobi.

5. Tanzania Visa Costs

A Tanzania tourist visa costs US$50 for most nationals and can be obtained at the border upon arrival (for most nationalities). This is a single entry tourist visa for visits of up to 30 days, valid for 90 days. For US citizens a Tanzania visa costs US$100 but allows for multiple-entry visits of up to 90 days and is valid for 12 months.

The good news is, Tanzania tourist visas are valid for both Tanzania (mainland) and Zanzibar Island.

South Africans do not have to get a visa for Tanzania and Zanzibar, as is the case with about 69 other nationalities that don’t need visas for Tanzania.

For more information about Tanzania visas and online visa applications see the Tanzania Immigration Website

6. Tanzania Safari Add-Ons

One of the major expenses of going on safari in Tanzania is the flights, which is why many travelers choose to add-on to their safaris and extend their trips. Favorite add-on activities include gorilla trekking, Kenya safaris, Zanzibar Island holidays and climbing expeditions in Tanzania.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda

Travelling all the way to East Africa for your Tanzania Safari provides the perfect opportunity to go gorilla trekking in the rainforests of central Africa. Why not embark on one of the most sought-after wildlife experiences in the world before or after your unforgettable wildlife safari in Tanzania?

Uganda and Rwanda are located close to Tanzania making it easy and relatively affordable to catch a short flight to Kampala in Uganda or Kigali in Rwanda. Alternatively, you can join a budget gorilla trekking tour travelling overland from Tanzania or Nairobi in Kenya. Don’t miss out on the chance to see the endangered mountain gorillas of Africa while you are in the region. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

Neighbouring Tanzania, Kenya is another of Africa’s most popular safari destinations. Travelers frequently ask us which is better for a safari, Kenya or Tanzania, or Serengeti vs Masai Mara. The simple answer is, both are exceptional African safari destinations thus the ideal is to go on safari in both Tanzania and Kenya.

There are different types of budget safaris that make a complete circuit of Kenya and Tanzania taking you to both Masai Mara and Serengeti on a variety of budgets. In terms of cost, one of the advantages of combining Kenya and Tanzania is that flights to Nairobi in Kenya are often cheaper than those to Dar es Salaam and smaller towns such as Arusha.

Kenya & Tanzania Lodge Safaris:

• Kenya & Tanzania Budget Lodge Safari
• East African Great Migration Lodge Safari
• Kenya & Tanzania Adventure Camping Safari:
• Tanzania & Kenya Budget Camping Safari

Zanzibar Island holiday add-ons

Add Zanzibar to your Serengeti Safari and you get the ultimate beach and bush getaway. Tanzania is one of the best places in Africa to take a lazy beach holiday after your action-packed wildlife safari. Why? Zanzibar’s tropical white sand beaches, the warm Indian Ocean, excellent diving and snorkeling, dhow sailing trips and exotic spices, to name a few.

Accommodation at a 3-star Zanzibar Island resort costs from about $127 per person per night excluding flights, transfers, activities and meals. The easiest way to get to Zanzibar after a Northern Circuit Safari is to take a flight from Arusha. If your safari ends in Dar Es Salaam then you can take the ferry to Stone Town for about $35 (one way) or a short flight for about $100 (return).

Browse our Tours that includes visit Zanzibar Island in addition to Tanzania, or a string of other African countries, to get a taste of the best budget-friendly options available.

This 10 Day Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach Holiday includes a safari to the Northern Safari Circuit (Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater) and a fully-inclusive Zanzibar Island package with accommodation at 5-star resorts. The average daily cost per person per day comes to about $280 including accommodation, transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle, a flight from Arusha to Zanzibar, park entry fees and game drives with professional English-speaking guide.

Climbing Kilimanjaro & Mount Meru in Tanzania

Hiking enthusiasts and outdoor lovers often jump at the chance to climb Mount Kilimanjaro while in Tanzania. Trekking to the summit of Africa’s highest mountain is the perfect way for active travellers to top-off a Tanzania Safari. At 4900 metres from base to tip (5895 metres above sea level) conquering Kilimanjaro, ‘The Roof of Africa’, is a must for fit adventure seekers!

Budget Kilimanjaro Trekking Tours starting and ending in Arusha:

• 8 Day Machame Route ($268 per person sharing per day / from $2140)
• 8 Day Marangu Route ($268 per person sharing per day / from $2140)
• 9 Day Lemosho Route (about $290 per person sharing per day/ from $2630)

The price of these trekking tours includes:

• Professional English speaking guide and mountain crew (cook & porters)
• Kilimanjaro Trek and national park fees
• Overnight stays in mountain huts/tents as per the itineraries
• Two overnight stays at a lodge (including breakfast & dinner)
• Meals and transfers as per the tour itineraries
• Drinking water

Climbing Mount Meru is cheaper because it is far less famous, being the fifth highest mountain in Africa. A Mount Meru Trekking Tour costs from about $222 per day, including the same expenses as the Kilimanjaro Tours, as well as an English speaking park ranger.

6 Day Mount Meru Trek ($1330 / $222 per person sharing per day)

7. Special Interest Safari Costs

Tanzania Walking Safaris

A Serengeti Walking Safari will cost from US$1650 per person for two guests for two nights /three days (about $550 per person per day). A 7-day Serengeti Walking Safari which combines game drives in Ngorongoro and Serengeti with three days of walking in the Serengeti Ecosystem costs about US$4675 per person sharing for two guests (about $670 per person per day). As with other private safaris, the cost of a walking safari goes down when you book for more people ($3770 per person sharing for a group of four people).

Photographic Safaris in Tanzania

Tanzania Photographic Safaris cost about $700 to $1200 per person per day for a 9 to 17-day trip to Tanzanian or Tanzanian and Kenyan game parks. This includes a professional photographer as your guide, as well as most expenses and land travel costs.

Tanzania Birding Safaris

A Tanzania Birding Safari costs from about $485 to $570 per person per day, depending on the group size, season and level of accommodation. Tanzania is a birding hotspot with over 1100 bird species, including 800 resident species and 200 regular migrant species. Home to 22 endemic and 43 near-endemic bird species Tanzania offers unique birding experiences across a wide range of habitats, from savannahs and wetlands to highland forests and scrublands. Tanzania’s top birding destinations are Arusha National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire Park, Lake Manyara, Serengeti Park, Ruaha, Lake Victoria, Mount Kilimanjaro, Pemba Island and the Usambara Mountains.

Tanzania Festivals

In early to mid-February Zanzibar hosts the Sauti za Busara Festival, one of the biggest music festivals in East Africa. This well-established festival celebrates African music across genres, from jazz, bongo flava and pop to fusion and taarab. A four-day pass for Sauti za Busara costs $120 for international visitors and $60 for African passport holders (for 13th to 16th February 2020). They offer early bird specials so book in advance to save on tickets. Tickets cost extra when paying at the door (on arrival) so buy them beforehand.

The Mwaka Kogwa Festival is held on Zanzibar Island in July to celebrate the Shirazi New Year. This four-day festival kicks off with banana leaf/stalk fights between the men as a way to resolve arguments. Then the banana leaves are set on fire on the beach to symbolise the start of a fresh new year accompanied by music and dancing.

At the Bagamoyo Arts Festival (September/October) in Bagamoyo (near Dar es Salaam) you can join in and watch both traditional and contemporary song and dance performances. Shows include acrobatics, art exhibitions, poetry and drama performances showcasing East African arts and culture.

Other events and festivals in Tanzania include the annual Kilimanjaro Marathon, Kiliman Adventure Challenge, Zanzibar International Film Festival, the Nyama Choma (meat/food) Festival, Serengeti Cultural Festival and the Goat Races in Dar es Salaam.

Talk to our African travel fanatics for advice and Tanzania travel ideas.

. Often over-looked Travel Costs

The often forgotten costs on safari can add up so let’s unpack them here.

Optional Activities in Tanzania:

Hot Air Balloon Trips over the Serengeti Plains (cost about US$550) – an incredible way to take in the open savannahs and wildlife from above.

Masai Village Tours (cost about US$30 to US$40) – experience the traditional culture of the local Maasai, Africa’s most famous warrior tribe.

Tipping on Safari:

It is customary to tip tour drivers, guides, porters and others who have provided you with services on safari in Tanzania, although it is up to you. But, who do you tip and when, and how much?

For starters, it is common practice to tip in restaurants in major towns and cities of Tanzania, but not at the local eateries in rural villages. Taxi drivers usually only expect tips for trips of a day or longer and you can leave a tip of about US$5 per day for hotel staff. When trekking in Tanzania a tip of about $20 per hiking group is the standard for a Kilimanjaro guide.

In Tips for Tipping: The Definitive Guide On Safari, Briony explains when it is appropriate to tip and how much.

Pre- and Post-Safari Accommodation

Accommodation before and after your African Safari at mid-range hotels or backpackers costs about $90 per night (two people sharing a twin room) with safari lodges at Tanzania’s top destinations charging more. In Arusha/Moshi, you can find good quality lodge accommodation for between $40 to $150 per person sharing (double room) including breakfast.

Airport Transfers

A one-way transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha costs about $50 to $70 per minibus taxi (Toyota Noah) and some airlines and lodges provide free shuttle services.

From the Dar es Salaam airport (Julius Nyerere International Airport) to the city a taxi should cost between $25 to $55 (at most), although some say as little as $13 is possible.

On Zanzibar Island transfers from the airport cost about $25 per vehicle (1-6 people) to Stone Town and between $70 and $80 per vehicle to the north or south of the main island.

Drinks & Meal Costs in Tanzania

Meals will cost you about $10 to $15 per day, excluding alcoholic beverages. A budget of about $6 should cover water and a few alcoholic beverages. These prices will vary depending on where you eat out and have drinks – prepare to pay more at upmarket establishments.

Travel Insurance Costs for Tanzania:

Travel insurance is essential for any African safari. For a two-week Tanzania Safari, the cost of standard travel insurance is from US$80 (based on two weeks of travel for a 30-year-old from the United States).

Single Supplement Costs in Tanzania

Expect to pay between $60 to $590 extra as a single traveler (solo traveler) if you do not want to share a tent or twin room on safari in Tanzania. Single supplements can be hefty on private camping and lodge safaris so consider sharing with a solo traveler of the same gender if you are on a tight budget. When comparing Tanzania safari prices keep an eye out for single supplement charges as they vary!

The good news is that Tanzania luxury safaris are just one type of African safari with plenty of other travel styles to pick from when visiting Tanzania and other African destinations.

Find your ideal budget Tanzania Safari now or have us tailor-make a private safari for you at an excellent price.