How much does a Tanzania safari cost? Real prices from Arusha

A private safari in northern Tanzania costs roughly US$230 to US$650 per person per day, depending on where you sleep, when you travel and how many people share the vehicle. Our mid-range safaris work out at about US$290 to US$350 per person per day. That figure covers the vehicle, the guide, park and crater fees, meals, drinking water and lodges, which is how a Tanzania safari should be priced.

Below we break that number down using the prices of the trips we actually run from Arusha, show where the money goes, and explain which choices move the price up or down. If you already have dates in mind, send them to us and a planner in Arusha will price your exact trip within 24 hours.

Safari prices at a glance

These are the starting prices per person for our most booked safaris, based on two people sharing a private vehicle. Every price includes park fees.

The pattern is worth noticing. The longer safaris are not much cheaper per day, because the Serengeti, the most expensive park to enter, takes up a bigger share of a long trip. The beach days on the 10-day trip pull its daily average down.

Where your money goes

When travellers compare quotes, they often compare totals without knowing what sits inside them. A Tanzania safari price has five main parts.

1. Park and conservation fees

Every person pays a fee for every day (or 24-hour period) inside a national park, plus a separate fee to drive down into the Ngorongoro Crater. The Serengeti and Ngorongoro are among the most expensive protected areas in Africa to enter. These fees are set by the Tanzanian authorities, they are the same for every safari company, and on a mid-range trip they are often the single largest item in the quote. A safari that looks surprisingly cheap is usually spending less time inside the parks, or has left the fees out of the headline price.

2. Accommodation

This is the part you choose, and it causes the biggest difference between a US$230 day and a US$650 day.

• Camping uses public campsites inside or next to the parks. You sleep in a dome tent, a camp cook travels with you, and the evenings around the fire are part of the fun. It is the cheapest way to sleep inside the Serengeti.
• Budget lodges are simple and clean, usually just outside the park gates, which means more driving each day.
• Mid-range lodges and tented camps have private bathrooms, good food and locations close to the wildlife. For a first safari, this level gives the best balance of comfort and price.
• Luxury camps are small, quiet and placed where the animals are at that time of year, for example on the Mara River during the crossing season.

The vehicle, the guide and the game drives are the same on every level. You are paying for the bed, the food and the position of the camp.

3. Vehicle and guide

Your private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, fuel, and a professional driver-guide who stays with you for the whole trip. Because this cost is per vehicle, it is shared by everyone in your group, which is why group size matters so much (see below).

4. Meals and drinking water

Full board on safari: breakfast, a packed or lodge lunch, and dinner. We carry drinking water in the vehicle. Alcoholic and soft drinks at lodges are usually extra.

5. Transfers and flights

Airport pick-up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and the drive to Arusha are included. A light-aircraft flight back from the Serengeti adds to the price but saves a full day of driving, which on a short trip can be worth it.

Six things that change the price

Season

Lodges charge different rates through the year. The high season (roughly July to October and the Christmas holidays) is the most expensive. The long rains of April and May are the cheapest, with fewer vehicles at sightings and green scenery, and some camps close for those weeks. January to March, the calving season in the southern Serengeti, sits in between. Our month-by-month guide explains what each season offers.

Group size

Two people share the cost of the vehicle and guide. Four or six people share it further, so the price per person drops. A solo traveller pays the most per person, and also pays a single supplement at most lodges.

Number of days in the Serengeti

Each night in the Serengeti adds park fees on top of the lodge. A three-day trip to Tarangire, the crater and Lake Manyara costs less per day than a trip that reaches the Serengeti, because those parks are closer and cheaper to enter.

Driving or flying

The drive from Arusha to the central Serengeti takes most of a day. Flying one way costs more but turns a travel day into a safari day.

Where you sleep on the crater rim

Lodges on the Ngorongoro rim have the view and charge for it. Staying in the farmland around Karatu, about 40 minutes away, is noticeably cheaper.

Special experiences

A hot-air balloon flight over the Serengeti, a guided walk with an armed ranger or a cultural visit to a Maasai village are optional extras. The balloon in particular is a significant cost, and for many guests the highlight of the trip.

Costs that are not in a safari quote

Plan for these separately so nothing surprises you:

• International flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
• Visa. Most visitors need one. Apply through the official eVisa portal at visa.immigration.go.tz and check the fee for your nationality there.
• Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover. It is a condition of booking.
• Tips. Many travellers budget around US$20 to US$30 per day for their safari guide, shared by the group, plus small tips for lodge staff.
• Drinks, laundry and souvenirs.
• Vaccinations and malaria tablets from your doctor at home.

Three example budgets

Here is what a week in Tanzania can look like for two people, excluding international flights.

How to get more safari for your money

1. Travel in the green season. Late March to May and November bring the lowest lodge rates. Rain usually falls in afternoon showers, and the animals do not leave.
2. Fill the vehicle. Travelling with friends or family brings the per-person price down fast.
3. Stay outside the crater rim. Sleep in Karatu and drive up early for your crater day.
4. Do not shorten the Serengeti too far. One night there means a long drive in and out with little time to look for animals. Two nights is the minimum we recommend.
5. Book the high season early. The best-value lodges fill first. For July to September, six to twelve months ahead is wise.

Why the cheapest quote can cost you more

If one quote is far below the others, ask three questions. Are the park and crater fees included? How many hours does the itinerary spend inside the parks compared with on the road? Will you share the vehicle with strangers? A shared, fee-excluded safari can look cheaper on paper and end up costing the same once you pay at the gate, with less time watching wildlife. Our quotes list exactly what is included and what is not, before you pay anything.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to do a safari in Tanzania?

A camping safari in the green season with a full vehicle. Our 4-day budget camping safari starts at US$920 per person and still includes the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.

Is a 3-day safari worth it?

Yes, if you visit Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, which are close to Arusha. Three days is too short for the Serengeti.

Do I pay park fees at the gate?

Not with us. Park and crater fees are paid by us in advance and included in your price.

Can I pay by card?

We will explain the payment options and deposit when we send your quote. On the ground, cards are accepted at most lodges, sometimes with a surcharge, and clean US dollar notes printed in 2009 or later are useful for tips.

Ready for a real number? Tell us your dates and group size and we will send a tailor-made itinerary with a clear price, usually within a day.