Tanzania Safari Cost
A Tanzanian safari offers experiences for every traveler, from rustic adventures to luxury escapes. This guide reveals what shapes safari costs, how budgets differ, and where value lies, helping you plan wisely for a journey that matches your style and expectations.
What Factors Influence Tanzania Safari Prices?
A few things affect how much your safari will cost.
First, the type of place you stay matters. Budget travellers may sleep in tents or simple guesthouses. If you’re going mid-range, you’ll stay in lovely lodges or eco-camps. If you want luxury, you’ll stay in top lodges with private rooms, pools, and fancy meals.
Park fees also add to the cost. For example, entering Serengeti or Ngorongoro can cost around $80–$90 per person, each day.
Then there’s transport—flying between parks is quicker but more expensive. Driving takes longer but is cheaper.
The time of year also changes the price. The dry months (June to October and December to February) cost more because more people travel then. The rainy months are quieter and cheaper.
Typical Safari Cost Ranges (Per Person Per Day)
Most safaris in Tanzania are priced per day, per person.
A budget safari costs about $400–$600 a day. This includes basic lodges or camping, as well as shared transport.
A mid-range safari is around $600–$1,000 daily and offers private guides, better food, and more comfortable places to stay.
A luxury safari starts from $1,200 and goes up to $2,500 or more, with private vehicles, fine dining, and top lodges.
If you’re traveling as a couple, private safaris might cost a little more than group trips. But if you’re in a group, the cost per person can be lower.
High Season vs Low Season: Price Differences
During the dry season, safari prices are higher. June to October is a busy time because the weather is good, and animals are easy to spot. The Great Migration in the Serengeti also happens during this time, attracting many visitors.
The rainy season (March to May and November) is called the green season. It’s more affordable. You may see fewer animals, but the parks are greener, and there are fewer tourists. Some lodges even offer considerable discounts.
What’s Included in Safari Costs?
Most Tanzania Safari Packages include your place to stay, park entry fees, meals, drinking water, and a guide with a 4×4 vehicle. Some also include small local flights between parks.
Not everything is covered, though. Extra costs include tips, drinks like soda or alcohol, laundry, travel insurance, visas, and international flights. Some lodges include bush dinners or walking safaris at no extra charge.
Understanding Accommodation Costs
Where you sleep makes a significant price difference.
Budget camping near or inside a park can cost $30–$70 a night.
Mid-range lodges cost around $150–$300.
Top-end lodges inside famous parks may cost $700–$2,000 a night per person.
Lodges located deep inside parks, with views or private decks, usually cost more than those outside the park boundaries.
Park-Specific Cost Insights
Different parks have different price ranges. Serengeti is among the most expensive due to its size and popularity. A full day there could cost $750–$1,200, including food, transport, and lodge.
Ngorongoro Crater also has extra costs like a $295 vehicle fee and about $70 per person for entry.
Smaller parks like Tarangire or Lake Manyara are more affordable and are suitable for short trips.
Can a Tanzania Safari Be Affordable?
Yes, it can. You can join group trips, camp, travel in the low season, or visit fewer parks to cut costs.
But if you want comfort, privacy, and exceptional experiences, be ready to spend more. The best part is that Tanzania has something for every kind of traveller who wants to travel in any budget range, whether it’s simple, mid-range, or high-end.
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Arusha National Park
Serengeti National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Tarangire National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Kilimanjaro National Park
