The cost of a Tanzania safari depends on four things: where you stay, how many days you travel, the time of year and whether you travel privately. Park fees are a large, fixed part of every trip. This guide explains what you pay for and gives typical ranges, so you can set a realistic budget.
Prices and fees change. The ranges below are general guidance. We confirm current rates in every quote.
Typical price ranges
| Style | Accommodation | Typical cost per person per night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Camping or simple lodges, often shared vehicle | around US$200–350 |
| Mid-range | Comfortable lodges and tented camps, private vehicle | around US$350–700 |
| Luxury | High-end camps and lodges, private vehicle or fly-in | US$800 and above |
These ranges are for two people sharing and include park fees, vehicle, guide, accommodation and most meals. International flights are extra.
What is included in the price
Accommodation
This is the biggest variable. A simple lodge outside a park costs far less than a small tented camp in the middle of the Serengeti. Camps in remote areas also carry high transport costs for food, water and fuel.
Park and conservation fees
Every park charges fees per person, usually per 24 hours. The Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are among the most expensive. The Ngorongoro Crater also charges a fee per vehicle to descend to the crater floor. Fees are set by the authorities and are the same whoever you book with.
Vehicle and guide
A private 4×4 with a pop-up roof, fuel and a professional guide-driver for the whole trip. On a private safari, this cost is shared by your group, so larger groups pay less per person.
Meals and drinks
Most safaris include full board. Some camps include house drinks; premium spirits and wines are usually extra.
What is usually not included
- International flights.
- Tanzania visa.
- Travel insurance.
- Tips for guides and camp staff.
- Optional activities such as a Serengeti balloon flight.
- Premium drinks and personal purchases.
What changes the price
- Season. July to October and the Christmas holidays are peak season. April and May are the cheapest.
- Private or shared. Shared safaris are cheaper but less flexible.
- Group size. Vehicle costs divide between more people.
- Flights inside Tanzania. Flying saves time but adds cost.
- Length of trip. Longer trips often have a lower average cost per night.
- Location. Camps near the migration or deep in the park cost more.
Example trip lengths
| Trip | Nights | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Crater & Manyara Quick | 3 | Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater |
| Serengeti & Crater | 5 | Serengeti, Ngorongoro |
| The Northern Loop | 7 | Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro |
| Honeymoon: Crater & Coast | 9 | Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Zanzibar |
Each package page shows a current “from” price per person.
Tipping
Tips are customary and make a real difference to guides and camp staff. Most guests tip their guide at the end of the trip and use the staff tip box at each lodge. We include suggested amounts in your travel documents so you can budget in advance.
How to save money
- Travel in the green season, especially November, March, or April and May if you accept rain.
- Stay in lodges just outside park boundaries for part of the trip.
- Spend more nights in fewer places to reduce driving and transfer costs.
- Travel as a group of four to six to share a vehicle.
- Book early for peak season, when good-value camps fill first.
Is it worth the cost?
Much of what you pay goes to conservation fees, local wages and remote logistics. A well-planned safari, even a short one, gives you wildlife encounters that are hard to match anywhere else. Before you book, read things to know before your first Tanzania safari and our guide to the best time for a safari, since dates affect price more than anything else.
Frequently asked questions
As a rough guide, a private mid-range safari often costs a few thousand US dollars per person for seven days, before international flights. Luxury trips cost considerably more. We quote exact prices for your dates.
Park and conservation fees are charged per person per day, camps in remote areas are costly to run, and a private vehicle and guide are included for the whole trip.
April and May, during the long rains, have the lowest lodge rates. November and early March are also good value.
