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How Much Does a Tanzania Safari Cost?

A Tanzania safari costs from about USD 250 per person for a day trip and from about USD 150 to USD 250 per person per day for a private multi-day safari, depending on the style of lodge, the season and the size of your group. Our current packages run from USD 500 to USD 7,800 per person.

A Tanzania safari costs from about USD 250 per person for a day trip and from about USD 150 to USD 250 per person per day for a private multi-day safari, depending on the style of lodge, the season and the size of your group. Our current packages run from USD 500 to USD 7,800 per person.

The price is high compared with many holidays because most of it is fixed costs that nobody can negotiate away: park fees paid to the government, a fuel-hungry 4x4, a trained guide and accommodation in remote places. Below we explain where the money goes, so you can compare quotes sensibly.

Typical Tanzania safari prices by style

These are realistic ranges for a private safari in 2026 and 2027 for two travellers sharing. Single travellers pay more and groups of four or more pay less per person.

What drives the cost of a safari

Park fees are the largest single item. The Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater charge the highest daily fees in Tanzania, and these are paid in US dollars for every guest and every vehicle. This is why a safari that includes the Serengeti costs more per day than one that stays in Tarangire and Manyara.

Accommodation is the next biggest part. A simple lodge near the park gate can cost a fraction of a tented camp in the heart of the Serengeti, and the difference in location is real: a camp inside the migration area saves hours of driving each day.

Then come the vehicle and guide, who are your wildlife expert, mechanic, navigator and host for the entire trip, and the season. High season prices apply from July to October and over Christmas and New Year, when the best camps sell out months ahead. The green season from April to May is the cheapest time to travel.

What is usually not included

Compare quotes line by line. The cheapest price often leaves out items that others include. Always check these:

How to save money on a safari without losing quality

Travel in the shoulder season. Late May and early June, and November, often combine good wildlife viewing with lower prices. Choose a slightly longer trip instead of a more luxurious one: an extra night in the Serengeti is worth more than a nicer pool. Share a vehicle with friends or family, because the car and guide cost the same for two guests or for six. If you are travelling alone or as a couple on a budget, a joining safari puts you in a group departure at a lower price.

Be careful with prices that seem too good to be true. A trip priced far below the market usually means an unlicensed operator, an old vehicle, too many guests in the car or park fees that are not really paid. Read our guide to choosing a safari company for the questions to ask.

Pay safely

We reserve your dates with a deposit and the balance is paid before or on arrival in Arusha. Your quote states the total, what it covers and the cancellation terms, so there are no hidden extras later.

A worked example: seven days for two people

To see how the cost builds up, take a midrange seven day safari for two travellers in the shoulder season. These are indicative proportions, not an exact quote.

Cost by trip length

These ranges are for a private midrange safari for two travellers sharing, in the dry season. They will help you compare quotes.

Fly-in or drive: cost against time

A fly-in safari replaces long road transfers with short flights, but it adds the price of the flights. For many travellers the extra cost is worth the two to three hours of road per day it saves, especially on a short trip. If your budget is tight, drive and spend the money on an extra night in the park instead.

Group size and the price per person

The vehicle and the guide cost the same for two guests as for six, so the price per person drops as the group grows. A family of four usually pays noticeably less per person than a couple on the same itinerary. Room costs depend on how people share, and some lodges charge less for children.

How to compare two safari quotes

Ask each company to confirm the same list of points, so you compare like with like:

Real prices from our packages

Each price is per person for two travellers sharing a private vehicle.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to see Tanzania wildlife?

A day trip or a joining safari. A one-day trip to Tarangire or the Ngorongoro Crater from Arusha starts from about USD 250 per person, and two to three day joining safaris share the vehicle and guide cost.

Is a Tanzania safari cheaper than a Kenya safari?

Park fees and lodge rates are similar, but Tanzania has more choice at the budget and midrange level and the Serengeti is less crowded. Read our honest Kenya or Tanzania comparison.

How much should I tip on safari?

A common guideline is USD 15 to USD 25 per day for the driver-guide per vehicle and a smaller amount for lodge staff. We explain currency and tipping in our money guide.

Does the price change by month?

Yes. July to October and the Christmas period are high season. March to May is the cheapest time, and January and February vary with the calving season.

Do you charge extra for single travellers?

A single supplement applies to lodges and camps because the room is not shared. If you travel alone, tell us and we will price the trip fairly or place you on a joining safari.

Do prices include flights?

International flights are never included. Domestic flights are included in fly-in packages and are marked in the itinerary.

Is it cheaper to book directly with a local company?

Often yes. A local company avoids the commission an overseas agent adds, and you speak to the people who plan the trip.

Keep planning

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