A Guide to the Tanzania Safari Prices

Tanzania is one of the best countries to go to experience your first safari. The second largest country in East Africa is so diverse and offers so many wildlife opportunities to untouched nature lovers. Whether it is the idyllic beaches and coral reefs of Zanzibar, the unique landscapes of Nyerere National Park, or the savannah destinations of Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a Tanzania safari indeed delivers the very best experience. One big question that someone who is going to Tanzania for the first time, is how much does a safari cost. When I was researching for my trip I had such a hard time finding out information about the Tanzania safari prices. Most of the companies I found online don’t show the prices on their sites, only the itineraries. And this makes planning a trip to Tanzania quite difficult, especially when you are on a budget.

So in this article, I want to explain what to expect price-wise, when it comes to a safari in Tanzania. I find it a waste of time to send emails to every single company out there, only for them to try and sell me their most expensive tours and then follow up over and over when I decided not to go with their offer.

For me, it was important to have a great experience, visit the National Parks I wanted to, but also stick within my budget. There are endless possibilities available when it comes to going on a safari in Tanzania, and the amenities you will enjoy really depend on how much you are willing to spend. It also depends on the duration of your safari.

There are many safari companies out there, such as Naturetrek, which organises well-planned safaris in the beautiful national parks of Tanzania, that stretch for a longer time and are budget friendly, exploring in depth phenomenons such as the Great Migration. There are also companies that organise shorter tours, that focus on a national park only. It’s worth keeping in mind that to reach one of the safari National Parks in Tanzania, you will spend one day in the car travelling there, so take that in consideration when you plan your trip.

When to Go on a Safari in Tanzania

There is no best time to visit Tanzania as there is always something happening in the savannah. For instance, the Mara River crossing takes place in June-July, while the Great Migration happens from July to October. Hot and dry weather means more chances to see wildlife around waterholes, whilst cooler seasons mean that you can avoid the harsh heat and enjoy the safari to the maximum all day and night. The greener landscapes just after the rains mean more predators to sight.

The peak safaris season typically runs from May through October, when it is easier to spot the wildlife. During December for example is easier to spot rhinos in Ngorongoro Crater, as they come out from the woodlands. January and February is the calving season, when you have the most chances of seeing babies being born.

If you want to experience the parks without too many other people, visit Tanzania during the rainy season, between March and May. This is a great time to go on safari if you are into birdwatching.

Setting a Budget for Your Safari

The price range of a safari in Tanzania can vary a lot, and while some can be economical, others are extremely expensive. So, first things first, you must set a budget and look for a safari that falls within it. Thankfully, there are many safari operators who can customize the safari in Tanzania based on your budget.

How Much Does a Safari in Tanzania Cost?

The costs of a safari can go up with the number of days you want to spend, the number of people and the type of accommodation and mode of transport you are looking for. On average, a Tanzanian safari can easily cost about 200 USD per person per day for the budgeted tourists and can go up to 600 USD and even more.

Some of the most popular Tanzania safaris include Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, or Manyara Lake. The multi-day safaris usually focus on either the Southern Circuit or the Northern Circuit. If you are looking for a more budget safari and don’t have much time to travel to Arusha or Moshi, you can go in Selous Game Reserve, which is close to Dar es Salaam.

Each National Park in Tanzania has different entry fees, so depending on where you choose to go, the price can be higher or lower. For example, Ngorongoro Crater has some of the highest entry permit fees, and usually the safaris here last only half a day. Serengeti has high fees as well, but you will usually spent at least 2 or 3 days in this National Park. Some National Parks charge per car, whilst others charge per person. So take this in consideration when you plan your safari.

When comparing these safaris and their costs, it is easier to see which costs more and why.

The Game Drive

Serengeti is Tanzania’s largest National Park and is famous for witnessing the wildebeest migration. Some of the popular wildlife to explore here include cheetah, leopard, hippos, elephants, lions, giraffe, and zebras. Reaching Serengeti National Park from Arusha or Moshi will take the entire day.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area which is located in the North of Tanzania is a famous wildlife viewing area and its giant crater that seems unreal. Here, you can spot rhinos, buffaloes, gazelles, lions, elephants, and hippos. The lake inside the crater is home to tens of thousands of flamingos, and looked from afar, it seems that the colour of the water is pink because of them.

Tarangire National Park will take you across the largest protected areas in the world and is home to different animals such as leopards, giraffes, wild dogs, wildebeest, hippos, buffaloes, and elephants, along with a high concentration of birds. Tarangire is famous for the high population of elephants and the large number of baobab trees. Tarangire is much easier to reach from Arusha, which makes it a great option for tourists who only want to go on a quick one day safari.

Lake Manyara is another great place to go on a budget safari in Tanzania, near Arusha. The park is famous for the tree climbing lions, who have developed a habit of sleeping on branches, high from the ground. Other animals in this national park include leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, hypos and gazelles. Lake Manyara is a great destination for birdwatching, home to a large number of flamingos, pelicans, storks, herons and eagles.

Extra Activities

There are many extras that you can add to your safari in Tanzania, which will hike up the price. For example, one of the most expensive activities that you can whilst you are on a game drive in Serengeti, is add a sunrise balloon flight to your itinerary. This activity will take approximately 600 USD out of your pocket.

A specialised or customised safari will cost much more than a set itinerary. For example, you can choose to go on a bird watching experience, have a safari wedding ceremony, go on a photography dedicated game drive, or add a cultural visit to your trip. Walking safaris are also popular, especially around Ngorongoro Crater. However, all of these experiences will double or not triple the cost of your safari.

What’s Included and What’s Not

When you browse the prices of a Tanzanian safari, you should see clear what is included in the trip and what is not.

A budget safari in Tanzania will include transport, accommodation, meals, park fees, game drives and will offer a professional driver and a cook. You will be supplied with bottled drinking water, and all the sleeping gear will be taken care of. However, the safari costs will not include airport transfers or the accommodation before and after the safari. Before you go on the safari, the driver will usually stop at a supermarket in Arusha, from where you can buy any extra snacks and drinks.

A budget, a mid-range or a high-end safari?

When looking for Tanzania safaris, you are likely to come across packages that are marked as budget, mid-range as well as high-end luxury safaris. Depending on the accommodation, destination, and safari vehicles, the costs can go up or down for a mid-range Tanzania safari. A high-end, luxury safari will take care of the internal flights, provide private airport transfers, and care for your baggage handling, laundry services, and WiFi needs. If you book a luxury safari you are highly likely to arrive in Serengeti National Park by private plane, and land on the Seronera airstrip.

A budget safari can start at – 640USD to 885USD per person, whilst a luxury safari can easily cost 3500USD per person. The prices can vary based on the number of people in the group and the number of days for the safari. For example, a two-day budget safari can cost 640USD per person if you are sharing the vehicle with five other people and sleep in a shared tent in a camp. The same two days safari in a private vehicle, with accommodation in a lodge, can easily start at 3000-4000 USD.

Let us now delve into how the price of a Tanzania safari is calculated:

The Main Price Drivers of a Tanzanian Safari

As mentioned before, the main factors that will impact the cost of the safari are the number of people in the group, the time of year, the transport, the destinations, the choice of accommodation, and the extra activities.

The Time of the Year

Time is a big important factor in Tanzania than Kenya as the wildebeest migration takes place in Tanzania most of the year. July to September is the busiest time of year and the most expensive. Thus, expect to pay more for the Tanzania safaris if you go during that time phase to see the Great Migration in Serengeti. The costs go down significantly for the time between mid-April and May and November because of the rains and muddy conditions. Many safari lovers prefer June or January and February months when there are fewer crowds, and the costs are lower.

The Safari Style

Budget safaris are a lot cheaper than luxury ones because of the limited services and options. The luxury safaris include luxury accommodations in lodges and five-star meals along with airport pickups and park fees. Some of the most expensive safaris are those where you fly from one lodging area to another, which cuts the travelling time between parks considerably, giving you more time to enjoy the game drives and the wildlife.

No matter which type of safari you will choose, the difference is only in the amenities you will enjoy. The wildlife you will experience doesn’t depend at all on if you are on a budget or a luxury safari, but on the knowledge of your guide. I was lucky to have an amazing guide who did this job for years and was able to spot animals from a high distance. Also, the guides talk to each other through walkie talkies when a rare animal is spotted, no matter which company they work for.

The Accommodation

Where you stay and what kind of camp you choose will have an impact on the final costs. You will comes across different options for accommodation on safari, such as lodges, camps, and mobile safaris. You can take advantage of modern service and facilities with private rooms, swimming pools, and restaurants, if your budget allows it. If not, you can stay in a tent, in one of the public camps around the national park, which it is an experience in itself, about which I have written in this article. Whilst in a luxury lodge you will enjoy a proper bed, in a tent you will have the unique opportunity to listen to the sounds of the savannah and hear the wild animals roaming around the camp. No worries, the predators don’t come into the camps. During my stay in Serengeti I heard hyenas trying to get into the kitchen, where the bins are locked overnight, and zebras grazing among the tents at the early hours of the morning.

Mobile safaris provide a very exclusive experience and are specially designed for a family or small group of friends, but they do come at an extremely high cost. If you are looking for a unique safari experience for a special occasion such a honeymoon for example, you should go try a mobile safaris.

Transport

During your Tanzania safari, your itinerary will rely on the kind of transport arrangements you make. After all, you need to move from one destination to another and even take flights to reach certain areas and parks. Obviously, flights will cost more but can save you from those hours of discomfort or driving for long hours on the remote roads in the countryside.

Additional Costs to Consider

Apart from the above-listed costs, there are some more fees pertaining to the wildlife safaris such as the insurance costs, shopping costs, tipping and more.

Travel Insurance

Everyone travelling to the African continent is advised to acquire comprehensive travel insurance that covers their stay. Consider medical insurance in case of emergency when booking your travel insurance or for unforeseen incidents such as flight cancellation or evacuation. Make sure that the insurance covers Covid19 as well. Tanzania is a malaria zone and the risk of getting sick at altitudes below 1800 meters is quite high. The last thing you want is to get sick and not be able to receive the proper medical care because you chose the wrong travel insurance. Also, whilst it is not required to get into the country, such as in neighbouring Kenya, it is highly recommended you have the Yellow fever vaccine, which is quite costly.

Shopping

Some safaris will stop at Maasai villages, which support themselves by selling their crafts to tourists. You will probably want to buy a souvenir or two, to remind you of the fantastic time you had on the safari. Unfortunately, when it comes to tourists, Tanzania is a very expensive country, which make souvenirs pricer than in other places. Make sure you have some cash with you, as there are no ATMs in the safari parks.

Laundry

Even though the majority of the lodges and accommodations in Tanzania offer laundry services, you will realize that you are being charged quite high for those. So, budget travellers can consider doing their own laundry to save and remain within their budget. Keep in mind that Tanzania is a developing country and washing machines are not at all popular. Your laundry will be done by hand and dried in the sun.

Tipping

It is traditional to tip the staff who provide their services throughout your safari and have been helpful. Though tipping is not mandatory, it is highly expected. Thus, keep some extra cash for all that tipping during the safari. When I visited Tanzania, it was custom to pay the tip at the end of the safari. It was 15USD per day for the cook, and 30USD a day for the guide. These prices were per person.

Snacks and Beverages

Whilst snacks and extra drinks may be included in a luxury safari, they are not when you go on a budget option. There are no shops in the National Parks, so you will have to plan your shopping before you leave on the safari. From my experience, there was no need for snacks as the breakfast, lunch and dinner always had plenty of food, including both traditional Tanzanian dishes and Western options. However, I did buy one beer for each evening of the safari.

Now that you have an idea on how the safaris in Tanzania are priced, you can budget better and decide how much are you willing to spend on this experience. No matter if you are going on a budget or on a luxury safari, you will still have an amazing time. Seeing baby lions for the first time was such as special moment for me.

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