Renowned as a luxury safari destination, Tanzania offers prime game viewing with the incredible Great Migration of millions of wildebeest, stunning scenery and beautiful beaches, reflected in the excellent safari experience visitors have come to expect.
Correspondingly, Tanzania safari prices tend to be higher here compared to other African nations. Visitors often wonder about the approximate cost of Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater safaris and if affordable Tanzania safari packages are possible.
Below, we have listed the various elements that impact Tanzania safari costs and detailed the price averages for each.
Table of Contents
Elements that influence Tanzania safari tours price
The flight to Tanzania
There is no direct flight between Tanzania and most countries. Therefore a stopover Cape Town, South Africa may be required before reaching Dar es Salaam, the main Tanzania tourist hub on the east coast. International flights also arrive into Kilimanjaro International Airport for visitors wondering how to get to Tanzania.
DAR airport is located 18km south of Dar Es Salaam and a Tanzania visa and certain vaccinations may be required to enter the country.
Due to this stopover, flights to Tanzania tend to be more expensive than other destinations offering direct flights to other African safari destinations.
The prices of flights from the U.K. or U.S. can vary according to the dates of the stay and the chosen airline.
Transport
Several transport options are available in Tanzania but not all offer the same experience and speed of connection visitors want when travelling between parks and reserves.
Intercontinental flights
Arriving into Tanzania will typically involve taking a connecting flight from Dubai, Amsterdam or Johannesburg in South Africa, adding to the overall cost of a safari, the cost of which will vary depending on time of year and the flight distance.
Local transport
Due to this, private charter flights are commonly used to quickly access isolated private reserves and concessions, sometimes the only way to access them.
Others choose to go on self drive safaris and rent their own cars/4×4’s and use the roads of the national parks. This is a more affordable option and offers visitors the comfort of staying as long as they wish in each location.
Flights from Serengeti to Zanzibar
Seeing Zanzibar from above is a breath-taking experience, with its flawless sandy beaches, turquoise waters and stunning coral, many visitors make the journey here post safari.
Flights can start from USD $200, flying from Serengeti (SEU) airport to Zanzibar (ZNZ), a distance of approximately 560 miles taking 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Accommodation
The quality of accommodation options available in Tanzania is generally quite high. There are many luxurious lodges available, some of which can only be accessed by plane transfer however, thus adding to the costs.
More budget friendly accommodation options include camping options, of which many parks have at least 1-2 designated areas. Understanding the best time to visit Tanzania is important as this will impact accommodation, flight prices, availability and the weather that visitors can expect on their safari vacation.
Food/Dining
Supermarket food prices are similar to those in Europe however there are fewer restaurants in Tanzania other than those run by lodges and meal prices at these lodges are relatively expensive.
Carrying a small amount of Tanzanian currency, the Tanzania Shilling (TZS) is recommended as back-up when paying for items if credit card facilities are unavailable. Visitors can also review further details on overall Tanzania safari prices here.
Parks and reserves
National parks and reserves charge park fees per person including entrance fees for guides, as well as vehicle entry fees.
Activities
There are multiple factors that can impact the cost of a safari including activities selected and the different things to do in Tanzania including walking safaris.
Many visitors will be interested in activities beyond the main safari and wildlife excursions including mountain biking on Ngorongoro or quad biking adventures, all of which add to overall costs. Comparable to Europe, these prices are lower.
A one-hour chartered scenic flight over Mount Kilimanjaro can be purchased from $490 per person.
Guests will enjoy incredible views of Mount Meru, Arusha National Park, part of Arusha town, Kibo peak, the famous Reusch crater, Mawenzi peak, Shira plateau, and some camps on Mount Kilimanjaro, a breathtaking experience.
Travel Insurance
Safari trips can result in unfortunate events happening, like contracting an illness from contaminated water or falling ill from a mosquito bite.
Visitors may need medical attention while abroad so it’s important to ensure an adequate travel insurance policy is in place which will cover you in the event of an accident or injury.
Visitors should check to see if they have already through their credit card company and workplace benefits. If not, it is recommended to ensure travel insurance is purchased prior to travel to cover:
- Medical expenses and hospital benefit
- Personal accident and liability
- Cancelling and cutting short your holiday
- Covid-19 specific cover
- Abandoning your trip
- Delayed departures
- Accommodation cover
- Personal belongings and baggage
- Personal money, passport and travel documents
- Legal expenses
Vaccinations
This is another expense which may need to be taken into consideration prior to the safari trip, especially if visitors are planning to visit the north of Tanzania, an area with an increased risk of malaria.
Visitors are recommended to consult with their local doctor before arrival and consider antimalarial prophylaxis as recommended.
Other expenses
Gasoline, tips, souvenirs can also impact a visitors budget.
Budgeting for a trip to Tanzania
Transportation
For a flight to Tanzania from the U.K, it will cost around £800/$1,060 per person, and more from the U.S. Prices can change and are certain to increase during the summer months.
If on a budget, visitors can save two thirds of their daily expenses on transport costs by opting for a car/4×4 rental compared to plane transfers.
Car rental costs start from £90/$115 for a package with basic insurance. Prices increase if visitors book a 4×4 safari vehicle or campervan.
Guests staying at lodges should note the lodges will likely pick up guests and drive them to the lodge, with prices often included in the accommodation.
Accommodation and food
This will vary significantly depending on the type of accommodation selected. Guests can budget £15/$20 a night and upwards for one night camping and can purchase groceries at local supermarkets.
For lodges, nightly rates will cost several hundred dollars, typically with meals included.
Park entrance fees
Comparably, Tanzania does charge high prices for visiting its national parks. Average costs can expect to be around £36/$50 to visit most of Tanzania’s national parks.
Access to private reserves and concessions is restricted to travelers staying at the lodge with prices typically already included in the concession entry and game viewing drives.
Is a cheap Tanzania safari possible?
Safari prices in Tanzania are more expensive in general, especially for accommodation. However, visitors can be smart and take measures to keep their bank balance in check including:
- DIY organize your own safari
- Sleeping in a campervan/van with a rooftop tent
- Drive yourself around the country
- Prepare your meals and limit eating out at restaurants
- Limit your activities other than the main safari excursions
Travel seasons
Visitors looking to avail of a cheap Tanzania safari on a lower budget should travel in the low season which is December to March. This time of year however is also unfortunately a period of hot, muggy weather.
April and May (northern circuit parks still get quite a few visitors unlike the southern and western circuit parks, where many lodges close down). June and July are the best months to see the wildebeest migration.
May is still mid-season and will allow for cooler weather at still reasonable rates.
- Visitors planning an 8 night stay during Peak Season (July – Oct) in a premier camp can expect to pay around $9,000 to $10,000 per person
- Visitors planning an 8 night stay during Off-Peak Season (Sep – Dec) in a moderate camp can expect to pay around $5,500 per person
Affordable lodging options
If budget is the primary concern, and visitors don’t mind camping, then there are some overland camping trips (called mobile safaris) available as well as budget Tanzania safari packages.
Excluding international flights and plane transfers:
- Visitors planning a 6 night safari staying at two different tented camps can expect to pay around $3,600 – $4,300 per person
- Visitors planning a similar 6 night mobile camping safari can expect to pay around $2,200 per person, prices can vary
Affordable Tanzania safari packages tend to be for longer safaris (7+ nights) whilst higher cost safaris are typical of a shorter 3 or 4 night safari.
Serengeti safari approximate costs
The cost of a trip to the Serengeti can start from around US$140 per day for an all-inclusive package, including shuttle service to and from the Delta, accommodation, game viewing and meals.
Visitors can spend much more than this with customised trips and add-ons such as trips to Ngorongoro Crater, Selous Game Reserve and neighbouring Kenya.
Note that off season rates from January to March are usually much lower than normal, with both mid and high-end lodges knocking as much as 50% off.
Summary: The average price of a safari in Tanzania
Estimating the cost of an average safari isn’t straight forward, given the range of factors noted above that can impact prices. However, two examples are provided below to give visitors an idea of average costs to expect.
Affordable Tanzania safari prices
The cost of an affordable safari in Tanzania includes:
- International flights
- 4 × 4 rental with a tent on the roof
- Campsite accommodation
- Parks entry for game drives
- Meals
Based on the above, we can estimate prices of at least £340/$450 per person based upon a 10 day stay.
Luxury Tanzania safari prices
The cost of a luxury safari in Tanzania includes:
- International flights and transfers
- Transfers by plane and/or private drive
- Lodge accommodation
- Guided game drives
- Meals
Based on the above, we can estimate costs of at least £940/$1240 per person based upon a 10 day stay.
This trip includes visiting the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Selous Game Reserve during peak season, also popular with couples going on a Tanzania honeymoon safari. Prices are indicative only and may vary depending on travel conditions.
The following is a pricing summary of the main costs a safari visitor in Tanzania can expect:
| Minimum Price per person | Average Price per person | |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | £800/$1,050 | £1,250/$1,650 |
| Accommodation per day | £20/$27 | £230/$300 |
| Transport per day | £50/$65 | £150/$200 |
| Parks per day | £36/$50 | £36/$50 |
| 10-day safari | £186/$250 pp per day | £540/$730 pp per day |
FAQs
How much does a safari cost in Tanzania?
Tanzania is one of the more expensive African countries to go on safari, however it is possible to go on a safari budget friendly trip to Tanzania.
Average prices are difficult to calculate given the various elements of the trip to take into account.
Are credit cards and debit cards accepted?
All major forms of credit card are accepted in East Africa, although it is best to travel with either Mastercard or Visa as these are accepted most widely.
Amex can be useful to withdraw dollars from banks in the major cities including Dar es Salaam and Arusha.
When to go on a safari in Tanzania?
Overall, June to October is the best time to visit Tanzania during the dry season for a safari trip to any of the national parks.