How much does a safari in Tanzania cost?

Written by: Yuna Tiya, Local Expert

If you’re thinking about going on safari in Tanzania, the first question you’ve probably asked yourself is, “How much will my safari in Tanzania  cost?” The real answer to this question is, “Your Tanzanian safari will cost as much as you want.”

There are endless options for your Tanzania safari and each option is entirely up to you. So the cost of your safari in Tanzania is based upon which options you choose, and how much money you are willing and able to spend on those options.

Settling on a budget

The price range for a Tanzania safari is broad and veers from economical to extremely expensive. So, the first thing to do when you start planning your Tanzanian safari is decide how much you can or are willing to spend. Natural World Kenya Safaris, an experienced tour operator based in East Africa, can customize the cost of your safari taking into account when you go, the number of people in your party, and your choice of accommodations.

One of the most basic factors to decide upon is whether or not you and your friends and family are willing to share your game drive vehicle (and therefore driver and guide) with other guests. Doing so can seriously lower the cost of your safari in Tanzania and some say it’s one of the best parts of being on safari.

Exploring the African bush with new friends becomes a bonding experience as you marvel at the wildlife and absorb the sights and sounds of the savannah.

Or, perhaps you favor the intimate and flexible experience of a private safari.

Average Tanzania safari cost

A no-frills safari in Tanzania with basic accommodations such as tents or budget hotels starts at $200 per person, per day. A mid-range safari with lodging runs $350 to $400 per person, per day while a high end luxury safari with all the trimmings ranges from $600 to about $1000 per person, per day. Keep in mind that this does not include international flights, visa fees, vaccinations, travel insurance, and other incidentals.

Where to go on a Tanzania safari

Tanzania offers breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain (19,000 feet) and the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest, unbroken and unfilled volcano, teeming with wildlife of all shapes and sizes. And of course there’s sweeping Serengeti National Park, one of the most beautiful natural spaces on the African continent. There are also a handful of lesser-known parks, each with its own charm, including Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park, and Arusha National Park.

A bit further afield, Zanzibar welcomes weary safari-goers ready to relax in barefoot lodges on coral-sand beaches.

Most people planning a safari in Tanzania are itching to see African wildlife (lion, leopard, elephant, zebra, and giraffe) so the most popular parks are those where you will see the most animals on your game drives. In Tanzania, this would be Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, home of the famous wildlife-filled crater.

When to go on safari in Tanzania

It makes sense, of course, that the Serengeti and Ngornogoro would also be the most costly, especially during peak season which runs from May through October plus January. Also known as the dry season, this is considered the best time to go on safari in Tanzania as lack of rain forces game out in the open to seek water, making them easier to spot.

The wildebeest migration also usually starts in July. This is the yearly journey of thousands upon thousands of wildebeest from the dry Serengeti plains across the Mara River and towards the lush northern pastures of Kenya in search of better grazing.

Known as the Great Migration, it is the ultimate wildlife experience which some say is one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. It is a rare and wonderful sight to behold and so for this reason, among others, peak season is the most expensive season in Tanzania. Remember, though, when considering the cost, that the Great Migration is not an experience you will soon forget.

Tanzania safari prices: what’s included – and what’s not

A budget safari in Tanzania includes meals, transport, accommodation, game drives, park fees, a professional driver/guide, all transportation and bottled drinking water. It will not include airport transfers, accommodation before and after your safari, local flights and any special meals and drinks that are not on the itinerary.

If you want to upgrade your experience and partake in activities like a hot air balloon safari, expect to pay hundreds of dollars additional.

Here’s an excellent, economical 3-day Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater Safari with Natural World Kenya Safaris.

A mid-range safari would include airport transfers and may include some flights within Tanzania. Special meals and drinks might also be included on some days, depending on the accommodation. And safari vehicles would generally be less-crowded than on a budget safari. Natural World Kenya Safaris’ 6-Day Safari in Tanzania visits Tanzania’s most famous parks and is an ideal choice for a mid-range Tanzania safari.

A high-end, luxury safari typically includes international flights (at an extra cost), private airport transfers and safari vehicles, baggage handling, laundry service, and WiFi. Natural World Kenya Safaris Two Week East African Safari Adventure visits no less than seven national parks in Tanzania and Kenya including the popular Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Masai Mara. This is the ultimate East African safari experience which will indulge your every safari whim.