I run a safari company from Arusha. I build custom itineraries, negotiate lodge rates, and deal with park fees every single week. So I am going to give you the straightforward pricing breakdown that most safari websites avoid publishing because they would rather get you on a call first.
Here is what a Tanzania safari actually costs in 2026, what drives the price, and where you can realistically save money without ruining the experience.
| Safari Level | Per Person / Day | 7-Day Total (per person) | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget (camping) | $150 - $250 | $1,050 - $1,750 | Basic tented camps, shared camps, packed meals |
| Mid-Range | $300 - $500 | $2,100 - $3,500 | Comfortable lodges/tented camps, full board, private vehicle |
| High-End | $500 - $800 | $3,500 - $5,600 | Premium lodges, all-inclusive, exceptional service |
| Luxury | $800 - $1,500+ | $5,600 - $10,500+ | Top-tier camps (Singita, &Beyond), fly-in transfers, private everything |
Tanzania's park fees are set by TANAPA and are the single biggest fixed cost in any safari budget. These are per person, per 24 hours, and they are not optional. Every operator pays the same fees.
| Park | Adult Fee (per 24hrs) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Serengeti National Park | $70.80 | Most guests spend 2-3 nights |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area | $70.80 entry + $295 vehicle crater descent | Crater vehicle fee is per visit, split across vehicle occupants |
| Tarangire National Park | $53.10 | Typically 1-2 nights |
| Lake Manyara National Park | $53.10 | Usually a day visit |
| Arusha National Park | $53.10 | Often a half-day |
For a typical 7-day northern circuit safari (Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro), park fees alone come to roughly $400-$500 per person. There is no way around this cost, and any quote that seems unusually cheap is likely cutting corners elsewhere.
This is where the range gets wide. A basic public campsite in the Serengeti might cost $30 per night. A room at Four Seasons Serengeti will cost $2,000+. Most travellers booking a private safari land somewhere in the middle: comfortable tented camps or lodges in the $150-$400 per person per night range, full board (all meals included).
We work with lodges across every price bracket and we will always recommend what genuinely delivers the best experience at your budget, not what pays us the highest commission.
A private 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a dedicated English-speaking guide costs roughly $250-$350 per day (the total, not per person). This is shared across your group, so couples and families get much better value per head than solo travellers. Our vehicles are pop-top, well-maintained, and equipped with charging ports and cooler boxes.
Driving from Arusha to the Serengeti takes roughly 7-8 hours. Most mid-range and budget safaris include this as part of the game drive route (you spot wildlife along the way). Luxury itineraries often use bush flights ($200-$400 per person, one way) which saves time and adds an aerial perspective. Internal flights to Zanzibar from the Serengeti are roughly $300-$500 per person.
International flights to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) or Arusha. Travel insurance (required). Visa on arrival ($50 for most nationalities). Tips for your guide and camp staff ($15-$25/day for guide is standard). Personal purchases, drinks at lodges, laundry. Optional extras like hot air balloon safaris ($550-$600 per person).
April, May, and early June offer significantly lower lodge rates (often 30-40% off peak). November is another value window. The wildlife does not disappear in these months. The crowds do.
International travel agents and aggregator platforms add a markup of 20-40% on top of what a local Tanzanian operator charges. Booking directly with a licensed Arusha-based operator (like us, or others) removes that layer. You get the same lodges, same parks, same experience, at a better price, with a direct line to the person managing your trip.
Because the vehicle and guide cost is fixed daily, two people in a vehicle pay roughly 60% per head of what a solo traveller pays. Four people pay roughly 40% each. Group size is the single biggest lever on per-person cost.
There is an enormous difference between a $150/night tented camp and a $100/night tented camp, and often the $100 option is perfectly comfortable, well-located, and memorable. We will tell you honestly when the premium is worth it and when it is not.
| Itinerary | Duration | Per Person (2 pax) | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarangire + Ngorongoro Crater | 4 days | $1,600 - $2,200 | Mid-Range |
| Tarangire + Serengeti + Ngorongoro | 7 days | $2,800 - $4,000 | Mid-Range |
| Northern Circuit + Zanzibar | 10 days | $4,000 - $5,500 | Mid-Range |
| Serengeti Migration + Zanzibar | 10 days | $5,500 - $8,000 | High-End |
| Full Northern + Southern Circuit | 14 days | $7,000 - $12,000+ | High-End / Luxury |
Tell us your dates, group size, and what you want to see. We will send you an itemised quote within 24 hours. No pressure. No hidden fees. Just honest numbers.
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