Tanzania Safari Cost: How Much Does a Safari Cost in 2026?

Tanzania is one of my favourite destinations for a safari. Its national parks are huge and wild, and the density of wildlife is very high. It feels like being inside a documentary. That is why the country sparks so much interest and curiosity, and one of the first questions most travellers ask is what a Tanzania safari costs.

Although the cost of a safari in Tanzania varies quite a lot (depending on the accommodation, the number of people or the season), there are some fairly well-established price benchmarks. For example, for a private trip as a couple, in 2026 the base price of a Tanzania safari would be around 350 dollars per person per day. That said, this is only a starting point, and in this post I explain everything that affects the price.

My aim with this guide is that, after reading it, you have a better idea of how to plan your Tanzania safari budget and, with my advice, get the best value for money when you book. A heads-up: one of the best ways to get the best price for travelling to Tanzania is to book the safari directly with a local agency. That way you avoid intermediaries and get much more competitive prices.

Tanzania Safari Cost: A Quick Overview

The price of a safari in Tanzania varies a great deal, as it depends on factors such as the accommodation, the type of vehicle, the agency and the travel style…

Throughout this post I have focused on how much a safari in Tanzania with a local agency costs, because it is the most recommended option: by avoiding intermediaries you get a much more competitive price.

That said, it is never a cheap kind of trip. There are two big expenses that cannot be reduced: the cost of the 4×4 vehicle and the entrance fees to the different national parks. On top of that, you have to add the cost of the guides and of the accommodation, which, given how remote it is, tends to be high.

For this reason, the following price range is usually considered for a safari in Tanzania:

The costs above are based on a safari for two people. With more people, the price per adult is lower. On the other hand, if you travel alone the price is considerably higher, so in that case travelling in a group is a great alternative.

As for group safaris, it is usually very easy to join a camping group safari, as these are the most in-demand. By contrast, to find a group safari in mid-range accommodation you normally have to fit in with fixed dates. It is a great option for cutting costs while keeping a good level of quality throughout the safari.

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How Does the Cost of a Tanzania Safari Change Depending on the Type of Trip?

In the previous section you will already have seen that the price of a safari in Tanzania is high, and that low-cost safaris are not really possible in this country. Having to use adapted 4×4 vehicles, stay in remote places and pay the high park entrance fees to the reserves makes it hard to cut costs.

Even so, it is an exceptional destination, and a large part of the money goes towards conserving these ecosystems and their wildlife. So it is money well spent, and it will give you an experience that is hard to forget.

Below, I explain in much more detail how camping or low-cost safaris, standard safaris, mid-range safaris and luxury safaris differ.

How Much Does a Camping Safari in Tanzania Cost?

The cheapest safaris you can do in Tanzania are those that include low-cost accommodation and some nights in the public campsites inside the national parks. It is a more adventurous option with few luxuries, but it lets you enjoy the safari experience without such a high budget.

This is everything you need to know about this type of safari:

• If you book with a local agency and join a Tanzania group safari, you can find deals of around 200 dollars per person per day.
• Camping group safaris last between 3 and 6 days.
• On group safaris, it is best if there are no more than 6 people per vehicle, so that every traveller gets a window seat.
• The big difference between low-cost safaris and higher-end safaris is the accommodation. Even so, sometimes slightly older vehicles or less experienced guides are used.
• This type of safari can also be done independently, by hiring a 4×4 and camping equipment. Even so, the price is the same as on a group safari with a local agency. It is very difficult to get below 200 dollars per person per day.
• Some international agencies also sell this type of experience, but with a 30% surcharge.

The Cost of a Standard-Range Safari in Tanzania

Standard-range safaris are one of the most popular ways to see Tanzania, especially when the safari is organised privately. Here you no longer sleep in campsites: every night is spent in lodges or tented camps. It is worth understanding that tented camps are accommodations built from large tents, with a big bed, some furniture and a private bathroom. So, although the structure of the room is canvas, it has nothing to do with camping tents. There is also a restaurant service and many other comforts.

On standard-range safaris, to keep costs from spiralling, you usually sleep in the simpler accommodations within this category. This means you cannot always stay in the best-located places, which normally cost more.

The main features of this type of safari, and the aspects that influence the cost of a Tanzania safari, are the following:

• These safaris are most commonly done privately. For two travellers, the cost is roughly 350 dollars per person per day.
• Group departures are less common than on low-cost safaris, although on group safaris you can sometimes request an accommodation upgrade by paying a supplement. In that case, the cost would be slightly under 300 dollars per person per day.
• On these safaris, you normally sleep inside the Serengeti, but in the other national parks you usually sleep outside the reserve, as those options are cheaper.
• Safaris of this type can also be done independently, by hiring a 4×4 and booking the accommodation yourself (some places appear on Booking.com and in other cases you can find their contact details online). Even so, for a safari in Tanzania I recommend having previous experience driving on difficult terrain and looking for wildlife. It is not advisable for a first safari in Africa.

The Cost of a Mid-Range Safari in Tanzania

The price of a safari in Tanzania goes up when you choose mid-range accommodation. Even so, the quality of service rises substantially. The lodges are much better located and the food also improves. In addition, the best guides of the local agencies are usually reserved for these safaris and for luxury ones.

In short, this is everything you need to know about mid-range safaris and what they cost:

• Mid-range group safaris are hard to find, so it is most common to do them privately. The cost of a private mid-range safari in Tanzania for two people is around 450 dollars per person per day. It is a very competitive price, and very hard to get if you do not book with a local agency.
• The safari experience, the itinerary and the vehicle used are very similar to those of a standard-range safari. The big difference is the accommodation. In some cases, there may be small upgrades to the vehicle, such as phone chargers, a cool box for drinks or wifi.
• If you include an extension to Zanzibar, mid-range safaris usually also include the cost of the domestic flight.
• On mid-range safaris, the accommodations become part of the safari experience. They are no longer just a place to sleep. You genuinely enjoy their location and their exceptional service.

How Much Does a Luxury Safari in Tanzania Cost?

Lastly, we also need to talk about luxury safaris. I have never done one myself, as I don’t think it is necessary to enjoy a safari in comfort (a mid-range safari is honestly more than enough). Even so, if you want to celebrate a special occasion (such as a honeymoon) or live a very exclusive experience, a luxury safari can be a good option.

The price of a luxury safari in Tanzania varies a lot. In the end, it depends on whether extras are included, such as light-aircraft flights to reach the Serengeti or hot-air balloon rides. The accommodation also has a big influence on the price, as there are many different luxury lodges.

When thinking about a safari in this range, you need to bear in mind:

• The minimum cost of a luxury safari is around 650 dollars per person. Most safaris in this range are private, although sometimes there is a group option with fixed dates (usually photographic safaris).
• On luxury safaris, it is common to reach the Serengeti by light aircraft, to avoid the long drive, which takes about eight hours.
• Although the 4×4 vehicles are similar on all safaris, luxury safaris use the newest models with the fewest kilometres. They also usually have extras such as power sockets or wifi.
• Local agencies can also organise and guide luxury safaris, so once again it is a better option than booking the safari through a non-local agency.

What Does the Cost of a Tanzania Safari Depend On?

Looking in more detail at the factors that influence the price of a safari in Tanzania, the main ones are:

• The type of accommodation
• The guide and the languages they speak
• The type of vehicle
• Whether it is a group or private safari
• The agency and its reputation

1. The Type of Accommodation

Accommodation is one of the biggest differentiating elements when calculating how much a safari in Tanzania costs. But it is also a key point for getting the most out of this experience.

Choosing good accommodation is important for:

• Resting well, in comfortable beds.
• Being well located at strategic points in the national parks. The most expensive accommodations are those inside the conservation areas, which let you make much more of the first and last hours of the day for game drives, without losing time on transfers.
• The food. On safari, the accommodations also prepare your meals, and the culinary experience can be a factor for some people.

In Tanzania, and especially in the Serengeti, there are luxury accommodations that are out of reach for most travellers, but there are also mid-range places (tented-camp style) with good value for money.

The cheapest option for sleeping is always camping, which usually costs about 20 USD per adult. Campsites are usually well located, and it is not unusual to see an elephant, giraffe or hyena walking between the tents. Admittedly, the toilets are shared, not always very clean, and the shower water is cold. But the safari experience makes up for it!

2. The Languages the Guide Speaks

The type of guide can also change the cost of a safari slightly. Although it depends on the agency, requesting a guide who speaks an additional language besides English usually comes with an extra cost.

Safaris are normally guided in English, so an English-speaking safari guide in Tanzania is the standard. If you want a guide who speaks another language, bear in mind that some agencies apply a supplement of between 30 and 40 USD per day and group. However, some agencies offer it at no extra cost.

3. The Vehicle, and How It Affects the Price of a Safari in Tanzania

In Tanzania all safaris are done in Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4 vehicles, adapted for driving on difficult terrain. Unlike Kenya, where 4×4 vans are also used, in Tanzania this is not an option because to reach the Serengeti there is a long stretch of driving along a rather rough dirt road.

For that reason, when planning a safari in Tanzania there is no direct choice about the vehicle. However, some agencies work with a fleet of newer, more reliable vehicles, which ends up translating into a higher safari price. In addition, photographic safaris also use adapted vehicles, with larger windows and fewer seats.

4. Group or Private Safari

The cost of a Tanzania safari is also clearly influenced by the choice of a private or group trip.

Travelling in a group is a good way to cut costs, as the costs of the vehicle, fuel and guide are split among more people. The downside is that itineraries cannot be customised (group safaris generally last between 3 and 6 days). There is also less room in the vehicle.

Most group safaris are budget camping safaris, and there are usually departures every day. This is because agencies group their clients together to fill the vehicles.

A private safari is always a more relaxed and convenient option, provided you have a big enough budget.

The middle ground is to choose a mid-range group safari. In this case, all the clients usually come from the same agency, but to do these safaris you need to fit in with the dates set by the agency, as there are normally no departures every day.

5. The Type of Agency

The choice of agency is also an important step when it comes to the cost of a Tanzania safari. To pay less, the best approach is to choose a local agency. But since there are now so many local agencies, it can be hard to find reliable, good-quality options at an affordable price.

Normally, newer agencies are the ones offering the most competitive prices, but they often have little experience and lack references, so it is a somewhat risky option.

For me, it is better to choose reliable agencies that already have a regular volume of clients. These agencies also offer good prices, as they have agreements with the accommodations, while also ensuring good quality and service during the safari.

Tanzania Safari Cost: Additional Expenses

Besides the costs directly related to the safari, when calculating how much a Tanzania safari costs you also need to take into account the following additional expenses:

• The flight to Tanzania (usually into Kilimanjaro or Arusha airport)
• Accommodation before or after the safari (depending on the itinerary booked, you sometimes need to book a night before or after the route)
• Card or transfer fees
• The cost of the visa
• Tips

1. Flights

A return flight from the main European cities to Kilimanjaro airport (JRO) usually costs between €700 and €800. However, it depends on how far in advance you book and the time of year (in July and August they tend to be more expensive).

2. Additional Accommodation

If you need to book an extra night in Arusha, you can budget for €30 to €50 for a double room, although there are much more expensive options. Some recommended options are:

• Crest Safari Lodge. This accommodation is on the outskirts of Arusha, very well placed on the road heading to Kilimanjaro airport. Thanks to its location, it is a good option for spending a night before or after the safari.
• Africa Safari Arusha. This lodge is one of the most recommended in Arusha, as it has beautiful gardens and lets you slip straight into the typical safari atmosphere. It is a much-recommended option among local tour operators in Tanzania.

3. Card or Transfer Fees

Another additional expense, this time before the safari experience itself, is the fees for paying or sending money in a foreign currency. As you will have seen in this guide to the cost of a Tanzania safari, the official currency of this industry is the US dollar.

If you book with a European agency this would not apply, since the quote and the payment would be in euros.

But if you book the safari with a local agency (the option I recommend most), you will have to make the safari payment in dollars. Normally, you need to make an initial deposit of 30% of the total amount, and the remainder must be paid between 30 and 15 days before the safari starts. Nowadays, most local agencies in Tanzania are quite flexible about payment methods, and you can pay by bank transfer or directly by card. It is worth checking with your bank beforehand what it charges for card payments and transfers in foreign currency.

4. The Visa

To be able to travel to Tanzania, EU citizens must apply for a visa. You can do so through this website.

This visa allows a stay in Tanzania of up to 90 days and only for tourism purposes. It costs 50 USD per person.

5. Tips

Finally, when calculating how much a safari in Tanzania costs, you also need to factor in tips. Tipping is a complex subject, and ultimately quite subjective.

The guide’s tip is the most significant, and most agencies recommend a tip of around 10 USD per person per day. However, if you travel in a group of more than two people, I think budgeting a tip of between 25 and 30 USD per day (in total) is enough.

How Much Do the Additional Expenses Add Up To?

So, beyond the cost of the safari itself, for a trip to Tanzania I recommend allowing for additional spending of around €1,020 to pay for the flight, insurance and the various extras covered in this section.

How Much Does a Tanzania Safari Cost? Understanding the Price

The cost of going on safari in Tanzania is high, and this may be surprising given that the cost of living in Tanzania is considerably lower than in Europe. However, once you understand what the trip’s money goes towards, it is easy to see that the price is actually quite reasonable.

• Almost 30% of the budget goes on entrance fees to the national parks and reserves. For example, entry to the Serengeti currently costs 83 dollars per person per day, and the fee for a Ngorongoro Crater safari is 295 dollars per vehicle.
• 35% of the cost goes on accommodation and lunch. Most accommodations are in isolated areas, which pushes prices up.
• 20% goes on the vehicle and the guide. The vehicles used on safari are well-prepared 4×4s, but they suffer significant wear, so maintaining them is expensive. You also have to pay for the guide’s services and upkeep; guides are usually people passionate about their work, but they have a hard, very demanding job.
• 12% goes on the agency’s operating costs. This includes the salaries of the staff in the agency’s office, bank fees, taxes, and marketing and promotion costs.
• 3% is the local agency’s profit.

A Closer Look at National Park Fees in Tanzania

When analysing the budget for a safari in Tanzania, it is easy to see that a good part of the cost goes on the entrance fees to the country’s national parks or conservation areas. These fees are set by the government, and most of the money goes towards paying the staff who work to conserve these ecosystems.

For this reason, I believe paying these fees is necessary, so that tourism has a positive impact on the area.

Although in recent years the entrance fees to Tanzania’s national parks have not changed much, bear in mind that they may change. In 2026, the current costs for non-residents are as follows:

How to Reduce the Cost of a Tanzania Safari

To reduce the cost of a safari, you can mainly opt for simpler accommodation (camping being the cheapest option) or travel in a group.

Camping safaris with a local agency are common in Tanzania, especially in the Serengeti. It is an experience I tried when I did independent travel in Tanzania, and I quite liked it. It is very exciting to sleep in the middle of a national park, knowing that animals may pass between the tents. One night a herd of buffalo was grazing right next to my tent, and another night an elephant strolled through the campsite. On this type of trip a cook always comes along to prepare the meals. Obviously, it is a very basic option and you should not expect great luxuries, but it is the cheapest.

Sharing the experience with other travellers on a group safari is also a good option, but it limits the itinerary and the accommodation. Budget group trips are very popular and there are departures every day (agencies put their clients together). But if you are looking for an experience at a somewhat higher level, it can be hard to find a group. That is why, with some of the local agencies I trust, we have put together a few group safari proposals with mid-range accommodation and fixed dates.

Don’t Trust Extremely Cheap Safaris in Tanzania!

In this long article on the cost of a Tanzania safari I have already covered all the aspects that make a safari expensive. Even so, let me stress once more the factors behind the high cost of this experience:

• Entrance fees to the national parks in Tanzania are high. But this is key to funding the rangers and other staff who study the national parks and fight poaching.
• The accommodations are in remote areas, so they have to be self-sufficient and set up complicated logistics to offer a quality service in the middle of the savannah. This makes maintenance and staff costs high, which translates into a high price per night.
• The 4×4 vehicles used for safaris are modified vehicles that cost more than 100,000 dollars. Their maintenance is also very expensive, as they are subject to very heavy wear.
• Guides and drivers put in many hours of work, studying nature and sharing their passion for it. That is why they deserve decent wages.

For this reason, it is practically impossible to find a safari in Tanzania that costs less than the prices mentioned in this article. If you find cheaper options, you should probably be suspicious. It could be a scam, or an agency that does not pay its workers fairly or avoids paying the national park entrance fees.

To spare you these potential problems, and to book your safari with ethical, trusted local agencies, you can fill in this form. I will put you in touch with agencies I know personally, and which I can assure you offer a quality, ethical and responsible service.

How Much Does a Typical Tanzania Safari Cost? 3 Concrete Examples

5-Day Route in Northern Tanzania

On 5-day safaris, you usually visit the national parks of the north of the country, following an itinerary similar to this:

• Day 1: Arrival in Arusha. Some agencies include an activity on the first day, such as visiting the city market or a waterfall, but this depends on flight arrival times.
• Day 2: Tarangire National Park
• Day 3: The Ngorongoro Crater and arrival at Serengeti National Park
• Day 4: Serengeti National Park
• Day 5: Return to Arusha

A safari like this, in mid-range accommodation, costs around 1,650 USD per person (if there are only two of you). If you opt for a group camping safari, the cost would be around 1,100 USD per person.

Cost of a 6-Day Safari in Tanzania

• Day 1: Arrival in Arusha.
• Day 2: Tarangire National Park
• Day 3: Serengeti National Park
• Day 4: Serengeti National Park
• Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater
• Day 6: Lake Manyara National Park and return to Arusha

A safari like this, in mid-range accommodation, costs around 2,150 USD per person (if there are only two of you). If you opt for a group camping safari, the cost would drop to around 1,350 USD per person.

Cost of a Full 10-Day Route Around Tanzania

• Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
• Day 2: Lake Natron
• Day 3: Journey to Serengeti National Park
• Days 4 and 5: Serengeti National Park
• Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater
• Day 7: Tarangire National Park
• Day 8: Lake Manyara National Park
• Day 9: Lake Eyasi
• Day 10: Materuni Waterfall and return to Arusha

A Tanzania itinerary like this can only be done privately, as group safaris usually last 6 days at most. In that case, the cost would be around 3,350 USD per person (if there are only two of you).

How Much Did My Own Safari in Tanzania Cost?

In my case, after a fairly expensive independent trip to Kenya, where I hired a car and a guide just for myself, I decided to travel to Tanzania in the cheapest way possible.

I wanted to do a ten-day safari, but I couldn’t find any group option. So in the end I decided to do two group camping safaris: one of 6 days, which took me to the Ndutu area during the great migration; and another of 4 days.

For the first I paid 1,170 USD and for the second 770 USD (I did these safaris in 2023). I did each of them with two different local agencies, but the experience was very similar in terms of the quality of the food, the guide and the vehicle. However, I found that to make the most of the long drive to Serengeti National Park it is much better to opt for a 6-day safari, as the 4-day option fell rather short for me.

Also, compared with the private safari I did in Kenya, I can say that going in a group makes the quality of the experience somewhat lower. Having more people makes it more entertaining, but it also dictates the departure time in the morning, how long you spend at each sighting… In short, in these cases it is important to be flexible. Even so, if you are travelling on a tight budget, I think it is a very good option.

Other Useful Posts About Safaris in Tanzania

If you are preparing a safari in Tanzania and want to keep reading, I recommend some of these Tanzania posts:

• Independent travel in Tanzania: a travel guide
• How to organise a safari in Tanzania with a local tour operator in 10 steps
• Serengeti safari (practical guide)
• Kenya vs Tanzania safari: 10 points to help you choose

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cost of a Tanzania Safari

How much does a safari in Tanzania cost?

A standard safari in Tanzania, for two people on a private basis, costs around 350 dollars per person per day if booked directly with a local agency. This cost can be reduced a little by travelling in a group or camping.

What is the cheapest safari in Tanzania?

The cheapest way to do a safari in Tanzania is by travelling in a group (6 people), camping, and booking the experience with a local agency. This way you can find deals of around 200 dollars per person per day, although it is usual to pay around 250 dollars per person per day.

What does the price of a Tanzania safari include?

When you book a safari package in Tanzania, the cost includes the guide and driver, 4×4 transport, the game drives, national park entrance fees, accommodation, drinks and meals. So, although the cost of a Tanzania safari is high, bear in mind that it covers practically all expenses. The only things not included are international flights, the visa, travel insurance and tips.

When is it cheapest to travel to Tanzania?

The low and rainy season, from March to May, is the cheapest time to travel to Tanzania. Even so, during this period you need to keep in mind that the rain can affect the safari.

How does a low-cost safari differ from a mid-range or luxury one?

The big difference between low-cost safaris and mid-range or luxury safaris is the accommodation. During the safari itself, the activity is practically the same.

Do you need a guide for a safari in Tanzania, and how much does it cost?

Going on safari with a guide is not compulsory, but it is highly recommended. The guide, who drives the vehicle and finds the animals, knows how to move around inside the national parks safely and where you are most likely to see the more elusive species.

The cost of the guide is included in the price of the safari. Even so, if you travel independently, you can also rent a car and add a driver/guide. In that case, it costs around 40 dollars a day.