Tanzania is one of the poorer nations on the African continent, so one might assume that travel there is inexpensive. However, since tourism is one of the main drivers of the country’s economy, many people are surprised to hear how much a Tanzania safari costs. Seeing the big five, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, witnessing the great wildebeest migration, taking a cultural tour to see the fascinating Masai people, and many other activities are all available at this stunning location when on a Tanzania safari.

Tanzania Safari Cost per person with different safari packages

Safari Package	Category of Accommodation	Places to visit	Number of Travellers	Cost Per person (USD)
12-Day Northern Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar	Mid-range(Lodge &Tented Camp)	Arusha(Start), Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro, Nungwi-Zanzibar (End)	2	$5,400
5-Day Luxury Northern Tanzania Safari	Luxury (Tented Camp)	Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro, Arusha (End)	2	$1,950
6-Day Big Five Camping Safari	Budget (Camping)	Arusha(Start), Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro, Arusha (End)	2	$1,080
14-Day Serengeti-Ngorongoro	Luxury (Tented camp and Lodge)	Arusha(Start),Lake Manyara NP, Ngorongoro, Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Arusha, Zanzibar (Beach), Stone Town(Zanzibar), Arusha (End)	2	$4,139 or $4,602
6-Day AdventureTanzania Safari	Mid-range (Tented Camp)	Arusha(Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro,Lake Manyara NP, Kilimanjaro Airport (End)	2	$2,257
8-Day Serengeti Great Migration Safari	Budget (Camping & Lodge)	Arusha(Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Highlands, Ngorongoro, Arusha (End)	2	$1,797

Factors that affect the cost of a Tanzania Safari

Safari’s duration
I think this is simple! The number of days you plan to spend on vacation in Tanzania will affect the total cost of your safari. The Safari will be less expensive the fewer days it is offered, and vice versa. Budget tourists are therefore encouraged to choose shorter 3- to 4-day itineraries to explore Tanzania’s several wildlife sanctuaries.

As an alternative, if you want to take a long Tanzania safari vacation but have a tight budget, you should either choose to stay at a lower-quality hotel or go during off-peak travel season when lodging prices are lower.

When to go
The time of year you decide to go on safari in Tanzania is another crucial factor that will have a big impact on the price. Safari rates are highest during the busiest travel seasons, which run from December to February and June to August.

During these times, the country’s visitor population is at its maximum and there is a great demand for lodging, which causes fares to practically double. Those who are interested in traveling to Tanzania but have a limited budget are advised to visit during the off-peak season, which is March, April, and May when the country is experiencing the rainy season.

The Christmas season, which spans from December 24 to January 1, is another pricey time to travel to Tanzania. The majority of Tanzanian lodging establishments impose a set, non-negotiable New Year’s and Christmas premium during this time of year.

Most accommodations only accommodate people staying five to seven (5 to 7) nights, as you will discover when you visit Zanzibar Island during the holiday season. Therefore, it is recommended that tourists on a tight budget stay away from Tanzania during the busiest safari and holiday seasons.

A table showing the average cost of a Tanzania Safari in different Seasons

	Season	Comfortable Budget	Mid-range (private safaris)	Top Deluxe (combines fly-in & private safaris)
1.	Green Season (April To May)	$350 – $450	$450 – $650	Many are closed
2.	Shoulder (January – March, June & October)	$400 – $500	$550 – $700	$700 – $1000
3.	Peak Season (July To September or October)	$450 – $570	$600 – $900	$900 – $1400

Your mode of transport in Tanzania

Depending on your itinerary, you may need to make transfers between destinations during your Tanzanian safari. You can accomplish this by taking the longer road trips or by taking scheduled inbound flights. Despite the fact that inbound flights will spare you from the inconvenience of long drives and bumpy journeys, particularly on rural, isolated roads, it is obvious that they will cost more.

The Best National Parks to Visit
Not all Tanzanian national parks charge the same admission prices, in contrast to the majority of African nations. You will notice that the entrance fees for the well-known Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are more expensive than those of other national parks in the nation, like Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park. Additionally, visitors to the Ngorongoro Crater will be required to pay a crater fee in addition to the entrance price to the conservation area, thereby raising the cost of their Tanzanian safari.

 

Accommodation quality
The standard of the lodging you will use during your safari is another significant factor that affects the total cost of a safari in Tanzania. Tanzania offers a wide variety of lodging options, from budget-friendly campgrounds to mid-range establishments to upscale tented camps and resorts.

Therefore, Tanzania offers a wide range of lodging options to fit your likes and preferences, regardless of your financial situation. As an alternative to paying for pricey lodgings, vacationers on a tight budget may choose to tent for part of their safari evenings.

Everyone will anticipate enjoying the standard game drives, which are unrestricted from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., as part of any classic safari vacation. Hot air balloon safaris, bird watching tours, guided walking tours, boat/canoe rides, and night wildlife drives are just a few of the many optional activities Tanzania provides visitors. Each of these activities has a different cost. Ultimately, how many optional activities you choose to partake in will determine how much your Tanzanian safari will cost.

A table showing the cost of Optional Activities in Tanzania

	Optional Activities	Cost in US Dollars
1.	Hot Air Balloon Safari	$599
2.	Guided Walking Tours	$ 40
3.	Night Game Drives	$59
4.	Boat / Canoe Rides	$35 – $60

Solo or Group Safari?

When traveling in a group or joining one, you will share a lot of costs with the group, including the vehicle fee because you will be sharing a car. This will also apply to expenses like as driver and guide fees. For those on a tight budget who want to visit Tanzania, group trips are highly suggested.

However, if you want to go alone on a private safari, you will be responsible for all fees, including park entrance fees, vehicle costs, guide and driver fees, and lodging. To split the cost, you may, however, always think about going with a friend or loved one.

Extra expenses for Tanzania Safari
Every vacationer traveling to Tanzania will have to pay a number of extra expenses, which are listed below:

Cost of insurance: It is strongly recommended that anyone traveling to any African nation have a solid travel insurance policy that will provide complete coverage for the duration of their safari and emergency evacuation. Some of the most important things to consider when purchasing travel insurance are extra coverages like medical, which should also cover things like flight cancelation and property theft.

Cost of souvenirs: It is customary for everyone going on a safari in Tanzania to return home with a few mementos for their friends, family, or loved ones. Fortunately, there are many lovely souvenirs available in this nation, and they range in price. Therefore, it is worthwhile to consider setting aside $20 to $50 for souvenirs while organizing your Tanzanian safari.

Even though the majority of lodges provide laundry services, you will discover that they come at an extra cost that varies depending on the establishment. However, budget travelers can choose to do some of their own laundry, but the cost of laundry should still be factored in when planning a safari to Tanzania.

Snack and drink costs: Even full-board accommodations in Tanzania are not always all-inclusive. That’s why you should set aside more money, particularly if you want to enjoy a good, refreshing sundowner, some alcoholic beverages, and some extra nibbles. You will discover that both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are covered by the lodging charges in a select few outstanding luxury establishments.

Tipping is not required, however it is customary in Tanzania to provide a gratuity to employees who have been incredibly kind and helpful to you during your safari. Because of this, it is recommended that you establish a tip budget. Below, we have estimated the amount you should tip on your Safari; however, please note that these values are not set in stone, so you are free to tip whatever much you like.

A table showing the Average tips to give on a Tanzania Safari

	Category	Cost in US Dollars
1.	Safari driver	$20 a day
2.	Trekking guide	$20 per trek
3.	Porters	$15 a day
4.	Safari Chief especially when camping or  mountain climbing	$15 a day
5.	Hotel Staff	$10

 

5 ways to travel budget on a safari in Tanzania

The following advice will help you save money on your Tanzanian safari, particularly if you have a tight budget.

Steer clear of the holidays and peak seasons.
The country experiences the rainy season in March, April, and May, which is regarded as the off-peak travel season with less tourists and various lodging options with lower prices. It’s the ideal time of year to go cheaply to Tanzania. However, because safari prices are so high, it is best to avoid the busiest months (June to August) and the holidays (December 24 to January 1).

Select Low-Cost Lodging
Budget-friendly accommodations should always be booked when going on a tight budget; these can be supplemented with a few nights of camping to further cut your safari spending.

Select a Schedules/Group Safari.
When visiting Tanzania, budget travelers are strongly encouraged to sign up for group tours or organized safaris. This will assist divide several expenses among the group, including petrol, vehicle, and guide fees.

Steer clear of jumping between tourist attractions.
Avoid an agenda that involves visiting multiple locations while on a tight budget because this will not only require a lot of time to pack and unpack your bags, but it will also cost you a lot of money for transportation and park admission. Actually, you can arrange a safari schedule that only visits two national parks and still experience all the wonderful sights you have always wanted to see.

Instead of taking a fly-in safari, use a safari guide.
You will all concur with me that going on a fly-in safari in Tanzania is more costly than going on a guided safari.

The ideal time to travel to Tanzania

Despite being a year-round destination, the best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry season, which runs from July to October and corresponds with the wildebeest migration’s river crossing in the northern Serengeti. It is fairly easy to identify the various creatures in their native habitat because the grass is almost completely dried.