· Golden Memories Safaris
If you are planning your first trip to Tanzania, the question that comes before every other is simple: how much does a safari cost? It is also one of the hardest questions to answer honestly, because two quotes for the "same" trip can differ by thousands of dollars. This guide explains where the money goes, what the official park fees are, what budget, midrange and luxury safaris really cost per person per day, and how to compare quotes fairly. The fee figures come from Tanzania’s own authorities, and the trip prices are the ones we charge from our office in Arusha.
Tanzania safari prices at a glance
Before the detail, here is the range using the real packages we sell. Dividing the total by the number of days gives a fairer way to compare trips of different lengths.
- Shared (joining) day safari to Tarangire: USD 250 per person.
- Private day safari to Tarangire: USD 350 per person for two travellers. Private day safari to the Ngorongoro Crater: USD 500 per person.
- Budget camping safari, 9 days with Lake Eyasi and the Kilimanjaro foothills: USD 2,400 per person, about USD 267 per day.
- Midrange safari, 5 days in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro: USD 1,950 per person, about USD 390 per day.
- Midrange safari, 7 days on the Northern Circuit: USD 2,800 per person, about USD 400 per day.
- Luxury safari, 4 days with a flight back from the Serengeti: USD 3,000 per person, about USD 750 per day.
- Luxury safari, 7 days driving in and flying out of the Serengeti: USD 5,300 per person, about USD 757 per day.
The pattern is clear. Budget safaris cost roughly USD 250 to 300 per person per day, midrange about USD 400, and luxury about USD 750 or more. The difference is almost entirely accommodation and the use of scheduled flights, because the wildlife, the parks and the guides are the same.
Where your safari money actually goes
A Tanzania safari looks expensive next to a beach holiday because most of the cost is paid to the government and to remote lodges that must be supplied by road or air. Understanding each part makes any quote easier to read.
1. National park conservation fees
Every visitor pays a daily fee to enter a national park, set by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). These fees are the largest fixed cost on any itinerary and the reason the Serengeti costs more per night than a quieter park. The official 2023/24 tariff, the latest full document we could verify on the TANAPA website, charges non resident adults the following per day:
- Serengeti and Nyerere: USD 70 in the peak season (16 May to 14 March) and USD 60 in the low season (15 March to 15 May). Children aged 5 to 15 pay USD 20.
- Lake Manyara, Tarangire and Arusha National Park: USD 50 in the peak season and USD 45 in the low season. Children aged 5 to 15 pay USD 15.
- Mikumi and most other parks, including Ruaha: USD 30 per adult and USD 10 per child.
- Kilimanjaro National Park: USD 70 per adult per day, plus separate camping or hut fees.
Treat this table as the base rate. TANAPA tariffs run by financial year, from July to June, and more recent operator quotes put the Serengeti fee at around USD 83 per adult per day once 18 percent VAT is applied. Always ask your operator to confirm the current figure in writing.
2. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is managed by its own authority, not TANAPA. Its published tariff charges non East African adults USD 70.80 and children aged 5 to 16 USD 23.60 per 24 hours, with children under five free. To drive down into the crater itself, a crater service fee of USD 295 per vehicle is charged on top, along with a vehicle entry fee that depends on the weight of the vehicle. Because the crater fee is per vehicle, not per person, it is shared between everyone in the car. For two travellers sharing a vehicle that is roughly USD 148 each, but for a group of four it falls to about USD 74 each.
3. Accommodation
After park fees, where you sleep is the biggest variable. Public campsites in the national parks charge a conservation camping fee of USD 10 per person per night under the official tariff, while a luxury tented camp inside the Serengeti can cost several hundred dollars per person per night. Remote locations also cost more to run, because every litre of water and kilogram of food has to be transported to the camp.
4. Vehicle, driver guide and fuel
A good driver guide is the difference between seeing animals and understanding them. Your price includes the 4x4 with a pop up roof, fuel for long park distances, maintenance, insurance and the guide’s wages. These costs are shared by the people in the vehicle, which is why the price per person falls as the group grows.
5. Flights
A scheduled flight inside Tanzania can save a full day of driving, but it adds to the bill. A fly in safari is worth it when time is short, and a drive safari is better value when you have a week or more.
6. Taxes, permits and the operator
A licensed local operator covers permits, insurance, staff, emergency support and the cost of running an office. Paying a little more to a registered company that owns its vehicles is cheaper than paying less to someone who disappears when a vehicle breaks down.
Budget safaris: the lowest price without losing the wildlife
A budget safari keeps costs down by using public campsites or simple lodges, a shared vehicle or both. It suits independent travellers, students and anyone who would rather spend their money on more days in the bush than on a thicker mattress. You still travel with a professional guide and see the same animals as every other visitor.
- One day Tarangire joining safari from Arusha: USD 250 per person, and the same price applies to solo travellers and every group size.
- One day private Tarangire safari: USD 350 per person for two travellers.
- 9 day camping and lodge safari through Tarangire, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Eyasi and the Kilimanjaro foothills: USD 2,400 per person. It includes the tents, sleeping bags, mattresses and a safari chef.
Camping on safari is different from camping at home. Your tent is set up for you, a chef cooks hot meals, and the only thing you carry is your own bag.
Midrange safaris: the best balance for most travellers
Midrange is the choice most first time visitors make, and it is why we list our midrange safaris together with the budget options as great value. You stay in proper lodges or comfortable tented camps with private bathrooms, you eat well, and you keep the private vehicle and guide that make a Tanzania safari memorable. The savings against luxury are large, and the animals do not know the difference.
- 5 day Serengeti and Ngorongoro classic midrange safari: USD 1,950 per person.
- 6 day Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro midrange safari: USD 2,300 per person.
- 7 day Northern Circuit midrange safari through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater: USD 2,800 per person.
Luxury safaris: comfort, privacy and shorter journeys
Luxury safaris use the finest lodges and camps, often with swimming pools, spas and private dining, and many save time with a scheduled flight between parks. They suit honeymooners, anniversaries, families who want space and anyone for whom comfort is part of the experience.
- 4 day luxury safari through Arusha, Tarangire and the Serengeti, flying back to Arusha: USD 3,000 per person.
- 7 day Northern Circuit luxury safari driving in and flying out of the Serengeti: USD 5,300 per person.
- 8 day luxury safari that ends with a beach stay in Zanzibar: USD 7,800 per person.
Private or joining safari: which costs less?
On a private safari you travel alone with your own vehicle and guide, choose the pace and can stop for as long as you like at a good sighting. On a joining safari you share the vehicle and the guide with other travellers on fixed dates. Sharing is the cheapest way to see a park: a day in Tarangire costs USD 350 privately for two travellers and USD 250 per person on a joining trip. The compromise is flexibility, because the group agrees the route and timings together.
Seven ways to lower the price without ruining the trip
- Join a group for short trips. Day safaris and short stays are where sharing a vehicle saves the most.
- Travel in the low season. The official Serengeti fee falls from USD 70 to USD 60 per adult per day between 15 March and 15 May, and lodges also reduce their rates. Rain usually arrives in short bursts and the parks are quiet.
- Choose fewer parks and more nights in each. Long transfers cost time and money. Five days in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro often delivers better wildlife than a rushed seven day circuit.
- Choose midrange before luxury. The wildlife is identical, and the money you save can pay for an extra night.
- Mix a campsite night with lodge nights. Public campsites are cheap, so even one camping night lowers the average cost.
- Travel with four people. The cost of the vehicle, guide and the Ngorongoro crater fee is shared, so each person pays less.
- Book early for the busy months. Late June to October and the Christmas weeks sell out first, and the best lodges at fair prices go quickly.
When you travel changes what you pay
Tanzania has two peak periods: the dry season from late June to October, and the weeks around Christmas and New Year. Prices are highest then, because lodges are full and the migration is in the northern Serengeti. January to March is a strong middle option, when the wildebeest herds gather on the southern plains around Ndutu to calve, according to the Tanzania Tourism Board. April and May, the long rains, are the quietest and cheapest months.
What is usually not included in the price
Always read the exclusions line by line. On most Tanzania safaris the following are paid separately, so add them to your budget.
- International flights to Kilimanjaro or Arusha.
- Your visa. The official ordinary tourist visa through the Tanzania Immigration eVisa system costs USD 50, and it covers both the mainland and Zanzibar. US citizens are charged USD 100 for a multiple entry visa valid for 12 months.
- Travel and medical insurance, which should be arranged before you travel.
- Tips for your guide, driver and camp staff.
- Alcoholic and soft drinks, laundry and personal expenses.
- Optional extras such as a Serengeti hot air balloon flight.
How to compare safari quotes fairly
Two quotes only mean the same thing if they include the same things. Before you decide, check the following with every company.
- Are park and conservation fees included, and for how many days?
- Is the Ngorongoro crater service fee included, and how many people share the vehicle?
- What type of vehicle is used, who owns it, and is there a pop up roof with a window seat for every guest?
- Which exact lodges or camps are used, and what happens if one is full?
- Are meals, drinking water and airport transfers included?
- Is the operator a registered Tanzanian company with a physical office?
- What is the cancellation policy, in writing?
Questions travellers ask us about safari cost
Is a cheap safari in Tanzania safe and good value?
Yes, provided the operator is licensed, the vehicles are well maintained and the guide is experienced. A very low price usually means an overcrowded minibus, an untrained guide or extras that appear later. Ask who owns the vehicles and what happens if there is a breakdown.
How many days do I need for a good safari?
Four to six days covers the highlights for a first visit. With only one or two days, a day trip to Tarangire or the Ngorongoro Crater from Arusha is a worthwhile introduction.
Is it cheaper to book directly with a local company?
Often yes, because there is no overseas agent between you and the people running the safari. You also speak to the team who will be with you in the bush, which matters when plans change.
Do park fees change during the year?
Yes. The official Serengeti fee is lower between 15 March and 15 May, and tariffs are reviewed every financial year. That is why we confirm the current fees in your quote.
Are children cheaper on safari?
Yes. Under the official tariffs, children aged 5 to 15 pay a much lower daily park fee, for example USD 20 in the Serengeti, and children under five enter free. Lodges and operators also have their own child rates.
Get a clear price for your own safari
Tell us your dates, how many of you are travelling and the level of comfort you want. We will send a clear price that shows exactly what is included, from a Tanzanian company built on local knowledge.
More guides and pages for this trip
Tanzania mandatory travel insurance
Sources and further reading
Fee figures and facts in this guide come from the following official sources. Tariffs change, so use them as a guide and confirm current rates before you book.
- Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), Tariffs from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, tanzaniaparks.go.tz.
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, Tariffs, ncaa.go.tz.
- Tanzania Immigration Department, eVisa guidelines and visa fees, visa.immigration.go.tz.
- Tanzania Tourism Board, Great Migration and Serengeti destination pages, tanzaniatourism.com.
- Golden Memories Safaris package prices, per person for two travellers sharing, October 2026.