Planning a Tanzania safari and wondering “how much will it really cost?”
Here’s a clear, updated guide for Tanzania safari cost in 2026/2027 – from budget camping trips to luxury lodges, plus extras like Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro and chimp trekking.
How Much Does a Tanzania Safari Cost in 2026/2027?
As a rule of thumb:
- Budget Tanzania safaris: from $200 per person per day
- Mid-range safaris: from $350 per person per day
- Luxury Tanzania safaris: from $600+ per person per day
These estimates usually include:
park fees, private 4×4 safari vehicle, professional guide, accommodation, most meals and drinking water on game drives.
They vary based on:
- Which parks you visit (Serengeti vs. Nyerere vs. Ruaha, etc.)
- Season (peak vs. green/low season)
- Accommodation level (camping, mid-range lodge, or luxury tented camp)
- Transport (drive-in vs. fly-in safaris)
- Extra activities (balloon safari, walking, chimp trekking, beach extensions, etc.)
All price examples below are indicative for 2026/2027 and based on shared/group or small-group travel. For a precise quote, just ask us and we’ll customise to your dates and style.
Tanzania Safari Cost by Destination (2026/2027)
Below is a simplified overview of starting prices by major national park, using sample 1–3 day safaris.
Northern Tanzania – Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire & Manyara
Serengeti National Park – from ~$350–$650 per person
- Park fees (2026/2027): approx. $70 (peak) / $60 (low) per person per day
- Sample Serengeti safari prices (per person):
- 1-day (from nearby areas): from ~$350
- 2 days: from ~$600
- 3 days: from ~$650+
Why it’s worth it:
Serengeti is Tanzania’s most famous park – 14,763 km² of open savannah, acacia woodland, and seasonal rivers. It’s home to:
- The Great Wildebeest Migration
- Big cats: lions, leopards, cheetahs
- Elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebras, hippos, hyenas
- 500+ bird species
Best time for wildlife & Migration:
- December–June for general wildlife
- May–July (and again later in the year, depending on the route) for Great Migration herds – exact location changes through the year.
Optional extras in Serengeti:
- Hot-air balloon safari: ~$550–$650 per person
- Luxury and honeymoon safaris
- Birding, photographic and camping safaris
Ngorongoro Crater – from ~$280–$600 per person
- Park fees: approx. $70 (peak) / $60 (low) per person per day
- Sample safari prices (per person):
- 1-day Crater game drive: from ~$280
- 2 days (Crater + nearby area): from ~$395
- 3 days (Crater + nearby park): from ~$600
Ngorongoro is a 20 km-wide volcanic caldera formed about 2.5 million years ago. It’s one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five in a single day, including:
- Lions, elephants, buffalo, black rhinos, leopards
- Huge numbers of zebras and wildebeest
- Hippos in Lake Magadi
- Superb birding (flamingos, raptors, more)
Accommodation ranges from camps and farm lodges in Karatu to luxury crater-rim lodges.
Tarangire National Park – from ~$200–$600 per person
- Park fees: approx. $50 (peak) / $45 (low) per person per day
- Sample Tarangire prices (per person):
- 1 day: from ~$200
- 2 days: from ~$400
- 3 days: from ~$600
Tarangire is famous for:
- Massive elephant herds
- Ancient baobab trees
- Excellent dry-season wildlife (June–October)
Lake Manyara National Park – from ~$200–$620 per person
- Park fees: approx. $50 (peak) / $45 (low)
- Sample Manyara prices (per person):
- 1 day: from ~$200
- 2 days: from ~$450
- 3 days: from ~$620
Highlights:
- Tree-climbing lions
- Pink flamingos along the lake
- Hippos, baboons, and over 400 bird species
Manyara is often combined with Tarangire and Ngorongoro in short safaris.
Southern & Western Tanzania – Nyerere, Ruaha, Mahale & Katavi
Nyerere National Park (Selous) – from ~$450–$730 per person
- Park fees: approx. $70 (peak) / $60 (low)
- Sample Nyerere prices (per person):
- 1 day: from ~$450 (if already in the area or with fly-in)
- 2 days: from ~$610
- 3 days: from ~$730
Nyerere (formerly Selous) is one of Africa’s largest protected areas, a classic wild and remote safari destination, especially popular for travellers starting a
safari from Dar es Salaam.
The park is particularly well known for:
- Boat safaris on the Rufiji River
- Wild dogs, elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocs
- Walking safaris and fly camping
- Beautiful, less-crowded landscapes
Ruaha National Park
- Park fees: around $30 per person per day
- Example: 6 days Ruaha & Mikumi from around $1400 per person
Ruaha is a predator hotspot with:
- Large lion prides
- Leopards and endangered wild dogs
- Very few visitors – true wilderness
Mahale Mountains & Gombe – Chimp Trekking
- Mahale entrance fee: about $80 per day
- Example packages:
- 4 days Mahale chimp trekking: from ~$2580 per person
- 7 days Mahale + Gombe: from ~$5767 per person
- 3 days Gombe chimp trekking: from ~$1300 per person
Perfect for travellers combining a classic safari with primates and lake-side beaches on Lake Tanganyika.
Tanzania Safari Cost by Activity (2026/2027)
A Tanzania safari is more than game drives. Below are typical per-person per-day costs for popular activities.
1. Classic Wildlife Safaris – from ~$200 per day
- Average: ~$200 per person per day (budget–mid-range)
- 7-day wildlife safari: from ~$1400 per person
Includes:
- 4×4 vehicle & guide
- Park fees
- Accommodation & most meals
2. Photographic Safaris – ~$750–$1200 per day
- Range: $750–$1200 per person per day
- Example:
- 7-day photo safari: from ~$2400+ per person (group)
- 10-day classic photo safari: from ~$4900 per person
Best during green season (Nov–April) when lighting and sky conditions are fantastic.
Often includes:
- Pro driver-guide (and sometimes a pro photographer)
- Private vehicle
- Longer time at sightings
3. Birding Safaris – ~$400–$600 per day
- Range: $400–$600 per person per day
- Example: 6 days birding: from ~$2000 per person
Best birding months: November–April (green season and migrants).
Top birding spots:
- Lake Manyara
- Tarangire
- Ngorongoro
- Ruaha
- Usambara Mountains
- Serengeti
4. Cultural Experiences – from ~$50 per day
- Cultural walking day tours: from $50+ per person
- Example multi-day cultural safaris:
- 3-day Migration & Maasai cultural: from ~$800 pp
- 4-day Wildlife & Selous cultural: from ~$900 pp
- 6-day Tanzania cultural: from ~$2300 pp
- 14-day Big Five, culture & Zanzibar: from ~$3710 pp
Experiences include visits to:
- Maasai villages
- Hadzabe (hunter-gatherers)
- Datoga, Sukuma, Iraqw & Swahili coastal culture
5. Hot-Air Balloon Safaris – ~$550–$650
- Operate mainly in Serengeti and Tarangire
- Expect $550–$650 per person
- Includes early morning flight + bush breakfast
- Incredible at sunrise over the plains or river valleys
6. Boating & Canoeing – ~$40–$60
- Lake Manyara canoeing: from $40 pp (3-hour trips)
- Lake Momella (Arusha NP) canoeing: from $60 pp
Great for seeing:
- Hippos, crocs, water birds
- Elephants and antelope along the shores
7. Kilimanjaro Climbing – ~$450–$1300 per day (all-inclusive)
Typical per person per day cost depends on route and comfort:
- Budget: from $450–$600 per day
- Mid-range: from $600–$850 per day
- Luxury: from $750–$1300 per day
Includes:
- Park & camping/hut fees
- Guides, porters, cook
- Meals and camping equipment
Best season: late June–October and January–early March.
8. Wildebeest Migration Safaris – from ~$60–$3805
- Migration safari per person per day (budget): from $60+
- Example packages:
- 5-day private wildebeest tour: from ~$2552 pp
- 6-day Serengeti Migration: from ~$1540 pp
- 8-day Great Migration safari: from ~$2180 pp
- 9-day Migration safari: from ~$3805 pp
You generally need at least 4 days in the Serengeti region to properly enjoy the migration.
9. Diving & Snorkelling – ~$33–$45 per trip
- Scuba diving in Tanzania: around $45 per dive
- Mnemba Island snorkelling: about $33 pp
- Swimming with turtles: about $42 pp
Best dive/snorkel destinations:
- Zanzibar (Mnemba Atoll)
- Pemba Island
- Mafia Island Marine Park
- Pangani/Usambara coast, Lake Tanganyika (freshwater diving)
10. Walking Safaris – ~$160–$180 per day
- Walking safaris: around $180 per person per day
- Example combinations:
- 1-day Arusha NP walking: from ~$185 pp
- 3-day Selous walking & village: from ~$495 pp
- 4-day Ngorongoro crater rim trek: from ~$1380 pp
- 7-day Maasai bushland & Rift Valley treks: from ~$1850 pp
Top walking destinations:
- Nyerere (Selous)
- Ruaha
- Serengeti
- Tarangire
- Katavi
Group size is usually max 6 people, always with an armed ranger.
11. Chimpanzee Trekking – ~$1050–$1300+
- 3 days Gombe: ~$1300 pp
- 4 days Gombe “Jane Goodall” experience: from ~$1050 pp
- 9 days Katavi, Mahale & Gombe chimps: from ~$4512 pp
- 6 days Gombe & Mahale: from ~$3480 pp
Around 2,500 chimpanzees live in Tanzania, mainly in Mahale and Gombe.
12. Historical & Cultural Sites – from ~$35
- Olduvai Gorge: ~$35 pp
- Kilwa Kisiwani: ~$148 pp
- Bagamoyo: ~$60–$90 pp per day
These tours add historical context to your Tanzania safari package, especially:
- Olduvai Gorge (cradle of humankind)
- Stone Town (Zanzibar)
- Bagamoyo, Mbozi Meteorite, old forts and slave trade sites
13. Zanzibar & Beach Holidays – ~$750–$2960+
- 3 days Zanzibar beach: from $750 pp
- 8-day Tanzania safari & beach: from $2020 pp
- 11 days Northern Tanzania safari & Zanzibar: from $2960 pp
Zanzibar offers:
- White sand beaches
- Dhow sailing, snorkelling and diving
- Stone Town history and Swahili culture
14. Horseback Safaris – ~$4000–$9000
- 4 days Arusha NP riding: from ~$4000 pp
- 7 days Kilimanjaro horseback: from ~$6100 pp
- 8 days Lake Natron ride: from ~$7900 pp
- 8 days Serengeti Migration ride: from ~$9000 pp
These are specialist safaris for experienced riders, very exclusive.
15. Cycling Safaris – ~$240–$3800
- 1-day Arusha cycling: from ~$240 pp
- 5-day Ngorongoro & Kilimanjaro cycling: from ~$3500 pp
- 10-day biking safari & game drives: from ~$3800 pp
Perfect for active travellers wanting a mix of biking and classic game drives.
16. Festivals & Events – from ~$60
Tanzania is home to colourful cultural festivals:
- Sauti za Busara (Zanzibar music festival)
- Zanzibar Film Festival
- Mwaka Kogwa, Bagamoyo Arts Festival, Serengeti Cultural Festival, etc.
Tickets can be from $60–$120 USD depending on event and category.
Average Tanzania Safari Cost by Trip Length
To give a rough per person idea (mostly budget–mid-range, small-group):
- 1-day safari: from $200
- 2 days: from $380
- 3 days: from $600
- 4 days: from $670
- 5 days: from $730
- 6 days: from $800
- 7 days: from $860
- 8 days (Northern Circuit): from $920
- 9 days: from $1100
- 10 days: from $1350
- 11 days: from $1400
- 12 days: from $1460
Rule of thumb:
- Budget safaris: ~$200/day
- Mid-range safaris: ~$350/day
- Luxury safaris: from $500/day and up
Transport Costs on a Tanzania Safari
Transport is a big part of your Tanzania safari cost 2026/2027.
Main options:
- Private 4×4 drive-in safari
- Most common
- Cost-effective for 2+ people
- Flexible, great for scenic routes between parks
- Fly-in safaris (domestic flights)
- Faster & more comfortable (skip long, bumpy drives)
- More expensive, especially in high season
- Perfect for Southern safari /Western parks (Ruaha, Nyerere, Mahale, Katavi)
- Self-drive
- Budget-friendly but complex (road conditions, park rules, navigation)
- Not recommended for first-timers in Tanzania wilderness
For most travellers, a private or small-group drive-in safari offers the best balance of cost, comfort and flexibility.
Accommodation Costs in Tanzania (2026/2027)
Accommodation quality is one of the biggest factors in your total safari cost.
Approximate per person per night (full board on safari):
- Budget / Basic camping: from $50–$150
- Mid-range lodges & tented camps: from $200–$350
- Luxury lodges & tented camps: from $400–$750+
- High-end boutique / ultra-luxury: $800–$1500+
Basic / Budget Campsites
- Dome tents or simple mobile camps
- Shared bathroom facilities in some places
- Often solar power or generator
- All meals provided by camp crew
Perfect for: travellers on a tight budget wanting the most days in the bush.
Mid-Range Lodges & Tented Camps
- Private en-suite rooms or permanent tented camps
- Better food and service than basic camps
- Often with lounge areas, sometimes a pool
- More comfort but still good value
Example mid-range ballpark (full board, pp/night):
- Arusha: from $80 (B&B often used before/after safari)
- Karatu: from $150
- Serengeti (central/south/north): from $280–$300
- Ngorongoro area: from $300
Luxury & Boutique Lodges
- Beautiful tented suites or villas
- High-end food and drinks, top service
- Often in prime wildlife locations
- Some offer private guides/vehicles
Expect $500–$1400+ per person per night in peak season for top-end properties.
When to Visit Tanzania & How It Affects Safari Cost
Peak Season (June–October + Christmas/New Year)
- Best general wildlife viewing
- Great for the wildebeest migration (July–August in many central/north areas)
- Prices highest: park fees, lodges, flights
- Popular lodges book out early
Expect:
- Accommodation at the top of the range
- Limited last-minute discounts
Green / Low Season (April–May, sometimes November)
- Long rains in April–May
- Fewer tourists, lush landscapes
- Great birding & photography
- Many lodges offer up to ~40% lower rates
- Some remote camps close completely due to access
Perfect if you:
- Are on a budget
- Don’t mind some rain
- Want quieter parks and greener scenery
Shoulder Months (January–March, some of November & early June)
- Often 20% lower prices than peak
- Good for calving season in Ndutu/Serengeti (Jan–Feb)
- Excellent for photography and predator action
Safari Type & Group Size: Big Cost Drivers
Group vs Private vs Self-Drive
- Group safaris – cheapest per person; fixed dates & routes
- Private safaris – more flexible, ideal for couples, families, or friends
- Self-drive – cheapest on paper but riskier/logistically harder
How group size changes price
For a 6-day safari, for example:
- 2 people: maybe ~$400 pp/day
- 4 people: around ~$300 pp/day
- 6 people: possibly ~$250 pp/day
The more people share the vehicle and guide, the lower the per-person cost.
Budget, Mid-Range & Luxury Safaris – What You Get
Tanzania Budget Safaris (from ~$80–$200 per day)
- Basic camping or simple budget lodges
- Shared facilities in some cases
- Great for backpackers and travellers who prioritise wildlife over comfort
Private Mid-Range Safaris (~$350–$600 per day)
- Comfortable lodges/tented camps
- Private 4×4 with guide
- Ideal balance of cost, comfort and experience
Luxury Safaris ($500–$1400+ per day)
- High-end lodges and tented camps
- Superior guiding and service
- Often private vehicles
- Perfect for honeymoons, special trips, and guests who want the best of Tanzania
Extra Costs to Budget For
1. Tanzania Visa
- Most tourists: around $50 (single entry, 90 days)
- US citizens: $100 multi-entry, valid 1 year
- Some nationalities (e.g. South Africans) do not need a visa
Always check the latest regulations before travel.
2. Tipping
Tipping is customary and appreciated:
- Safari guide: $10–$25 per traveller per day (depending on group size and service)
- Camp staff: often a shared tip box at the lodge
- Porters & drivers: small tips per service
3. Travel Insurance
Expect around $100+ for a comprehensive safari policy covering:
- Medical
- Cancellation
- Lost baggage
- Evacuation
4. Drinks & Laundry
- Laundry at lodges: around $10–$20 per load
- Alcoholic drinks: extra, depending on lodge
- Water is usually included on game drives; bottled water in lodges often under $1.
Multi-Country & East Africa Add-Ons
Many travellers combine their Tanzania safari with:
Kenya
- Average Kenya safari: ~$180 pp/day
- Compare migration in Serengeti vs Maasai Mara
Uganda & Rwanda – Gorilla Trekking
- Uganda gorilla permit: $800 per person
- Rwanda gorilla permit: $1500 per person
Great add-ons after a classic Tanzania safari.
So… How Much Will Your Tanzania Safari Cost?
Because there are many variables (season, group size, route, style, special interests), the best way to get a realistic figure for 2026/2027 is a tailored quote.
But as a quick recap:
- Budget camping safari: from $200 pp/day
- Mid-range lodge safari: from $350 pp/day
- Luxury safari: from $600+ pp/day
- Zanzibar extension: from $750 pp for 3 days
- Kilimanjaro climb: from $450–$1300 pp/day (depending on route & comfort)
Plan Your Tanzania Safari Cost 2026/2027 with a Local Expert
At Otto Safari Guide Tanzania, we design custom safaris that match:
- Your budget (budget, mid-range, luxury)
- Your dates (2026/2027 dry or green season)
- Your interests (Migration, big cats, culture, birding, photography, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro…)
