Tanzania safari cost guide
What a northern-circuit safari actually costs, from a Moshi-based operator: park and crater fees, accommodation tiers, seasonal rates, and our real published per-person prices for 3 to 6 day trips with 1 to 6 travellers.
What our safaris cost, per person
These are the prices we quote, not estimates. Every figure is per person, includes all park and crater fees with VAT, a private 4×4 with driver-guide and full-board mid-range tented lodges. The per-person rate falls as the group grows because the vehicle, the guide and the Ngorongoro crater service fee are charged per vehicle.
| Safari | Parks | Solo | 2 travellers | 4 travellers | 6 travellers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Days Safari | Tarangire · Lake Manyara · Ngorongoro | USD 2,500 | USD 1,500 | USD 1,250 | USD 1,100 |
| 4 Days Safari | Tarangire · Ngorongoro · Serengeti | USD 3,600 | USD 2,300 | USD 2,000 | USD 1,860 |
| 5 Days Safari | Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro | USD 4,040 | USD 2,570 | USD 2,380 | USD 2,100 |
| 6 Days Safari | Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro | USD 4,910 | USD 3,195 | USD 2,600 | USD 2,300 |
Prices are per person sharing a twin or double room, and are confirmed in writing before you pay anything. Safari bookings are held with a 25% deposit; the balance is due before your first game drive.
Park fees, crater fees and vehicle costs
Entry fees are set by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, so they are identical for every operator and cannot be discounted. They are the reason a Tanzanian safari costs more per day than most other African destinations — and the reason a suspiciously cheap quote usually means fewer park days.
| Cost item | Typical rate | What it means for your budget |
|---|---|---|
| Serengeti National Park | ≈ USD 70 + 18% VAT per adult / 24 hrs | The single biggest fee on any northern-circuit itinerary; a night inside the park also carries a concession or camping fee. |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area | ≈ USD 70 + 18% VAT per adult / 24 hrs | Charged for the highlands and the rim; separate from the crater descent fee below. |
| Ngorongoro crater service fee | ≈ USD 295 + VAT per vehicle / descent | Per vehicle, not per person — which is why the crater is much cheaper per head in a group of six than solo. |
| Tarangire National Park | ≈ USD 50 + 18% VAT per adult / 24 hrs | Best value park on the circuit in the dry season, when elephant herds concentrate on the river. |
| Lake Manyara National Park | ≈ USD 50 + 18% VAT per adult / 24 hrs | Usually visited as a half-day add-on, so the fee is often shared with a transfer day. |
| Camping / concession fees | ≈ USD 30–60 per person / night | Public campsites are cheapest, special campsites and in-park concessions cost more. |
| Vehicle & guide costs | ≈ USD 250–350 per vehicle / day | Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, fuel, driver-guide fees, park vehicle entry and unlimited game-drive mileage. |
Rates shown are the published non-resident adult tariffs at the time of writing and are reviewed by the authorities each year — we always confirm the current figures in your written quote. Children aged 5–15 pay a reduced fee and under-fives enter free.
Lodge tiers and what each one adds to the price
Park fees, vehicle and guide costs barely change between a budget and a luxury safari. Where you sleep is the single biggest lever on your total, and it is the first thing we adjust when a quote comes back above your budget.
Budget camping
Public campsites with dome tents, shared ablutions and a safari cook travelling with you.
Best for young travellers and small groups who want maximum game-drive time for the money.
Mid-range lodge & tented camp
En-suite rooms or permanent tented camps with hot water, full board and a pool at most properties.
What our published 3–6 day safari prices are built on, e.g. Tarangire Pure and Embalakai Ngorongoro.
Comfort / semi-luxury
Better locations closer to the gates and the Seronera valley, larger tents, more attentive service.
A common upgrade for honeymooners and families who want a shorter drive to the wildlife.
Luxury & fly-in
Small mobile or permanent camps inside the parks, private guiding, light-aircraft hops instead of long drives.
Adds roughly USD 300–600 per person per day over a mid-range trip of the same length.
How the season changes what you pay
Park fees are the same all year. Lodge tariffs are not — and on a six-day itinerary that difference can be several hundred dollars per person.
| Season | Months | Price level | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak season | Jul – Oct, plus late Dec – early Jan | Highest lodge rates | Dry-season game viewing and the wildebeest crossings in the northern Serengeti. Book 6–10 months ahead; lodges charge peak tariffs and availability drives the price more than anything else. |
| High shoulder | Jan – Feb | Slightly below peak | Calving season on the southern short-grass plains — superb predator action, warm days and fewer vehicles than August. |
| Green / low season | Mar – May | 20–40% below peak | Long rains. Some camps close, others discount heavily. Landscapes are lush, birding is at its best and the same itinerary can cost several hundred dollars less per person. |
| Low shoulder | Jun and Nov – early Dec | 10–25% below peak | Short rains in November clear quickly. Good value for the same parks and the same guides, with mid-season lodge rates. |
What is included — and what to budget on top
Included in our prices
- All park, conservation-area and crater fees plus 18% VAT
- Private 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, fuel and unlimited game-drive mileage
- English-speaking, TATO-registered driver-guide throughout
- Full-board accommodation in the tier you choose
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle every day
- Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport pick-up and drop-off
Budget separately
- International flights, Tanzanian visa (USD 50–100) and travel insurance
- Tips for the driver-guide (USD 20–25 per vehicle per day) and lodge staff
- Balloon safari over the Serengeti (≈ USD 599 per person)
- Domestic flights between the Serengeti and Arusha or Zanzibar
- Alcoholic and soft drinks, laundry and personal shopping
- Optional cultural visits and pre- or post-safari hotel nights
Cutting the cost without cutting the safari
- Travel in a group of four to six so the vehicle, guide and crater fee are shared
- Choose the green season (March–May) or November for lower lodge tariffs
- Sleep just outside the park gates in Karatu or Mto wa Mbu instead of inside
- Drop a night in the Serengeti rather than downgrading every lodge
- Combine Tarangire, Manyara and the crater — the crater is the cheapest Big-Five day
- Drive between parks instead of flying, and skip the balloon flight
Tanzania safari cost FAQs
How much does a Tanzania safari cost?
A private, mid-range northern-circuit safari with us runs from about USD 1,500 per person for three days to roughly USD 3,195 per person for six days when two of you travel together, all park fees, vehicle, guide and full-board accommodation included. Budget camping trips sit below that; luxury fly-in safaris start at roughly double.
How much is a 3 day safari in Tanzania?
Our 3 Days Safari — Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater — costs USD 1,500 per person for two travellers and USD 1,100 per person in a group of six, including all park and crater fees, a private 4×4, your driver-guide and full-board tented-lodge accommodation.
Why does the price per person fall as the group grows?
The vehicle, the driver-guide and the Ngorongoro crater service fee are charged per vehicle, not per traveller, so those costs divide across everyone on board. Park entry fees and accommodation stay per person, which is why the price drops sharply between one and two travellers and then flattens out from about six people.
How much of a Tanzania safari price is government fees?
On a mid-range northern-circuit trip, park, conservation-area and crater fees plus 18% VAT usually account for 35–45% of the total price. They are set by TANAPA and the NCAA, are the same for every operator, and are non-negotiable — a quote far below the market usually means fewer park days or cheaper accommodation, not cheaper fees.
When is the cheapest time to go on safari in Tanzania?
March to May, the long-rains green season, is the cheapest — lodge rates drop 20–40% below July–October peak tariffs. November and early December are the next best value. Wildlife stays resident in Tarangire, Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater all year, so a green-season trip is about comfort trade-offs, not poor game viewing.
Is it cheaper to camp or stay in lodges?
Camping is the cheapest way to see the same parks — expect USD 40–90 per person per night against USD 150–300 for a mid-range lodge or permanent tented camp. Park fees, vehicle and guide costs are identical, so accommodation is the main lever you can pull on the budget.
What extra money should I budget beyond the safari price?
Allow USD 50–100 for the visa, USD 20–25 per vehicle per day for your driver-guide's tip, USD 5–10 per day for lodge staff tip boxes, plus drinks, souvenirs and any optional balloon flight (about USD 599). Most travellers find USD 250–400 in cash per person covers a week comfortably.
How far ahead should I book to get the best price?
For July to October, book six to ten months ahead — the best-value camps inside the parks sell out first and late bookings force you into pricier or more distant lodges. Green-season trips can often be arranged four to eight weeks out at the lowest rates of the year.
Want a costed itinerary for your dates?
Tell us your dates, group size and accommodation tier and our Moshi team will send a written, all-in quote within 24 hours — no deposit needed to get one.