Planning · 11 min read
How Much Does a Tanzania Safari Cost? Real 2026 Prices
Quotes for the same itinerary can vary by a factor of ten. Here are our actual prices, the official park fees behind them, and where the rest of the money goes.
The short answerA Tanzania safari costs roughly $200–$350 per person per day camping and $400–$700 per person per day in lodges, including park fees, a private 4x4, a driver-guide, accommodation and meals. Our own trips start at $200 for a cultural day trip, $250 for a day safari, $750 for 3 days camping and $1,450 for 5 days — all in USD, with 10% going to the Fruitful Orphanage.
All prices below are in US dollars, per person, based on a group of six sharing a private 4x4 — smaller groups are priced higher. They are our real 2026 prices, not estimates, and they already include every park fee, the private 4x4, the driver-guide, accommodation, meals and water.
Our 2026 prices, itinerary by itinerary
| Itinerary | Days | Camping | Lodge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materuni waterfalls, coffee & Chemka hot springs | 1 | $200 | $200 |
| Arusha National Park day safari | 1 | $250 | $250 |
| Lake Manyara day safari | 1 | $250 | $250 |
| Tarangire day safari | 1 | $250 | $250 |
| Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater | 2 | $500 | $600 |
| Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro & Tarangire | 3 | $750 | $950 |
| Serengeti & Ngorongoro | 5 | $1,450 | $1,850 |
| Northern circuit | 7 | $2,450 | $3,050 |
| Full northern circuit with Serengeti | 8 | $2,700 | $3,400 |
Typical price per person per day
- ·Budget camping safari: $200–$280 per person per day
- ·Mid-range lodge safari: $300–$450 per person per day
- ·Luxury lodge or tented camp: $600–$1,500+ per person per day
Official park fees in 2026
Roughly 40% of any northern-circuit price is government fees, and they are identical for every operator — they are set by TANAPA and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, not by us. They are charged per park, per 24 hours from the moment you enter the gate, so 26 hours in the Serengeti costs two days.
| Park | Entry fee | Extra charges |
|---|---|---|
| Serengeti | $82.60 | Vehicle fee ~$40/day; camping ~$35 per night |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area | $70.80 | Crater descent ~$295 per vehicle per trip |
| Tarangire | $59.00 | Vehicle fee ~$40/day |
| Lake Manyara | $59.00 | Vehicle fee ~$40/day |
| Arusha National Park | $59.00 | Walking safari ranger fee |
Where the rest of the money goes
After fees, the balance covers the 4x4 Land Cruiser and its fuel — a full northern circuit is well over 1,500 km of rough road — your driver-guide, the cook and food, accommodation, drinking water, insurance and our margin.
Sleeping inside a park adds a third layer most quotes hide: a concession fee of roughly $71 per adult per night at Serengeti lodges and camps, on top of the room rate and the daily entry fee. Camping avoids it.
What is included and what is not
| Included in our prices | Not included |
|---|---|
| All park and conservation fees | International flights and the $50 visa |
| Private 4x4 with a window seat each | Travel and medical insurance (required) |
| Driver-guide, cook and all meals on safari | Tips, roughly $20–$25 per day per vehicle |
| Accommodation as listed and drinking water | Drinks, laundry and souvenirs |
| Arusha or airport pick-up and drop-off | Serengeti balloon flight, about $600 |
Why very cheap quotes are a warning sign
Because park fees are fixed, an unusually cheap quote can only cut the parts that make your trip good: an older vehicle that breaks down, a guide paid too little to care, shared vehicles with a middle seat, or fewer hours in the park because you sleep further away from the gate.
Ask any operator to itemise park fees separately. Anyone who will not is hiding something.
How to bring the cost down honestly
- ·Travel in April, May or November when lodges discount heavily.
- ·Choose camping over lodges — the game drives are identical.
- ·Travel as a group of four to six: the vehicle cost is shared.
- ·Cut the Serengeti and focus on Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Manyara, which are closer and cheaper to reach.
- ·Skip a second short park day — a half day at Lake Manyara still costs a full 24-hour fee.
And the 10%
Ten percent of whatever you pay goes directly to the Fruitful Orphanage & Day Care Center in Arusha, and we send you confirmation of the transfer after your trip. It is not an add-on or an optional donation — it is already inside the prices above.
About the author
Isaac Sumary
Isaac is a Tanzanian safari guide from Arusha and the founder of both the Fruitful Orphanage & Day Care Center and Fruits & Love Safaris. He has been driving the northern circuit for over a decade, and 10% of every safari payment goes back to the children in his care. Reach him on +255 762 353 576 or isaacsumary@yahoo.com.
Planning a trip?
We run private safaris from Arusha and give 10% of every payment to the Fruitful Orphanage. Send us your dates and we will reply within 24 hours with a quote in USD.
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