How much does a safari in Tanzania cost? Prices 2026-2027

In northern Tanzania, a safari can cost from around 370 dollars per person per day on a camping option to more than 2,000 dollars on an ultra-luxury private safari. The difference comes down mainly to four things: where you stay, whether you have a private vehicle and guide, whether you fly or drive, and when you travel.

These are prices published by safari operators for 2026, per person, based on two travellers:

You don't often see a breakdown like this, so we've decided to share one from a private luxury safari we run: 5 days in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, with a light-aircraft flight, in peak season (mid-May to October). This is how the cost is split:

The percentages are rounded. On top of these come Tanzanian VAT (18%) and our work designing and organising the trip. The camps are in remote places, where food and fuel arrive by dirt track or light aircraft, and that is reflected in the price too. What weighs most is accommodation: on a luxury safari, almost six out of every ten dollars go on where you sleep.

Fees are set by Tanzania's park authorities (TANAPA and the Ngorongoro authority) and are the same for every traveller, whichever operator they travel with. No company gets a discount on them. That's why, when you compare quotes, the difference is rarely here.

There are four kinds of fees. Park entry is paid per person for every 24-hour period. The concession fee applies per person per night, only when your accommodation is inside the park. On top of this there is a vehicle fee, payable in each park. And access to the Ngorongoro Crater is also charged per vehicle, regardless of how many passengers it carries.

Children under 5 don't pay and children aged 5 to 15 pay a reduced rate. Operators usually include the fees in the price. Even so, if a quote says "fees included", it's worth checking which ones: sometimes the concession fee or the crater descent is left out.

On a luxury safari, what changes the experience most is where you sleep. Staying inside the park means you're already among the animals at sunrise and sunset, when they're most active, instead of spending those hours on the road. Camps tend to be small, with only a few tents, and you notice it: fewer people, more quiet and much more personal service.

The other big difference is time. With a vehicle and guide just for you, the day adapts to your pace and you can stop for as long as you like whenever something catches your eye. And the more days you spend in a park, the better your chances of leaving the usual routes and finding quieter areas. It's something we always try to offer our clients.

On a tailor-made safari, the price comes from a few decisions: how many days to travel, which route to take and where to stay. These are the factors that matter most:

• Where you stay. Sleeping in a small camp inside the park usually costs more than staying at a lodge on the outskirts. The difference is that you wake up already surrounded by animals and don't lose the first hours of the day in the car.
• Flying or driving. Flying saves hours on the road and takes you straight to more remote areas. Driving, on the other hand, lets you see the Tanzania beyond the parks and usually costs less.
• The time of year. Prices are usually higher from mid-May to October and over Christmas. From April to mid-May, during the rainy season, many lodges offer lower rates, although some camps close during those months. If you'd like to know where the herds are each month, we cover it in The Serengeti Great Migration, month by month.
• How many of you are travelling. The guide and vehicle cost the same whether you are two or six, so travelling as a group lowers the price per person. If you travel alone, lodges usually charge a single supplement.

Some travellers prefer to focus more on adventure than on accommodation: spending more time exploring, going on guided walks and sleeping in simpler camps, closer to nature. It's another way to experience Tanzania, with a different approach and budget.

The entry insurance is a new requirement: the government asks for it even if you already have your own travel insurance, which we also recommend. Some operators already include it in the price, so it's worth asking. Tips are voluntary, although they're part of local custom. We explain visa, vaccination and insurance requirements in detail in The Essentials.