How Much Does a Tanzania Safari Cost? Real Prices From Our Own Tours
By Sam Diah | Founder, CEO & Head Tour Consultant, Tanzania Travel & Safari Company.
The short answer: a safari in northern Tanzania with us starts at about $1,275 per person for 3 days, $1,950–$2,600 for 5 days and $2,900–$4,057 for 7–8 days — roughly $360 to $600 per person per day, with park fees, vehicle, guide, accommodation and meals included. A Kilimanjaro climb costs $1,910–$3,081 per person in a group of seven or more, and $3,220–$5,107 if you climb alone.
Those figures are not estimates. They are the starting prices of the tours we run, taken straight from our own catalogue. Below we break them down by trip length, accommodation style and route, explain what is and isn’t included, and list the extra costs to budget for.
All prices are in US dollars, per person, and were last checked on 9 November 2026. They are “from” prices: the final figure depends on your group size, travel dates and choice of lodges.
Tanzania safari prices by length
Most first-time visitors combine Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater on Tanzania’s northern circuit. This is what those safaris start at with us:
| Safari length | Starting price per person | Example itineraries |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | $220–$350 | Arusha National Park ($220), Ngorongoro Crater ($350) |
| 3 days | $1,275–$1,300 | 3-Day Standard Lodge Safari, 3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro |
| 4 days | $1,600–$2,400 | 4-Day Camping Safari ($1,600), 4-Day Serengeti Fly-In ($2,221) |
| 5 days | $1,950–$2,600 | 5-Day Camping Safari ($1,950), 5-Day Mid-Range Safari ($2,200) |
| 6 days | $2,300–$2,900 | 6-Day Camping Safari ($2,300), 6-Day Wildlife Experience ($2,650) |
| 7 days | $3,151–$4,057 | 7-Day Great Migration Safari ($3,151), 7-Day Calving Season Safari ($4,057) |
| 8–9 days | $2,900–$3,930 | 8-Day Camping Safari ($2,900), 9-Day Big Five Safari ($3,930) |
Longer safaris cost more in total but often less per day, because the transfers and the drive out of Arusha are shared across more days in the parks.
Camping or lodges: what the difference really costs
The biggest choice you control is where you sleep. On our own itineraries of the same length, camping costs about 11–13% less than staying in lodges:
| Length | Camping | Lodges | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | $1,950 | $2,200 | $250 |
| 6 days | $2,300 | $2,650 | $350 |
Camping does not mean roughing it: our camping safaris travel with a dedicated chef, and you sleep in sturdy dome tents on public or private campsites. Lodges and tented camps add en-suite bathrooms, hot showers and often a swimming pool at the end of a dusty day.
What pushes the price up
- Group size. The vehicle, guide and crew cost the same whether two or six people share them, so the price per person falls as your group grows. On Kilimanjaro the effect is dramatic: the 7-Day Machame Route costs $4,193 for a solo climber and $2,486 each for a group of seven or more — about 40% less.
- Migration timing. Safaris built around the wildebeest calving season in the southern Serengeti cost more, because the camps near the herds fill early. Compare our 7-Day Calving Season Safari ($4,057) with the 7-Day Great Migration Safari ($3,151).
- Flying instead of driving. A light-aircraft flight into the Serengeti saves a long day on the road but adds to the bill: the 4-Day Serengeti Fly-In Safari starts at $2,221, against $1,600 for the 4-Day Camping Safari by road.
- Lodge level. Luxury tented camps and private concessions add considerably to the cost of the same route. For these we quote on request, because rates vary so much between properties and seasons.
How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro?
Kilimanjaro prices depend mainly on the route, the number of days and how many people climb together. These are our current per-person rates:
| Route | Days | Solo climber | 2 climbers | 7+ climbers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marangu | 5 | $3,220 | $2,436 | $1,910 |
| Machame | 6 | $3,801 | $2,856 | $2,198 |
| Rongai | 6 | $3,558 | $2,757 | $2,202 |
| Umbwe | 6 | $3,931 | $2,921 | $2,216 |
| Machame | 7 | $4,193 | $3,197 | $2,486 |
| Lemosho | 7 | $4,325 | $3,262 | $2,505 |
| Lemosho | 8 | $4,715 | $3,606 | $2,793 |
| Lemosho | 9 | $5,107 | $3,945 | $3,081 |
A longer route costs more, but the extra days give your body time to adjust to the altitude, which is what decides whether you reach the summit. If you are unsure which to choose, our guide How Long Does It Really Take to Hike Mount Kilimanjaro? explains the trade-off.
Other trips at a glance
| Trip | Starting price per person |
|---|---|
| Day trips from Arusha (Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro) | $220–$350 |
| Zanzibar, 4–5 days (4-Day Zanzibar Exploration, 5-Day Beach Retreat) | $950–$1,150 |
| Safari and beach combined (9-Day Wildlife & Beach Escape) | $4,200 |
| Gorilla trekking in Rwanda (2 days) or Uganda (4 days from Kigali) | $1,639–$1,900 |
What is included in the price
Our safari prices include the things that make up most of the real cost of a safari in Tanzania:
- All national park and crater entrance fees, with their taxes
- A 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, and a professional guide
- Accommodation on safari and in Arusha, as listed in each itinerary
- Meals and drinking water on safari
- Airport transfers in Arusha
Park fees are a large share of every safari price in Tanzania, so be wary of quotes that look far cheaper than these: check that the park and crater fees are actually included.
Extra costs to budget for
- International flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
- Visa: the single-entry tourist visa costs around $50 for most nationalities. See our practical information to check the rules for your passport.
- Tanzania’s mandatory inbound travel insurance: $44 per adult and $22 per child aged 3 to 17, bought online before you fly. Our guide to Tanzania’s mandatory inbound travel insurance explains how.
- Your own travel insurance covering cancellation and medical evacuation, which the government policy does not replace.
- Tips for your guide, cook and, on Kilimanjaro, your mountain crew. Our Ultimate Guide to Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro sets out the tipping guidelines.
- Optional extras such as a hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti (from $550 per person), drinks and souvenirs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to do a safari in Tanzania?
Travel as a group of four or more, choose a camping safari and keep it to the northern circuit by road. Our 4-Day Tanzania Camping Safari covers Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater from $1,600 per person.
How many days do I need for a safari in Tanzania?
Five to six days is the sweet spot for a first safari: enough for Tarangire, two nights in the Serengeti and a morning in the Ngorongoro Crater without spending most of your time in the vehicle. Three days works if you only have a long weekend, but you will see less of the Serengeti.
Is a Tanzania safari more expensive than a Kenya safari?
Usually a little, mainly because Tanzania’s parks are larger and further apart, which means more driving days or flights. Compare our 3-Day Masai Mara Safari in Kenya ($1,200) with the 3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari ($1,300).
Get an exact price for your dates
Every safari we run can be tailored, and the price above is only where it starts. Tell us your dates, group size and the style you prefer, and our team in Arusha will send you an itemised quote within 48 hours.
