Planning guide · Updated October 2026
How much does a Tanzania safari actually cost?
The short answer
On a classic seven night Northern Circuit route, government fees alone come to just under $1,000 per adult. Lodges are the biggest variable after that, and our trip builder shows the exact total for the lodges and dates you choose, with every line itemised.
Most safari pricing online is vague: package quotes with no line items, "from" prices that no real itinerary matches, and park fees hidden inside marketing bundles. This guide shows the actual cost structure, using the same TANAPA and NCAA fee tables that price every Savannah & Sands itinerary.
What makes up the price?
Every safari price is four things: government fees, accommodation, transport, and activities. Here is how each one is priced in 2026.
| Component | Price | Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park fees (entry, concession and vehicle share) | about $108 to $161 | per person per day | Set by government. The same for every operator. |
| Lodges and camps | set by each lodge | per person per night or per room | Shown at the lodge's own rate in every trip you build. |
| Private vehicle and guide | set by the operator you choose | per vehicle per day | Shown by name and rate in every trip you build. |
| Flights between parks (optional) | booked with the airline | per person | We show timetables and match them to your trip; the airline is paid directly. |
Government fees are the official 2026 TANAPA and NCAA tariffs, VAT inclusive. See the full list per park in our Tanzania park fees guide.
Worked example: government fees on a seven night trip
Two adults, one private vehicle, peak season. One night in Arusha, two in Tarangire, one at Ngorongoro with a Crater descent, three in the Serengeti. Here is what the government collects, per adult, before a single lodge night is paid.
| Fee line | Per adult |
|---|---|
| Tarangire entry, 2 days x $59.00 | $118.00 |
| Tarangire concession, 2 nights x $47.20 | $94.40 |
| Ngorongoro entry, 1 day | $70.80 |
| Ngorongoro concession, 1 night | $59.00 |
| Crater Service Fee, $295 per vehicle, split by 2 | $147.50 |
| Serengeti entry, 3 days x $82.60 (peak) | $247.80 |
| Serengeti concession, 3 nights x $70.80 (peak) | $212.40 |
| Vehicle fees, 6 park days x $16.16, split by 2 | $48.48 |
| Total government fees | about $998 |
Assumes you fly out of the Serengeti at the end; days are counted as our trip builder counts them today. Vehicle fees are set in Tanzanian shillings (TZS 41,300 per vehicle per day, VAT included), so their dollar value moves a little with the exchange rate. Peak here means July to September, when Serengeti concession fees are highest. Every trip you build on Savannah & Sands shows these lines for your actual route.
What moves the price most?
Season. Lodge rates are lower in the long rains (April and May) and highest from July to October, and Serengeti entry and overnight fees also step up in their peak windows.
Lodge tier. The same route costs very different amounts depending on where you sleep. Park fees and transport change little; the lodge line is where most of the difference comes from.
Party size. The vehicle, guide, and Crater Service Fee are charged per vehicle. Four travellers sharing typically pay noticeably less per person than two.
Flying vs driving. Light aircraft hops between parks save long drive days but are paid per person, per leg, to the airline. Many travellers drive out and fly back.
Beyond the safari: what else to budget
Your lodges, park fees, private vehicle and guide are in the total you build. Anything a lodge does not include is listed under Not included on its page. A few costs sit outside the total.
International flights into Kilimanjaro International Airport, and home from Zanzibar if you finish on the coast, depend on where and when you fly, so they are not part of the total.
Flights between parks are booked directly with the airline. We show the timetables and match them to your days, and you pay the airline.
Most visitors need a tourist visa. You can apply online through the official Tanzania immigration online visa service before you travel, and the fee depends on your passport.
Inbound travel insurance has been compulsory for visitors entering mainland Tanzania since 1 October 2026: 44 USD per adult, under Government Notice 256 of 2026.
Tips for your guide and lodge teams are customary and at your discretion.
If you finish on Zanzibar, our Zanzibar beach guide covers what a beach stay adds.
Common cost questions
How much does a Tanzania safari cost per day?
For two people sharing a vehicle, a day and night inside a park costs each adult between about $108 in Tarangire and about $161 in the Serengeti from July to September, counting entry, the overnight concession and their share of the vehicle fee. A Ngorongoro Crater descent adds $147.50 per adult. Your lodges and private vehicle make up the rest, and our trip builder shows that total for your own route and dates.
How much does a 7 day safari in Tanzania cost?
On a classic peak season route through Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, government fees come to just under $1,000 per adult. The total for two then depends on the lodges and operator you choose, and our trip builder prices that exactly.
Why are Tanzania safaris so expensive?
Three structural reasons. First, government fees are significant and cannot be negotiated: Serengeti entry alone is $82.60 per adult per day in peak season, plus overnight concession fees and vehicle fees. Second, lodges operate in remote areas where everything from food to fuel is trucked or flown in, and most run on expensive off grid power. Third, a private safari includes a dedicated 4x4 and professional guide for your party only, priced per vehicle per day. None of these costs exist on a typical city holiday.
What is the cheapest time of year for a Tanzania safari?
April and May, the long rains, carry the lowest prices of the year. Many lodges drop their rates and TANAPA entry fees drop to the low season tariff (for example $70.80 instead of $82.60 per adult per day at the Serengeti). November's short rains are a second low price window with usually better weather. The catch in both windows is afternoon rain and, in April and May, some camps closing entirely.
Are park fees included in Tanzania safari prices?
It depends on the operator, which is exactly the problem. Many quotes bundle park fees invisibly into a single package price. Park fees are set by government and paid straight through to government: every operator pays the same TANAPA and NCAA tariffs. Savannah & Sands itemises them in every trip you build, so you can see precisely which dollars go to the government, which to the lodge, and which to transport.
What else should I budget for on a trip to Tanzania?
International flights, any flights between parks (booked with the airline), a tourist visa, the compulsory inbound travel insurance of 44 USD per adult for mainland Tanzania, and tips. Your lodges, park fees, private vehicle and guide are in the total you build, and anything a lodge does not include is listed under Not included on its page.
How much are park fees per day in Tanzania?
In the Serengeti an adult pays $82.60 entry per day from 16 May to 14 March and $70.80 from 15 March to 15 May, plus $59.00 per night inside the park ($70.80 from July to September). Tarangire and Lake Manyara entry is $59.00 per adult per day ($53.10 from 15 March to 15 May). Ngorongoro is $70.80 entry and $59.00 per night, plus the Crater Service Fee of $295 per vehicle. These are the official TANAPA and NCAA tariffs including VAT, and the full list is in our park fees guide.
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