There is a moment when the image of the boundless savannah stops being just a desire to become a concrete project. But, as much as the safari in Tanzania is the adventure that many put at the top of their bucket list, when you start planning it, the question on the table is always the same: how much does a safari in Tanzania cost?
We are not talking about a fixed price, but about a range of possibilities that is modeled on the expectations of those who leave. From wild adventure lovers who choose a tent, to those who want the luxury of an exclusive lodge , every experience has its value. Understanding the final figure means first of all understanding what you are buying. To turn this desire into a trip tailored to your economic needs, rely on Magilani Safaris, tour operator for safaris in Tanzania.
Factors that affect the cost of a safari
One of the first things to know is that the cost is the result of a series of choices that must be carefully weighed. The first element is the type of lodge you choose. It starts from the classic camping to the tented camps up to the luxury lodges , real and precise palaces in the heart of the parks. For an in-depth look at accommodation, it is useful to read our guide on where to sleep on safari.
Then there is the duration of the adventure. A “taste” like a 3-day safari obviously costs less than a full dive like a 9-day itinerary. The choice of the selected parks is another point to be addressed. The Serengeti, the epicentre of the Great Migration, and the Ngorongoro, with its incredible concentration of fauna, or Tarangire or Lake Manyara… It’s not so easy to choose.
The accounts are influenced by the season: during the peak period (between July and September, for the Great Migration) the prices for accommodation increase. If the goal is to save money, it is better to travel during the season from November to May.
It is always good to find out about flights to Tanzania and internal transport: most safaris are done in a private jeep. Finally, there is the size of the group. A private safari, with a dedicated vehicle and guide, is more expensive than joining a shared group: the perfect option for those who want to cut down on fixed expenses.
Cheap safari: how much to spend on a trip
For those looking for pure adventure and are not afraid to give up some comforts, it is possible to organize a safari in Tanzania on a budget: the price is around € 200-300 per day per person.
What do you expect from a cheap trip? Often the main accommodation is camping or alternatively tented camps: you sleep in tents and live a special experience. The trip is often in a shared group, the best way to optimize the costs of the jeep and driving. However, the experience is magical and gives a real contact with the savannah.
Mid-range safaris: the best value for money
Most travelers find a great balance between cost and comfort by choosing the mid-range. The budget in this case ranges from € 350 to € 550 per day per person: you can find accommodation in permanent tented camps or lodges.
A typical itinerary that allows you to live the full experience is the 7-day Hakuna Matata, in which you can see the main parks (Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Tarangire) with an excellent level of services. If you don’t have all these days, you can opt for a 4-day safari, maintaining the guarantee of an excellent compromise between time and costs.
Luxury safari: costs for an exclusive experience
For those who want the ultimate in exclusivity and comfort, the luxury safari represents the pinnacle of the experience, but the price starts at €750 per day per person.
The accommodations are in luxury lodges and exclusive camps, where nothing is missing to carve out moments in contact with nature, but in a privileged environment. We suggest this experience to those who want to pamper themselves with a movie experience, perhaps adding a hot air balloon safari.
Hidden costs to consider in your budget
Focusing only on the cost of the safari package is a mistake that should not be made. To have a complete and realistic budget for the safari in Tanzania, it is essential to also consider the ancillary expenses.
To enter the country you need a visa for Tanzania, which has a fixed cost (about 50 euros, additional expenses must also be considered). Added to this is the cost of the flight from your home to Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Dar es Salaam (DAR), which varies depending on the period in which you book. Travel Insurance is essential to cover any eventuality, from cancellation to a medical emergency. Tips to guides, cooks and staff of the lodges are an important part of their salary, and you charge about 10-20 euros per day for the guide. Finally, if you add special activities such as night safaris or a sea extension in Zanzibar, the cost is not included in the basic package.
How to save money without sacrificing quality
If the African dream pushes us to look for solutions to contain costs, there are smart strategies to reduce the overall expense without sacrificing the excitement and authenticity of the trip. What are the ideas? For example, traveling during the low season (November to December and March to May) is the most effective way to save money. You meet fewer tourists, the landscapes are lush and the prices of lodges and tented camps drop considerably.
Choosing to join shared groups is a great solution for those traveling alone or as a couple and do not want to bear the entire cost of the vehicle and driving. And then there’s always the advance booking (six months or more), which ensures the best rates, both for flights and lodges.
Examples of real budgets for 7 days of safari
To really understand how much a safari in Tanzania costs, we invite you to look at some concrete examples. Magilani Safaris offers itineraries designed for every budget: for example, for a getaway to the Savannah, the 3-day safari (Ladha) starts at €990, a great entry point for those who don’t have much time. Going up a day, the 4-day Karibu Safari starts at €1250. For a deeper dive that includes the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, you can go up to the 5-day Asante Sana package, starting at €1980. The complete one-week experience, the Hakuna Matata Safari (7 days and 6 nights), has a base cost of €2480. The packages already include the necessary services: so you can estimate the investment needed for the adventure.
