Budget & Costs
Tanzania is not a cheap travel destination. The high national park fees (which contribute to conservation) and the fact that safari tourism is the main source of income make a trip more expensive than to many other African countries. However, for what is offered, the value for money is excellent.
Safari Costs (the biggest budget topic)
Safari costs consist of: park fees + vehicle with guide + accommodation + meals.
| Category | Per Person/Day | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Camping | 150–250 USD | Shared vehicle (4–6 people), basic campsites or tents, basic meals, local guide |
| Midrange | 300–500 USD | Private vehicle (2–4 people), comfortable tented camps or lodges, full board, experienced guide |
| High-End Safari | 500–800 USD | Private vehicle, premium lodges and camps, excellent cuisine, top guides, often remote locations |
| Luxury / Fly-In | 800–1,500+ USD | Fly-in safari by bush plane, exclusive camps (8–12 guests), private vehicle, butler service, first-class guides |
Park Fees (per person/day, as of 2025)
| Park | Adults | Children (5–15) |
|---|---|---|
| Serengeti NP | 70 USD | 20 USD |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area | 70 USD + crater fee 295 USD/vehicle | 20 USD |
| Kilimanjaro NP | 70 USD/day | 20 USD |
| Tarangire / Lake Manyara | 53 USD | 18 USD |
| Ruaha / Nyerere | 30 USD | 10 USD |
Daily Budget (excluding safari)
| Style | €/Day | Accommodation | Food | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | 30–50€ | Hostel/Guesthouse | Street food + local restaurants | Dala-Dala/Bus |
| Budget | 50–80€ | Simple hotels | Local restaurants | Dala-Dala + Taxi |
| Midrange | 80–150€ | 3-4★ Hotel/Lodge | Good restaurants | Private transfer |
| Comfort | 150–300€ | Boutique hotel/beach resort | Fine dining | Private driver/domestic flights |
Price Examples (2025)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at local restaurant | 3,000–8,000 TZS (1–3€) |
| Beer (Safari/Kilimanjaro, 0.5l) | 3,000–5,000 TZS (1–2€) |
| 1.5l water | 1,000–2,000 TZS (0.35–0.70€) |
| Dala-Dala (city ride) | 500–1,000 TZS (0.20–0.35€) |
| Taxi airport Dar es Salaam | 30,000–50,000 TZS (10–18€) |
| Ferry Dar–Zanzibar (speedboat) | 35–40 USD |
| Spice tour Zanzibar | 20–30 USD |
| Kilimanjaro climb (6 days) | 1,800–3,500 USD |
| Double room beach resort Zanzibar | 80–200€ |
💡 Tipp
Safari costs can be best reduced by: (1) traveling in the off-season (April/May: 20–40% cheaper), (2) booking group safaris instead of private safaris, (3) choosing camping instead of lodges, and (4) planning the cheaper southern parks (Ruaha, Nyerere) instead of Serengeti/Ngorongoro.
Achtung
Beware of extremely cheap safari offers under 150 USD/day! Often, old, unsafe vehicles are used, inexperienced guides are employed, and meals are skimped on. Research the provider thoroughly and read current reviews.
