WHATS THE COST OF A SAFARI IN TANZANIA?
Cost of a safari in Tanzania / Image: @agent_illustrateur
It's no secret that Tanzania is one of the best places on the planet to go on a safari. The country has everything wildlife lovers crave, from the Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater, which is great for spotting the big five.
The cost of a safari in Tanzania can vary depending on your preferences; you should expect to pay anywhere from $200 for your trip, and the price can easily go up to over $1000.
Many factors can impact your Tanzania safari price, like the level of luxury, locations you visit, and the time of year.
This price guide will give you a full rundown of what impacts the costs of a safari and what you'll get to see with your budget.
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Cost of a safari in Tanzania / Image: @sanchezorense
THE DIFFERENT BUDGET PACKAGES FOR A SAFARI TOUR IN TANZANIA
Everyone has their own budget when it comes to taking a safari in Tanzania. Some will want to go for the cheapest option with basic accommodation, while others may prefer to spend a little extra for an added layer of comfort with more stops.
Luckily, there are safaris in Tanzania for all types of budgets. Let's go through the types.
Budget camping safari - Includes cheap camping accommodation, a couple of wildlife viewing locations, and basic food options.
Budget lodging safari - Includes bed & breakfast accommodation, a handful of spotting days, extra daily activities, and average food options.
Mid-range lodging safari - Includes higher standard accommodation, a mix of wildlife stops, outstanding experiences, and great food options.
Luxury lodging safari - Luxurious accommodation, stops at the most exclusive wildlife observation stops, world-class experiences, extravagant food options and high-end services.
THE TYPES OF SAFARIS IN TANZANIA
It's not uncommon for safaris in Tanzania to have a specific theme, like our African Lion Safari Adventure. Safaris of this nature typically come with a higher price but are worth it, especially if you have a keen interest in a specific type of animal or activity.
Let's take a look at the varied types:
African lion safaris - Focus on lions throughout your safari experience with knowledgable guides and fascinating lion experiences.
Wildlife trekking safaris - Hike between locations, meet local tribesmen and see your favorite animals on foot.
Cycling safaris - Pedal through stunning ecosystems and spot majestic animals in a unique way.
Photography safaris - Cruise to secret locations away from the hoards of tourists and get some one-on-one time with the Big Five.
Birdwatching safaris - Home to almost 1200 bird species, Tanzania is a haven for birdwatching enthusiasts. There are numerous birdwatching safaris that are available on the market.
Hot air balloon safaris - Glide new heights and observe wildlife from above the trees.
Cost of a safari in Tanzania / Image: @sutirtab
WHAT IMPACTS THE COST OF AN AFRICAN SAFARI IN TANZANIA?
THE TIME OF YEAR
Every year, Tanzania experiences two distinct seasons: the dry season and the wet season.
The dry season, from June to October, is the best time of year to go on a safari in Tanzania because of the lack of rainfall, and it's generally easy to spot animals around then. Since a lot of people want to travel to the country during this period, the prices increase due to the demand.
As for the wet season, it runs from November to May. These months experience heavy rainfall, often causing floods that disrupt popular safari routes, so there's less demand for wildlife excursions. Some safaris still run around this time and are usually cheaper than the dry season.The Time of Year
Duration of the Safari
Longer safaris are more expensive than shorter ones because of the added day's accommodation, services, and experiences. But the cost per day is often cheaper the more days you add to a trip.
Type of Accommodation
The more comfort you desire, the higher the price point will be for your accommodation.
Camping is always the cheapest option - If you opt for basic or rustic camping, you will be among other travellers on a standard campground as well as having the option to cook for yourself too.
Luxury lodges provide upscale accommodations, gourmet food and amazing excursions. Expect the cost of a safari in Tanzania to be much higher for these options. You certainly get what you pay for.
Where You Want to Stop
Many wildlife parks in Tanzania have a higher entry price than others. Famous National Parks like the Serengeti National Park will cost more compared to lesser-known parks like Saadani National Park.
You will find that each National Park will charge different prices - because of the wildlife species it inhabits, it will impact the entry price.
The Number of People in Your Group
Safaris for a larger group of people tend to be more affordable than for smaller groups since more people fill more spaces, which costs the operators less money to run the tours.
Northern Circuit or Southern Circuit
Most safaris in Tanzania will either follow the Northern Circuit or Southern Circuit; these are two popular routes in different parts of the country.
The Northern Circuit is the most popular and typically the more affordable out of the two; this is where you'll find the Serengeti National Park. It's more accessible and has shorter driving distances between each wildlife observation stop, so many people opt for the Northern circuit out of convenience and sightings.
The Southern Circuit is more treacherous, with many more dirt-track roads, poorer facilities, and long distances to observation points and attractions, so it draws in travellers who prefer a more rustic experience. Safari costs on this circuit are typically higher because of the added work that goes into operating them.
Cost of a safari in Tanzania / Image: @kilosierra
EXTRA SAFARI COSTS TO CONSIDER
With every safari comes with costs that can’t be avoided. Read below to prepare:
Visa costs - The vast majority of nationalities will have to purchase a visa before venturing to Tanzania. Prices vary depending on where you're from. See our full visa guide for more information.
Flights to Tanzania - Many major capital cities have direct routes to popular airports in Tanzania, like Dar es Salaam International Airport and Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. Unless you're coming overland from a neighboring country, these costs cannot be avoided.
Extra experiences - Have some other bucket list activities you want to do before you leave, like visiting Mount Kilimanjaro or laze by the beautiful beaches in Zanzibar? All of these will add extra costs to your itinerary.
Vaccines - Travel vaccines are essential before arriving in Tanzania. The Tanzanian authorities will not allow you into the country without proof of required vaccinations. Vaccinations can add more to the price of a Tanzania safari.
Travel insurance - Travel insurance is a must when traveling to Tanzania or anywhere else in the world. Insurance covers cancellation, illness, accidents and beyond. We highly advise taking out medical insurance when traveling to Africa.
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AVERAGE COSTS OF DIFFERENT SAFARIS IN TANZANIA BASED ON NATIONAL PARKS
Cost of a safari in Tanzania / Image: @matthalls
The national parks you visit on your safari will greatly impact the final cost of your trip. Have a look at some of the average prices you can expect to pay:
Arusha Safari - Between $45 to $50 entry fee into the National Park plus $50 to $230 per day for a safari guided experience.
Serengeti Safari - $70 entry fee into the National Park plus between $750 and $1350 per day for a guided safari experience as well as accommodation.
Ngorongoro Safari - Between $60 and $70 entry fee into the Crater plus $280 and $600 per day for a guided safari experience as well as accommodation.
A FINAL NOTE ON SAFARI COSTS IN TANZANIA
From our article, the cost of a safari in Tanzania can be high. Especially if you opt to experience the best of Tanzania including the main highlights, wild animal observations as well as learn about their rich culture.
If you prefer to safari privately, costs can be more expensive traveling this way.
Here at BornWild, all our adventures as private as well as customisable. Get in touch with us here - we offer affordable to luxury options to suit every traveler.
Not only do we provide bespoke safari experiences, but we also support a selection of wild animal conservation projects that focus on impacting wild animal species for the better. We also work with BCP to cut all our travel emissions and remove carbon in the atmosphere.
Interested in learning more about our packages? Find out all the information in our tours section here, or get in touch with one of our travel designers here.
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