How much does a Tanzania safari cost? — honest overview

Let me be honest: Tanzania is not a cheap destination. But it's also not as expensive as many people think. And I'm convinced that if you do it right, you get more value for your money than almost any other safari destination. Let me explain how it really works.

The main cost components

A Tanzania safari consists of five main parts: flights (from the Netherlands/Europe), park entry fees, accommodation, guide and vehicle, and meals. Most "budgets" you see online only cover in-country costs — meaning: everything except flights.

At Simba Tours we quote an all-inclusive in-country price. That means: park fees, accommodation, guide, vehicle, meals during the safari, drinking water and transfers are included. Things not included: international flights, travel insurance, visa ($50), tips and personal purchases.

Park entry fees — the surprise cost

This is where many travellers get a shock. The Tanzanian government charges considerable fees for foreign visitors. Examples for Serengeti National Park 2024–2025:

- Adults: $80 per person per day (peak season), $70 outside peak season - Ngorongoro Crater: $80 p.p. per day + extra concession fee - Tarangire: $65 p.p. per day

For a 7-day safari (Serengeti 3 nights, Ngorongoro 1 day, Tarangire 2 nights) you easily pay $300–400 per person in park fees alone. These are government costs — nobody bypasses them.

Accommodation: budget vs. luxury

This is where the biggest variation lies. There are roughly three categories:

Budget lodge ($80–150 per night per room): Simple but clean. Good meals, fine guides. Less atmosphere than a tented camp. Good for budget-conscious travellers.

Comfort lodge ($200–350 per night): The sweet spot. Good facilities, good food, atmospheric setting. Most travellers choose this level.

Luxury lodge and tented camps ($400–1,500+ per night): The absolute top. Private plunge pool, butler, all meals, private game drives. If this is your dream safari, it's worth every cent. But it's absolutely not necessary for an amazing wildlife experience.

Our price level

At Simba Tours we primarily work at the comfort level. A typical 7-day private safari with us (Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro) costs per person (for 2 people) between €1,683 and €2,400 p.p. This includes all park entry fees, accommodation, meals, guide and vehicle.

Why are we priced competitively? We work without unnecessary middlemen. Our guides are direct partners, not subcontracted through a local agency. That removes one link in the chain and therefore margin.

Flights from Europe

Budget €600–900 return Amsterdam–Kilimanjaro for a relatively direct flight. Via Nairobi, Addis Ababa or Istanbul flights are cheaper (€400–700) but longer. Peak season (July/August) is considerably more expensive — book 4–6 months in advance.

My honest budget advice

For a couple: budget all-in (including flights, visa, but excluding tips) for €3,500–5,000 per person for a good 10-day circuit including Zanzibar. Sounds like a lot. It is. But: you probably do this trip once in your life, and a bad safari experience through cost-cutting in the wrong places (bad guide, ageing vehicle) is money wasted. Invest in quality where it counts.

Want to save? Choose a less popular month (May, November), go with 4 people in the same vehicle, or choose 7 days instead of 10. We're happy to think along with you.

What you should never skip

Good travel insurance with medical evacuation cover (€10,000+ evacuation is possible), and a guide you trust. Cut costs on hotels before cutting quality on your guide.