Serengeti Safari Cost: A Complete Guide for Your First Tour

A safari to Serengeti National Park is an amazing trip, but it can be hard to know how much it costs. The price is not a single number. It changes based on many things like how long you stay, where you sleep, and what kind of tour you choose. This guide will break down the costs so you can plan your trip more easily.

A short 3-day trip for one person can start from about $450 if you pick a mid-range option. A luxury trip for the same time can cost over $1,700. For a longer 7-day trip, a budget safari for two people can be about $2,500 per person, while a luxury one can be more than $7,500. This shows that prices are very different, so it's good to know what you are paying for.

Safari Level	Daily Cost Per Person	Example 5-Day Trip Cost Per Person
Budget	$150 - $300	$750 - $1,500
Mid-Range	$350 - $600	$1,750 - $3,000
Luxury	$700+	$3,500 - $7,500+

What Makes Up the Cost?

A safari price is made up of different parts. The main ones are where you stay, park fees, and how you travel.

Where You Stay: The Main Cost

Your choice of a place to sleep is the biggest part of your safari cost. There are many kinds of places to stay, from simple camping to very fancy lodges.

Simple and Cheap: For those who want adventure and to save money, budget camping is a great choice. You sleep in a dome tent with a mattress and pillow. These camps often have shared bathrooms and can cost as low as $150 per person per night in a group. Some budget-friendly lodges are also available, like Seronera Wildlife Lodge, which has comfortable rooms and private bathrooms. Kati Kati Tented Camp is another good option with a rustic feel.
Mid-Range Camps and Lodges: This type is a good mix of comfort and price. Mid-range places usually cost from $150 to $500 per person per night, but they can go up to $550. They offer private bathrooms, real beds, and better food. You can find options like Serengeti Sound of Silence and Serengeti Serena Lodge, which may cost between $150 and $300 per person per night.
Luxury & Very Fancy Lodges: These are the most expensive options. Prices start around $700 per person per night and can go over $2,000 in the busy season. These places have extra things like private pools, fine dining, and a private safari car with a guide just for you. The Four Seasons Safari Lodge and Singita Sasakwa Lodge are examples of these.

It's important to know that a "tented camp" is not always cheap. Some luxury tented camps can cost more than regular lodges. The difference is often about how close you feel to nature and how many luxury services you get, not just the type of building.

Feature	Budget Camps & Lodges	Mid-Range Lodges & Tented Camps	Luxury Lodges & Tented Camps
Rooms	Simple tents, basic buildings	Permanent buildings	Permanent buildings, fancy tents
Price per Night	$50 - $150	$150 - $500	$700 - $2,000+
Extra Services	Shared bathrooms	Private bathrooms, beds	Pools, spas, private cars

Park Fees and Taxes: Required Payments

A big part of the safari cost is for park fees and taxes. These fees are set by the government and help pay for things like taking care of the park and keeping animals safe.

The main fee is the Park Entry Fee. It is $70 for one adult for 24 hours during the peak season and $60 in the low season.

If you stay inside the park, you also pay a Concession Fee of $60 per person per night in the peak season and $50 in the low season. On top of these, there is an extra 18% tax (VAT). This tax makes the total cost for one night inside the park more than $153 per person.

These fees are not hidden. They are used to support the park's staff, roads, and to help stop poaching. This means your money helps keep the Serengeti safe and beautiful.

Visitor Type	Peak Season Fee	Low Season Fee
Park Entry Fee (per 24-hours)
Non-Resident Adult	$70	$60
Concession Fee (per night)
Non-Resident Adult	$60	$50
Note: An 18% tax is added to all these fees.

Getting Around: Drive or Fly?

How you get to the Serengeti also affects the cost. You can drive in a safari car or take a small plane.

By Road: This is the classic safari way. A 4x4 car with a special pop-up roof costs about $250 to $275 per vehicle per day. This price often includes the guide's pay and fuel. Driving takes more time but lets you see more of the land on the way.
By Air: Flying is faster and gives you a great view from above. A round-trip flight from Arusha to the Serengeti can cost between $300 and $450 per person. This option costs more per person, but it saves time, which can mean a shorter and cheaper trip overall.

Other Costs You Need to Know About

Beyond the main package, there are other costs that are easy to forget.

International Flights: The flight to Tanzania is a separate cost that you must plan for.
Visas: Most people need a visa to enter Tanzania. It costs $50 for most people, but for US citizens, it is $100 for a multi-entry visa.
Tipping: Tipping is common in Tanzania and a big part of the income for guides and staff.

Person to Tip	Suggested Tip (Per Person, Per Day)
Safari Guide	$10 - $20
Driver (if separate)	$5 - $10
Lodge/Camp Staff	$5 - $10

Health and Safety: It is a good idea to get travel insurance, which costs about $70 to $150. You should also talk to a doctor about vaccines like Yellow Fever, Typhoid, and Hepatitis A.
Personal Spending: Save some money for extra things like a hot air balloon ride ($500-$700) or buying souvenirs. A good amount to have in cash is about $70 to $100 per day.

Planning Your Trip: Some Helpful Tips

Seasonal Pricing: Prices are lower from March to May and in November. You can save 15% to 30%. The landscape is green, and there are fewer people.
Booking Tips: To secure the best value, it is best to book your safari 4 to 8 months before your trip, especially if you are going in the busy season. Always ask for a list of what is included in the price so there are no surprises. Also, be aware that many trips called "Serengeti safaris" also include other parks like Ngorongoro Crater, which adds to the cost.

Your Trip, Your Budget: Sample Safari Itineraries & Packages

To show how all these costs add up, it helps to look at sample plans. Many safari trips sold as a "Serengeti safari" actually visit other famous parks in Tanzania like the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara. It's important to know this when you compare prices.

Sample Mid-Range Itinerary (5-Day Private Safari)

A private mid-range safari offers a mix of comfort, freedom, and cost. It is a popular choice for couples or small families who want a trip just for them without the high cost of a luxury package. The total cost for a 5-day private mid-range safari can be between $2,000 and more than $3,000 per person.

Here is a sample budget for a 5-day mid-range safari in the peak season:

Item	Estimated Cost (USD)
Mid-Range Lodge Accommodation (4 nights)	$1,200
Park Entry & Concession Fees (4 nights/5 days)	$614.40 ($153.60 x 4 nights)
Private Vehicle & Guide Fees (5 days)	$1,250 ($250 x 5 days)
Meals & Drinks	$150
Total Estimated Cost	$3,214.40
Please note that this is a sample breakdown and actual costs will vary based on the specific lodge, travel dates, and group size.

Sample Luxury Itinerary (7-Day Private Fly-in Safari)

The most expensive safaris offer a full, private, and fancy experience. These trips often use private planes to get to and from the park, which saves time for seeing animals. These trips can cost from $6,000 to over $10,000 per person for 7 days. This price is for the exclusive places to stay, private guides, and special activities. These trips often focus on just one area of the Serengeti to give a deeper look, like following the Great Migration in the northern plains.

Final Thoughts

A Serengeti safari is a big trip to pay for, but the value is huge. The experience is not just a holiday; it's an adventure that gives you a deep connection with nature and one of the world's most famous animal places. By understanding the costs and planning well, you can make your dream of seeing this amazing place come true. The high price shows how special the park is, how much work goes into protecting it, and that the trips are done in a way that doesn't harm nature, making the journey worth the cost.