How much does a Tanzania safari + Zanzibar trip cost?

Nobody tells you the real cost of a safari until you are deep in a spreadsheet. Here is that spreadsheet, done for you, with an honest look at where the money goes and where you can keep it.

What drives the price

A safari plus a beach stay is one of the pricier trips in East Africa, and the range between a lean version and a lavish one is huge. Most of that swing comes from how you do the safari: a shared group vehicle, a private 4x4 with a guide, or a high-end tented camp. The beach half matters less, because Zanzibar has real value at every level.

Safari cost, per person per day

These are all-inclusive operator prices for a typical northern circuit trip (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire), covering park fees, accommodation, meals, vehicle and guide.

Park fees are a big part of the bill. At the time of writing, Serengeti and Ngorongoro entry runs roughly $60 to $83 per person per 24 hours, Tarangire and the other northern and southern parks roughly $47 to $60, and descending into Ngorongoro Crater is about $295 per vehicle plus an area fee. Budget operators fold these into their price, so always check what a quote includes.

Zanzibar, per night

Food is far cheaper than the hotels. Budget about $10 to $20 a day if you eat locally, $25 to $50 a day mid-range, and more at a resort with a la carte dining.

Everything else to budget for

• International flights: roughly $600 to $1,500 depending on where you start and the season. Flights are not included in any total on this page.
• Mainland to Zanzibar: a domestic flight is typically $100 to $280 one way, and the Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar ferry is about $35 to $70 depending on class.
• Tips: commonly $20 to $30 per person per day on safari for your guide and camp staff, plus smaller tips in Zanzibar.
• Health: vaccinations, malaria tablets and travel insurance vary. Budget $100 to $500, and see a travel clinic a few weeks before you fly.

Visa and entry

Most visitors pay $50 for a single-entry tourist visa valid for up to 90 days. US citizens must take the $100 multiple-entry visa. You can apply for an eVisa online before you travel (the safest option, and allow a few weeks) or get one on arrival at the main airports. One visa covers both the mainland and Zanzibar, and Tanzania is not included in the East Africa Tourist Visa.

You will also need a passport valid for at least six months. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country where the disease is present. Rules and fees change, so confirm on the official Tanzania Immigration eVisa site before you pay anyone else to do it for you.

Sample totals for 10 days

Five days on safari plus five nights in Zanzibar, per person, assuming two people share a room, and including the visa, mainland-to-Zanzibar transfer, safari tips, food, activities and local transport. International flights are not included.

Estimate your own trip

Pick your style and the length of each leg. The numbers use the ranges above and show a low and high estimate per person, excluding international flights.

Where you can save

• Join a group safari. A shared vehicle cuts the daily rate sharply compared with a private one.
• Travel in the green season. Safari lodges and Zanzibar hotels both drop their rates from March to May, and often in November.
• Try the southern circuit. Nyerere (Selous), Ruaha and Mikumi are less crowded and often better value than the Serengeti, though you give up the migration crossings.
• Take the ferry instead of flying. Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar by ferry costs a fraction of a flight, if you can spare the extra time.
• Choose guesthouses on the east coast. Paje and Jambiani have some of the best beaches on the island at a fraction of resort prices in Nungwi.

Quick answers

Keep reading