Most safari price guides quote a single "from" price that nobody actually pays. This one is different. We went through the 64 private Tanzania safaris we've priced for travel in 2027 and worked out what they really cost, per person, in US dollars.
The short answer: a private Tanzania safari for two costs about $590 to $1,300 per person per night, depending on the lodges. A typical 7-night trip lands around $5,150 to $7,700 per person, and 10 nights around $6,100 to $8,300. That covers your lodges, meals, park fees, private vehicle and guide in Tanzania. International flights are extra.
What a Night Costs, by Style of Trip
The lodges set the level. Here's what our 2027 quotes come to per person, for adults traveling privately (most of them couples). The ranges are the middle half of our quotes, so most trips land inside them.
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| Style | Per person, per night | 7 nights | 10 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfortable Well-run lodges and permanent tented camps in good locations |
$590–730 | about $5,050 | about $5,950 |
| Premium Established camps with better locations, rooms and service |
$730–880 | about $6,250 | about $7,550 |
| Luxury Top camps in prime spots, more space and privacy |
$1,150–1,300 | about $8,900 | about $13,100 |
If your budget is well under $590 a night, a private safari is a stretch; a shared group tour is the better-value way to see Tanzania. A 14-night safari typically comes to $11,200 to $12,700 per person. The very top camps in Tanzania sit above all of these ranges. If that's what you're after, ask us and we'll price it properly.
How we worked these out: every figure comes from a real quote we've built for 2027 travel, shown here in US dollars. They're the safari only, from your first night in Arusha to your last day in the parks, for two or more adults traveling privately.
Park Fees
Tanzania's national park fees are set by the government, paid per person per day in US dollars, and already inside every price on this page. They're one reason a private safari can't be done cheaply: they cost the same whichever lodge you choose or company you book with. We always quote the fees in force for your travel dates.
What Changes the Price
How many of you there are
Your vehicle and guide cost the same whether two or four people are in the truck. For two people that's about $240 each per night; for four or more it's closer to $120. So a family or two couples traveling together typically save around $110 to $150 per person per night. Traveling solo costs more for the same reason, plus single rooms.
The time of year
Less than you'd think. Many of the lodges we use charge the same all year, and some add 10 to 30% from July to October. The bigger difference is that the best-placed camps for the river crossings are the ones that fill first, so in peak months people tend to book up a level. The Serengeti's park fees are lowest from March 15 to May 15, the green season.
How long you stay
The first and last days carry fixed costs like the airport pickup and your arrival night in Arusha, so the price per night eases slightly on longer trips. Most of our guests do 7 to 10 nights on safari.
Adding Zanzibar
Many of our guests finish with a few days on the beach. Across our 2027 quotes, three or four nights in Zanzibar adds about $1,700 to $2,800 per person, with the typical trip around $2,200. That includes the flight from the safari to the island, which is close to half of it, plus your hotel and transfers. A simple beach hotel sits at the lower end and the higher-end resorts around $2,950.
What's Not in These Prices
- International flights from the US. When we checked in October 2026, economy return fares from New York to Kilimanjaro ran from about $1,500 to $3,800 for July 2027 (most one-stop options were $2,000 to $3,100), and about $1,300 to $2,550 for February 2027. There's no nonstop to Kilimanjaro, so expect one or two stops and about 17 to 21 hours from the East Coast. Fares move, so we price your flights when you're ready to book.
- Travel insurance. You'll need your own policy with medical evacuation and cancellation cover. Tanzania also requires visitors to hold a local visitor policy, about $44 per adult, bought online before you travel or on arrival. We'll point you to the official site.
- Zanzibar's infrastructure tax. $5 per person per night, paid locally.
- Visas. US passports need Tanzania's multiple-entry visa: $100, valid for a year. Apply through Tanzania's official eVisa site before you travel, and allow up to ten days.
- Tips. As a guide, around $20 to $25 per guest per day for your guide, and $10 to $15 per guest per day for lodge staff.
- Gorilla permits, if you add Rwanda or Uganda. These are booked separately and well ahead.
Why Booking Direct Matters
Kingse is an Australian company, and the people who design your trip are the people who run it in Tanzania. We book the lodges ourselves and there's no wholesaler in between, so what you pay is the trip plus our margin, nothing stacked on top.
It also means you're dealing in US dollars with people who know the practical side: how long the flights really take, and whether late June will put you near the herds. If you're comparing companies, our guide on how to choose a Tanzania safari company lists the questions worth asking, ours included.
Getting a Real Number for Your Trip
Want to see what real trips came to? Our real trips page shows eight safaris we've run or booked, with what each one cost per person.
These ranges are a good guide, but your price depends on your dates, how many of you there are, how long you stay and which lodges suit you. Tell us about your trip and we'll send a quote that names every lodge for every night, in US dollars, so the price you agree is the price you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Tanzania safari cost per person?
For two people on a private safari, about $590 to $1,300 per person per night depending on the lodges. A typical 7-night trip is $5,150 to $7,700 per person and 10 nights $6,100 to $8,300, excluding international flights.
Is it cheaper to travel as a group?
Yes. The vehicle and guide cost the same for two or four people, so four traveling together typically save around $110 to $150 per person per night. Solo travelers pay more for the same reason, plus single rooms.
Is July to October more expensive?
A little. Many lodges charge the same all year and some add 10 to 30% in peak months. The bigger effect is that the best-placed camps for the river crossings book out first. Serengeti park fees are lowest from mid-March to mid-May.
Are the prices fixed in US dollars?
Lodges and parks in Tanzania charge in US dollars. We quote and invoice you in US dollars, so the number you agree to is the number you pay.
Get Your Real Quote
Tell us about your trip
Your dates, your group, what you want from the experience. We'll come back with real costs built around your specific trip, not a generic starting price.
