Tanzania is not a cheap destination. The safari parks charge substantial entry fees, good accommodation in wildlife areas is expensive, and the infrastructure required to travel comfortably adds up. But if you plan well, Tanzania at every budget tier is genuinely extraordinary.
Daily Budget Overview
| Budget Tier | Daily Spend Per Person | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $80–120 USD | Hostel/guesthouse, shared camping safaris, local food, dalla-dala transport |
| Mid-range | $200–400 USD | Mid-range lodge safaris, boutique hotels, private vehicle |
| Upper mid-range | $400–700 USD | Quality tented camps, small group safaris, comfortable transfers |
| Luxury | $800–2,000+ USD | Private conservancy lodges, private guides, exclusive vehicles |
Note: Safari costs dominate the Tanzania budget. The park fees alone (up to $80+ per person per day in peak season parks) mean that even a “budget” safari is relatively expensive by global standards.
Safari Costs
Safari is where most money goes in Tanzania. The three main cost factors are park fees, accommodation, and vehicle hire/guide.
National Park Entry Fees (as of 2026)
| Park | Adult Fee |
|---|---|
| Serengeti National Park | $82 per person per day |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area | $80 per person per day |
| Tarangire National Park | $59 per person per day |
| Lake Manyara National Park | $59 per person per day |
| Ruaha National Park | $59 per person per day |
| Selous/Nyerere National Park | $50 per person per day |
Fees are payable in USD cash or by card at park gates. Children (under 16) typically pay 50% of the adult rate. All figures approximate as of 2026 - Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) adjusts fees periodically.
Safari Vehicle Costs
Organised safaris bundle vehicle, guide, fuel, and fees. Budget expect to pay:
- Budget camping safari: from $150–180 per person per day (group travel, shared vehicles, public campsites). Operators like Basecamp Tanzania and Shadows of Africa offer entry-level options from Arusha.
- Mid-range lodge safari: $300–500 per person per day (private vehicle, mid-tier lodges like Kudu Camp Tarangire, Serengeti Simba Lodge, or Ubuntu Camp)
- Luxury tented camp safari: $600–1,500 per person per day (private conservancy camps like Singita Grumeti, &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas, Sanctuary Retreats)
Accommodation Costs
Search hotels in Arusha on Booking.com
Outside safari parks, accommodation in Tanzania is significantly more affordable.
Dar es Salaam
- Budget hostel: $15–30 per dorm bed (Foresta Boutique Hotel, Dar Backpackers)
- Mid-range hotel: $70–120 per double room (Slipway Hotel, Protea Hotel Dar es Salaam)
- Business hotel: $150–250 (Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, Mövenpick Royal Palm)
Arusha
- Budget guesthouse: $20–40 per double room
- Mid-range: $80–150 (Arusha Coffee Lodge, Four Points by Sheraton Arusha)
- Upscale: $200–300 (Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge)
Zanzibar
- Budget guesthouse: $30–60 per room in Stone Town (Haven Hotel, Stone Town Café & Guesthouse)
- Mid-range beach resort: $100–200 per room (Karafuu Beach Resort, Paje Beach Hotel)
- Luxury resort: $300–700+ per room (Park Hyatt Zanzibar, White Sand Luxury Villas)
Moshi (Kilimanjaro)
- Budget guesthouse: $20–40 per room (plenty of options near the town centre)
- Mid-range: $60–100 (Kindoroko Hotel, Moshi Serengeti Café)
- Upscale (pre-/post-climb): $150–250 (Aishi Machame Hotel)
Food and Drink Costs
Local Restaurants (Tanzanian food)
- Nyama choma (grilled meat) + ugali: TZS 5,000–12,000 (approximately $2–4.50 USD)
- Street food (samosas, mandazi, grilled corn): TZS 500–2,000 ($0.20–0.75)
- Fresh grilled fish at a local restaurant: TZS 8,000–20,000 ($3–7.50)
- Fresh-pressed sugarcane juice: TZS 500–1,000 ($0.20–0.40)
Mid-Range Restaurants (tourist areas)
- Main course: $8–18 USD
- Indian or pizza restaurant in Arusha or Stone Town: $10–20 per person with drinks
Drinks
- Local beer (Kilimanjaro, Safari, Serengeti): TZS 3,000–6,000 ($1.10–2.25) in local bars; $4–6 at tourist restaurants
- Bottled water (500ml): TZS 1,000–2,000 ($0.40–0.75) in towns; more expensive in parks
Transport Costs
| Route | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar ferry | $35–50 USD one-way |
| Dar es Salaam to Arusha bus | $15–25 USD |
| Arusha to Serengeti (domestic flight) | $250–350 USD one-way |
| Dar es Salaam city Bolt taxi | $3–8 USD |
| Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha (transfer) | $40–60 USD per vehicle |
Kilimanjaro Costs
Climbing Kilimanjaro is expensive - national park fees and mandatory guide/porter requirements ensure this.
Total cost for a Kilimanjaro trek (6–8 days, as of 2026):
- Park fees: approximately $755 USD (covering gate fee, rescue fee, camping fees for 6–8 days)
- Mandatory guide and porters: included in operator package
- Budget operator total: $1,200–1,600 per person (7 days Machame Route)
- Mid-range operator: $1,800–2,500 per person
- Premium operator: $3,000–4,500 per person
Tips for guide and porter team are additional - budget $200–300 USD per person for a 7-day climb.
Money-Saving Tips
Travel in low or shoulder season. Many lodges offer 20–40% discounts in November and April–May. Some close in April and May entirely; others drop rates significantly.
Join a group safari. Sharing a vehicle with 2–4 other travellers splits the vehicle/guide cost significantly. Budget operators in Arusha can arrange group departures.
Eat local. A nyama choma lunch at a local grill costs a fraction of a restaurant aimed at tourists. Arusha’s town centre has dozens of excellent local lunch spots.
Book accommodation in Arusha rather than staying in safari camps for pre/post trip nights. One night at a Serengeti luxury camp equals 3–4 nights at a good Arusha hotel.
Get the East Africa Tourist Visa ($100 vs $50 x 3 if visiting Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda separately). See our Tanzania Visa Guide for details.
Browse Tanzania safari tours at every price tier - budget camping safaris from USD 150/day up to luxury private conservancies. Compare Tanzania travel insurance before you fly - medical evacuation from the Serengeti costs USD 15,000+ without cover.
Plan Your Trip
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