Big Five Safari in Tansania: Kosten & Budget‑Leitfaden

A Big Five safari in Tanzania cost depends mostly on the length of the trip, the lodge category and the season. Published from-prices that we reviewed for Tanzania Big Five trips range from about US$850 per person for a short budget group trip to more than US$4,700 per person for a seven-day itinerary with better lodges, and private trips with luxury camps cost more again. Behind those numbers sit fixed park fees: secondary sources put Serengeti entry at about US$70 to US$84 per adult per day, a concession fee of about US$60 to US$71 per person per night when you sleep inside the park, and the Ngorongoro crater service fee near US$295 per vehicle. The lodge and the vehicle make up the rest.

This guide breaks down each part, gives budget bands by style, and shows how to lower the price without losing the animals. Sources disagree on exact fees and on VAT, so confirm the current rates with TANAPA and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority or through your operator. We checked the details in October 2026. To plan the route first, read where to see the Big Five in Tanzania.

These figures come from operator and travel sites, not from an official tariff sheet we could open, and they vary with VAT and season. Our packages list the park and conservation area fees as included.

Lodging is the largest variable. Budget camps and basic lodges cost the least, eco-lodges and standard lodges sit in the middle, and luxury camps, which can include meals, drinks and game drives, cost several times more. A private 4x4 with a pop-up roof and a driver-guide is charged per day and shared by the group, so travelling as a couple costs far more per person than a group of four. Read how to plan a luxury safari in Tanzania and what it costs for the top end.

Our own itineraries are in the mid-range private category: a private vehicle, a professional driver-guide, full board in eco-lodges, airport transfers, and all park and conservation fees. See the 11-day Tanzania Big Five safari and Maasai cultural tour, the 8-day Serengeti, Tarangire and Ngorongoro safari and the 5-day Big Five safari and Maasai cultural experience. We do not show prices online, so ask for a quote.

Prices rise in the dry season, from roughly late June to October, and in the calving months of January to March. April, May and November can be cheaper, with greener scenery and fewer vehicles, but more rain. A longer trip costs more in total but usually less per day, and it gives you more game drives, which matter more for the Big Five than the number of parks.

• Travel in a small private group to share the vehicle and the guide.
• Travel in the shoulder months.
• Choose eco-lodges rather than luxury camps for most nights.
• Drive between parks instead of flying.
• Combine the Big Five trip with Zanzibar only if you want the beach; it adds flights and nights.

• Is the vehicle private, and does it have a pop-up roof?
• Are park fees, concession fees and the crater fee included, and is VAT included?
• How many nights are inside the Serengeti, and how many full game-drive days?
• Which lodges, and where are they?
• What is excluded: flights, visas, tips, drinks?

A group departure shares a vehicle with other guests and follows a fixed itinerary and dates. It costs less per person and is useful for solo travellers who do not want to pay a single supplement. A private safari has your own vehicle, driver-guide and schedule. For a couple or a family, it gives control over when to start, how long to stay at a sighting and when to rest, which matters for photographers and for travellers with children. The cost difference narrows as the group gets larger, because the vehicle and the guide are shared across more people.

Each park has its own fee and its own lodge market. The Serengeti has the highest fees and the most lodges. The Ngorongoro Crater adds a per-vehicle crater fee. Tarangire and Lake Manyara have lower fees and are often used as the first stops, which lowers the early-days cost. A route that leaves out the Serengeti and sticks to the other three parks, such as our 5-day tour, costs less but may miss the lions and the herds of the plains. Match the park list to your priorities, not only to the budget.

• Visa. Check the entry rules and fee for your nationality.
• Tips. Guides, camp staff and drivers rely on them.
• Optional activities. Balloon flights, walking safaris and cultural visits.
• Drinks. Not always included in full-board rates.
• Extra nights. Arriving early or leaving late often means a night in Arusha.
• Domestic flights. Used for shortcuts or to reach Zanzibar.
• Insurance. Medical and evacuation cover.

Yes, with trade-offs. Choose a shoulder month, travel in a small group, use mid-range eco-lodges and spend the extra on the Ngorongoro Crater and a full day in the Serengeti rather than on a longer, softer bed. Our mid-range routes include all park fees, a private vehicle and full board. You will not find a luxury camp on them, but you will see the same animals, and the money goes into game drives. For luxury figures, see the cost of a luxury safari in Tanzania.

Several of our Tanzania itineraries include a visit to a Maasai community, which adds a human side to the wildlife. The visit is usually included in the package price, which means you do not pay separately at the gate. Ask how the community benefits from your visit and whether the guides are from the community. Read Maasai cultural experiences in Tanzania: how to visit respectfully before you go.

Park fees are charged in US dollars, and Tanzania applies VAT to many tourism services. Some quotes include VAT in the park fees and others add it at the end, which can change the total by several percent. Ask whether the quote is inclusive of all taxes and which currency it uses. If you pay in another currency, ask which exchange rate applies, and when it is fixed.

• Travellers who want a clear budget before they plan
• Families and couples choosing between group and private safaris

• Those who need exact prices without a quote; seasons and lodges move the total

• Comparing a park fee with a full trip price. Add lodging and transport.
• Choosing the cheapest quote. Check what is left out.
• Booking too few days. The Big Five needs time.
• Forgetting tips and visas.

It ranges widely by style. Ask for a quote with your dates and group size.

In our packages, yes. Confirm in every quote.

April, May and November.

For most couples and families, yes, because of flexibility, though a group departure can cost less.

Yes. Sources disagree on exact fees and VAT, and tariffs change. Confirm them with TANAPA, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority or your operator for your dates.

Our Tanzania packages list park and conservation area fees as included. Confirm it in your quote.

Tell us your dates and group, and we will send a clear quote. Talk to Our Tour Specialist. See also the cost of a Great Migration safari.

Source: Tanzania National Parks Authority.