“How much will it cost?” is a fair question, and you deserve a straight answer rather than “it depends.” So here is how we price safaris at Porini Catchers, what drives the cost, and realistic ranges for 2026.
Typical prices per person, per day
These ranges are for our private, tailor-made safaris in the northern circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara), based on two people sharing a vehicle and a room.
- Mid-range (comfortable lodges and tented camps): about USD 400 to 800 per person per day.
- Luxury (top lodges and camps): about USD 800 to 1,500 per person per day, and more for the most exclusive camps.
So a 7-day mid-range safari for two usually lands somewhere between USD 3,000 and 5,500 per person. Solo travellers pay more because the vehicle and guide cost is not shared.
Where your money goes
1. Park and conservation fees
This is the part people underestimate. Park fees in Tanzania are set by the government and are the same whichever operator you book with. For 2026, the published non-resident adult rates are roughly:
- Serengeti National Park: about USD 83 per person per 24 hours, plus a concession fee of around USD 60 to 71 for each night you sleep inside the park.
- Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Arusha National Park: roughly USD 53 to 59 per person per day, depending on the season.
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area: around USD 71 to 83 per person per day, plus a crater service fee of about USD 295 per vehicle for the descent into the crater.
Children aged 5 to 15 pay reduced rates, and under-5s usually enter free. Fees change from time to time, so we always quote the current official rates and show them in your quote.
2. Accommodation
This is the biggest variable. A comfortable mid-range lodge costs much less than a luxury tented camp overlooking the Mara River. Camps inside the parks cost more but save hours of driving.
3. Vehicle and guide
A private 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, fuel and a professional driver-guide. This cost is per vehicle, which is why it gets cheaper per person as your group grows (up to six or seven people).
4. Season
Lodges charge the most from July to October and over Christmas. April and May can be 30% cheaper or more at many camps.
5. Extras
Optional extras such as a Serengeti hot-air balloon flight, a Maasai village visit, domestic flights, or a few nights in Zanzibar.
What is usually included
- Airport transfers in Arusha or Kilimanjaro
- Private safari vehicle, fuel and professional guide
- All park and conservation fees
- Accommodation and meals as listed
- Drinking water in the vehicle
What is usually not included
- International flights and visa (see our Tanzania visa guide)
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides and lodge staff (see our tipping guide)
- Alcoholic drinks and personal items
How to save money without ruining the trip
- Travel in the shoulder months: March, early June or November.
- Share a vehicle with family or friends.
- Mix lodge styles: a comfortable mid-range lodge near Tarangire, then a better camp in the Serengeti where location matters most.
- Do fewer parks properly instead of rushing through many.
Beware of quotes that look much cheaper than everyone else’s. Park fees are fixed, so a very low price usually means a poorly maintained vehicle, an inexperienced guide, or camps far outside the park.
Sample trips
- 3-Day Serengeti Safari, for a short trip
- 4-Day Tanzania Safari: Serengeti and Ngorongoro
- 5-Day Big Five Safari
- 9-Day Ultimate Tanzania Safari
Every trip we run is tailor-made, so the quickest way to a real number is to send us your dates and group size. We reply within 24 hours with a clear, itemised quote.
