Here’s How Much Does It Costs To Visit The Serengeti

Here’s How Much Does It Costs To Visit The Serengeti (2023-2024 Updates) : The Serengeti National Park is one of the world’s oldest and arguably greatest wildlife conservation areas. Many tourists who plan to visit want to know how much a Serengeti safari costs. The total cost of your Serengeti safari tour is determined by a number of factors. Some of these factors include the type of accommodation, the number of people traveling group, the preferred mode of transportation (by road or by air), the duration of your trip, the time of year, and the inclusion of extra activities.

For a 5-7-day safari Package, the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania will set you back between $2000 and $3000. Transportation to the national park, lodging in tent camps, and game drives are all included in this price. The amount of money you actually spend will vary depending on the standard of your lodging and transportation, as well as the duration of your stay.

SERENGETI SAFARI PACKAGE COST

Depending on the kind of lodging you choose and how long you stay, the cost of a Serengeti safari trip can vary greatly. However, based on our experience, knowledge and expertise in the area, you should budget between $2000 and $3000 for a 5-7-day safari in the Serengeti.

There are undoubtedly premium and exclusive tour packages that cost more than the amount I have cited above. There are some that cost considerably less than $2000 as well. Tanzania, like the majority of other African countries, has the drawback that you get what you pay for. When visiting the continent, my advice is to avoid buying anything that seems to be on sale.

What is included in the Serengeti Safari Package?

• The majority of Serengeti safari packages typically include the following items:
• Entry fees to the park: The cost is typically $83 per person per day.
• Activities include going on safari and attending any cultural events held within or near the park.
• Accommodations: Given the mid-tier range of these packages, you might anticipate spending the night in a tent inside the park.
• Professional driver/guide: One of the most important aspects of your trip to the Serengeti is your safari van driver, who also serves as your tour guide. They are extremely knowledgeable about the best places to see animals, and they have connections with park rangers and other tour companies, making it simpler to see animals.
• Transportation: This covers all travel within the park as well as travel to and from the park at the beginning and end of the tour.
• Airport transportation from and to the airport, both before and after your tour, is included in the majority of tour packages.
• Meals: All of the meals you will have while on the tour are included in the packages. (As specified in the day-by-day section.)

What does the Safari Package not include?

• Souvenirs: Any souvenirs you purchase while exploring the Serengeti will not be covered by the package’s pricing.
• Travel Insurance: When traveling within Tanzania, you are responsible for arranging your own travel insurance. Most tour companies do not cover this expense.
• International Flights: You must also consider the cost of international airfare.
• Visa costs: You’ll also need to take care of Tanzanian visa costs.
• Another out-of-pocket expense is tipping, which can range from $10 to $20 per day depending on who you are tipping.
• Additional lodging is available before and after the tour package so that you can stay longer in Tanzania after the tour or arrive earlier than scheduled. Since the tour company does not provide for this, you will need to make personal arrangements.

TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY ON A SERENGETI SAFARI

Book flights and tour packages well in advance: If you reserve far in advance, you will almost always find great deals. This holds true for both your international flight and your travel itinerary.

Visit during the shoulder season: Between January and April, when tourism is at its lowest, you have the chance to travel while enjoying significant financial savings. The only drawback to this season is that the muddy terrain makes it harder to navigate the roads.

Group size: Traveling in larger groups can help you save money because the tour operator will spend less on transportation per person and may be able to negotiate lower hotel rates when you travel in groups of four to six.

Negotiate a discount: This is true for everything in Africa; you should always try to get a better deal because the seller will likely anticipate your request and will likely factor a discount into their initial price.

Compare prices to find the best deal: To get an idea of how much your desired safari tour will cost, try requesting as many quotes as you can from various operators.

HOW MUCH CASH SHOULD YOU CARRY WITH YOU?

Although the majority of vendors accept cards, there are times when you’ll need to pay with cash when visiting the Serengeti. These times include when you will be purchasing mementos or tipping the drivers or wait staff. You don’t want to flash your credit card to everyone you meet along the way because the majority of vendors don’t accept card payments. This is when having cash on hand is useful.

My personal recommendation is that you bring $60 in cash for each day you intend to spend in the Serengeti. With this, you’ll have enough money to leave tips for those around you and to buy mementos on the road.

When entering Tanzania, it is best to bring US currency with you and exchange it at a forex bureau in one of the major cities, such as Dar es Salaam or Arusha, before starting your Serengeti safari. Even though other currencies might be accepted in the places you’ll be visiting, it is preferable to have the local currency to avoid being overcharged because you were flashing your dollars around.

Additionally, make sure the US dollar bills you are carrying were printed after 2006. Due to the dangers of handling fake currency, bureaus do not accept bills older than this. Additionally, you must make sure that the bills you are carrying are clean and in good condition. You will find it simpler to exchange them at the forex bureaus if you do this.

HOW TO CALCULATE THE SERENGETI SAFARI COST: FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE COST OF YOUR SAFARI

1. Accommodation

Your choice of accommodation has the greatest impact on the cost of your Serengeti safari. The park has a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets. Accommodation options range from budget adventure camping to mid-range tented camps to ultra-luxurious safari lodges. Apart from the type of accommodation you select, the price of your accommodation is also determined by the number of days you intend to stay and the time of year you visit (prices are higher during the peak season from July to October).

• A luxurious tent camp, such as Andbeyond Klein’s Camp or Namiri Plains, will cost around US$ 300+ per person/night in low season and US$ 600+ per person/night in peak season.
• Serengeti Serena Lodge, a mid-range luxury safari lodge, will cost around US$ 2000 per person per night during low season and US$ 400 per person per night during peak season.
• There are also low-cost tented camps that cost $100 or less per person per night. You can also choose to camp in tents, which is significantly less expensive, but this is a basic camp site with your own tents and very basic facilities.

2. Mode of Transport

The mode of transportation to the reserve is another important factor in determining the cost of your Serengeti safari. Flying to the Serengeti from Arusha is more expensive than driving, but it is also more convenient and faster, especially for shorter safaris like an overnight or two-night trip. For solo travelers, flying to the Serengeti is less expensive than driving, unless they can join a group on a road safari, which lowers the price.

Auric Air, Coastal Aviation, and other reputable local airlines provide daily scheduled flights to the Serengeti from Arusha Airport.

The flight time from Arusha to Serengeti is usually one hour, but the actual time depends on how many intermediate stops the plane makes (known as ”hops”) as it lands to drop off or pick up passengers at various airstrips. A one-way flight costs between $200 and $250 per person, while a return flight costs between $300 and 450 per person, including taxes, depending on the season and availability.

4×4 Toyota Land cruiser Jeeps are the most popular mode of transport for safari tourists in Tanzania. These are frequently Toyota Land cruiser Jeeps that have been converted into Safari vehicles by adding pop-up game viewing roofs [front and main], safari customization, and the addition of UHF radio calls and appropriate seating. Some vehicles have air conditioning and electric cooler boxes as well. Safari Jeeps are more capable off-road and marginally more comfortable on rougher roads. A Land cruiser safari vehicle costs between $200 and 250 per vehicle per day, depending on season and availability.

Please keep in mind that transportation on your safari is charged per vehicle, not per person. The journey from Arusha to the Serengeti takes about 5–6 hours. The road from Arusha to the main gate is now completely paved or tarred.

3. Number of people traveling (group size)

As a general rule, the larger the group traveling, the less expensive it is for everyone because the costs are shared, as opposed to when only one or two people travel. Also, the ages of your children affect the cost of your safari, as children under the age of 12 pay a reduced price, while children under the age of 3 are allowed for free in almost all Serengeti lodges and camps.

4. Duration of your safari

The price of your Serengeti safari is also determined by the number of days you intend to spend on safari. Clients on a tight budget should therefore spend the minimum recommended time of three days in the reserve. Low season (April to early June) will most likely allow you to spend less for a longer safari because accommodation prices are significantly lower and the park is less crowded with tourists than during peak season. Keep in mind that the peak season for the wildebeest migration is from July to September. We recommend spending at least four days (three nights) in the Serengeti to fully explore the park. This will include enough safari game drives to see a variety of wildlife at a leisurely pace, as well as time to relax at your camp.

5. Time of the Year

The cost of your safari is also determined by your travel dates. Prices tend to be higher during peak season, which is typically when the Great Wildebeest Migration occurs, as this draws a large number of visitors to the Serengeti, making it more expensive to secure rooms due to high demand. From July to October is the peak season. Clients on a tight budget should avoid the peak season and instead visit during the low or shoulder season (January to March), when prices are lower and rooms are plentiful.

6. Park Entry Fees

To enter Serengeti National Park, an entry fee must be paid at the gate. The park entry fee is determined by the tourist’s residency status, i.e., citizen, resident, or non-resident.

Tanzanian citizens must show proof of citizenship, such as a valid national ID or passport. Residents are people who live in Tanzania and have valid documentation from the Tanzanian government, whereas non-residents are mostly foreign tourists. Please keep in mind that identification is required before entering the park.  Aside from the park fees, there are also concession fees for people staying inside the park at any lodge, camp, or hotel.

• The entrance fee to the Serengeti is $83 per person per day (VAT included).

7. Additional Activities

Aside from the standard Serengeti Safari package, which typically includes transportation from and back to Arusha, safari game excursions, accommodation and meals, and park entry fees, some clients choose to include additional activities such as a Maasai village visit, a hot air balloon flight, night game drives (if staying outside the main reserve), bush breakfasts and dinners, nature walks and guided safari walks, and horse riding. These activities are exciting and add to your tour, but they are not free.

• The cost of a hot air balloon ride in the Serengeti ranges from $500 to $600 per person, depending on which camp or lodge you fly from.
• The cost of a Maasai village visit ranges between $30 and $50 per person and includes return transfers from your overnight safari lodge or camp, the services of an English-speaking driver-guide, and village contribution fees.

8. Other Factors

Other factors to consider when calculating the cost of your Serengeti safari include travel visas, insurance, international flight tickets, tips, laundry, souvenirs, drinks, and beverages.

 CONCLUSION:

Finally, with some basic planning in accordance with the aforementioned factors, we can tailor your Serengeti Safari costs to meet your budget while still ensuring you have an unforgettable experience, whether you are a solo traveler or part of a group.