How much does a safari in the Serengeti Cost? : Finding out how much a Serengeti Safari will cost is one of the most crucial but difficult aspects of organizing a vacation to the Serengeti, Tanzania. No, it’s not because the costs are higher than you could ever afford for a vacation or lower than you might have anticipated. This is due to the fact that a lot of variables affect the price, including the length of your stay in the park, the type of accommodation you choose (budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodations), and the date of your safari/whether you go during peak or low season.
The country has hundreds of operators/tour operators, and among these groups, many like to pitch the idea of offering the cheapest Serengeti safari cost, while others distinguish themselves by pitching prices that might scare even the wealthiest tycoons in a certain royal house. This is another peculiar factor that affects the Serengeti safari price and cost. However, if we opt for transparency and truthfulness to guide the path, the price of your Serengeti safari should fall within a range of numbers.
At the end of this post, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the most crucial aspects that must be taken into consideration when determining the price of a Serengeti safari. Even better, you may use this article as a checklist to figure out the prices of other locations that interest you as well, not only the Serengeti national park.
To put it plainly, a one-week safari in Serengeti National Park typically costs between $2,500 and $7,500 USD (budget vs. premium). Transportation to and from the national park, lodging, full-board meals, concession fees, government taxes, and game drives are all included in this price. The amount of money you actually spend will vary based on the standard of your lodging and transportation as well as the duration of your stay. In the piece that follows, it discuss how much you should budget for and offer suggestions for cutting costs while on a safari in the Serengeti national park.
Cost of a Serengeti Tour Package: Depending on the kind of lodging you choose and how long you stay, the cost of a Serengeti trip might vary greatly. However, according to our research and estimates from a few tour operators, you should budget between $1700 and $2300 for a 5-7-day safari in the Serengeti. There are undoubtedly premium and exclusive tour packages that cost more than the amount we have stated above. There are some that cost considerably less than $1700 as well. You get what you pay for in Tanzania and most other African countries, which means that the more expensive a tour operator charges you, the higher the experience and satisfaction you will have, and vice versa. If you visit the continent, we advise you to avoid anything that appears to be more affordable unless you want a poor experience and satisfaction.
Accommodation: There is a wide range in prices for lodging in Serengeti National Park. Typically, lodging costs $150 to $1,000 per person each night. Rates primarily vary by the time of year and the type of lodging. You can save up to five times the standard rate by traveling in the off-season. You’ll spend far less money if you stay in a rustic tent camp rather than a five-star hotel.
Travel agents: The cost of your safari vacation nearly always includes a group of knowledgeable English-speaking guides.
Meals: A standard safari package often includes breakfast, lunch, and supper. However, we always advise reviewing the “What’s included” and” what’s not includes” part on the trip page of your desired trip to personally confirm inclusions.
Transportation: Typically, your tour will start off in a 4×4 game drive vehicle with a pop-up canopy that is great for observing wildlife. Only in major towns like Arusha can one rent a car at a variety of prices
Entrance park fees: Make sure you have enough money saved up for your park ticket before leaving for Serengeti National Park. The cost of park admission is determined per person, per day, though occasionally tour companies will negotiate lower prices for their customers.
Tipping: While on a safari, it’s normal to tip, and the typical amount is set at $10 USD per person, per day, for guides, and $5 USD per person, per day, for trackers. Some meals and lodging might be included in the tour you sign up for, but it’s always a good idea to pack a little extra cash just in case.
WHAT THE SAFARI PACKAGE CONTAINS
The majority of Serengeti safari packages normally contain the following items:
- Entry fees to the park: The cost is normally $60 per person per day.
- Activities include going on safari and attending any cultural activities 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.
- A qualified driver/guide: One of the most important aspects of your journey to the Serengeti is your safari van driver, who also serves as your tour guide. They are quite knowledgeable about the best places to see animals, and they have connections with park rangers and other tour companies, making it easier 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 within the country from one destination to another (domestic flights)
- Meals: All of the meals you will have while on the tour are included in the packages
- Several tour companies will add beverages to the list of items I included, but they will state any restrictions that apply to this.
WHAT THE SAFARI PACKAGE DOESN’T INCLUDE
- Purchases of souvenirs made while in the Serengeti will not be included in the package’s pricing structure.
- When traveling within Tanzania, you are responsible for arranging your own travel insurance. Most tour companies do not cover this expense.
- Foreign Flights: You must also consider the cost of international airfare.
- 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 come sooner than scheduled. Since the tour company does not provide for this, you will need to make personal arrangements, How much does a safari in the Serengeti Cost?.
MONEY-SAVING SUGGESTIONS FOR A SERENGETI SAFARI
Book well in advance (flights and tour packages). If you reserve far in advance, you will nearly always find fantastic prices. This holds true for both your overseas flight and the 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 main drawback to this season is that the muddy terrain makes it harder to navigate the roadways.
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 accommodation rates when you travel in groups of four to six.
Negotiate a discount: As with anything in Africa, you should always try to get a better deal because the seller will most likely anticipate your request and will most likely factor a discount into their initial price.
Compare prices to find the best deal: To obtain an idea of how much your desired safari will cost, try requesting as many quotes as you can from various operators.
HOW MUCH CASH SHOULD YOU CARRY WITH YOU IN SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK?
Although the majority of vendors take cards, there are times when you’ll need to pay with cash when visiting the Serengeti. These occasions include when you will be purchasing mementos or tipping guides. You don’t want to flaunt your credit card to everyone you encounter along the way because the majority of vendors don’t accept card payments. This is when having cash on hand is useful.
Our personal recommendation is that you bring $70 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 recommended to bring US currency with you and exchange it at a forex bureau in one of the larger 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 since you’re flashing your dollars around.
Make sure the US dollar bills you are carrying were printed after 2006. Due to the danger of handling fake currency, bureaus do not accept bills older than this. Additionally, you must make sure that the banknotes you are carrying are clean and in good condition. You will find it simpler to exchange them at the currency bureaus if you do this.
To sum up, we would counsel anyone considering going on a safari in Africa to prepare in advance and do their research. This will enable you to maximize your financial savings and enjoy your fantastic African safari to the fullest.
