What You Need to Know: A private safari gives you your own Land Cruiser, guide, dates and pace; a group (joining) safari shares the vehicle with up to six travelers, which lowers the price. For our 4-day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari, two people pay US$2,195 each on a private trip, while six sharing pay US$1,720 each. We don't run fixed group departures: we match travelers who ask for a shared safari, starting from your dates.
Private vs Group Safari in Tanzania, Side by Side
| Private | Group (joining) | |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Any day you choose | Matched to requests near your dates |
| Vehicle | Yours only, at most 6 in your party | Shared, up to 6 travelers |
| Pace and time at sightings | Yours | Agreed by the group |
| Route changes on the day | Possible | Rarely |
| Price (4-day, mid-range) | US$2,195 each for 2 | US$1,720 each for 6 |
| Best for | Families, couples, photographers | Solo travelers, tight budgets |
When Does a Private Safari Cost About the Same as a Group Safari?
The vehicle, guide and Ngorongoro crater fee are charged per vehicle, so the more people share them, the lower the price per person. That is why a private safari for four to six people costs about the same per person as a joining safari.
| Travelers | 4-day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro, mid-range, per person |
|---|---|
| 1 | US$3,160 |
| 2 | US$2,195 |
| 3 | US$1,855 |
| 4 | US$1,840 |
| 5 | US$1,705 |
| 6 | US$1,720 |
How a Private Safari Differs Day to Day
On a private safari you choose when to start, often before sunrise, how long to stay with a lion pride, and whether to skip lunch at camp to wait for a leopard. On a shared safari those decisions are agreed with the others, and the itinerary is set in advance. Both use the same Land Cruisers, with a pop-up roof and a window seat for everyone, and the same Mweka-trained guides.
How Our Group (Joining) Safaris Are Formed
Instead of a fixed calendar, we start from the dates you want. When other travelers have asked for a shared safari on or near those dates, we suggest the best match; your own dates always come first, and we propose nearby dates only if they give you a group. If no group forms, you can travel privately or move your dates; we tell you early. See joining safaris.
Who Should Choose a Private or a Group Safari?
If you are traveling as two and want flexibility, choose private. If you are solo and want to share costs and company, a joining safari is excellent. Families and groups of four or more usually pay about the same per person either way, so private is the natural choice. Both work at luxury level too: compare the 7-day private luxury safari with the 6-day luxury small-group safari.
| Choose private if… | Choose group if… |
|---|---|
| You are a family, couple or group of friends | You are traveling alone or as a couple on a budget |
| You want your own dates and pace | Your dates are flexible |
| You are a keen photographer or birder | You enjoy meeting other travelers |
| You have young children | You are happy with an agreed itinerary |
Three Travelers, Three Choices
A couple on honeymoon
Private. They want to start early, linger at sightings and add a balloon flight; for two people private costs US$2,195 each on the 4-day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari, about US$475 more each than sharing, and they get the vehicle to themselves.
A solo traveler on a budget
A joining safari, if the dates are flexible. Sharing with five others brings the 4-day safari to about US$1,720 at mid-range, and less at budget level.
Four friends
Private. Four people pay US$1,840 each, almost the same as sharing with strangers, and keep their own pace.
What Stays the Same on Private and Group Safaris
Private and shared safaris use the same Land Cruisers, with a pop-up roof and a window seat for everyone, the same Mweka-trained guides, the same park fees and the same choice of lodges. Every safari has AMREF Flying Doctors evacuation cover, and the same booking terms: a 30% deposit and a full refund if you cancel 60 days or more before arrival.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing
- Do I want to set my own pace at sightings?
- Am I traveling on fixed dates, or flexible?
- Is keeping the price down my priority?
- Would I enjoy meeting other travelers, or prefer my own group?
If you answered yes to the first, choose private; if price matters most, a joining safari is worth it.
How to Book a Private or Group Safari
Send us your dates, group size and lodge level. For a joining safari, tell us your dates early so we can match you with other travelers; for a private safari, we plan the route around your wishes.
Common Questions About Private and Group Safaris
Do you have fixed group safari departures?
No. We match travelers who ask for a shared safari, starting from your preferred dates.
Is a private safari much more expensive?
For two people, yes. For four to six, it costs about the same per person as sharing.
Can a solo traveler book a private safari?
Yes. A private safari for one costs more per person, because the vehicle isn't shared.
Are the vehicles and guides different?
No. Both use the same Land Cruisers and Mweka-trained guides.
Can we start private and join others later?
Not usually; the vehicle and guide stay with one group for the whole safari.
Is a shared safari less safe?
No. The vehicle, guide and safety arrangements are the same.
Is a private safari much more expensive than a joining one?
For 4 to 6 travelers it costs about the same per person; for 1 or 2 travelers, a joining safari is cheaper.
Do joining safaris use the same vehicles and guides?
Yes: the same Land Cruisers and driver-guides as our private safaris.
Bottom Line: Should You Choose a Private or Group Safari?
Choose private for your own dates and pace, especially as a family or group of four to six, when it costs about the same. Choose a shared safari if you are alone or a couple on a budget and your dates are flexible.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers (with children's ages) and your lodge level through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our sales team in Moshi will reply with a written quotation.