What You Need to Know: A budget safari in Tanzania with us uses the same private Land Cruiser, driver-guide, route and park fees as every other level; only the lodges change, to simpler lodges and campsites such as Crater Rim Inn in Karatu and Maboresho Tented Camp in the Serengeti. Budget prices start at US$775 per person for 2 days and US$1,680 for the 4-day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari (2 travelers).
How We Keep the Price of a Budget Safari Down
Park fees are set by the government and the same for everyone: about US$59 a day at Tarangire and Manyara, US$82.60 in the Serengeti and US$70.80 at Ngorongoro, plus US$295 per vehicle for the crater. What we can change is where you sleep. Budget lodges and campsites, often outside the parks, cost much less per night than tented camps and lodges inside them, without changing the vehicle, guide or route.
Budget Safari Prices
| Safari | Budget, per person (2 travelers) | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| 2-day Tarangire and Ngorongoro | US$775 | US$890 |
| 3-day Tarangire, Manyara and Ngorongoro | US$1,090 | US$1,320 |
| 3-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro | US$1,245 | US$1,565 |
| 4-day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro | US$1,680 | US$2,195 |
| 6-day northern circuit | US$2,315 | US$3,190 |
With four travelers the 4-day safari falls to US$1,325 per person at budget level, because the vehicle, guide and crater fee are shared.
Budget Lodges and Campsites We Use
| Area | Budget stays we use |
|---|---|
| Arusha | Parachichi House, The Charity Hotel, Mvuli Hotel, Kizumba House |
| Karatu | Crater Rim Inn, Country Lodge Karatu, Kankari Lodge, Bougainvillea Lodge, Karatu Villas |
| Mto wa Mbu | Fig Tree Lodge, Nsya Lodge, Ngare Lodge, Fanaka Campsite |
| Tarangire | Maasai Eco Lodge (outside the park), Sangaiwe Tented Camp |
| Central Serengeti | Maboresho Tented Camp, Engiterata Adventure Campsite, Nyani Campsite |
| Ngorongoro | Ngorongoro Wild Camp, Simba Campsite |
| Ndutu and northern Serengeti | Serengeti Classic View Ndutu and Kogatende |
These are lodges we book, or similar: we aren't limited to them and can arrange other lodges to suit your priorities. Rooms are simple and clean, usually with en-suite bathrooms and hot water; campsites have shared facilities. Your quotation names the lodges for your dates.
What Stays the Same on a Budget Safari
- Your own vehicle: a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, a window seat for every guest (at most 6), Wi-Fi (patchy in remote areas), charging points and a fridge for drinks
- Our driver-guides graduated from the College of African Wildlife Management at Mweka and have five years of safari guiding. They speak English, and we can arrange French, Spanish, German or Chinese-speaking guides.
- All park fees and the crater fee
- A lunch box on the first day, made to your dietary needs; lodge meals after
- AMREF Flying Doctors evacuation cover
More Ways to Lower the Cost of a Safari
- Travel as four to six people: the vehicle, guide and crater fee are shared
- Choose parks closer to Arusha: Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the crater
- Join other travelers on a joining safari, such as the 5-day budget calving group safari from January to March
- Travel in the green season, November or March, when some lodges are cheaper
- Skip the Serengeti on a short trip: the drive in costs Ngorongoro transit fees too
The Honest Trade-Offs of a Budget Safari
Budget lodges are often outside the parks, so you start game drives a little later and may drive further each day. In the Serengeti, budget camps and campsites are basic. If you want views from your room, a pool or the earliest start into the crater, mid-range costs a little more; see the comparison in our safari cost guide.
A Budget Safari, Day by Day
This is how the 4-day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari runs at budget level, from US$1,680 per person for two.
| Day | Route | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arusha – Tarangire game drives | Simple lodge in Karatu, such as Crater Rim Inn |
| 2 | Karatu – Ngorongoro highlands – Serengeti | Maboresho Tented Camp or Nyani Campsite |
| 3 | Serengeti morning – Ngorongoro | Ngorongoro Wild Camp or Simba Campsite |
| 4 | Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha | — |
The game drives, the vehicle and the guide are identical to the mid-range version; the difference is the comfort of the three nights.
Where Your Money Goes on a Budget Safari
On a budget safari the park fees are a larger share of the price, because the lodges cost less. For the 4-day safari, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire fees and the US$295 crater fee make up a big part of the total; the rest is the vehicle, fuel, guide and simple accommodation. That is why the cheapest Serengeti trips are never far below our budget prices: fees can't be discounted.
How to Book a Budget Safari
Send your dates, the number of travelers (with children's ages) and your lodge level, and we reply with a written quotation naming every lodge. A 30% deposit confirms your safari and the balance is paid on arrival, by Pesapal (card or mobile money) or bank transfer in US dollars.
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | 100% |
| 30–59 days | 90% |
| 15–29 days | 60% |
| 10–14 days | 25% |
| Less than 10 days, or a no-show | No refund |
Common Questions About Budget Safaris in Tanzania
Is a budget safari still private?
Yes. You have your own Land Cruiser and guide; only the lodges are simpler.
What is the cheapest safari you offer?
A day trip to Tarangire, Lake Manyara or Arusha National Park from US$332 per person for 2, or the 2-day Tarangire and Ngorongoro safari from US$775 at budget level.
Are park fees lower on a budget safari?
No. Park fees are set by the government and are the same at every level.
Do budget lodges have hot water?
Most do. Campsites have shared facilities that vary from site to site.
Can we upgrade one night on a budget safari?
Yes. Many guests choose budget lodges and one special night, for example on the crater rim.
The Bottom Line
A budget safari gives you the same parks, vehicle and guide for less, by choosing simpler beds. Travel as four to six people and you save even more.
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.