Northern Tanzania Safaris: Budget, Mid-Range and Luxury

Northern Tanzania is where most first safaris happen: the Serengeti plains, the Ngorongoro Crater, the elephants of Tarangire and the lake shore of Manyara, all reachable from Arusha. Every safari on this page is private, with your own 4x4 Land Cruiser and a Mweka-trained driver-guide, and every price includes the park fees. Compare them by length and budget below.

Safari vehicle in northern Tanzania

What You Need to Know: We run private safaris in northern Tanzania from 1 to 10 days, from US$265 for a day trip and US$890 for 2 days, to US$2,130 for the 4-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari and US$5,085 for 10 days (per person, 2 travelers, mid-range). Every safari includes a private Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, a driver-guide trained at the College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka, all park and crater fees, lodges and meals. For a first safari we recommend 4 days or the 6-day northern circuit.

How Many Days Do You Need for a Tanzania Safari?

Four days is the minimum we suggest if you want the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Six or seven days lets you add Tarangire and Lake Manyara without rushing. With ten days you can follow the migration.

The Serengeti is a long drive from Arusha, most of a day each way, so short trips either skip it or fly in. Day trips and 2–3 day safaris work well for Tarangire, Manyara and the crater, which are closer.

Days What fits Good for
1 Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara or Arusha NP A taste of safari before or after a climb
2–3 Tarangire, Manyara and the crater, or the Serengeti by air Short trips
4–6 The Serengeti and the crater, plus Tarangire and Manyara Most first safaris
7–10 Several Serengeti nights, following the herds Wildlife-focused travelers

The tables below list every safari we run by length, with prices.

Which Safari Suits You?

Choose by days first, then by what you most want to see. These are the recommendations our sales team gives most often.

If you… We recommend
Have one day before or after Kilimanjaro Ngorongoro Crater day trip
Have two or three days and want short drives 3-day Tarangire, Manyara and Ngorongoro
Want the Serengeti but are short of time 3-day Serengeti fly-in
Are planning a first safari of four days 4-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro
Want all four main parks without rushing 6-day northern circuit
Want the Great Migration migration safari for your month
Want culture and landscapes too 8-day safari with Lake Natron and Lake Eyasi
Are on a Zanzibar beach holiday 2-day fly-in from Zanzibar

Day Trips and Short Safaris from Arusha

Day trips start at US$265 and 2–3 day safaris at US$890 per person, per person for 2 travelers at mid-range level.

These trips stay close to Arusha. The exception is the Serengeti, which is too far for a short road trip, so we fly in.

Tarangire Day Trip

Tarangire Day Trip

Elephants and baobabs, a day from Arusha

Lake Manyara Day Trip

Lake Manyara Day Trip

Forest, lake shore and birdlife, a day from Arusha

Prices are per person, 2 people sharing.

Short on time but set on the Serengeti? The fly-in safaris are the answer.

Four- to Six-Day Safaris: The Classic Northern Circuit

Our 4- to 6-day safaris start at US$2,130 per person per person and combine the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, with Tarangire and Lake Manyara on the longer versions.

This is the length most of our guests choose. You get at least one full Serengeti day and a morning in the crater, and the long drives are spread out.

Prices are per person, 2 people sharing.

Our best sellers are the two 4-day safaris at the top of this table.

Seven Days or More: Time to Follow the Herds

Longer safaris give you three to five nights in the Serengeti, which is enough to reach the area where the wildlife is in your month.

With more Serengeti days your guide can move with the season instead of staying in the central area. That makes the biggest difference for the Great Migration.

Prices are per person, 2 people sharing.

The 10-day private safari is our most relaxed itinerary.

What Every Safari Includes

Every safari on this page is private and priced in full: you know what you pay before you travel.

  • A private 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, a window seat for everyone (at most 6 guests), Wi-Fi, charging points and a fridge for drinks
  • Your own driver-guide, trained and certified at the College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka, with five years of safari guiding
  • All park fees and the Ngorongoro crater service fee
  • Lodges or camps at the level you choose, with meals; a lunch box on the first day, prepared to your dietary needs
  • Emergency evacuation cover with AMREF Flying Doctors

Not included: international flights, visas, travel insurance, tips and drinks. We suggest tipping your guide US$10–25 per person per day, or US$40–60 per vehicle per day for a group, plus US$5–10 per guest per night for lodge staff; see our safari tipping guide.

Park Fees in Northern Tanzania (2026)

Park fees are set by the government, charged per person per 24 hours, and included in all our prices. They are the main reason safaris with more Serengeti nights cost more per day.

Park Non-resident adult (incl. VAT)
Serengeti National Park US$82.60 per 24 hours, plus a concession fee for nights inside the park
Ngorongoro Conservation Area US$70.80 per 24 hours, also charged when you drive through to the Serengeti
Ngorongoro crater service fee US$295 per vehicle per descent
Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Arusha National Park About US$59 per 24 hours

Children aged 5 to 15 pay reduced fees, and under-5s enter free. See the full breakdown in our Tanzania safari cost guide.

Budget, Mid-Range or Luxury: What Changes?

The route, vehicle, guide and park fees are the same at every level. Only the lodges change.

Budget uses simple lodges and campsites, mid-range uses comfortable tented camps and lodges, and luxury uses top properties such as the Serena lodges and Gibbs' Farm. The lodges are named in your quotation; these are lodges we book, or similar, and we can arrange others to suit your priorities.

Level Typical stays Who it suits
Budget Campsites and simple lodges, for example Crater Rim Inn and Maboresho Tented Camp Travelers focused on wildlife, not rooms
Mid-range Tented camps and lodges, for example Karatu Tented Lodge and Mberesero Serengeti Central Lodge Most guests
Luxury For example Gibbs' Farm, Serengeti Serena Lodge and Ngorongoro Serena Lodge Honeymoons and special trips

Compare styles: budget, luxury, camping, group joining and honeymoon safaris.

When Is the Best Time for a Northern Tanzania Safari?

June to October is the best time, with dry weather, excellent wildlife viewing and easier road conditions. January and February are ideal for the Serengeti calving season.

For fewer crowds, consider November or March. April and May bring heavier rains and fewer visitors.

Months Weather What to expect
June – October Dry Best wildlife viewing, easier roads, busiest season
January – February Mostly dry, warm Serengeti calving season
November and March Changeable, some rain Fewer crowds
April – May Heavier rains Fewest visitors; some roads muddy

More detail: the best time for a Tanzania safari.

Who Runs Your Safari

Jaynevy Tours is a licensed Tanzanian tour operator (TALA licence 014271, company registration 535442) with its office in Moshi. Our sales team prepares your quotation and stays in touch until you travel; our driver-guides, trained at Mweka, lead every safari. Our Land Cruisers come from long-term partner fleets in Arusha, and fly-in safaris use scheduled flights with Auric Air and Coastal Aviation.

Booking and Cancellation Terms

A 30% deposit confirms your safari, and the balance is paid on arrival. You get a full refund if you cancel 60 days or more before arrival.

You can pay the deposit through Pesapal by card or mobile money, or by 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

Use the booking form, WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or email jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our sales team will confirm availability and send your written quotation.

Planning a Northern Tanzania Safari: Common Questions

Are your safaris private?

Yes. Every safari on this page uses a private vehicle and driver-guide for your group only.

Which safari is best for a first visit?

Can we start from Moshi instead of Arusha?

Yes. Most safaris can start in Moshi, which adds a short drive. Ask us for the price.

Can a safari be combined with Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar?

Yes. See our combination trips.

How much does a Tanzania safari cost?

Our private safaris cost from US$265 for a day trip, US$890 for 2 days and US$2,130 for 4 days, per person for 2 travelers at mid-range level, including park fees, vehicle, guide, lodges and meals.

Can children join a safari?

Yes, from 2 years old. Children aged 5 to 15 pay reduced park fees, under-5s enter free, and we offer family discounts.

Can we join other travelers to save money?

Yes. We match solo travelers and couples who ask for a shared safari, starting from your preferred dates. See group joining safaris.

What happens in a medical emergency?

Your guide takes you to the nearest clinic or lodge doctor, and every safari is covered by AMREF Flying Doctors evacuation for emergencies.

Do the guides speak other languages?

Our guides speak English, and we can arrange French, Spanish, German or Chinese-speaking guides on request.

Ready to plan your trip?

Tell us your dates and interests and our team in Moshi will send a written quotation with the itinerary and price.