How much does a trip to Tanzania cost?

A tailor-made Tanzania holiday with travoHolidays starts from US$3,094.05 per person for six nights, and our safari-and-Zanzibar itineraries run from US$3,324.05 to US$7,637.70 per person (travoHolidays package prices, November 2026). Prices are per person, two sharing, land only, and vary by travel date and hotel. On top of that, budget for international flights, a visa if your nationality needs one and Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance.

travoHolidays package prices

The table below lists every Tanzania package on our site with its lowest current price. All figures are per person based on two people sharing, exclude international flights, and will move with season, room type and availability. Your specialist's quote itemises exactly what is included, including which park and crater fees are covered.

Three broad bands stand out. Our Essential range keeps costs down with road transfers between parks and comfortable mid-level lodges. Mid-range trips upgrade the camps and the beach hotel. Fly-in and Luxury trips use light aircraft to reach the Serengeti and smaller, more remote camps, which is why they cost more for a similar number of nights.

Official fixed costs: visas, insurance and park fees

Visa fees

Visa rules depend on your nationality. Tanzania's embassies list the ordinary single-entry tourist visa at US$50, or US$100 for citizens of the United States, and a multiple-entry visa at US$100, as of November 2026. Some nationalities need no visa and others must obtain prior approval. Apply through the official Tanzania e-visa portal rather than a third-party site.

Mandatory inbound travel insurance

Visitors to Zanzibar have had to buy government inbound travel insurance since 1 October 2024; Tanzania's embassy in Japan lists it at US$44 per person for stays of up to 92 days, sold by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. From 1 October 2026 a similar US$44 policy, charged in the shilling equivalent and issued through the National Insurance Corporation, is compulsory for non-residents entering mainland Tanzania, according to TanzaniaInvest's report of the government notice. The UK Foreign Office confirms that you need only one policy, bought for your first point of entry, and that you may be refused entry without it.

Park and conservation fees

National park fees are set by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area has its own tariff. TANAPA states that its fees include 18% VAT where applicable and that conservation fees are valid for 24 hours from entry. Its Serengeti visitor guide indicates that international adult visitors typically pay around US$70 per day, with vehicle and camping charges on top. Rates differ by park and are revised periodically, so treat that as a guide and check the current tariff; fees are one reason a day in the Serengeti costs more than a day in Arusha.

Cost components at a glance

What drives the price

• Season: July to October and the festive weeks carry the highest lodge rates; the long rains from about March to May are cheapest. See our month-by-month guide.
• Lodge class: moving from an Essential lodge to a luxury tented camp is the single biggest change in cost per night.
• Fly-in versus drive: light aircraft save long road days but add flight costs; road safaris between Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti are cheaper.
• Days inside parks: each day in a national park carries conservation fees, so a night outside the park boundary can cost less.
• Private versus shared arrangements: a private vehicle and guide offers flexibility at a higher price.
• Beach extension: the length of your Zanzibar stay and the hotel you choose there.

Ways to save

• Travel in the shoulder months, such as late May, early June or early November, when the weather is usually workable and rates are lower.
• Combine a shorter safari with a longer beach stay; nights on Zanzibar typically cost less than nights in the parks.
• Choose a road-based itinerary such as the Essential Northern Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar.
• Mix lodge levels: one special camp in the Serengeti and simpler lodges elsewhere.
• Keep the route compact; adding a far-flung park such as Ruaha usually means extra flights.

Money on the ground

The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). The mainland insurance is charged in its shilling equivalent, and day-to-day spending in towns and markets such as Stone Town is easiest in local currency. The UK Foreign Office reported cash and fuel shortages after the October 2025 election, so carry more than one way to pay and keep some cash in reserve. For entry, currency and transport basics, see our first-timer's travel guide or the Tanzania overview.

Want a firm number for your dates? Share your travel window and hotel preferences and we will build a costed Tanzania itinerary for you.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania — Types of visa and fees
2. Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Japan — Mandatory inbound travel insurance to enter Zanzibar
3. TanzaniaInvest — Mainland makes USD 44 NIC travel insurance compulsory from 1 October 2026
4. GOV.UK (FCDO) — Tanzania travel advice: entry requirements
5. Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) — Tariffs
6. Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) — Serengeti visitor guide
7. GOV.UK (FCDO) — Tanzania travel advice: safety and security
8. Tanzania Immigration Services Department — Online visa application