Safari Cost Breakdown

Serengeti Safari Cost

Understanding Serengeti safari cost, over the year African businesses, never used price tags for products or services offered this was mostly influenced by the motive of providers to maximize their margins & low information on Africa at the time.

However, many things have changed information now a single click away has made providers try to offer the best deals but with clients still influenced by western media & the perception that there are a lot of margins in deals offered has caused clients to bargain to prices which are not sustainable to business, with some being lucky as some providers with less knowledge on sustainability do surrender to prices without quite the understanding on how the deal made do impact the sustainability of their business only later do they come to a realization of the wear out of their assets without a fair return or after being slapped with high tax bills & penalties.

This is clear & evident if you can compare prices between local-based & foreign companies you will see a great difference in prices that is not just a result of the foreign companies requiring higher margins to serve higher tax bills & returns to their investors but a result of local companies prices being highly unsustainable (very low), to clarify this we will breakdown the Serengeti safari cost against our prices

Factors that influence the cost of your safari

There are a number of factors that contribute to the final price tag that gets attached to your safari:

1.   The national park, Park fees-this are fees paid directly to the park authorities so the client & the crew can proceed to the park, these fees are non-negotiable also cannot be avoided however travelers below 16 years of age do enjoy a discount. some parks (like Serengeti & Ngorongoro crater) are priced higher than the rest.

Note: park fees make up the lion's share of the Serengeti safari cost

• Park fees
• Entrance fees 60$ (71 $ vat inclusive) per person per day (Serengeti & Ngorongoro)
• Entrance fees 45$(54 $ vat inclusive) per person per day (Manyara, Tarangire, etc.)
• Camping fees 30$(35 $ vat inclusive) per person per night
• Concession fees (the equivalent of camping fees for lodging accommodation) 50$ per person per night
• Crew fees 2$ per crew per day
• Jeep fees 10$ per day
• Ngorongoro crater service per jeep is 250 $(295 $ vat inclusive), this is an additional cost on descending the crater separate from Ngorongoro entrance fees.

2.   Duration – the number of days & nights you will spend on the parks as the tariff paid is valid for a day. so spending more days increases the safari cost

3.   Accommodation & meals –  depending on your accommodation style of choice, this can be a major influence on the cost of your safari. As the camping fees & concession fees are already stated in the park fees section here will outline the cost range paid to the third parties

Accommodation options and cost range

• Camping – the cost associated is camping equipment cost 30 $per person & those associated with the safari chef (your meals)
• Budget-tented lodges –range from 150 USD to 200 USD per person per night
• Mid-range & luxury tented lodges –range from 300 USD to 1200 USD per person per night
• Budget lodges –  range from 200 USD to 280 USD per person per night
• Mid-range & luxury lodges – range from 350 USD to 1200 USD per person per night

Note: some high-end luxury lodges can cost over 10000 USD per night.

4.   Transport– transportation & transfers provided depending on your choices do influence the cost of a safari

Transport options:

custom safari jeep transportation to the parks has a standard market rate of 200usd per day taking to account fuel costs, service & depreciation due to bumpy roads, rainy roads, and fly-in, should the package bought include domestic flights into the park. however, it is possible for clients to book their own flights into the park.

Note: in the option for fly both flights & jeep fees will be accounted for as upon arrival into the park a jeep will be waiting for you.

5.   Add on’s – options such as balloon safaris (550$ one-hour session), night game drives, cultural visits, and walking safaris taking some of these options will increase the cost of your safari.

6.   Number of travelers – your group size slightly influences the safari cost as some facilities will be shared example jeep costs

7.   Time of the year – this slightly influences the cost of the safari with facilities like lodges being priced higher in the peak season & a bit lower in the lower season

8.   Wages – wages will be paid to the crew (guide & cook for those on a camping trip)

(other costs you may incur)

9.   Tipping – after seeing the breakdown of what you pay for it is now clearer that tipping is a necessity for the crew however it won’t be enforced but it is greatly recommended (see more on safari tipping guidelines & why)

Illustrations for safari costs per safari trip

Note: this tour sells for 1050usd per person, is it not a great value deal ….? Given the Serengeti safari cost, other administrative costs & risks involved.

Illustration assuming private tour for 2 (Tour to 5 days’ safari to Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater & Tarangire)

Note: this tour sells for 1600usd per person, is it not a great value deal ….? Given other administrative costs & risks involved

Illustration assuming private lodging tour for 2 (Tour to:5 days’ budget lodging safari to Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater & Tarangire)

Note: this tour sells for 2300usd per person, is it not a great value deal ….? Given the Serengeti safari cost, other administrative costs & risks involved