How Much Does it Cost to Visit Serengeti National Park

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Most people desire to make their African safari memorable; as a result, they begin planning for their Serengeti safari way before the actual booking. If you’re thinking of visiting Serengeti, chances are at some point you’ve probably wondered how much you should budget for a safari in Serengeti. And this is a valid concern given that a great part of planning involves putting aside a budget for your trip.

So, how much does it cost to visit Serengeti National Park? While the cost of a safari in Serengeti is not fixed on average, it costs $250-$325 per person, per day for a budget-friendly safari in Serengeti, $350-$550 per person per day for a mid-range safari and $700-$2,000 per person per day for luxury safari. This price caters for accommodation, park fees, transportation, car rental, and meals at the lodge. It is exclusive of visa fees, tips, international flight tickets, add- on activities and travel insurance. While the figures above are indicative of the average price for a safari in Serengeti, the exact cost of a trip in Serengeti National Park may vary widely and is influenced by a number of factors.

Which Factors Determine the Total Cost of Serengeti Safari?

Every visitor desires to get the best value for money when they book a safari. Therefore, most safari goers usually seek an ideal tour cost that will offer them quality services without under delivering, while at the same time not being charged exorbitant prices.

There are many variables that come into play when planning for your Tanzanian safari. They will have a great impact on your Serengeti safari cost and will give you an estimate of how much you’re likely to pay. And below, we will discuss the most significant eleven factors that influence the cost.

1. Travel Season/ Timing of Your Safari

The time of the year you visit is one of the biggest determinants of the overall cost of your Serengeti safari. Seasons in Serengeti can broadly be classified into three: the peak safari season, the high safari season and the low safari season. The low season is usually between mid – March to May and November–mid-December while the high season is between June- October. The Peak safari season runs from mid-December to mid-march. Generally you’ll get the lowest safari rates during low season, which can sometimes go as low as 50% compared to high season

Lean about the best time to see the great wildebeest migration the Serengeti National Park

2. Type of Safari/ Style of Travel

Another significant factor that influences the cost of visiting Serengeti is the safari option you choose. Do you prefer luxury, midrange or budget safari? There is a significant price variation between the three types of safaris. If you choose a luxury safari, your entire trip cost will end up being a few hundred $$ more expensive than a person who chooses a midrange safari.

3. Accommodation

Accommodation eats up a lot of the total safari cost. There are a number of accommodation types available in Serengeti National Park, including tented camps, luxury lodges, and mobile camps. The type of accommodation you prefer will affect your Serengeti budget. Also, the location of the lodge in the park influences the pricing. Lodges in secluded places and along the major wildebeest migration paths are more expensive.

4. Duration of Safari

How much time do you wish to spend in Serengeti National Park? The more days you spend in the park, the higher the cost of the Serengeti tour package. This is because of park fees, guides’ fees and accommodation charges which add up daily.

5. Mode of Transport to Serengeti

There are two ways to get to Serengeti National Park, via road and via local flight. The safari cost for visitors who opt for flight transfers will be higher than for those who opt for road transfers. It is also possible to choose both modes of transport, i.e. Flight transfer to Serengeti and a road trip from Serengeti. It takes at least 8 hours on the road to get to Serengeti National Park from Arusha, where most of the Serengeti safaris depart. Depending on which option you choose, the cost will vary.

6. Number of Travellers in Your Group

Your group size is another important factor that will influence the overall expense of your Serengeti safari. Usually, most 4×4 safari land cruisers have a capacity of seven passengers. Do you prefer a group safari or a private safari? Private safaris are customizable and have less number of people. Your total Serengeti safari cost usually includes safari vehicle charges. The rates are charged on per car basis. This means the charges for group safaris are relatively cheaper since the charges are shared by more people compared to private safaris.

7. Safari Activities/ Optional Activities

Aside from game drives, Serengeti National Park has many other activities. The most popular ones include balloon safaris, cultural visits and walking safaris. These additional activities are optional and incur extra charges. Depending on the activities you are interested in there, your Serengeti tour package will differ.

Also, if you are interested in visiting other attractions with the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem such as Ngorongoro Crater, your trip cost will be higher to accommodate the extra destinations.

8. Group Ages

To some extent, the ages of the people you are travelling with may affect your total safari charges. This is applicable to those travelling with young families. Some accommodation offer kids rates which differ from adults. Also, most parks charge different rates for adults and children. Travelling with kids will also influence the type of accommodation you choose, which will influence the pricing of your safari.

Choice of Outfitter

Since the pricing of safaris is not standardized, different outfitters price their Serengeti safari packages differently. This explains why sometimes there is a large variation in the pricing of safaris, even those in the same category (luxury, midrange, and budget). It is also common for most international safari companies to price their safaris way above the local outfitters.

Others / Personal Expenses

This includes items excluded from the safari package. They include souvenirs, tips, add-on activities such as balloon safaris, walking safaris and cultural tours.

Travel Cost to Destination Country

These are the extra expenses that include travel logistics incurred when travelling to Tanzania. They include international fight tickets, health insurance, and visa cost. Depending on your country of origin, time of the year and preference, the cost of travel to Tanzania may vary and this will have an impact your final safari budget.

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