How Much Does a Tanzania Safari from Zanzibar Cost in 2026?
Quick answer
A 3-day safari from Zanzibar costs about $1,200–$1,400 per person on a budget, $1,400–$2,600 mid-range and $1,700–$3,500 or more for luxury, including flights. Our 4- and 5-day safaris start from $1,300–$1,450 per person from Arusha, plus flights from Zanzibar. Flights, park fees and accommodation make up most of the price.
Last updated: 16 October 2026 · By Innocent Fraterine, Livingwell Tours and Safaris
The cost of a safari from Zanzibar depends on three things: how many days you go for, which parks you visit and how comfortable you want your camps to be. This guide gives real 2026 prices for each length, explains what is included and shows where you can save.
Safari from Zanzibar Prices by Length
These are our own prices. Safaris of four days or more are priced from Arusha, and we add the return flights from Zanzibar for your dates.
| Length | Example route | Price per person | Package |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Fly-in day to Nyerere or Saadani | About $410–$450 | Day-trip options |
| 2 days | Tarangire and Lake Manyara, or Nyerere | Safari from $750 + flights | 2-day safari |
| 3 days | Nyerere, or Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Manyara | $1,200–$3,500+, flights included | 3-day safari |
| 4 days | Tarangire, Manyara and Ngorongoro, or Ngorongoro and Serengeti | Safari from $1,300–$1,500 + flights | 4-day safari |
| 5 days | Northern circuit with the Serengeti, or the migration | Safari from $1,450–$2,400 + flights | 5-day safari |
| 7 days | Serengeti migration and Ngorongoro | Safari from $2,350 + flights | 7-day migration safari |
How Much Does a 3-Day Safari from Zanzibar Cost?
Three days is the most popular length for a safari from Zanzibar, and the price depends mainly on the comfort level you choose. All three tiers include the flights between Zanzibar and the park.
| Tier | Price per person | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,200–$1,400 | Shared vehicle, basic tented camp or lodge, park fees, guide and flights |
| Mid-range | $1,400–$2,600 | Private vehicle, en-suite tented camp, all meals, park fees and flights |
| Luxury | $1,700–$3,500+ | Premium fly-in camps, private guide, upgraded flights and concierge logistics |
Most couples and families choose mid-range. See the full itineraries on our 3-day safari from Zanzibar page.
What Makes Up the Price?
- Flights. Scheduled small-plane flights from Zanzibar to Arusha, Nyerere or the Serengeti are one of the biggest single costs. Read our guide to flights from Zanzibar to the safari parks.
- Park fees. Each national park charges a daily fee per person; Serengeti fees are about $83 per person per 24 hours for non-residents, and Ngorongoro adds a crater service fee of about $295 per vehicle on top of its daily charge. Fees change, so check the current rates.
- Accommodation. From simple tented camps outside the parks to luxury camps in prime wildlife areas.
- Vehicle and guide. A private 4x4 with a pop-up roof costs more per person than a shared vehicle, but the cost falls as your group grows.
- Meals. Usually full board on safari; check whether drinks are included.
Are There All-Inclusive Safaris from Zanzibar?
Yes. An all-inclusive safari from Zanzibar normally includes flights between Zanzibar and the parks, park fees, the guide and vehicle, accommodation and meals. Things that are almost never included are international flights, visas, travel insurance, tips and drinks.
Tip: when you compare quotes, check that flights, all park fees and the Ngorongoro crater fee are in the price. These are the items most often left out of cheaper quotes.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
- Tips for your guide and camp staff
- Your Tanzanian visa (about $100 for US citizens, multiple entry)
- Zanzibar's mandatory travel insurance for visitors, introduced in October 2024
- Excess baggage if your bag is over the bush-flight limit of about 15 kg
- Drinks, laundry and souvenirs
- Your own travel insurance, which we strongly recommend
Our safari planning guide covers visas, insurance and packing in detail.
When Is the Best Time for Better Prices?
| Months | Prices | Wildlife |
|---|---|---|
| July – August, and Christmas to New Year | Highest; book early | Excellent; dry season and peak migration in the north |
| Late June and September – October | High, but a little lower than the peak | Excellent dry-season viewing |
| January – February | Good value | Calving season in the southern Serengeti |
| November – mid-December | Good value | Short rains, green scenery, fewer visitors |
| April – May | Lowest; some camps close | Long rains; good but wetter |
For the full picture, read the best time for a Tanzania safari.
Private or Shared: How It Changes the Price
Budget safaris use a shared vehicle with other travellers, which lowers the price per person. Private safaris give your group its own guide and vehicle, so you set the pace; the price per person falls as your group grows. If you are travelling as a couple or a family, a private safari is often only slightly more expensive per person than a shared one.
How to Compare Safari Quotes
- Check exactly what is included: flights, park fees, all meals, transfers, and whether the vehicle is private or shared.
- Confirm the baggage allowance on each flight and the soft-bag rule.
- Ask for the deposit amount, the cancellation policy and what happens if your Zanzibar dates change.
- Make sure you have a 24-hour contact number in Tanzania.
More on safaris from Zanzibar
Guides
- How many days do you need for a safari from Zanzibar?: 2- to 10-day plans, including the best 7-day itineraries
- Flights from Zanzibar to the safari parks: airlines, airstrips, flight times and baggage rules
- How to plan and book a safari from Zanzibar: choosing an operator, vehicles, US visa rules and a packing list
- Best safari tours departing from Zanzibar: the complete overview
Safari packages from Zanzibar
- 2-Day Safari from Zanzibar (Tarangire & Lake Manyara, or Nyerere): Safari from $750 + flights
- 3-Day Safari from Zanzibar (Nyerere, or Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Manyara): From $1,200, flights included
- 4-Day Safari from Zanzibar (Tarangire, Manyara & Ngorongoro, or Ngorongoro & Serengeti): Safari from $1,300 + flights
- 5-Day Safari from Zanzibar (Northern circuit incl. Serengeti, or Serengeti migration): Safari from $1,450 + flights
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 3-day safari from Zanzibar cost?
About $1,200–$1,400 per person on a budget, $1,400–$2,600 mid-range and $1,700–$3,500 or more for luxury, including flights between Zanzibar and the park.
What is the cheapest safari from Zanzibar?
A fly-in day trip to Nyerere or Saadani costs about $410–$450 per person, and a 2-day safari is priced from $750 per person from Arusha, plus flights. Shared vehicles and travel in April, May or November lower the price.
Are safaris from Zanzibar all-inclusive?
They can be. An all-inclusive safari usually covers flights, park fees, guide, vehicle, accommodation and meals. Visas, insurance, tips and drinks are usually extra.
Why are flights such a big part of the cost?
Safari flights use small scheduled planes to remote airstrips, and you need a seat out and back. Flying saves a full day of driving each way, which matters on a short safari.
When is the best time to get a good price?
January–February and November–mid-December offer good value with good wildlife. April and May are cheapest, but it is the long rainy season and some camps close.
Is a private safari much more expensive?
Per person, a private safari costs more than a shared one, but the price falls as your group grows. For couples and families the difference is often small.
Do park fees change?
Yes. Tanzania's park fees are reviewed regularly, so always check the current rates. Our quotes include the fees in force when you book.
Get a Price for Your Safari from Zanzibar
Tell us your Zanzibar dates, how many days you have and the parks you would like to see. We will send a day-by-day itinerary and one price, with flights, park fees and camps arranged.
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