Photo: supplied by East Africa Trails The short answer
For a mid-range safari, plan on roughly US$300 to US$700 per person per night. Budget trips can go below that, and luxury camps can cost US$800 to US$1,500 per person per night or more in peak season. Those figures cover accommodation, meals, park fees and a guided vehicle, but not international flights, visas, tips or insurance.
Our numbers are planning ranges as of September 2026. Actual quotes vary with the season, the lodge, the size of your group and how many internal flights you need.
Price bands
Budget (about US$150 to US$300 per person per night). Camping or simple lodges, shared vehicles (often in groups of up to seven), basic meals and standard park fees. It’s a real safari, though facilities are basic, and you’ll be with more people.
Mid-range (about US$300 to US$700). Comfortable lodges or tented camps with private bathrooms, a private vehicle or one shared with a small group, and a good guide. This is where most travellers land.
Luxury (about US$800 to US$1,500 and up). High-end camps in private conservancies, gourmet food, drinks included, bush flights and lower vehicle-density. In peak season, the best camps in the Mara and Serengeti can cost more than this.
What drives the price
Park fees. These are set by national authorities and are a large share of the cost. As of September 2026, the Maasai Mara charges non-resident adults US$100 per day from January to June and US$200 from July to December. Serengeti fees are about US$82.60 per person per 24 hours including VAT. Ngorongoro’s crater descent costs about US$295 per vehicle. Fees change, so check the official schedule.
Gorilla and chimp permits. Rwanda’s gorilla permit is US$1,500 per person, and Uganda’s is US$800 (US$600 in the low months). Chimp tracking in Kibale costs roughly US$250 to US$300. Read our gorilla trekking guide.
Season. Peak season, July to October and the Christmas and New Year period, adds 20 to 50 percent to lodge rates at many camps, and the migration months in the Mara are the most expensive.
Group size. A private vehicle costs about the same for two people as for four, so per-person costs fall as the group gets bigger. Solo travellers often pay a single supplement.
Internal flights. Bush flights save days of driving but add cost. A flight to the Serengeti or Mara typically runs in the low hundreds of dollars each way per person.
Location. Camps inside parks and those in private conservancies charge more than those outside the gates. Conservancies limit vehicles and allow night drives and walking safaris.
Sample budgets
These are rough, per person, for two people sharing, land costs only, as of September 2026. They’re meant to help you compare, not to serve as a quote.
| Trip | Nights | Mid-range range |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya: Mara and Lake Nakuru | 6 | US$1,800 to US$3,600 |
| Tanzania: northern circuit | 7 | US$2,500 to US$5,000 |
| Uganda: chimps, big game and one gorilla trek | 6 | US$3,800 to US$6,500 |
| Rwanda: gorilla trek and Kigali | 3 | US$2,600 to US$4,500 |
| Safari plus beach in Kenya or Tanzania | 9 | US$2,800 to US$7,000 |
You can see the full routes in our itineraries.
What’s usually included, and what isn’t
Included in most quotes: lodging, meals, park fees, a vehicle with a driver-guide, bottled water on game drives and airport transfers. Sometimes included: domestic flights, drinks and laundry.
Usually not included: international flights, visas, tips, travel insurance, alcohol at some camps, optional activities such as balloon flights (often around US$450 to US$600 in the Mara or Serengeti) and personal spending.
How to keep costs down
- Travel in shoulder or low season, such as June, January or February, or November.
- Choose fewer, longer stays rather than one night in each park.
- Drive instead of flying if you have time, particularly in Kenya.
- Camp or use budget lodges outside the gates if you don’t mind simpler facilities.
- Pick Kenya over Tanzania for the Mara if fees are your concern, or compare the two in our Kenya vs Tanzania guide.
- Book early for the best rates and availability.
How to spot a bad deal
If a quote is far below the rest, ask what’s missing. Common shortcuts include old vehicles with too many passengers, unlicensed guides, low-grade accommodation and park fees that aren’t paid, so you’re asked for them at the gate. Ask for a written itinerary that lists every inclusion, the vehicle type, the maximum number of passengers and what happens if there’s a breakdown. Our guide on choosing a safari operator has a checklist.
Tips and extras
Budget for tips. Our tipping guide covers typical amounts. Add travel insurance that includes medical evacuation, which is important on a safari.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 7-day safari in Kenya cost per person?
A mid-range seven-day Kenya safari commonly costs roughly US$2,000 to US$4,500 per person on the ground, not counting international flights. Budget camping trips cost less, and luxury tented camps in the Mara during the migration cost much more. Travelling in a group of two or more lowers the per-person price.
Why is Tanzania more expensive than Kenya?
Park fees are generally higher, especially in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, and internal flights and distances add cost. Mid-range Tanzanian trips commonly cost roughly US$350 to US$700 per person per night, compared with about US$300 to US$600 in Kenya.
When is a safari cheapest?
April, May and the first half of November, when lodges discount their rates and park fees are sometimes lower. In the Mara, park fees drop from July-December levels to January-June levels. You trade prices for rain, muddy roads and some closed camps.
Is a cheap safari safe?
Sometimes, and sometimes not. Very low prices often mean an old vehicle, overcrowded seats, weak guides and corners cut on food. Ask what's included, how many people share a vehicle, and the guide's experience and licence. A price that's far below the norm needs an explanation.
Do I need to pay in dollars?
Most tour operators and lodges quote in US dollars, and park fees are set in dollars. Bring or arrange cards for tips and extras. Bring recent, undamaged notes, because older, torn or marked bills are often refused.
Trips built around this
Kenya Classic: Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara in 7 Days
A seven-day Kenya safari from Nairobi: rhinos and flamingos at Lake Nakuru, then three nights in the Maasai Mara, with a flight back and honest notes on cost.
Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari: 8 Days
An eight-day northern circuit from Arusha: Tarangire's elephants, three nights in the Serengeti and a night on the Ngorongoro Crater rim, with a private guide.
Parks mentioned in this guide
Serengeti National Park
Tanzania's flagship park and the heart of the Great Migration, with big cats and open plains as far as you can see.
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Kenya's best-known reserve: big cats all year and the Mara River crossings from July to October.
Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area
The world's largest intact volcanic caldera, with a resident wildlife population and a very good chance of seeing a rhino.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Home to nearly half the world's mountain gorillas, in ancient forest on steep green hills.
Keep reading
Kenya vs Tanzania Safari: Which Is Right for You?
Kenya or Tanzania for your first safari? Compare wildlife, the migration, cost, crowds, logistics and beaches, with a simple guide to who should go where.
Best Time to Visit East Africa: Month by Month for Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda
When to go to East Africa for safari, gorillas and beaches: month-by-month weather, the migration, rainy seasons, crowds and prices across four countries.
Tipping on Safari in East Africa: Who, When and How Much
How much to tip your safari guide, camp staff, gorilla trackers, porters and Kilimanjaro crew, with typical amounts in US dollars and how to hand them over.
How to Choose a Safari Operator: A Checklist That Works
How to pick a trustworthy East Africa safari operator: licences, questions to ask, red flags, payment safety and how to compare quotes fairly.
Last updated 20 September 2026. Rules, prices and schedules change. We recheck the facts in this guide regularly, but confirm anything that affects your money or your entry to a country with the official source.