East Africa Safari Costs at a Glance (2026)
All prices per person per day, inclusive of accommodation, meals, guide, vehicle and park fees unless stated. International flights and visas are always additional.
| Country | Budget/day | Mid-Range/day | Luxury/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | $150–$400 | $450–$800 | $700–$1,500+ |
| Kenya | $150–$350 | $400–$750 | $700–$1,500+ |
| Uganda | $200–$600/day + $800 gorilla permit (peak) | ||
| Rwanda | $300–$1,500+/day + $1,500 gorilla permit | ||
| Zanzibar | $60–$150/night | $150–$400/night | $400–$1,000+/night |
Tanzania — Park Fees (2025/2026, excl. 18% VAT)
- Serengeti: $70/person/day (peak) / $60 (low season)
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area: $70.80/person/day (incl. tax, year-round)
- Tarangire / Lake Manyara / Arusha: $50 peak / $45 low season
- Kilimanjaro National Park: $70/person/day
- Gombe Stream: $100/person/day
- Ngorongoro crater vehicle descent fee: $295/vehicle (additional)
- All fees + 18% VAT applicable for foreign visitors
Kenya — Park Fees (2026)
- Masai Mara: ~$80/person/day
- Amboseli: ~$60/person/day
- Tsavo East / West: ~$52/person/day
Gorilla Permits (2026)
- Uganda (peak): $800/person
- Uganda (low season – Apr, May, Nov): $600/person
- Uganda Habituation Experience: $1,500/person
- Rwanda: $1,500/person (no low season discount)
- DRC Congo: ~$400/person — not recommended due to security concerns
Visas (2026)
| Country | US Citizens | UK / EU | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | $100 | $50 | On arrival or e-visa |
| Kenya | $50 | $50 | e-visa online (etakenya.go.ke) |
| Uganda | $100 | $50 | On arrival or e-visa |
| Rwanda | Free | Free | Many nationalities visa-free on arrival |
Tips Budget (Per Trip)
- Guide tip: $20–$30 per vehicle per day
- Lodge / camp staff: $10–$15 per guest per day
- Porter (gorilla trek): $15–$20 per trek
- 7-day safari for 2 people total tip budget: $300–$500
Other Costs to Budget
- International flights to East Africa: $600–$2,000 (never included)
- Travel insurance with evacuation cover: $50–$150
- Malaria prophylactics: $30–$100 depending on medication
- Serengeti balloon safari (Tanzania): $595–$650
- Yellow fever vaccination: varies by country
International booking agents add 15–30% markup on identical safaris. Reputable local operators in Arusha (Tanzania), Nairobi (Kenya) or Kampala (Uganda) offer equal quality at lower cost. Verify operators on SafariBookings.com before booking.
For a 7-day mid-range Tanzania safari ($500/day = $3,500) + 3 nights Zanzibar ($250/night = $750) + flights ($1,200) + visa ($50–$100) + tips ($350) + insurance ($100): approximately $6,000–$7,000 per person. Budget safari equivalent: $3,000–$4,000 per person all-in. Luxury: $12,000–$18,000+ per person.
Realistically, $2,500–$3,500 per person for 7 days on safari including international flights. Below that and you are either in very basic shared camping conditions or visiting very short-day trips without meaningful wildlife time. The most common traveller regret is underspending on safari quality, not overspending.