How much does travelling in Tanzania cost?

1. What is a realistic daily budget for Tanzania?
2. Is Tanzania expensive for safari travel?
3. How much do accommodation and lodges cost?
4. How much does camping cost in Tanzania?
5. What do food and drinks cost in Tanzania?
6. How expensive are fuel and transport?
7. What are Tanzania's national park fees?
8. Can you travel Tanzania on a budget?
9. How much cash should you bring to Tanzania?
10. Do credit cards work in Tanzania?
11. Money-saving tips for self-drive travel in Tanzania

What is a realistic daily budget for Tanzania?

Your travel budget in Tanzania depends mainly on four things:

• Whether you camp or stay in lodges

• How many national parks you visit

• Whether you travel independantly or with a guide

• If you travel in high or low season

These estimates include accommodation, transport, food and park fees. International flights are usually not included.

At Roadtrip Africa, we base these numbers on real self-drive trips through Tanzania, including popular routes around Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Zanzibar.

Is Tanzania expensive for safari travel?

Yes, Tanzania is one of the more expensive safari destinations in Africa, mainly because of national park fees and accommodation inside the parks. Places like Serengeti and Ngorongoro are world-famous safari destinations, and prices reflect that.

That said, your total budget depends a lot on how you travel. A self-drive safari with camping is much more affordable than a fully organised luxury safari.

Outside the national parks, Tanzania is generally reasonably priced for food, local transport and accommodation.

How much do accommodation and lodges cost?

Accommodation prices in Tanzania vary widely depending on location and comfort. 

As a general guideline for lodges inside the parks (double room with breakfast):

Looking to save money?
Accommodation outside the parks is much cheaper. You’ll find plenty of guesthouses and mid-range hotels at lower rates, without sacrificing comfort.

How much does camping cost in Tanzania?

Camping is one of the best ways to lower your travel budget in Tanzania, especially during a self-drive safari. 

Campsite prices usually range between USD 20 and USD 80 per night, depending on the type of campsite (public, private or special) and the location (inside or outside a national park, for example). 

At Roadtrip Africa, we offer fully equipped camping gear for travellers who want more flexibility and lower accommodation costs during their road trip through Tanzania.

What do food and drinks cost in Tanzania?

Food in Tanzania can be very affordable, especially when eating local meals.

Typical prices are:

A 10% tip is generous and always appreciated. Most places share tips among all staff, so if the service made you smile, don’t hold back.

How expensive are fuel and transport?

Fuel is a big cost during a self-drive safari because distances in Tanzania are long.

Petrol and diesel prices are usually around:

• USD 1.10–1.50 per litre

The total fuel budget depends on your route and vehicle. A Northern Circuit road trip with Serengeti and Ngorongoro often requires several hundred kilometres of driving.

For travellers who prefer not to drive themselves, Roadtrip Africa also offers driver-guides for around €60 per day.

What are Tanzania's national park fees?

National park fees are one of the biggest travel expenses in Tanzania. 

Examples of current entrance fees (May 2026): 

Additional fees may apply for: 

• Camping

• Ranger services

• Night drives

• Walking safaris

Park fees are usually charged per person per 24 hours. For a full overview of entrance fees for Tanzania's National Parks, head to the National Parks guide on our website.  

Can you travel Tanzania on a budget?

Yes, but it helps to plan carefully. 

The easiest ways to reduce costs are: 

• Camping instead of staying in lodges

• Limiting the number of safari parks

• Travelling outside peak season

• Self-driving instead of booking a private safari pacakage

• Spending more time outside the Northern Circuit

Tanzania is not a classic backpacker destination, but as an independent traveller you can still keep costs manageable by making smart choices. 

How much cash should you bring to Tanzania?

Heads-up: Tanzania is a cash-based economy
While you can pay park entrance fees by credit card, almost everything else is cash only.

Cash is especially important for: 

• Smaller towns

• Fuel stations

• Tips

• Village fees

• Ranger fees

• Local markets

We recommend bringing some Euros or US Dollars in cash for the unexpected. You can exchange them easily at a Forex Bureau in most towns. Only notes printed after 2009 are accepted.

Some remote areas have unreliable card terminals or weak internet connections, so having backup cash is important.

Do credit cards work in Tanzania?

Credit cards work in many hotels, lodges and tourism businesses, especially in larger towns and safari areas. 

However: 

• Card payments may include extra transaction fees

• Internet connections can fail

• Some park fees and ranger fees require cash

• Remote regions may not accept cards at all

Visa cards are generally accepted more often than Mastercard. It's always wise to carry some cash as backup.

ATMs & banks
You’ll find ATMs in larger towns. The most reliable banks are Stanbic, Standard Chartered, Barclays, and CRDB – they accept Maestro, Visa, and Mastercard. Pro tip: Daily withdrawal limits apply, so it’s smart to carry more than one card.

Money-saving tips for self-drive travel in Tanzania

Travelling independently already saves money compared to private safari packages. These additional tips can help lower your costs even more:

• Camp instead of staying in safari lodges 

• Combine expensive parks with cheaper parks like Tarangire and Usambara

• Travel in low season, prices drop 25-50%!!

• Eat local instead of at an upmarket lodge or beach resort

• Share fuel costs with travel companions

• Plan realistic driving distances to avoid unnecessary fuel use

• Buy drinks and snacks at local markets before entering safari parks

• Stay longer in one area instead of rushing across the country

• Use a smaller vehicle like the Suzuki Escudo if your route allows it

• Book through experienced local specialists to avoid unnecessary permit mistakes or extra fees

At Roadtrip Africa, we regularly help travellers balance budget, comfort and route planning for self-drive safaris in Tanzania. Need a hand?

Get in touch with our Tanzania experts