Serengeti National Park is an exciting destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
How much does it cost to travel to Serengeti National Park?
You should plan to spend around $144 (TZS388,395) per day on your vacation in Serengeti National Park. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $63 (TZS171,151) on meals
- $20 (TZS53,573) on local transportation
- $106 (TZS287,150) on hotels
A one week trip to Serengeti National Park for two people costs, on average, $2,012 (TZS5,437,530). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
-
One Week
Per person
$1,006
TZS2,718,765
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$2,012
TZS5,437,530
-
One Month
Per person
$4,311
TZS11,651,850
-
One Week
For a couple
$2,012
TZS5,437,530
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$4,024
TZS10,875,060
-
One Month
For a couple
$8,622
TZS23,303,700
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Serengeti National Park cost?
A one week trip to Serengeti National Park usually costs around $1,006 (TZS2,718,765) for one person and $2,012 (TZS5,437,530) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Serengeti National Park on average costs around $2,012 (TZS5,437,530) for one person and $4,024 (TZS10,875,060) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Serengeti National Park will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Serengeti National Park on average costs around $4,311 (TZS11,651,850) for one person and $8,622 (TZS23,303,700) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Serengeti National Park expensive to visit?
Serengeti National Park is a smaller destination that attracts a range of visitors, each with distinct travel styles, spending habits, and budgetary requirements. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
Serengeti National Park can definitely get expensive if you let it, but you have options to reduce costs, including looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $63 (TZS169,833) per day, mid-range travelers spend $144 (TZS388,395) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $277 (TZS743,425) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Serengeti National Park.
Within Africa, Serengeti National Park is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Tsavo National Park or Lake Nakuru.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Serengeti National Park Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Serengeti National Park?
The average Serengeti National Park trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Serengeti National Park travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Serengeti National Park cost?
Serengeti National Park on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$23
(TZS62,813)
|
$53
(TZS143,575)
|
$102
(TZS274,355)
|
|
Local Transportation1
|
$9
(TZS23,438)
|
$20
(TZS53,573)
|
$38
(TZS102,371)
|
|
Food2
|
$28
(TZS74,877)
|
$63
(TZS171,151)
|
$121
(TZS327,049)
|
|
Entertainment1
|
$22
(TZS58,594)
|
$50
(TZS133,932)
|
$95
(TZS255,928)
|
|
Alcohol2
|
$3-9
(TZS8,548-25,643)
|
$7-22
(TZS19,499-58,496)
|
$14-41
(TZS37,006-111,019)
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
When planning your trip to Serengeti National Park, it's important to have realistic expectations about your budget. Many believe they can travel on a shoestring, but that often leads to either uncomfortable travel experiences or some surprisingly high expenses. Consider your vacation style. Do you enjoy staying in hostels, resorts, regular hotels, or vacation rentals? Are attractions and dining experiences a priority? These factors will affect how much you spend and your itinerary.
Who Exactly is a Budget Traveler?
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $63 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Is Your Travel Style Average?
Couples and families on a fun trip will likely choose a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at popular dining spots, and visit significant museums and attractions that have entry fees. Most guests in Serengeti National Park will want to take in the essential attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. After all, most activities are not free. So, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be about $144 per person, per day.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If you're used to premier amenities and elevated service, prepare to spend about $277 per day. Choosing comfortable hotels, dining at award-winning establishments, indulging in extravagant excursions, and relying on taxis or private drivers to explore the destination will demand a higher price range.
Accommodation Budget in Serengeti National Park
The hotel prices in Serengeti National Park might surprise you. Some places charge much more for added luxury and amenities, especially during peak season. In the off-season, a room averages $, but during peak season, expect to pay around $. Prices vary from $ to $, but hostels are often cheaper. Booking in advance and traveling during the low season can help save you money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Serengeti National Park for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $106 (TZS287,150). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $53 (TZS143,575) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Serengeti National Park? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
By avoiding the peak season and traveling in the low or shoulder seasons, you will be rewarded with lower accommodation prices and fewer crowds.
Transportation Budget in Serengeti National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $20 (TZS53,573) per person, per day, on local transportation in Serengeti National Park. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Serengeti National Park is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$20
TZS53,573
The nearest international airport to the Serengeti is Kilimanjaro Airport, located near Arusha. Qatar Airways offers daily flights from Amsterdam and Doha, while Swiss Air will fly into Nairobi, Kenya, or Dar es Salaam, from where you can get a connecting flight to Arusha. There are a few additional international flights (like Turkish airlines to Istanbul), but most others are regional. From Arusha, the drive to Serengeti is about 6.5 hours to reach the park's main entrance at Naabi Hill Gate.
How much does it cost to go to Serengeti National Park? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Serengeti National Park will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Serengeti National Park
Cuisine is one of the main reasons people travel, so don't miss out on the local fare.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Serengeti National Park can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Serengeti National Park is $63 (TZS171,151) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$63
TZS171,151
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Serengeti National Park is around $64 (TZS171151) per person, with previous travelers spending from $28 to $122. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Serengeti National Park are as follows:
- Breakfast: $6 to $19
- Lunch: $10 to $25
- Dinner: $19 to $45
- Coffee: $5
- Fast Food or Street Food: $10
For visitors planning to visit the more remote areas of the park, it is best to stock up on food and beverages at the convenience store located at the Naabi Hill entrance gate. The main lodges in Central Serengeti typically have options for dining as well. Typical Tanzanian cuisine varies depending on the region, though one favorite includes mishkaki, or skewered meat, usually chicken or beef marinated in spices and tomato sauce, cooked on hot coals, and then served with hot chili and lime juice. Other favorites include roasted cashews, watermelon juice, and a variety of small sweet bananas.
Many accommodations feature breakfast in their rates, while some may charge additional fees for it. The cost and quality can vary significantly from one hotel to another. Knowing this information ahead of time helps you decide if you need to spend extra money. A tasty hotel buffet could be worth the expense, or a nearby bakery or cafe might offer a more affordable choice.
Choose to carry a water bottle instead of buying drinks all day. It's a good choice for the environment.
When planning a tour, don't forget to look into which meals are covered. You may be responsible for some of your own food, which could impact your budget significantly.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Serengeti National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Serengeti National Park typically cost an average of $50 (TZS133,932) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$50
TZS133,932
Serengeti National Park is best known for its wildlife population. It is home to the highest concentration of large mammals in the world-including, but not limited to, giraffes, elephants, wildebeests, hippos, and lions. There are populations of primates like bush babies and baboons, and over 500 species of birds including ostriches and flamingos. The park is especially popular during the Great Migration when over one million grazers, hoofed animals like zebra and wildebeest, make their way north as the rains change. A community of about 200 hippos can be spotted in the deep waters of the Retina Hippo Pool, while Moru Kopjes is home to Serengeti National Park’s only black rhino population. For those interested in the park’s ties to the indigenous Masai community, check out Gong Rock and the region’s famous Masai rock paintings located in Moru Kopjes.
As the main attraction of Serengeti National Park is its wildlife, most visitors book safaris to see the best of the landscape and its features. Park fees and permits to the park can be very expensive and so these are often included in the overall travel cost if booked with a travel agent. Generally, fees can be up to $60 US per person per day. The park is also a major draw for wildlife photographers, as well as those interested in birding. Another unique way to safari is via hot air balloon, where visitors can get great views of the Serengeti from above. Since many of the animals can be dangerous it is important not to venture off without a guide, especially at night.
Nightlife Budget in Serengeti National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $14 (TZS38,997) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Serengeti National Park per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$14
TZS38,997
Exploring the nightlife is often a fun part of any trip, but skipping a few drinks can make a big impact on your overall travel cost.
Travel cost data last updated: Mar 31, 2025
Traveling in Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Sprawling across 5,700 square miles of northern Tanzania in East Africa, Serengeti National Park makes up one of the oldest ecosystems in the world-one whose climate, vegetation, and fauna has barely changed over the past million years. Today the park is a major wildlife destination, especially during the Great Migration when over a million hoofed animals are on the move.
Neighborhoods & Around
Naabi Hill serves as Serengeti National Park’s main entrance, situated in Eastern Serengeti by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Visitors can pay their entrance fee here and stretch their legs along a walking trail that offers striking views and vistas of the Serengeti's landscape. Each area of Serengeti has its own unique features. The park is generally divided in North, Central, and South.
North Serengeti encompasses the Lobo Valley, where few species stay year-round. The animal population is at is smallest during wet season, so it is best to visit this part of the park in the dry season when millions of wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras travel north for the Great Migration. Typically this area is less frequented by tourists, though it is a more affordable location than the rest of the park during the migration season.
Central Serengeti is largely composed of the Seronera River Valley. Here visitors can experience the circle of life at its finest-a gathering spot of herbivores (wildebeest, zebras, elephants, giraffes, gazelles) as well as predators (lions, cheetahs, hyenas, leopards). There is also a population of hippos here at the Retina Hippo Pool. Most of the park's permanent lodges are located in Central Serengeti due to the abundance of wildlife that many come to see.
South Serengeti has bases on Lake Masak and Lake Lagarja. It is most popular from December to May, when species are most likely to be concentrated here depending on the rains. It is a great place to experience the lesser known areas of the park, away from the tourist bustle of Central Serengeti.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.