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Lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo. In times gone by, hunters ranked African animals as to how dangerous they were and how difficult to hunt on foot. Happily, these magnificent creatures are now celebrated by guests excited to capture them on camera, rather than returning with their head on top of the safari vehicle!
There are some exceptional Tanzania Safaris that will offer you opportunities of seeing the Big 5 in just a few days. For the best chance, we would recommend a safari that includes Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, for example (6-Day Highlights Tanzania Safari). You will almost definitely see lions, elephant and buffalo in the Serengeti. Leopards are harder to spot. There are Black Rhinos in the Serengeti, but your best chance of seeing the Black Rhino is in Ngorongoro Crater.
A Tanzania Safari is a lifelong dream for many people and those privileged to experience this are never the same again. If you are reading this, it could be one of the first steps in making your dream a reality. But how much is it going to cost?
The costs involved in a Tanzanian Safari vary hugely, but it is not going to be cheap. Tanzanian Safaris are a significant investment.
The nature of Safaris can be quite adventurous and Lion King’s number one priority at all times is your safety. This requires significant financial investment, including our staff and fleet of vehicles. Lion King is a local, family owned Tour Operator and all our staff have become extended family members.
If you find a safari price that is significantly lower than others, something (or someone) is undoubtedly being compromised.
Approximate Daily costs of doing a Tanzania Safari
Type of Safari | Cost (per person per day) |
Basic Camping (in tents on the ground) | U$D 200 |
Mid-range (lodges and tented camps) | U$D 350 |
Luxury (lodges and tented camps) | U$D 500 |
The above information gives you a rough idea of the costs involved e.g. a 5 day Mid-Range Safari will cost you somewhere in the region of 5 x U$D 350 = U$D 1,750 per person.
At Lion King, we are honest and transparent about our pricing. We feel it’s important for you to understand how we arrive at the final price and the different factors that can influence this.
If you would like to learn more please read our blog How much does a safari cost in Tanzania?
When visiting the Serengeti, the majority of our guests stay inside the Park. Accommodation is more expensive inside the Serengeti than other Parks, so the best way to keep the costs low is to do one of our basic camping safaris. Guests sleep in small private tents in designated campsites inside the Park. Our safari crew sets up the camp every evening and prepares all your meals. Facilities at the campsites are basic. They include shared washrooms and showers. tides. Smooth beaches and white sand make for dazzling days in the sun. Here the beaches are much busier. There are a large number of guest houses, bars, shops and restaurants. The setting and the beaches are beautiful, but it lacks the tranquility of other parts of the island.
The South-West Coast has fewer places to stay and some of the island’s finest marine experiences. The South-West doesn’t have the iconic stretches of powder sand beaches, but visitor numbers are lower.
The Serengeti is an ecosystem in Africa that spans 14,760 km² (5,700 square miles). It is immense. The park is rich with wildlife including over 4,000 lions, 1,000 leopards, 550 cheetahs and over 500 species of birds.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the Serengeti, due to its impressive size and changing patterns of the Migration.
The following information should help you plan when you might like to come to the Serengeti and how many days you should spend there. Please do discuss with your Lion King Tour Consultant for further information.
Month | Days? | Location of migration | Additional Info
|
Jan | 3 | Southern / Ndutu | Late January / early February is the best time to see the Wildebeest calving |
Feb | 3 | ||
March | 3 | ‘Long rains’
| |
April | 3 | Central / Western Corridor | |
May | 3 | ||
June | 3 | Best chance of seeing the migration cross the Grumeti River in the Western Corridor
| |
July | 3 | Western Corridor | |
Aug | 4 | North / Central | Best chance of seeing the migration crossing the Mara River in the Northern Serengeti |
Sep | 4 | ||
Oct | 3 |
| |
Nov | 3 | Central / Southern & Ndutu | ‘Short rains’ |
Dec | 3 |
Please note, the drive from Arusha to the Southern Serengeti is at least 6 hours. The Serengeti is enormous, so distances and drive times can be significant. It is also possible to fly in and out of the Serengeti using light aircraft. Example flights include Arusha (ARK) to Serona (SEU) which takes approximately 90 minutes.
Typically, our guests visit the Serengeti as well as other National Parks in Tanzania (Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater).
Yes, yes and yes! The Serengeti is spectacular. If you are coming to Tanzania, you MUST visit the Serengeti. Everyone who returns from the Serengeti has eyes the size of saucers, wide grins and unique tales to tell.
Here are our favourite reasons you should visit the Serengeti:
1. Incredible Wilderness. ‘Serengeti’ is derived from Maa (the language of the Maasai people) and means ‘Endless Plains’. In today’s world, it is nearly impossible to be alone. Whilst you will encounter other guests, there will be many opportunities throughout your visit when you feel truly alone in nature. The Serengeti is a feast for your senses and touches your heart.
2. Wildlife. The Serengeti is famous for its predators. You can expect excellent lion and cheetah sightings (and exciting lion kills), and leopards can also be spotted. For birders, there are more than 500 species in the park, including a few Tanzanian endemic species, such as Fischer’s lovebird and rufous-tailed weaver. Every game drive will be different and you will return full of wonder.
3. Accommodation. The majority of our guests stay inside the Serengeti National Park, inside Tented Camps. The Camps provide many of the comforts of a lodge within private, spacious canvas tents. The appeal of these camps and ‘safari tents’ is that you can experience sleeping under canvas in the wilderness, whilst still maintaining a high level of comfort.
4. The Great Migration: Whilst the Serengeti boasts abundant wildlife, it is perhaps best known for the annual Great Migration. Vast numbers of wildebeest, zebra and antelope move in an annual pattern, constantly seeking fresh grazing. This mass movement of animals is accompanied by predators picking off their kills, while the dangerous crossings of the mighty Mara River make for dramatic scenes of struggle and survival as animals battle strong current and attacks by enormous Nile crocodiles.
