Cost of Travel in Tanzania
In this guide, we list the average costs for hotels, food and drinks in Tanzania serving as a guideline for planning your daily travel budget. Tanzania is not a low-budget destination, but it is surely possible to enjoy a Tanzania safari on a smaller budget by following our top money-saving tips for visiting Tanzania.
Tanzania is a cash-based economy. Although park entrance permits are paid by credit card, all other expenses during your travels in Tanzania are mostly paid in cash. You can withdraw money with your Visa card at the ATMs of all banks. However, we strongly recommend bringing additional Euros and US Dollars with you in cash for unforeseen things.
The costs of Travel in Tanzania: A Budget Breakdown
The cost of a litre of petrol fluctuates. The best thing is to Google for the most up-to-date fuel price.
Eating out in Tanzania is cheap. A three-course meal at a lodge inside a safari park is more expensive; expect to pay around 15-25 pp. A 10% tip is considered high but received with gratitude. If you're happy with the service, please be generous. Tips are equally shared among all staff at most places.
When staying at a lodge inside a national park the price category is roughly the following:
- Budget: up to USD 150 for a double room (BB)
- Mid-range: up to USD 400 for a double room (BB)
- High-end: beyond USD 400 (Full Board)
Accommodation prices are much lower when staying outside of the safari parks. There are plenty of budget and mid-range guesthouses and hotels outside of the national parks at a much lower rate.
For an overview of the entrance fees of Tanzania's National Parks, we refer you to the National Parks guide section of this website.
Money-saving tips to visit Tanzania on a budget
It’s easy to spend thousands of dollars when travelling to Tanzania– but did you know that Tanzania is easy to visit on a budget as well? With some planning and preparation, you can have a fun and comfortable road trip while limiting your spending. Here are our top money-saving tips for visiting Tanzania on a budget.
Budget tip #1. Go camping in Tanzania
Camping is a great way to save on accommodation costs. If you stay at a campground outside of the protected areas, it can cost as little as $5/night. Almost every campsite is plotted and reviewed in the free app iOverlander.
Budget tip #2. Rent a Suzuki
Renting a Suzuki is much cheaper than renting a Landcruiser. Do note that the Suzuki is not geared to travel to every terrain in Tanzania. Consult the restrictions here.
Budget tip #3. Don't visit too many national parks
Visiting multiple national parks in Tanzania can significantly increase your travel expenses due to entrance fees. However, there is more natural beauty to discover in Tanzania beyond the well-known safari parks. The Usambara and Udzungwa Mountains are very scenic and great low-budget destinations. Also, travelling along the Tanzanian coastline is cheaper than staying in Zanzibar.
Budget tip #4. Skip the Ngorongoro Crater
Gasp! Did we really just say that? It might sound crazy, but yes, it’s okay to skip the Ngorongoro Crater. Many other top premier parks in Tanzania, such as Tarangire National Park, also offer superb wildlife viewing.
Budget tip #5. Eat local
Eating in at your upmarket lodge or beach resort is considerably more expensive than eating out at a ( local) restaurant. If you plan to cook yourself on your camping trip in Tanzania, remember to buy your groceries at the market instead of going to the Western supermarket, where prices can be even higher than back home.
Budget tip # 6. Visit Tanzania in the low season.
Consider visiting Tanzania in the low season! From March to May, hotel rates drop 25-50%, and Roadtrip Africa's car rental rates are also lower.
Best way to handle money on your travels in Tanzania
Tanzania's park entrance permits are paid by credit card, but all other expenses during your travels in Tanzania are mostly paid for in cash. Also, fuel is paid in cash.
Most restaurants, lodges or campsites do not accept foreign debit cards. Paying with foreign credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) is possible, but only at the more upmarket hotels and restaurants.
ATMs are available in the bigger towns in Tanzania. Stanbic Bank, Standard Chartered, Barclays and CRDB are your most reliable banks, accepting Maestro, MasterCard and Visa. Bring additional cards, as the daily uptake with a foreign card is limited at ATMs in Tanzania.
Tanzania is a cash economy. We strongly recommend bringing some additional Euros or US Dollars with you in cash for unforeseen things. This can easily be changed to Tanzanian Shillings at any Forex Bureau in most provincial towns.
