Self Drive Safari in Tanzania: Cost, Price & What You Need to Know in 2025-2026
Self-Drive Safari in Tanzania: Cost, Price & What You Need to Know in 2025
Are you thinking of exploring Tanzania behind the wheel? Maybe you are wondering about the cost of a Self-Drive Safari in Tanzania from 2025 to 2026. You’re not alone. Self-driving across Tanzania’s national parks, savannahs, and remote corners is fast becoming the ultimate way to experience East Africa’s wild beauty. Whether a seasoned overlander or a curious first-timer, driving yourself through Tanzania offers unmatched freedom, flexibility, and adventure.
This article discusses real costs, breakdowns, and everything you need to budget for a self-driving trip to Tanzania when this article was written in June 2025.
Why Choose a Self-Drive Safari in Tanzania?
- Ultimate Freedom: No fixed itineraries, no tour guides—just you, the open road, and raw nature. Explore hidden gems beyond mainstream tourist routes.
- Budget-Friendly Adventure: Self-driving can be significantly cheaper than guided safaris, especially for groups and long stays.
- Immersive Travel: Stop when you want, interact with locals, explore villages, and absorb Tanzanian culture first-hand.
- Custom Itineraries: Visit multiple parks at your own pace—from Serengeti and Ngorongoro to Ruaha and Selous.
- Off-the-Grid Experience: Perfect for overlanders looking for isolation, flexibility, and a wild journey.
Self-Drive Rental Costs in Tanzania (2025)
Prices vary based on vehicle type, duration, and route. Here’s a general guide:
| Vehicle Type | Price per Day (USD) |
|---|---|
| Toyota Land Cruiser Hardtop Without Rooftop Tent | $180 – $260 |
| Land Cruiser with Rooftop Tent | $200 – $260 |
| Budget SUV (e.g., RAV4, X-Trail) | $80 – $120 |
| Insurance | $10 – $20 |
| Camping Gear Add-on | $20 – $40 |
✅ Tip: SafariMasters.com offers fully equipped 4x4s with rooftop tents, GPS, recovery gear, fridges, and more.
Fuel Costs in Tanzania (2025)
Fuel prices in Tanzania are among the most affordable in East Africa, but they fluctuate monthly. Prices differ from location to location depending on how far it is from Tanzania’s coastline.
- Diesel (per liter): $1.20 – $1.40
- Petrol (per liter): $1.25 – $1.45
- Average fuel consumption on safari: 6–12 km/litre
For a 10-day safari covering ~1,800 km, you can expect to spend:
- Fuel Cost Estimate: $200 – $300 total
Park Fees & Conservation Costs
Each national park has entry fees and vehicle charges. The costs to enter national parks vary according to the season.
There are two charges to consider
- Park Entry Fees or Conservation Fees: These are fees collected by TANAPA to enter the national park. PEAK SEASON (16th May – 14th March), LOW SEASON (15th March – 15th May for Serengeti, Arusha, Selous, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire. The rest of the national Parks have the same rates throughout the year.
- Concession, or Camping Fees: These are charged for any night stay in the park. PEAK SEASON (July – September), LOW SEASON (October – June) for Serengeti, Arusha, Selous, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire. All other national parks in Tanzania have the same rates throughout the year.
Here’s an overview of major parks:
ENTRY OR CONSERVATION FEES FOR NON-EAST AFRICAN CITIZENS |
|||
| PARK NAME | LOW SEASON | HIGH SEASON | |
| SERENGETI & NYERERE | Adult 16yrs+ | 60 | 70 |
| Child 5 to 15yrs | 20 | 20 | |
| Child Below 5yrs | Free of Charge | Free of Charge | |
| LAKE MANYARA, TARANGIRE, and ARUSHA | Adult 16yrs+ | 45 | 50 |
| Child 5 to 15yrs | 15 | 15 | |
| Child Below 5yrs | Free of Charge | Free of Charge | |
CONSERVATION FOR OTHER NATIONAL PARKS JUNE to JULY |
|||
| KILIMANJARO | Adult 16yrs+ | 70 | |
| Child 5 to 15yrs | 20 | ||
| Child Below 5yrs | Free of Charge | ||
| KATATI, MIKUMI, UDZUNGWA, RUBONDO, MKOMAZI, KARAGWE, SAA NANE | Adult 16yrs+ | 30 | |
| Child 5 to 15yrs | 10 | ||
| Child Below 5yrs | Free of Charge | ||
| GOMBE | Adult 16yrs+ | 100 | |
| Child 5 to 15yrs | 20 | ||
| Child Below 5yrs | Free of Charge | ||
| MAHALE | Adult 16yrs+ | 80 | |
| Child 5 to 15yrs | 20 | ||
| Child Below 5yrs | Free of Charge | ||
| SPECIAL AND SEASONAL CAMPING SITES AND CONCESSION FEES | LOW SEASON (OCTOBER to JUNE) | HIGH SEASON(JULY to SEPTEMBER) | |
| KILIMANJARO | Adult 16yrs+ | 50 | 60 |
| Child 5 to 15yrs | 10 | 5 | |
| Child Below 5yrs | Free of Charge | Free of Charge | |
| ALL OTHER NATIONAL PARKS JULY TO JUNE | Adult 16yrs+ | 50 | 60 |
| Child 5 to 15yrs | 10 | 20 | |
| Child Below 5yrs | Free of Charge | Free of Charge | |
PUBLIC CAMPING INSIDE THE PARKS JUNE TO JULY |
|||
| KILIMANJARO | Adult 16yrs+ | 50 | |
| Child 5 to 15yrs | 10 | ||
| Child below 5yrs | Free of Charge | ||
| ALL OTHER NATIONAL PARKS | Adult 16yrs+ | 30 | |
| Child 5 to 15 years | 5 | ||
| Child Below 5 years | Free of Charge | ||
| VEHICLE ENTRANCE FEES | LOCAL OR TANZANIA REGISTERED IN TSH | FOREIGN REGISTERED | |
| Tare Weight up to 2000 kg | 20000 | 50 | Rav4s, X-Trail etc |
| Tare Weight 2001 – 3000 KGS | 50000 | 150 | Land Cruisers |
| Tare Weight 5001 – 7000 KGS | 75000 | 200 | |
🎫 Fees exclude VAT and TANAPA rates as of 2025 to June 2026. Subject to change. VAT amount is 18% for the Tanzania mainland
Accommodation Outside the National Parks
Self-drivers in Tanzania have multiple options:
🏕 Camping (public sites):
- $10 – $20 per person/night
⛺ Budget Lodges and Tented:
- $25 – $60 per person/night
- Usually include showers, meals (optional), and basic amenities.
🛌 Mid-Range Lodges:
- $15 – $250 per night
- Often include breakfast
We partner with select campsites and lodges offering discounts for self-drive clients—ask us when booking!
Food Costs During Self-Drive Safari
If you’re camping or self-catering:
- Cooking your meals: Easy with a gas stove or campsite kitchen. A budget for a day may cost around 5-15$ per person per day, if you consider catering for your own. There are supermarkets in all major towns, as well as fresh food markets where you can source your food before leaving for safari.
- Local restaurants (“Mama Ntilie” style): $2 – $6 per meal. Most serve local cuisine like wali maharage, nyama choma, chipsi mayai, etc
- Tourist restaurant meals: $10 – $25 per meal in major towns like Arusha, Moshi, Mto wa Mbu, or Dar es Salaam.
Extra Government Taxes & Hidden Costs
Besides park fees, expect:
- VAT (always ask if the price includes VAT): 18%
- Tourist Development Levy (lodges): $1.50 per person/night
Breakdown & Roadside Assistance
Breakdowns happen—but you’re covered.
- SafariMasters provides 24/7 roadside assistance
- Backup vehicle options are available in major towns (Arusha, Moshi, Dar)
- Recovery Insurance & Breakdown Coverage: Included in most rentals
Insurance Costs
All our vehicles come with:
- Third-party cover
- Comprehensive Insurance upgrade from $10/day
✔️ Covers collision, fire, or major accident with an excess of $1000 *Terms and Condition applies.
Airfare to Tanzania
Depending on your location and season:
- Europe to Kilimanjaro Int’l Airport: $650 – $1,500 return
- North America to Tanzania: $1,000 – $2,400 return
- Regional Flights (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda): $100 – $300
Optional/Extra Costs
- Border Crossings (if overlanding to Uganda, Kenya, etc.): ~$100 per vehicle
- Car Wash & Tips: $2 – $5
- Local SIM card & data: $5 – $15
- Bribery & Fines (Avoidable!): Drive legal, stay polite, and keep documents updated
Day-to-Day Budget Breakdown for Two People (Sample Mid-Budget Trip)
| Category | Cost/Day |
|---|---|
| 4×4 Rental | $220 |
| Fuel | $30 |
| Park Fees (avg) | $80 |
| Accommodation | $60 |
| Food & Water | $25 |
| Misc. (Tips, SIM) | $15 |
| Total Per Day | ~$430 |
🎒 Budget travelers can reduce this to ~$220 per person/day by camping and limiting park visits. Luxury travelers may spend $500+/day with lodges.
Ready to Explore Tanzania Your Way?
Tanzania is calling if you crave adventure, value flexibility, and love the idea of a wild road trip. Self-driving here isn’t just about saving money—it’s about unlocking experiences that group tours can’t offer.
We specialize in self-drive safari rentals—fully equipped, insured, and ready for anything. Whether you’re planning a 7-day Serengeti loop or a 30-day trans-Africa overland trip, we’re here to support every mile. Explore our fleet list.
🛻 Drive wild. Drive free. Drive Tanzania with SafariMasters.
📩 Contact us to plan your trip or reserve your self-driving vehicle today!