Tanzania is East Africa's premier safari destination, home to the legendary Serengeti plains, Africa's highest peak Mount Kilimanjaro, and the pristine beaches of Zanzibar. Experience the Great Migration, explore ancient Stone Town, and discover incredible wildlife diversity.
Local currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Tanzania.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $12-25
- Budget
- $40-70
- Midrange
- $100-200
- Luxury
- $400+
Food
- Street
- $1-3
- Local
- $5-10
- Midrange
- $15-30
- Fine
- $50+
Transport
- Dalla Dalla
- $0.30-0.50
- Taxi
- $10-20
- Airport
- $25-35 (Dar)
- Daytrip
- $20-40
Activities
- National Park
- $70/day (Serengeti)
- Museum
- $3-10
- Tour
- $30-60
- Zanzibar Ferry
- $40 one-way
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Tanzania costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$350/week
Midrange traveller
$900/week
Luxury traveller
$3,000+/week
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Travel during the low season (March-May, November) for 30-50% lower accommodation rates. Wildlife is still present in parks and beaches are quieter.
Eat at local Tanzanian restaurants (hotelis) rather than tourist restaurants for meals under $3. Ugali, pilau, and chapati fill you up cheaply.
Book Kilimanjaro treks directly with Arusha-based operators rather than through international tour companies to save 20-40%.
Use dalla-dalla minibuses for local transport in Dar es Salaam and Stone Town for under $0.50 per ride instead of taxis.
Ferry to Zanzibar is $35-40 (2 hours) - far cheaper than flying ($80-120). Book at the Dar ferry terminal directly to avoid commission.
Self-catering in Zanzibar beach guesthouses with kitchen access can reduce food costs significantly - buy fish and produce at Darajani Market.
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Stone Town Walking
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage alleys of Stone Town for free. The carved doors, Old Fort, and harbour views cost nothing. Join a self-guided walk using a downloaded map.
Forodhani Gardens
Zanzibar's public waterfront park in Stone Town is free to enter and makes an excellent sunset picnic spot with Indian Ocean views.
Dar es Salaam Waterfront Walk
The Kivukoni waterfront in Dar es Salaam is a pleasant free walk with harbour views, fishing boats, and the famous Dar fish market nearby.
Kariakoo Market Browsing
Explore Tanzania's largest market for free. A vibrant sensory experience with no entry charge and a chance to see authentic everyday Tanzanian life.
Nungwi Beach Sunset
Zanzibar's most beautiful sunsets are visible for free from Nungwi and Kendwa beaches. Watch dhow silhouettes against the orange sky.
Arusha Clock Tower Area
The centre of Arusha around the famous clock tower is a free atmospheric area to explore with street vendors, urban life, and Mount Meru backdrop.
Jozani Forest Viewpoints
The free areas around Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park periphery offer access to red colobus monkey territories before you reach the paid entrance.
Village Cultural Walks, Lushoto
The Usambara Mountains around Lushoto are ideal for free walks through terraced farmland and traditional Sambaa villages with remarkable views.