Last updated 12 August 2026 · 12 min read
Tanzanian safari accommodation falls into four types. The difference in price between the cheapest and the most expensive is roughly six times, and none of it changes the wildlife you see.
The four types
| Type | Per person per night | What you get | Bathroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public campsite | USD 41 fee plus crew costs | Dome tents, mattresses, our chef cooking, shared facilities | Shared blocks |
| Mobile / semi-permanent tented camp | USD 250 to 500 | Walk-in canvas tent, real bed, moves with the migration | Private, bucket or flush |
| Tented lodge | USD 350 to 650 | Permanent canvas suites on decks, restaurant, sometimes a pool | Private, en suite |
| Luxury lodge | USD 700 to 1,500 | Suites, views, spa, fine dining | Private, en suite |
Inside the park or outside it?
Staying inside the park costs a concession fee of USD 60 to 71 per person per night. It also buys you the first and last light of the day, which is when the cats hunt. Staying outside the park in Karatu or near the Tarangire gate is cheaper but adds 45 to 90 minutes of driving at each end of the day.
Our rule: inside the park in the Serengeti, outside or on the rim at Ngorongoro, either at Tarangire.
Properties we actually book, by area
| Area | Properties we use |
|---|---|
| Central Serengeti | Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Serengeti Sametu Camp, Lala Salama Serengeti, Seronera public campsite |
| Northern Serengeti and Ndutu | Safari Haven Migration Camp, Masek Tented Lodge |
| Ngorongoro crater rim | Lion's Paw, Simba public campsite |
| Karatu and highlands | Moonbow Lodge, Acacia Farm Lodge, Marera Valley |
| Tarangire | Elephant Springs, Tarangire Simba Lodge, Fig Tree Lodge & Camp |
| Lake Eyasi | The Retreat at Lake Eyasi |
| Arusha and Moshi | Kibo Palace, Forest Hill Hotel, Siri Safari lodges |
Our accommodation pages list every property that appears in our itineraries, with photos.
Is a tented camp safe?
Yes. Camps are unfenced by design, which is why they feel wild, and every camp has askari escorts who walk you to your tent after dark. The rules are simple: do not walk alone at night, zip the tent, do not keep food inside. In fifteen years of operating we have never had an incident involving a guest and an animal in camp.
Choosing by traveller
- First safari, mid-range budget: tented lodges inside the park. Best value in Tanzania. - Honeymoon: Lion's Paw for the crater and a luxury tented camp in the Serengeti. - Family: lodges with family rooms and a pool, plus shorter drives. - Photographers: mobile camps positioned with the herds, which cuts an hour off the drive to the action. - Budget: public campsites with our own crew. You sleep on a mattress in a tent and eat better than you expect.
“Guests worry about the tent. Then they arrive, find a real bed, hot water and a proper bathroom, and the only thing they talk about at breakfast is the hyena they heard at two in the morning.”
Ready to turn this into a trip?
FAQ
What is a tented camp in Tanzania?+
A permanent or semi-permanent canvas tent on a raised deck with a real bed, en suite bathroom and hot water. It is closer to a hotel room made of canvas than to camping.
Is it better to stay inside the Serengeti or outside?+
Inside, in almost every case. The concession fee of USD 60 to 71 per person per night buys you dawn and dusk in the park, which is when predators are active.
How much does safari accommodation cost in Tanzania?+
Roughly USD 41 per person per night for public campsites, USD 250 to 500 for tented camps, USD 350 to 650 for tented lodges and USD 700 to 1,500 for luxury lodges.
Are safari camps safe at night?+
Yes. Camps are unfenced but staffed by askari who escort guests to and from their tents after dark. Follow the camp's rules and you are safe.
Do safari lodges have wifi and electricity?+
Most lodges and tented lodges have wifi in the main area and 24-hour power. Remote mobile camps often run solar with charging in the mess tent and limited or no wifi.
Can lodges cater for dietary requirements?+
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free and allergy requirements are standard, as long as we tell the camp in advance.
