What makes a safari luxury in Tanzania

In Tanzania, luxury is less about gold taps and more about space, time and where you sleep. A luxury safari puts you in small lodges and tented camps inside the parks or right on their edge, so the first game drive starts soon after breakfast instead of after an hour on the road. Rooms are large, many have their own deck facing the bush, and meals are cooked at the camp.

Our luxury trips share a few things, though the details change from trip to trip, so read the "Included" list on each one:

  • On most road safaris, a private 4×4 Land Cruiser and your own guide, so you set the pace and choose when to stop.
  • Lodges and tented camps of a high standard, described day by day in the itinerary.
  • Meals as listed, and on many trips local drinks with them.
  • Park and conservation area fees and government taxes.

Fly-in or by road

The central Serengeti is most of a day's drive from Arusha. Several of our luxury safaris replace that drive with a light-aircraft flight to an airstrip inside the park, such as Seronera in the centre or Kogatende near the Mara River in the far north, so the hours go on wildlife rather than the road. Light aircraft take soft bags with a weight limit per person; the limit depends on the airline, and we confirm it with your booking.

Going by road has its own rewards. You watch the country change from Rift Valley farmland to the Ngorongoro highlands, some routes stop at Olduvai Gorge, and you keep the same guide from start to finish. Our shorter luxury safaris by road suit you if time is tight and a few longer drives do not put you off.

When to go

The season shapes both the wildlife and the price. Our prices follow three seasons:

  • Low season, 1 March to 31 May: the long rains. Some seasonal camps close, and the rest cost the least.
  • High season, 1 November to 20 December and 6 January to the end of February: green plains and the calving season in the southern Serengeti.
  • Peak season, 1 June to 31 October and 21 December to 5 January: dry weather, animals gathered near water, and the busiest camps.

If the wildebeest migration is the point of your trip, time it with care. The herds are usually on the southern plains around Ndutu from about January to March, when the calves are born, and in the northern Serengeti near the Mara River from about July to October. They follow the rain, so no date is certain, but a fly-in safari to the right part of the park gives you the best chance.

Choosing your luxury safari

  • Short on time: two to five days by road from Arusha, taking in Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.
  • The migration: a fly-in trip to the central or northern Serengeti, timed to the season.
  • Safari and beach: finish with nights on Zanzibar; these trips are in the second list above.
  • Honeymoon: several luxury trips are honeymoon itineraries. See our honeymoon safaris.

Every price on this page is per person and comes from that trip's own seasonal price table. Use the When and Travelers boxes at the top to see the price for your month and group. If you want something different, such as more nights, another camp or a beach extension, we can tailor a luxury safari around you.

How much does a luxury safari in Tanzania cost?

It depends on the length of the trip, the season, how many of you travel and whether you fly between parks. Every trip on this page shows its "from" price per person, and the When and Travelers boxes at the top price each one for your dates and group. Fly-in safaris cost more than road safaris because of the flights and the more remote camps.

Do we get a private vehicle and guide?

On most of our luxury road safaris, yes: you have your own 4×4 Land Cruiser and guide. Some fly-in trips use the camp's open-sided vehicles for game drives instead. Each trip's "Included" list says which.

Can we add a hot air balloon flight?

Yes. Some luxury trips include a sunrise balloon flight over the Serengeti, others offer it as an option, and you can add the Serengeti balloon flight to most itineraries that stay in the park.

What is the best time for a luxury safari?

June to October is dry, with animals gathered near water, and is our peak season. January to March is calving time in the southern Serengeti. March to May brings the long rains and the lowest prices, though some seasonal camps close.

Can you change a luxury itinerary?

Yes. Any trip here can be adjusted: more nights, a different camp, a balloon flight or a beach extension. Tell us what you have in mind on the tailor-made safari page.