What To Consider When Planning A Luxury Safari In Tanzania
A luxury safari sounds like an oxymoron.
Far from it.
Why do a luxury safari?
For many people, a safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and for good reason. First, there’s the travel involved. You’ll get slammed with jetlag, expensive flights, and a time-consuming drive to the national park.
Second, even the cheapest safaris can break the bank. Dirt cheap operators cost $100 per day—and you’ll get little for that. You’ll get crammed in a bus, where your view is limited. You’ll camp on the floor and in a sleeping bag. Food and expensive park fees are all extra.
Because safaris are such expensive affairs, it seems paradoxical to double down and increase your costs. However, it’s precisely because safaris are such a big production that it’s a good time to splurge. Why cut corners when it’s a once-in-lifetime experience?
How much does a luxury safari cost?
Luxury safaris start at $500 per day per person. This will include everything from the airport pickup, luxury accommodations, park fees, three tasty meals per day, a private 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, a naturalist, and a driver.
Like anything, it’s easy to spend much more, especially on lodging. For example, you can stay at fancy camps for over $1,000 per person, per night. Most luxury tour operators will happily customize your trip according to your budget.
Check our Recommended Tanzania Luxury Safaris
Where to go?
At least 20 African countries give you an option to go on a safari. However, only a few have the infrastructure to take you on a luxury safari. The usual suspects are Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. Other reliable options are Botswana, Uganda, and Namibia.
Today, we’ll focus on Tanzania.
Most tourists flock to the following national parks in northern Tanzania:
- Tarangire
- Manyara
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Serengeti
- Arusha National Park
They go there for good reason: they’re amazing.
Don't tell anyone I told you this but because most tourists crowd into northern Tanzania, southern Tanzania is an oasis of calm. What few people know is that the wildlife is southern Tanzania is as remarkable as the north. Your best bets in southern Tanzania are:
- Mikumi
- Selous Game Reserve
- Udzungwa and Uluguru Mountains
- Ruaha National Park
When should you NOT go on a Tanzanian safari?
In northern Tanzania claim to fame is the Great Migration. It would be a shame to miss it. August to November is the worse time to go to northern Tanzania because it’s when the Great Migration is in Kenya. These dates aren’t guaranteed but it’s a good guideline.
The worse time to go to southern Tanzania is March to June when it’s the rainy season.
On the other hand, going on the offseason has benefits of low prices and few tourists.
Whether you splurge on a luxury safari or not, an African safari should be on your bucket list. Just like safari’s aren’t like they were during Hemingway’s time, they won’t be the same in 2050. So go now.
