I want to share the economics of a budget safari in Tanzania because the price range is enormous and knowing where to look makes a real difference.

The high end: private lodge safaris in the Serengeti run $500-1,000+ per person per night and are genuinely extraordinary. The low end I actually used: a budget camping safari from Arusha covering 5 days in Tarangire, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater for $480 total including park fees, camping, a cook, and a vehicle.

How to find this: show up in Arusha. Don't book online. The in-person negotiation market in Arusha for safari operators is competitive and you can often find a group to join for the shared vehicle rate. Walk the blocks near the central market and get 4-5 quotes. The operators who approach you at the bus station are not the right ones.

Park fees are the non-negotiable cost: Serengeti is $70/day per person, Ngorongoro is $80/day. On a 5-day itinerary with 3 parks, fees alone are $300-400. Any budget quote that seems too low to include fees is hiding them.

The Ngorongoro Crater is worth whatever it costs. I've seen a lot of wildlife in a lot of places and nothing compares to the density and variety of animals in the crater floor at dawn.