Private Tanzania Safaris: Your Own Vehicle, Guide and Schedule

What is a private Tanzania safari?

You have your own 4WD Land Cruiser and driver-guide, shared only with your own group. You choose your dates, and you can change the day's plan with your guide. You stay at the camps or lodges that suit your budget, and nothing depends on other travelers' interests.

Why a private safari is worth it

You set the pace

Photographers can wait for the light, and children can stop when they get restless.

Everyone gets a good view

With only your group on board, you have space to move around and see out of both sides.

Your guide works for you

Tell your guide what you care about, whether that is big cats, birds or simply a quiet morning, and they will plan around it.

How much does a private Tanzania safari cost?

Because the vehicle cost is shared within your group, the price per person falls as your group grows. Our prices already reflect private travel. Here is a typical example.

These are prices for our 5-day safari. All of our trips start from $1,295 per person at mid-range level with two sharing.

Our private Tanzania safaris

Private or shared safari: how to decide

Choose private if you can share with family or friends, or if time and flexibility matter to you. If you are traveling alone on a tight budget, a shared safari can cost less, although you give up control of the schedule.

Your guide on a private Tanzania safari

Your driver-guide is with you from the first morning to the last drive, and much of what you see depends on them. Our guides have worked on Tanzania tours for 7 years. They are graduates of the College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka, and the National College of Tourism, and they hold certification from those institutions.

Planning your private Tanzania safari

June to October is the most reliable time for wildlife, and January to March brings calving in the south. See our best time guide and our packing list. See a travel clinic six to eight weeks before you leave. Malaria is a risk in the safari parks, so ask about tablets and bring repellent. Travel insurance is not included, and we strongly recommend a policy that covers medical care and evacuation.

Tips are not included in the price, and they are appreciated. Common guidance is about $15 to $25 per traveler per day for your guide, or about $40 to $50 per vehicle per day on a private safari, plus about $10 to $15 per guest per night for camp and lodge staff.

What a day on a private Tanzania safari looks like

Your day starts when you want it to. Most people choose to leave before sunrise, because predators are active and the light is soft, but on a private safari that is your decision. You might take a picnic breakfast so that you can stay out longer, or come back to camp for a proper meal and a rest. If you find a cheetah with cubs at ten o'clock, you can stay until she moves.

The afternoon works the same way. Some travelers go out again at about four, and others skip a drive and enjoy the camp. On a shared trip, one person's wish to move on can decide things for everyone. Here, you and your guide simply talk it through.

Who gets the most from a private Tanzania safari

Families

Children's energy does not follow a timetable. Being able to stop early, or to take a long lunch, can change the whole trip.

Photographers

You can wait for the light, position the vehicle thoughtfully and keep your gear on the empty seats.

Couples

You have time to yourselves, and you can plan a sundowner or a picnic with your guide.

Groups of friends

Four to six people sharing a vehicle often pay close to shared-safari prices, with none of the compromises.

Older travelers

You can choose shorter drives and more rest, and avoid the rush to the next stop.

How to customize your private safari

Because nothing depends on other travelers, you can shape almost any part of the trip. You can start in Moshi or Arusha, spend an extra night where you are happiest, choose one or two special camps, add a Serengeti balloon flight, or finish on Zanzibar. You can also combine your safari with a Kilimanjaro climb or a day trip from Moshi. Tell us what matters most, and we will build the quote around it.

What to ask before you book a private safari

1. Will the vehicle and guide be mine alone for the whole trip?
2. Does the vehicle have a pop-up roof, and how many seats does it have?
3. Are all park fees and the crater fee included?
4. Which camps or lodges will I stay in, and are they inside or outside the parks?
5. Can my guide change the daily plan if we find something special?

Reliable companies will answer these directly. Our answers are in your written quote.

What to look for in a private safari vehicle

Your vehicle is your home for the whole safari. A good one has a pop-up roof for viewing and photos, a window seat for everyone, a cool box for drinks and enough room for your bags and cameras. Charging points are useful, but they are not universal. Ask how many people the vehicle carries and how many seats will be empty. Our safaris use 4WD Land Cruisers with a pop-up roof, clear windows for wildlife viewing and comfortable seats. A vehicle full of people, even friends, is less comfortable than one with room to spare.

How to reduce the cost of a private safari

Traveling with more people is the most effective way, since the vehicle cost is shared. Choosing a shorter trip with fewer parks also helps, as does traveling outside the busiest months, when lodging can cost less. If you are on your own, consider asking us about a shared safari, or see whether a short private trip suits you better. We will gladly compare prices for you.

Combining your private safari with other experiences

A private safari is easy to combine with other activities, because you are not tied to anyone else's schedule. You could arrive early for a Materuni Waterfalls day trip near Moshi, stay a night with views of Kilimanjaro, climb the mountain first, or fly on to Zanzibar. You can also add a Maasai village visit, a coffee tour or a balloon flight. Tell us your interests, and we will build these into your trip.

A sample 7-day private safari

A private trip can follow any route, but this is a good place to start. Spend two nights in Tarangire among the elephants, then one at Lake Manyara. Three nights in the Serengeti give your guide the freedom to follow the wildlife, and the crater makes a fine last day before you return to Moshi. If you would like a slower pace, drop Lake Manyara and add a night somewhere else. Our 7-day safari has the full details.

Common mistakes when booking a private safari

• Assuming private means expensive. For a group of four to six, it can cost about the same as sharing.
• Packing the schedule too tightly. The point of going private is having time, so leave some.
• Not telling your guide what you want. They can only plan around interests they know about.
• Not checking the vehicle details. Ask about the seats and the roof before you book.

Private Tanzania safaris: your questions answered

Is a private safari right for you?

If you are traveling with others, it usually is. Send us your group size and dates, and we will show you the price.