The beautiful landscapes and rare animals are some of the things that make Tanzania be on the map.
People visiting this breath-taking nation may choose among a wide range of activities; for example, they could go to Serengeti National Park and see lions for themselves during their game drive or take a tour up Mount Kilimanjaro.
However, like in planning every trip, one has to consider how much he can afford to pay for transportation. In this article, we have compiled important information on costs in Tanzania to ensure that you are well-prepared financially and hence make your trip affordable.
1. Currency and Exchange Rates
At the time of writing, 1 US dollar exchanged for 2700 Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) which is the official money in Tanzania.
To avoid any complications on your trip, make a point of knowing this exchange rate and its implications on pricing and costs of various commodities in the country you intend to visit beforehand.
2. Accommodation
Accommodation is one important factor to consider when calculating travel expenses.
In Tanzania, there are different types of accommodation which may include the cheap rated hostels and the very expensive lodge or hotel property serving all classes. It will depend on where you want to stay as well as when you are planning your trip.
For example, a single night accommodation in either Zanzibar or Serengeti National Park would cost a fortune during the months of June through October. It may reach up to $1000 or be as low as $200 per night.
Nevertheless, one can get cheap accommodation at prices beginning from $50 up to $100 dollars especially in other months which are not part of the peak season for vacation (April, May, November), as well as when they are out of these well-liked tourist spots.
3. Food
In Tanzania, the cooking is a blend of Indian, Arab and local African food with many different flavors.
The best way to taste a variety of dishes at low prices is by buying street food. Plan on paying around $3-5 USD for individual portions of street food.
In case you opt for eating out during your journey, anticipate the cost to be a little higher with prices ranging between $10 and $20 for every meal in American currency.
4. Transportation
Image source: adventuremakers.co.tz
In comparison to other countries, it is relatively cheap to travel within Tanzania.
Although the taxis are plentiful, they are expensive and you have to negotiate for prices in advance or else pay through your nose. If you want an easy means that is cost-effective, then you should consider downloading Uber or Bolt app.
Even though you can still get domestic flights within Tanzania, they are costly compared to taking a bus or train; on the flip side, they could be a time saver especially when traveling to far off places with poor road connections and one would have had to drive for long hours.
5. Activities
Undoubtedly, the most exciting part of visiting Tanzania is the game drives one takes within some of its national parks at a cost range of approximately $300 to $500 and which are inclusive of everything from accommodation, meals, park fees as well as guide service.
During these safaris, tourists will be able to see a lot of animals including the Big five; lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalos among other interesting species like giraffes, zebras or cheetahs.
Even people with a love for nature and adventure can still enjoy themselves either climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or going to the breathtaking beaches in Zanzibar for around $150 to $180.
Also, one can incur an extra cost while in Zanzibar for snorkeling ($30-50) or scuba diving ($50-100).
6. Visa Fees
It is important to remember that every visitor planning to go to Tanzania must first get a visa.
For many nationals, they can secure a single journey visiting pass at $100 which may be acquired once one gets at the airport or through the internet.
7. Suggested Budget
To be safe on cash but still have a comfortable tour with a mid-range budget, we advise that you plan for $50-$100 every day without counting the money for flying out of your country.
This includes all the meals and accommodation expenses. Nonetheless, people who want very high-class services should estimate about $200-$300 every day.
8. 5 Tips for Saving Money
1. Book in Advance
To save a lot of money, it is important that one books flights and places to stay earlier enough.
At least three to four months before you travel, is the perfect time for finding cheap flights when you book them in advance.
2. Choose budget-friendly accommodations
There are different types of places where one can stay in Tanzania ranging from very expensive hotels to cheap hostels.
If you want to spend reasonably, think about sleeping over at somebody’s place or guest room.
3. Eat like a local
For anyone wishing to fully appreciate a given culture, it is recommended that they try the local dishes.
Taking food at the same place with Tanzanians will provide the real Tanzanian taste and it will not cost you much.
4. Use public transportation
Using public transport such as buses or shared taxis in Tanzania will cut off some costs from your budget; otherwise, if you opt for a taxi or chauffeured trip, you will end up spending more.
5. Bargain when shopping
When shopping in local markets and from street vendors, never shy away from haggling.
By doing this, you will not just cut down on the cost but also turn the whole shopping process into some kind of interesting game with involvement of other people too.
Concluding Thoughts
To conclude, think about going on a trip in the off-peak season (March-May) when hotels and tour costs are cheaper. By doing this you will have an opportunity to see the real Tanzania without many people disturbing their popular tourism destination visits.
By making a good plan and being disciplined enough with the budget, one can travel to Tanzania and still have a great time which is not very expensive.
Therefore, pack up everything you need for the trip, take photos along the way and prepare yourself to enter an amazing world for some days in a unique and stunning land from where you will carry enough stories about everything!
