Ever found yourself lost in a maze of confusing online information about Tanzania’s national parks? We noticed that there is a lot of old data out there regarding fees, permits and practical information which might guide you in the wrong direction.
To shed some light on the situation, we have compiled the necessary information about the current state of Tanzania’s most popular parks, such as the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Natron. Ready to dive in? Enjoy the read and start planning your self-drive in Tanzania!
This article focuses mainly on Tanzania’s parks’ fees and permits. If you’re looking for more activity-based information, we recommend that you call us via WhatsApp +255 786 898 045Â instead.
- National Park fees for TANAPA
- National Park fees for Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- National Park fees for Lake Natron
- Lake Eyasi Community Fees
- National Park fees for TANAPA
Most of Tanzania’s protected areas, except for the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Natron, are managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). The most visited TANAPA parks in the northern circuit are Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Serengeti, while in the southern circuit, Mikumi, Ruaha, Udzungwa and Nyerere.Â
When exploring Tanzania during a self-drive trip, there is no need to book your TANAPA permits in advance. TANAPA doesn’t apply a maximum limit on the number of visitors, so there’s no need to worry about gate denials. Simply pay for permits using a credit card (Visa or Mastercard) at the entrance gate. Note that cash and debit cards are not accepted.
These are the average TANAPA conservation entry fees:Â
Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Nyerere National Park:Â USD 82.60
Gombe Stream:Â USD 118
Mahale:Â USD 94.40
Arusha, Tarangire and Lake Manyara:Â USD 59
Mikumi, Ruaha, Rubondo Island, Saadani, Mkomazi, Udzungwa Mountains, Katavi:Â USD 35.40
Fees are quoted per person, including VAT, for your convenience. Tanzania charges VAT separately, so prices may appear different from those listed online. Children up to 5 years are free of charge, while children between 5 and 15 years old pay an entry fee of USD15-20.Â
A day trip remains valid for 12 hours, while if you choose to stay within the park, the permit extends to 24 hours.
These are the average TANAPA hotel concession fees: When spending the night at a tented camp or lodge inside the TANAPA national parks, you’ll need to pay an additional fee, called a ”special campsite ” fee or a ”hotel concession fee”. It’s recommended to check with your lodge if the concession fee has been included in their quotation or if you need to pay this yourself on arrival at the park gate. Â
Serengeti and Nyerere:Â USD 70.80 per person/per nightÂ
Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Kilimanjaro:Â USD 47.80 per person/per nightÂ
Mahale, Ruaha, Katavi and Gombe:Â USD 35.40 per person/per nightÂ
Mkomazi, Saadani, Mikumi and Udzungwa Mountains:Â USD 29.50 per person/per nightÂ
Children up to 5 years are free of charge, while children between 5 and 15 years pay a USD 11.80 concession fee.
Vehicle entry fees:Â
The vehicle entry fee for your locally registered Tanzania rental car is USD 10 for a Land Cruiser of Tare weight below 2000kg and USD 20 per day for a Land Cruiser of Tare weight above 2001kg, valid for multiple entries.Â
Camping fees:Â
Public campsites managed by TANAPA cost USD 35.40 per person/night. Special campsites cost USD 59 per person/night. ”Special” means that you are allowed to pitch your tent at a secluded wilderness spot with no other campers, and also no facilities. For children between 5 and 15 years, the camping fee is USD 11.80. Children below 5 years are free of charge.Â
TANAPA fees for optional activities:
Ranger fee:Â USD 23.60Â
Walking safaris:Â USD 23.60 per person
Night game drives ( Katavi, Ruaha, Mikumi, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Nyerere only):Â USD 59 per person
- National Park fees for Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Average fees for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area:
Visitor fee:Â USD 70.80Â per person per 24 hours
Vehicle entry fee: USD 10 for a Land Cruiser of Tare weight below 2000kg and USD 20 per day for a Land Cruiser of Tare weight above 2001kg.Â
If you want to go down Ngorongoro Crater, you must pay the additional Crater Service Fee of USD 295 per vehicle per trip.
Are you passing through the Ngorongoro Crater (for example, to visit the Serengeti) but don’t intend to visit? Then you’ll still have to pay the national park fee each way. The only way to avoid paying the NCA fee twice is by exiting/entering the Serengeti via Klein’s gate in the Northeast, on your way to/from Lake Natron. Note, this requires paying the Lake Natron fees instead.Â
Permits for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area: Please note, NCA and Crater entrance permits cannot be arranged and paid for at the Loduare Gate. You can get the entrance permit at the Ngorongoro Office in Karatu or Arusha for private self-drive visitors.
A ranger is not obligatory for self-driving visitors.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a very easy park to explore on a Tanzania self-drive safari. The safari tracks on the crater floor are well-maintained and signposted, and it’s impossible to get lost in Ngorongoro. Nevertheless, if you need a range to accompany you in your self-drive safari while inside the crater, this can simply be arranged upon arrival at the gate. The fee is USD 40, payable in cash only. Please note that the ranger is not allowed to drive our vehicle; they just guide you on your crater safari. A ranger is not compulsory if you are only in transit through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and do not go down the Crater.Â
- National Park fees for Lake Natron
Average fees for Lake Natron: Lake Natron is part of Tanzania’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), countrywide conservation areas, established to benefit and help local communities throughout Tanzania. When entering Lake Natron, you can expect the following community and wildlife management fees:
- 3 different village fees payable at Engare Sero town: 24.000 Tsh p/p (USD 10) plus 37.000 Tsh p/p (USD 15), plus 24.000 Tsh p/p (USD 10).
- Entrance fee (”wildlife activity fee”):Â USD 11.80 per person
- Vehicle entrance fee:Â TSH 17.700 per car
Overnight fee (”concession fee”), when you go camping, it’s USD 23.60 per night, when you stay at a lodge, it is USD 17.70 per person/per night.Â
Fees are quoted per person, including VAT. Children between 5 and 17 years are charged a USD 6 entry fee, and a USD 11.80 / night camping fee, while children up to 5 years are free of charge.
A permit is valid for 24 hours. Paying for your Lake Natron entrance permits: In Engaresero, the entry point to Lake Natron, you’ll find a small office to secure your WMA entrance permits and pay for the village fees. Payment can be made via credit card or cash. Given the weak GPS signal in this area, it’s recommended to have some cash on hand in case the payment terminal experiences connectivity issues.
- Lake Eyasi Community Fees
If you want to explore Lake Eyasi, expect to pay USD 20 per car, charged on arrival at the community gate. If you like to participate in community activities (hunting with the Hazabe, visiting the Datoga tribe), you pay USD 110 per car.
Mili Adventure Africa can connect you with good community guides in Lake Eyasi.
Before you leave this page and start your adventure, here’s a last piece of advice: when entering a National Park, it is mandatory to specify the date of your exit and pay the appropriate fee. It is then your responsibility to ensure that you receive an exit stamp upon leaving the park. This applies to all National Parks in Tanzania.Â
If you do not see a ranger at the gate, please proceed to the ranger post to obtain the exit stamp. Forgetting to check out can result in the rangers searching for you in the park, and our company will be fined for the overstay. Any such fines will be passed on to you. Mili Adventure Africa cannot be held liable.Â
Ready for your Tanzania safari road trip? We hope we have helped you on your way with our information about Tanzania’s national park fees. Any more questions about travelling in Tanzania? Check out our rental car fleet or get in touch with us. Our team at Mili Adventure Africa is happy to help you create the Tanzania trip of a lifetime!