If you are planning a safari or trekking trip, understanding Tanzania national park fees is one of the most important parts of budgeting your journey. Park fees can make up a large share of the final travel cost, especially for popular destinations like Serengeti, Tarangire, Nyerere, and Kilimanjaro. TANAPA’s latest official tariff document publicly available on its website is the 2023/2024 tariff schedule, and it states that conservation and vehicle fees are VAT exclusive and that payments are made electronically.
This guide explains the main park fees travelers usually need to know before booking a Tanzania safari. It covers conservation fees, camping fees, vehicle entry fees, and the difference between TANAPA parks and Ngorongoro, which is managed separately by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority. The goal is to help you plan more accurately and avoid surprises when comparing safari prices. TANAPA’s tariff notes also say conservation and vehicle fees allow multiple entry within the validity period, fees are non-refundable once paid, and proof of identification is required at the gate.
What are Tanzania national park fees?
Tanzania national park fees are the official charges paid to enter and use protected areas. These typically include conservation fees per person, vehicle entry fees, and in some cases campsite or hut fees. The exact amount depends on the park, your nationality or residency category, your age, and sometimes the season. TANAPA groups parks into different pricing bands, with Serengeti and Nyerere at the top tier, Tarangire/Lake Manyara/Arusha in another tier, Kilimanjaro on its own, and several southern and western parks in lower-priced categories.
For safari travelers, these fees are normally included in the package price quoted by a tour operator. For independent planning, they are essential because they directly affect the total cost of your trip. If you are still comparing overall safari budgets, read How Much Does a Safari Cost in Tanzania and the main Tanzania Safari Guide.
Tanzania national park conservation fees
The biggest fee most travelers pay is the conservation fee. This is usually charged per person per day.
According to the latest official TANAPA tariff document available online, the main conservation fees are as follows:
Serengeti and Nyerere National Parks
Adults aged 16 and above:
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Peak season: TZS 10,000 for EAC citizens, US$70 for non-East African citizens, US$35 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
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Low season: TZS 10,000 for EAC citizens, US$60 for non-East African citizens, US$30 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
Children aged 5 to 15:
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Peak and low season: TZS 2,000 for EAC citizens, US$20 for non-East African citizens, US$10 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
Children below 5 years: free.
Lake Manyara, Tarangire and Arusha National Parks
Adults aged 16 and above:
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Peak season: TZS 10,000 for EAC citizens, US$50 for non-East African citizens, US$25 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
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Low season: TZS 10,000 for EAC citizens, US$45 for non-East African citizens, US$22.50 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
Children aged 5 to 15:
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Peak and low season: TZS 2,000 for EAC citizens, US$15 for non-East African citizens, US$7.50 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
Children below 5 years: free.
Kilimanjaro National Park
Adults aged 16 and above: TZS 10,000 for EAC citizens, US$70 for non-East African citizens, US$35 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
Children aged 5 to 15: TZS 2,000 for EAC citizens, US$20 for non-East African citizens, US$10 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
Children below 5 years: free.
Katavi, Mikumi, Ruaha, Rubondo, Saadani, Kitulo, Mkomazi, Udzungwa, Burigi-Chato, Ibanda-Kyerwa, Rumanyika-Karagwe and Saanane
Adults aged 16 and above: TZS 5,000 for EAC citizens, US$30 for non-East African citizens, US$15 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
Children aged 5 to 15: TZS 2,000 for EAC citizens, US$10 for non-East African citizens, US$5 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
Children below 5 years: free.
Gombe National Park
Adults aged 16 and above: TZS 10,000 for EAC citizens, US$100 for non-East African citizens, US$50 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
Children aged 5 to 15: TZS 2,000 for EAC citizens, US$20 for non-East African citizens, US$10 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
Children below 5 years: free.
Mahale Mountains National Park
Adults aged 16 and above: TZS 5,000 for EAC citizens, US$80 for non-East African citizens, US$40 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
Children aged 5 to 15: TZS 2,000 for EAC citizens, US$20 for non-East African citizens, US$10 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
Children below 5 years: free.
Which Tanzania parks are the most expensive?
For standard wildlife safaris under TANAPA, Serengeti and Nyerere are among the most expensive mainstream park entries for international visitors, while Gombe and Mahale are also expensive because of their specialist chimpanzee trekking appeal. Kilimanjaro is also high-priced, but the full trekking cost becomes much higher once camping, hut, rescue, and guide-related charges are added. The official TANAPA tariff confirms Serengeti and Nyerere peak rates at US$70 for non-East African adults, Gombe at US$100, Mahale at US$80, and Kilimanjaro at US$70.
That is why budget-sensitive travelers often choose itineraries focused on parks such as Mikumi, Ruaha, Saadani, Mkomazi, or Kitulo, where conservation fees are significantly lower. If you want park-specific planning help, see Serengeti National Park Guide, Tarangire National Park Guide, Ruaha National Park Guide, Mikumi National Park Guide, Nyerere National Park Guide, and Gombe Chimpanzee Trekking Guide.
Camping fees in Tanzania national parks
Camping fees are separate from conservation fees and usually apply per person per night.
The TANAPA tariff shows the following standard public campsite fees:
Kilimanjaro National Park public campsite
Adults: TZS 10,000 for EAC citizens, US$50 for non-East African citizens, US$50 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
Children 5 to 15: TZS 5,000 for EAC citizens, US$10 for non-East African citizens, US$10 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
Children below 5 years: free.
Other national parks except Ugalla and Kigosi public campsite
Adults: TZS 5,000 for EAC citizens, US$30 for non-East African citizens, US$30 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
Children 5 to 15: TZS 2,500 for EAC citizens, US$5 for non-East African citizens, US$5 for expatriates/Tanzania residents
Children below 5 years: free.
For special and seasonal campsites in Serengeti, Nyerere, Tarangire, Arusha, and Lake Manyara, adults generally pay US$50 to US$60 depending on season and campsite type, while special campsites in most other national parks are US$50 per adult per night. Premium special campsites in Serengeti and other applicable parks are much higher, at US$300 per adult per night.
This is one of the reasons camping safaris are not always as cheap as they first appear, especially in premium areas like Serengeti. For broader planning, read Tanzania Safari Cost Breakdown and Tanzania Safari Itinerary.
Vehicle entry fees for Tanzania national parks
Vehicle fees are another key part of safari costs. In the TANAPA tariff, motor vehicle fees for most parks are based on vehicle tare weight.
For parks other than Ugalla and Kigosi, the standard fees are:
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Up to 2000 kg: TZS 20,000 for Tanzanian/non-commercial EAC vehicles or US$40 for commercial EAC and foreign registered vehicles
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2001 to 3000 kg: TZS 35,000 or US$150
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3001 to 7000 kg: TZS 60,000 or US$200
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7001 to 10,000 kg: TZS 150,000 or US$300
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Above 10 tons: TZS 300,000 or US$500 with prior permission
The tariff also states that open vehicles are charged 50% extra above the normal vehicle fee.
For most travelers booking a private or group safari, this cost is already built into the operator’s quote. But it still matters, because vehicle fees partly explain why private safaris cost more than shared departures. For more on this, read Private vs Group Safari Tanzania.
Ngorongoro fees are separate from TANAPA
One of the most common mistakes travelers make is assuming Ngorongoro uses the same fee structure as TANAPA parks. It does not. Ngorongoro is managed by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), which publishes its own tariffs separately. The NCAA tariff page shows that non-East African adults aged 16 and above pay US$70.80 for entry, while expatriates/residents in Tanzania pay US$35.40, and East African citizens pay TZS 11,800. Children aged 5 and below are free, while ages 5 to 15 pay lower rates. The same NCAA tariff page also lists separate vehicle permit charges based on vehicle weight.
This means a northern circuit safari that includes Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro will combine TANAPA park fees and NCAA fees. If your trip includes the crater, also read Ngorongoro Crater Guide.
Are Tanzania park fees included in safari prices?
In most cases, yes. Reputable safari operators usually include conservation fees, camping fees, concession fees where applicable, and vehicle entry fees in the package price. However, it is always worth checking exactly what is covered. The TANAPA tariff notes that fees are paid electronically through the government payment system and that fees once paid are non-refundable.
When comparing safari offers, ask whether the quote includes:
park entry fees, crater fees if visiting Ngorongoro, concession fees for lodges or camps inside the parks, camping fees, rescue fees for Kilimanjaro, and government taxes. That makes it much easier to compare offers fairly rather than choosing only by headline price.
How park fees affect safari cost
Park fees are one of the biggest reasons why a Tanzania safari can seem expensive compared with some other destinations. On a multi-day northern circuit safari, the combined conservation fees for parks like Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro can add up quickly, especially for international travelers. In Kilimanjaro trekking, park fees are an even larger portion of the total because climbers also pay camping or hut fees and other required mountain charges in addition to daily entry. TANAPA’s official tariff confirms that Kilimanjaro has separate conservation and camping fees, while your overall trek price also depends on route length and mountain logistics.
That is why it helps to decide early whether you want a premium northern circuit, a more affordable southern Tanzania trip, or a specialist adventure like chimpanzee trekking or Kilimanjaro climbing. Related reads include Southern Tanzania Safari Guide, Western Tanzania Safari Guide, Kilimanjaro Climbing Cost, and Kilimanjaro Park Fees.
Best way to budget for Tanzania park fees
The simplest way to budget is to start with the parks you want to visit, then check how many days you will spend in each one. Serengeti, Nyerere, Gombe, Mahale, and Kilimanjaro usually create the highest fee impact. Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Arusha are more moderate, while several southern and western parks are lower-priced under TANAPA’s tariff structure.
You should also factor in seasonality. Serengeti and Nyerere have peak and low-season conservation fee differences, while some campsite categories also vary by season. If your timing is flexible, this can slightly reduce overall costs. TANAPA defines peak season for Serengeti and Nyerere conservation fees as 16 May to 14 March, and low season as 15 March to 15 May.
Final thoughts on park fees for Tanzania national parks
Tanzania remains one of Africa’s best safari destinations, but park fees are a major part of trip planning. The most important thing is to understand that not all parks cost the same. Serengeti, Nyerere, Kilimanjaro, Gombe, and Mahale are among the most expensive, while parks such as Mikumi, Ruaha, Saadani, Mkomazi, and Kitulo are generally more affordable under the official tariff schedule.
Also remember that Ngorongoro fees are separate from TANAPA, and that TANAPA’s latest official tariff document publicly accessible online states that all charges are VAT exclusive and paid electronically.
If you want help choosing the right itinerary based on your budget, start with Best National Parks in Tanzania, Tanzania Safari for First Timers, and Best Time to Visit Tanzania.
