BootsnAll Travel Community

Hello!

We are currently living in Zambia and are planning a trip to East Africa in mid-June. We've read that a good way to get a less expensive Ngorongoro/Serengeti safari is to show up in Arusha and check the TZ Tourist Board office to a) find tours looking for others to join (since more people on the trip= lower cost per person) and b) check out the "blacklist" to avoid unregistered tour operators. So, I think that will be our plan (unless you all advise against it for some reason??)

However, we have no idea how much we should be expecting to pay for such a safari (leaving around June 10th or so, 4 or 5 days, camping or moderate priced lodges, hopefully 4+ people on the tour). If anyone can give us a ballpark figure of what we should budget for this part of the trip, we'd appreciate it.

Thank you!

I did a 5 day safari for the ngorongoro/serengeti etc. circuit thru an arusha based company in november and it was about 110 or 120 per day. There were 4 of us, I was traveling alone and joined a group (1 individual and 1 couple) organized thru the company (called kilimanjaro something - not very helpful i know). but they were great. we camped and the food was not abundant but it was enough. we bought a chicken off of the side of the road one day and it lasted for 3 meals. it was an awesome experience.
enjoy!
kelli

My friends and I have been trying to search the web for some safaris, and the "budget" operators have been quoting us prices that are upwards of $300 a day! This seems quite steep.

travelingkj, How quickly were you able to arrange your safari from Arusha? One day? Two? If you happen to dig up the name of your company, I would be very interested in finding out more.

Thanks!

travelingkj, thanks for the response!! I'll also echo PonytailPalm's question of how long it took you to find a tour to join once you were in Arusha (and did you find them through the TZ Tourist board office or by going to the various tour operators on your own?)

I emailed Roy Safaris to inquire about costs, and for two people basic camping it was coming to about $230/day for a mid- June departure date. Really hoping to find something a bit cheaper, again by finding people to join. PonytailPalm, you aren't hoping to go around June 10th by any chance are you??