A shared safari in Tanzania is cheaper because you split the vehicle and guide with other travellers: our shared fly-in day trips from Zanzibar start at US$460 per adult. A private safari gives you your own vehicle, guide and pace, from US$550 for the same Mikumi day trip, just US$90 more per person.
Last updated: 9 October 2026. Prices checked against the live trip pages on lekobeadventures.com.
Choosing between a shared (group joining) safari and a private safari is one of the first decisions you make when planning a trip to Tanzania. It affects your budget, how your days run and who sits next to you in the vehicle. This guide compares the two side by side using the real starting prices of our safaris from Zanzibar and Arusha, so you can decide which style suits your holiday.
Shared vs private safari: what is the difference?
Both styles use the same parks, the same kind of 4×4 safari vehicle and a professional driver-guide. The difference is who else is on board and who decides the plan.
Shared (group joining) safari
On a shared safari you join other travellers on a set itinerary. The cost of the vehicle and guide is split between everyone in the group, so the price per person is lower. Departure times, lunch stops and how long you stay at a sighting are agreed for the whole group.
Private safari
On a private safari the vehicle and guide are booked only for you and your party. You can start earlier, stay longer with a pride of lions, stop for photos whenever you like or head back to camp when the children are tired. Privacy covers the vehicle, guide and daily programme; lodges, campsites and picnic areas inside the parks are still shared with other visitors.
| Shared safari | Private safari | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | Shared with other travellers | Only your group |
| Itinerary | Fixed route and timings | Can be adjusted to your interests |
| Pace at sightings | Agreed by the group | You decide with your guide |
| Price per person | Lower | Higher, gap narrows as your group grows |
| Best for | Couples and friends on a budget | Families, photographers, honeymooners |
Shared vs private safari prices in Tanzania (2026)
The table below compares starting prices from our live trip pages. Where we run a shared and a private version of the same trip, you can see exactly what the upgrade costs. All prices are “from” prices in US dollars per adult; your final quote depends on group size, travel dates and accommodation. For a wider look at budgets, see our safari from Zanzibar cost guide.
| Trip | Style | From (per adult) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Mikumi Fly-in Shared Safari | Shared, fly-in from Zanzibar | US$460 |
| 1-Day Private Safari to Mikumi NP | Private, fly-in from Zanzibar | US$550 |
| 1-Day Fly-in Shared Safari to Nyerere NP | Shared, fly-in from Zanzibar | US$460 |
| 1-Day Nyerere NP Fly-in Private Safari | Private, fly-in from Zanzibar | US$630 |
| 2-Day Shared Safari to Nyerere NP | Shared, overnight at Selous Safari Lodge | US$750 |
| 2-Day Fly-in Private Safari to Nyerere NP | Private, overnight at Selous Safari Lodge | US$1,235 |
| 2-Day Private Camping to Selous GR | Private, budget camping inside the park | US$858 |
| 3-Day Nyerere NP (Selous) Shared Safari | Shared, two nights | US$803 |
What the price gap really means
- For the Mikumi day trip the private upgrade is US$90 per adult; for the Nyerere day trip it is US$170.
- On the two-day Nyerere (Selous) trip, private with the same lodge costs US$485 more per adult than shared.
- Private does not have to mean expensive. The 2-day private camping safari to Selous starts at US$858, close to the shared lodge trip at US$750, because you sleep in a tent rather than a lodge.
The difference shrinks as your party gets bigger, because a private vehicle costs much the same whether it carries two people or six. If you are travelling as a family or a group of friends, ask us to price both options for your exact numbers.
What is included on both styles
Shared and private trips on our site come with the same core inclusions. According to the Cost tab on each trip page, the price includes:
- Park fees for non-residents
- A professional driver-guide
- All transport and activities, unless labelled optional
- Return airport transfers
- Accommodation and meals as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- All taxes and VAT
Not included are international flights, extra nights before or after the tour, personal items such as travel insurance and visa fees, and tips. Our tipping guideline is US$10 per person per day. Tanzania’s national parks are managed by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), and any government-imposed increase in park fees or taxes is not covered by the quoted price.
Pros and cons of a shared safari
Why travellers choose shared
- Lower price per person, which leaves more budget for your Zanzibar beach days
- A sociable day out with other travellers who share the excitement of each sighting
- Simple to book: the itinerary, flights and timings are already set
What you give up
- Timings are fixed for everyone, including pickup, lunch and the return flight
- Your guide balances the wishes of the whole group, so you may move on from a sighting sooner than you would like
- Window seats and space for camera gear are shared
A shared day trip is a good fit if you are in Zanzibar for a beach holiday and want a taste of the bush without a big spend. On the shared Mikumi fly-in day trip, for example, pickup is at 5:00 am, the safari flight leaves at 7:00 am, you land in Mikumi around 8:30 am, enjoy a picnic lunch at 1:00 pm and fly back at 4:00 pm, arriving in Zanzibar around 4:30 pm. Read our one day safari from Zanzibar guide for more on day trips.
Pros and cons of a private safari
Why travellers choose private
- Your own vehicle and guide, so the day revolves around your interests
- Flexibility to linger at sightings, focus on photography or take extra breaks
- More comfortable for families with young children and for honeymooners who want time alone
- The same trip can often be tailored: our trip pages note that itineraries can be customised
What you give up
- A higher price per person, especially for couples and small groups
- Less of the social side of meeting other travellers
Our private trips range from day trips to multi-day journeys. In the north, the 3-Day Fly-in Private Safari to Tarangire & Ngorongoro starts from US$1,452 per adult and flies you from Zanzibar to Arusha, while the 4-Day Private Camping Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro starts from US$1,482 from Arusha. To learn more about how private trips are planned, see our private safari tour Tanzania guide.
Shared or private: which style suits you?
Couples and friends on a budget
Shared is usually the better value, particularly for a one-day or two-day trip from Zanzibar. Compare the shared Nyerere day trip at US$460 with the private version at US$630.
Families with children
Private is often worth the extra cost. You control snack stops, rest breaks and how early you head back. Note that minimum ages vary by trip: the private Mikumi day trip lists a minimum age of 5, while the shared Nyerere day trip lists 2. Check each page or ask us. Our Mikumi National Park page explains why its open plains suit first-time visitors.
Photographers and wildlife enthusiasts
Choose private. Being able to wait for the light or for a predator to move is the main reason serious photographers pay more. A private camping trip such as the 3-Day Private Camping Safari to Serengeti & Ngorongoro from US$1,272 keeps costs down while giving you full control in the Serengeti.
Solo travellers
Several of our trip pages note that the listed price is not set up for solo travellers, because it assumes the vehicle cost is shared. If you are travelling alone, contact us with your dates and we will tell you what is available and send a quote.
Shared safari options outside Zanzibar
Most of our shared departures run from Zanzibar to the southern parks, Mikumi and Nyerere. If you start in Arusha, the 1-Day Shared Safari to Tarangire NP from Arusha starts from US$271 per adult, with a 7:00 am hotel pickup, game drives in Tarangire National Park and a picnic lunch, leaving the park at 4:30 pm. For the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, our multi-day trips are mostly private, which gives you flexibility on longer drives between parks. For the logistics of reaching the south from the island, read our Selous safari from Zanzibar guide.
How to book the right safari style
- Decide your budget per person, then compare the shared and private price for your group size
- Check the minimum age and whether the trip suits solo travellers
- Read the day-by-day itinerary for pickup times and what is included
- Ask us for a quote for both styles: for groups of four or more the difference may be smaller than you expect
- Budget for tips at around US$10 per person per day, and see our safari tips for first-time travellers
Frequently asked questions
Is a shared safari cheaper than a private safari in Tanzania?
Yes, per person a shared safari is cheaper because the vehicle and guide are split between travellers. On our Zanzibar day trips, shared fly-in safaris start at US$460 per adult, while private versions start at US$550 for Mikumi and US$630 for Nyerere. Final prices depend on dates and group size.
Is a private safari worth the extra cost?
A private safari is worth it if you value flexibility. You set the pace, stay longer at sightings and adjust the day around children or photography. For the Mikumi day trip from Zanzibar the upgrade is only US$90 per adult, which many families and couples consider good value.
Does a private safari get cheaper with more people?
Usually yes. A private vehicle and guide cost roughly the same whether two or six people travel, so the price per person drops as your group grows. For families and groups of friends, the gap between shared and private can become small. Ask us to quote both for your exact group.
Can I join a shared safari as a solo traveller?
Some of our trip pages state that the listed price is not designed for solo travellers, because it assumes several guests share the vehicle. Send us your travel dates on WhatsApp or by email and we will check what is available for one person and give you a clear quote.
What is included on a shared or private safari from Zanzibar?
Both include park fees for non-residents, a professional driver-guide, transport, return airport transfers, meals as listed in the itinerary and taxes. Excluded are international flights, extra nights, insurance, visa fees and tips. Our tipping guideline is US$10 per person per day.
Is a private safari a good choice for a family with kids?
Yes, many families prefer private safaris because they control breaks, snacks and how long each game drive lasts. Minimum ages vary by trip, from 2 years on some day trips to 18 years on camping safaris, so check the trip page or ask us before booking.
Get a quote for your shared or private safari
Not sure which style is right for you? Tell us your travel dates, the number of adults and children, and whether you prefer a shared or a private safari. We will confirm availability and send you a clear quote for both options.
- WhatsApp: +255 676 68 1293
- Email: info@lekobeadventures.com
- Or use the enquiry form on any trip page, such as the 1-Day Mikumi Fly-in Shared Safari
