What a safari actually costs, itemised

Safari pricing is opaque, and that is not entirely the operators' fault — a large share of what you pay is fixed government cost.

Park fees run around $70 per person per day for most northern parks, plus $250 or so per vehicle to descend into the Ngorongoro Crater. Concession fees inside the Serengeti add more.

Vehicle and guide is typically $250 to $350 a day, split across your group. This is why solo travellers pay so much more per head.

Accommodation ranges enormously. Budget camping is $50 a night. Mid-range lodges are $200 to $400. The high-end camps are $600 to $1,200 per person per night, full board.

Internal flights between the northern parks and Zanzibar run $250 to $400 one way.

Tips are expected and are not optional in practice. Budget $20 to $25 per day for your guide, and a little more for the camp staff.

When you compare quotes, check what park fees are included. The cheapest quote is frequently the one that has quietly excluded them.