Ruaha National Park fees at a glance
A Ruaha visit is paid in parts. Each person pays a conservation fee. The vehicle you drive in pays its own fee by weight class. Walks, night drives and camping have separate charges. If you book a safari package, the operator normally settles these with the park for you, so the first thing to find out is whether your price includes them.
International adults pay $30 or $70 per person, depending on the rate TANAPA applies. The 2023/24 tariff gives $30 without 18 percent VAT. Which rate applies depends on the tariff in force on the day you enter, and tariffs run from July to June. Ask your operator for the current amount in writing, and for whether tax is included. The figures below carry the tariff year they belong to.
Prices for the road trip and for the flight are separate. For packages and itineraries, see the Ruaha safari page.
Ruaha park fees per person
Conservation fee per person and day, 2023/24 tariff, valid for the whole year from July to June. Dollar amounts are without 18 percent VAT.
| Age | International visitors | Foreigners resident in Tanzania | East African citizens, including Tanzanians |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 and over | $30 | $15 | TZS 5,000 |
| 5 to 15 | $10 | $5 | TZS 2,000 |
| Under 5 | Free | Free | Free |
There is no separate high season rate in this table: the Ruaha rate is the same all year. At the higher rate, international adults pay $70, children $20 and East African residents TZS 20,000. If your quote shows these figures, ask which tariff it follows.
The resident rate needs a residence or work permit, and the East African rate needs a passport or ID of a member state. A holiday visit alone does not qualify for a resident rate. Schools and colleges can apply in advance for a group reduction.
Our pick: a Ruaha safari with fees listed
This five-day trip lists park and vehicle fees and government taxes as included, so the fees are not a separate bill.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Ruaha safaris and park fees
Guided Ruaha and southern Tanzania safaris with live prices. Check whether park fees and the vehicle fee are in the price or added separately.
Vehicle fees by weight class
2023/24 tariff. The weight is the empty weight of the vehicle, not its loaded weight.
| Weight | Tanzanian and non-commercial East African vehicles | Commercial East African and foreign vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 2,000 kg | TZS 20,000 | $40 |
| 2,001 to 3,000 kg | TZS 35,000 | $150 |
| 3,001 to 7,000 kg | TZS 60,000 | $200 |
| 7,001 to 10,000 kg | TZS 150,000 | $300 |
| Over 10,000 kg | TZS 300,000 | $500 |
Open vehicles carry a 50 percent surcharge in this tariff. A vehicle over 10 tonnes needs prior permission. Your operator should name the vehicle class in its quote.
Walks, night drives and camping
2022/23 tariff. Ask for the current amount before you book.
| Item | International adult | East African adult |
|---|---|---|
| Walk of 1 to 4 hours | $20 | TZS 5,000 |
| Walk of more than 4 hours | $25 | TZS 10,000 |
| Guide fee, per group and day | $20 | TZS 5,000 |
| Night game drive | $50 | TZS 10,000 |
| Public campsite, per night | $30 | TZS 5,000 |
| Special campsite, per night | $50 | TZS 10,000 |
Night drives need a special permit, so a fee line in a tariff is not a licence to do it yourself. The same applies to drones. Walks are guided; see the walking safari page for the rules. Camping and park accommodation are covered on the lodges and camps page.
How long your entry lasts
Two permit types, both with multiple entry.
Sleep-over permit
Valid for 24 hours, with multiple entry. It is the permit for stays that include a night.
Day-trip permit
Valid for 12 daylight hours, with multiple entry in that time. Gates close at 18:00.
Plan your gate time
A permit may be described simply as 24 hours. If your safari spans two days, ask your guide how the periods are counted and plan your gate times to fit your game drives.
How to pay Ruaha fees
The ways to settle park fees.
At the gate
Visa and Mastercard cards and mobile money are accepted at the gate. Confirm with your operator what your entry point takes before you travel.
Through an operator
Operators can pay by bank transfer. With a package, they usually pay for you and include the fees in your price.
Online with TANAPA
TANAPA has an online payment service through the government payment platform GePG. Ask your operator whether you need to use it for your entry.
Bring proof of your status
Residents show a residence or work permit, and East African citizens show a passport or ID. Without proof you pay the international rate.
More planning for Ruaha
Pages that go with the fees.
Ruaha park fees: frequently asked questions
How much is the Ruaha entrance fee for an international adult?
$30 or $70 per person, depending on the rate TANAPA applies. The 2023/24 tariff gives $30 without 18 percent VAT. Ask your operator which tariff its quote follows, and whether tax is included.
What do children pay?
International children aged 5 to 15 pay $10 or $20, depending on the rate TANAPA applies. The 2023/24 tariff gives $10. Children under 5 enter free. Ask which figure applies.
Do I pay for the safari vehicle separately?
Yes, by weight class. In the 2023/24 tariff a commercial or foreign vehicle up to 2,000 kg is $40 and one of 2,001 to 3,000 kg is $150. Packages often include this, so check your quote.
Can I pay by card?
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at the gate, and mobile money works too. Operators can pay by bank transfer, and TANAPA has an online payment service. Confirm the options for your entry point before you go.
Are there different fees in high and low season?
Not in the 2023/24 Ruaha table: the rate is the same all year from July to June. Demand is another matter, because June to October is the busiest period, so book accommodation early.
Is VAT included in the Ruaha fees?
Dollar amounts in the 2023/24 tariff are without 18 percent VAT, and some quotes say VAT is included where it applies. Ask your operator for a quote that states it.