Embarking on an African safari is an extraordinary and captivating experience that will leave an indelible mark on your memory. Planning for an African safari can, however, be daunting, and gaining a clear understanding of the factors that contribute to its cost becomes paramount. From selecting the perfect location and considering the optimal time of the year to determining the desired level of comfort, numerous elements will influence your overall safari budget. African Budget Safaris has put together this rough guide to help you explore the factors that impact the cost of an African safari while providing invaluable guidelines to help you establish a realistic and well-balanced safari budget.
Your African safari cost will depend on a few factors, including accommodation or level of comfort, flexibility of dates and whether you can travel out of peak safari season, mode of transport for example driving or flying, the size of your group, your chosen destination or destinations, and finally the duration of your trip. These factors will all affect your African safari budget, but luckily they can all be tweaked to fit your safari budget. There are also a few safari budget misconceptions that we should look at before we get into the details.
When planning an African safari, it's important to recognize that package deals are not always the most cost-effective option. Opting for a tailor-made safari provides the opportunity to customize your experience according to your specific budget, allowing you to allocate your funds wisely with guidance from your agent.
While package deals and scheduled departure tours can restrict you to a fixed itinerary and price, a tailor-made approach grants flexibility within your safari planning. The level of privacy and exclusivity you desire will influence the overall cost, but even in a less luxurious environment, your agent's knowledge and expertise play a vital role in ensuring a memorable trip.
Booking a safari through an experienced agent consolidates all of your expenses into a single 'all-inclusive' price, that includes transport, accommodation, game drives, and any other extras that you’d like to include. In addition to eliminating unexpected surprises, this gives the agent bargaining power to access discounts and safari specials.
Planning and booking an African safari independently, without an agent may not be cheaper or feasible. Agents come with specialized knowledge of light aircraft schedules, transfer companies, and ground handlers, information that is crucial in many destinations. Booking pieces for a safari may appear more cost-effective but check carefully to see what is and isn’t included.
South Africa remains an affordable safari destination due to its advantageous rand-dollar exchange rate. The diverse landscapes including bush, beach, and desert, combined with good infrastructure and some world-class cities, make a South African safari an ideal choice for first-timers seeking an introduction to the wonders of African wildlife while still offering captivating experiences for seasoned safari enthusiasts.
Budget Safari: A budget safari takes advantage of all the cost-saving tricks, By and large, these are camping safaris in dome tents using shared facilities but can include some budget lodge accommodation. Budget safaris can start at about US$ 150 and can go up to around US$ 300 depending on where you are traveling.
Mid-Range Safari: Mid-range safaris are a little more comfortable. They take advantage of budget lodges and tented camps. These itineraries can include some activities. Mid-range safaris start just above US$ 360 and go up to as much as US$ 550.
Luxury Safaris: These are bells and whistles and include luxury tents, lodges, and bush camps. They include private game drives, guides, and safari extras like balloon rides. Luxury safaris start from as little as US$ 450 (in Namibia) and go up to US$ 1000 and well beyond.
Bespoke itineraries: Working with a travel consultant to create an itinerary that fits your budget, means that you can mix and match. For example, you can afford to spend one night in a luxury lodge by taking advantage of budget options along the way. The great news is that there is no one-size-fits-all African safari experience.
The first thing to decide on when planning your African safari is where in Africa you want to go. East Africa has some iconic safari destinations like the Serengeti, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro, Amboseli, Nyerere, and Ruaha, as well as some excellent experiences like gorilla trekking. Southern Africa will leave you spoiled for choice between South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, and Zambia, all of which offer amazing game viewing, fascinating landscapes, and exciting cultural experiences. To compare safari prices in different African countries by price range see How Much Does an African Safari Cost?
In this guide we will break safari budgeting into Southern African safari costs and East African safari costs.
The southern African safari destinations are South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Botswana. With a little extra effort, you could squeeze in Eswatini and Lesotho too, but budget-wise, these are comparable to South Africa. A safari in Southern Africa does not mean the same thing to everyone, and personal, private small group safaris allow you to create bespoke itineraries that tick all your boxes.
*These prices are meant to give you a quick overview. For accurate and up-to-date safari prices, check out African Budget Safaris South Africa safari packages.
Find out more in How Much Does a South African Safari Cost?
Among these safari destinations, Namibia and South Africa stand out as the most budget-friendly options. Both countries have excellent road networks, allowing you to rent a vehicle and explore at your own pace while opting for self-catering accommodations, and safari package add-ons. Self-drive safaris significantly reduce expenses, although it does involve a bit more effort during your vacation.
Africa has an embarrassment of riches from quality safari destinations like Kruger Park and Hluhluwe, to bushveld, desert, and the Garden Route, as well as malaria-free safaris at Sanbona, Addo, and Inverdoorn, Cape Town adds a little glitz and first world comfort, and there is an abundance of small town charms and attractions scattered everywhere in-between. Namibia boasts epic desert scenery in the Namib-Nauklift, Soussusvlei, and the Fish River Canyon, while the best safari destination is the jaw-dropping Etosha National Park.
*These prices are meant to give you a quick overview. For accurate and up-to-date safari prices, check out African Budget Safaris Namibia safari tours.
See How Much Does a Namibia Safari Cost? for more details.
Botswana has a reputation for high-end luxury safari experiences in the Okavango Delta, Chobe, and Central Kalahari. There are no direct flights to Botswana, and visitors must transit through Johannesburg in South Africa, this adds to the Botswana safari cost. The good news is that Botswana has excellent bush camping facilities, and has been opening up to the Budget safari market. It is possible to find some excellent budget safari tours if you are willing to camp. A 7-day budget camping safari to Botswana and Zimbabwe can cost as little as US$ 960 per person, which is just under US$ 140 per day!
*These prices are meant to give you a quick overview. For accurate and up-to-date safari prices, check out African Budget Safaris Botswana safari packages.
For more about Botswana safari costs see How Much Does a Botswana Safari Cost?
When people talk about Victoria Falls, they are talking about visiting either Zambia or Zimbabwe. Because of political instability, Zambia has emerged as the preferred choice and thrill seekers gravitate to Livingstone from the world. Zambia is, however, the home of the walking safari, and offers intimate safari experiences in untrammeled wilderness. South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, and Kafue National Park are the stand-out destinations. In Zimbabwe, Hwange, Matobo, and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins are all draw cards. Another factor when choosing Victoria Falls is the relatively close proximity of Botswana, which means it is possible to visit Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, all in one outstanding safari adventure.
For more details about Zimbabwe safari costs see How Much Does a Zimbabwe Safari Cost?
For a more detailed breakdown of Zambia safari costs see How Much Does a Zambia Safari Cost?
*The above safari prices are meant to give you a quick overview. For accurate and up-to-date safari prices, check out African Budget Safaris Zambia safaris, and Zimbabwe safari packages.
The peak safari season in Southern Africa occurs during July and August. This is the dry season, which, due to low rainfall, is characterized by excellent weather, and amazing game viewing as animals congregate around water sources and the bush dries out. This is also, however, the peak safari season that sees heightened demand from international visitors, which results in higher prices. The opposite is true of the low safari season, which sees reduced demand. The low safari season often offers excellent birding, and lush vegetation meaning animals are harder to spot, and some parks, especially in Zambia close during this time. The transitional periods known as 'shoulder season' mark the start or end of the rain, with weather fluctuating between warming up and cooling down. The shoulder season often presents better availability and better rates for travelers with flexible dates.
Remember: when booking a private small group safari, the cost that you pay includes everything in your itinerary. It is always recommended that you take extra cash for tips, expensive alcoholic drinks, and curios, but other than that the safari price is all-inclusive, including game drives, meals, helicopter jaunts, and park fees. Cheaper options are always available, but often buying accommodation, game drives, and other activities separately, begins to add up. Experienced safari companies have spent years building relationships with suppliers, and have access to deals that would not usually be available to the public. To find out what is available, contact African Budget Safaris, and take the first step in planning your dream southern Africa safari vacation.
East Africa is an extremely popular safari destination. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda offer some unparalleled safari experiences that include gorilla trekking, seeing the Great Migration in Tanzania or Kenya, visiting the Masai Mara, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti, or relaxing on the white sand beaches of Zanzibar. Many people see East Africa as the perfect bush and beach break destination. As a rule of thumb, East Africa is more expensive than Southern Africa, because of the high demand.
*These prices are meant to give you a quick overview. For accurate and up-to-date safari prices, check out African Budget Safaris Kenya safari tours.
See How Much Does a Kenya Safari Cost? for more details about Kenya safari costs.
East African safaris are extremely seasonal. The tourist high season runs roughly from June to October. This is when you can see the Great Wildebeest Migration at its best, witness incredible predator action, and experience clear dry weather. The downside is the hordes of eager safari enthusiasts who will be right there with you. There are ways to avoid these masses, like staying in one of the Masai Mara Conservancies in Kenya or viewing the migration from Tanzania, but they will add cost. Alternatively, if you want to experience the migration, but aren’t fixed on seeing the Mara River crossing, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons, either April to May or November to December. If having a budget safari is your primary driver, visit in the low season to take advantage of some great deals. There are always trade-offs. Knowing what is important to you, is the best way to start planning your East Africa adventure.
*These prices are meant to give you a quick overview. For accurate and up-to-date safari prices, check out African Budget Safaris Tanzania safari tours.
For more about Tanzania safari costs see our Tanzania Safari Cost blog post.
Gorilla trekking in the Congo, Rwanda, or Uganda is a niche activity that comes at a premium. Congo is extremely volatile and presents a risk factor that puts off many would-be visitors. Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda are expensive at around US$ 750, while Uganda only charges US$ 600. While gorilla trekking in Rwanda is quicker and easier in terms of travel, Uganda offers more to see and do. A gorilla trekking safari to Uganda can include spending time at Lake Bunyonyi close to Bwindi, game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park.
*These prices are meant to give you a quick overview. For accurate and up-to-date safari prices, check out African Budget Safaris Uganda safari packages.
For a more detailed breakdown of Uganda safari costs see How Much Does a Uganda Safari Cost?
Luxury safaris have long been highlighted as the epitome of the African safari experience, primarily due to the substantial profits they generate for luxury travel agents. With extravagant features like private guides, chauffeured transfers, five-star accommodations, gourmet cuisine, and charter flights, these exclusive safaris often come with price tags reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars. While such opulent experiences may appeal to some, they are not within everyone's reach.
African Budget Safaris prides itself on providing quality, affordable safari options that provide exceptional value for money. No matter your travel style, length of vacation, and safari bucket list, there is a budget safari just for you. African Budget Safaris specializes in private small group safaris, and offers tours to 14 different African countries, from South Africa to Kenya and beyond.
Talk to an African Budget Safaris' travel consultant and start planning a budget-friendly African Safari today.
Please note: We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Call us toll free from US/Canada on 1-888-414-6513, or from the UK on 0-808-189-1052. All other countries can contact us on +27 21 791 0878.
__landscape.jpg)
