9 Tips for Planning an Affordable African Safari - Your Quick Budget Safari Guide

Planning an affordable African safari is a real dream come true for many of us!  The allure is undeniable - the thrill, the majestic wildlife, the awe-inspiring landscapes and the chance to immerse yourself in the rich African culture of this captivating continent.

But, to make the most of this African vacation of a lifetime, you’ll want to do your research and plan it well. 

And if you want to do an African safari on a budget, you’ll need to be extra savvy!  Because if you’re not shrewd, embarking on an African adventure can often come with a hefty price tag; one that stops many people from achieving their safari dream. 

But fear not, fellow adventure seekers, it doesn't have to be that way! 

Our team of Africa Travel Experts know a thing or two about how to plan an affordable safari, and with a bit of strategic planning and smart budgeting, you can experience the magic of an African safari without emptying your wallet. 

Here’s how to experience a budget safari that doesn't compromise on quality... 

#1 Get Specific About Your Safari Priorities and Timeframe  

When diving into planning your affordable African safari, you’ll quickly learn there’s a whole world of options out there, with endless experiences to immerse yourself in.

No two safari adventures are remotely the same; with such a span of diverse landscapes, ecosystems, wildlife, activities to enjoy and African cultures to experience, the options are almost endless. This is part of the allure, and why so many adventurers get the African safari bug, coming back time and time again to soak up everything this incredible continent has to offer. 

But the wealth of choices can make planning your African safari on a budget a little confusing. Unless you have 6 months to spend in Africa, you can’t do it all and you’ll have to make some tricky decisions. 

So, to avoid becoming overwhelmed and getting swept away, it pays to get specific about your safari priorities as a starting point.

Big 5 safari on a budget

Are you, for example, most keen to spot the iconic Big 5 safari animals – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceros and buffaloes? Or is seeing the mysterious mountain gorillas in the wild highest on your bucket list? Is there a specific safari park that you have your heart set on visiting? Or are you keen to see as many different national parks and reserves as possible during your trip? Do you, perhaps, want to tag a beach holiday to the end of your budget safari as well?

Getting clear on your priorities in this way is key to getting the best from your African safari and your budget. Once you have a firm picture of your ideal safari experience, you can then start narrowing down your options and making informed decisions. 

The other big element to factor in at the initial stages of planning your affordable African safari is how long you have for your adventure. Keeping this in mind will mean you don’t bite off more than you can chew!

Luckily, there are affordable safari options for all timeframes, so whether you have 1 week or 2 months, it will be no trouble finding an African safari to suit you. 

#2 Embrace Flexibility for a Cheaper Safari

This might seem contrary to the previous point, but if you want to keep your African safari costs down, being open to adjusting your itinerary, or opting for less popular safari routes is a great strategy. If you don’t have set ideas about what you want to see or when you want to go, trying to be flexible with your travel plans can be an easy way to take advantage of any budget safari deals.

At African Budget Safaris we always have some great safari deals and tour specials on offer, as well as discounted departure dates on African tours - a super option for budget-conscious travellers to consider!

Check our latest African safari deals to save on safari costs. 

#3 Choose a More Affordable African Safari Destination

Keep in mind that Africa is a vast continent, made up of very different destinations - each with their own unique attractions, climates, ecosystems, wildlife and cultures. Each African nation also has its unique economy, and countries vary in how set up for tourists they are. This means that some African countries are cheaper than others when it comes to travelling there. 

This is something to bear in mind if you want to do an African safari on a budget, so it pays to research which countries are cheaper when planning. 

As a general rule of thumb, Southern Africa is cheaper to safari than East Africa, with South Africa offering some of the most competitive safari prices out there. 

Affordable African safari in Kruger

Of course, another big factor that will affect the cost of your African safari is the price of flights - some places are much cheaper to fly into from abroad than others! 

Generally, major connecting airports are cheaper (as well as easier!) to fly into. 

In East Africa, one of the cheapest places to fly to is Nairobi and, in Southern Africa, Johannesburg usually offers some of the cheapest international flight options. 

Choosing an affordable African safari that starts/ends in one of these cities, or taking an international flight here and then a connecting regional flight onwards, might be cheaper than flying direct to smaller airports across Africa. 

We recommend checking out the flight prices from your hometown when thinking about where your budget safari trip will start and end. 

#4 Avoid Peak-Season Surges in Safari Prices

If you want to do an African safari on a budget, steer clear of peak season months, along with school holidays, to avoid big crowds and inflated prices. 

To save money and enjoy a more relaxed safari experience, consider planning your trip during the shoulder seasons (the periods before and after peak season) or the ‘green season’ - usually the rainier months. At these times you'll still find plenty of wildlife, along with lower safari prices and smaller crowds.

Masai Mara budget safari in Kenya

That said, make sure to research the seasons at your preferred safari destination before booking and keep some level of seasonality in mind. While some affordable safari destinations offer great year-round wildlife spotting, in other places, the peak rainy season can mean roads become difficult to navigate and certain attractions/parks close, so there will be some date ranges you want to avoid in certain spots! As an example, see the seasonal price differences for this 4-Day Masai Mara Kenya Safari, which is USD 500 cheaper in the low season than in the high season. 

In peak safari season (July through Oct), the cost of this tour is $1842 per person (based on 2 sharing a room), in shoulder season (January to March), it’s $1434 for the same tour and in low season (April and May), it’s just $1350!

 #5 Join a Group Safari Tour for Big Cost Savings 

It might seem surprising, but the best way to embark on an affordable African safari is normally to join a group tour, rather than try to plan a safari adventure independently. That’s because specialist travel agencies, like African Budget Safaris, can access group discounts on accommodation, game drives and park entry fees, meaning big savings for you too.

Rarely will you be able to get the same prices when you self-drive or organise your own affordable safari trip, making these group tours one of the cheapest ways to travel in Africa. And group safari tours can be a lot of fun too! 

Kruger group safari on a budget

Getting to share those incredible up-close wildlife encounters with other animal enthusiasts and swapping stories around the campfire allows you to bond with fellow adventurers, which always heightens the enjoyment.

Group tours also mean a whole load less work for you! Travel experts, such as African Budget Safaris, take care of almost all the safari logistics - booking entrance tickets or park passes and accommodation, as well as arranging transport and game drives - which allows you to focus more on the fun aspects of your trip!

It’s also worth remembering that the size of the group will affect the price of your budget safari, with larger group tours being the cheapest option. 

For example, this 6-Day South Africa Garden Route Small Group Tour is $1351 per person (based on 2 sharing a room), whereas this similar Garden Route Tour of the same length, using similar accommodation, but travelling in a bigger group, costs just $650-$750. 

#6 Embrace Affordable Safari Accommodation Options  

When planning an African safari on a budget, it’s good to decide what level of comfort you need and how much rustic simplicity you’re willing to adopt. 

Basic camping is the most wallet-friendly accommodation option on most safari trips, while tented camps provide a bit more comfort whilst remaining more affordable than lodge stay options.

Tented camping varies in set-up from place to place, but generally involves staying in semi-permanent camps that include walk-in safari tents with beds and other basic furniture. These camps also usually include tented or thatched communal lounges and dining areas, along with campfire spots.

Tented camp Khwai, affordable safari

If you're not a seasoned camper, tented camps offer a more enjoyable safari base than a basic tent, making them the best option when it comes to getting the lowest safari prices and a decent level of comfort!

This 7-Day Tanzania Lodge Safari costs $3360 per person in peak season (based on 2 people sharing a room), whereas this Tanzania Wildlife Safari Camping Tour of the same length is just $2200 in peak season. 

#7 Choose a Local Safari Tour Operator 

When picking your affordable African safari tour, it can often be cheaper to go with a tour company that’s based in Africa rather than a global or international company. 

African tour company

That’s because local safari tour operators have valuable on-the-ground knowledge - they are familiar with smaller, lesser-known camps,  and can show you hidden gems as well as off-the-beaten-path experiences. Local tour operators also have better connections, which gives them access to the best safari deals, resulting in the best prices for you!

Here at African Budget Safaris, we choose our travel partners carefully, working only with the top local companies from across the continent. 

#8 Check What Your Budget Safari Does and Doesn’t Include

Our budget safari tours generally include the cost of the main trip elements - such as transport, entrance fees, accommodation and some meals, but there are additional things you’ll need to budget for. 

Flights, visas and vaccinations are all elements of a trip you’ll need to sort for yourself when planning an African safari on a budget. 

It’s worth bearing in mind therefore that South Africa, Namibia, Eswatini and Botswana all allow visa-free travel for UK and US citizens - a great perk if you're planning an affordable safari. 

If you’re planning an East African safari that spans multiple countries, consider looking at the East African visa for a better deal. This is a joint entrance visa that allows travel within Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda and is cheaper than getting individual entry visas for each of these countries. 

Hot air balloon safari extras

On almost all African safari tours you’ll also have the chance to take part in extra excursions and activities - be it additional game drives, scenic flights or adrenaline sports. Although these will be tempting, if you’re trying to stick to a tight budget you’ll want to prioritise these extras, keeping them to a minimum and making sure you’ve budgeted for them too.

To give you an idea, here are some common safari extras you might want to budget for: 

• Masai Mara Balloon Rides start from $447 per person
• Victoria Falls Helicopter Rides begin at $150 per person 
• Extra Serengeti Game Drives start at $75 per person 

Finally, you’ll also want to bring extra cash for tips (see our guide to tipping on African safaris for more). 

It’s customary and important to tip some of the crew that are looking after you during your safari trip, especially your driver, guides and camp staff. 

Make sure to bring enough cash to show your appreciation for those people working hard to make your African safari a roaring success. 

#9 Consult a Good Travel Expert in Africa

Consulting a good African travel agent can save you money by helping you navigate the complex world of safari travel. They can help you find an affordable African safari which matches all your needs, priorities, timeframe and budget, as well as ensure you get the best possible deal.

Our team of African Travel Experts have the knowledge and experience to help you get the most out of your African vacation, for the least money! 

Affordable african safari

Speak to our team today to get some expert help planning your African safari on a budget. 

An African safari is an incredible experience that you'll never forget, so don't let the cost of the trip prevent you from having the time of your life. By following these budgeting tips and strategies, you can embark on an unforgettable African safari experience without compromising on quality. 

Experiencing the best African safari on a budget is all about planning, flexibility and a good dose of adventurous spirit!