How much does an African safari cost, you ask? You'll be pleasantly surprised that African safari tours can be remarkably budget-friendly! For a basic, all-inclusive budget safari, prices start at around US$150 per person/day. That's a no-frills tour that stays at basic campsites and takes advantage of off-season rates. On the other end of the spectrum, the sky is the limit with ultra-luxury safaris.
African safari prices vary widely, from luxury lodges to truly affordable options that still deliver incredible wildlife experiences. In this guide, we focus on what a budget African safari costs, including average daily prices, what's typically included, and how to save money without missing out. Whether you're eyeing a group tour in Kenya or a camping safari in Tanzania, we’ll walk you through the real costs so you can confidently plan your trip.
The most important thing to remember is that the cost of African safaris is sliding. Seasonality, level of accommodation, and the destinations you want to visit will all affect your trip costs. By tweaking these factors individually, you can find the African safari experience that is perfect for you and your budget.
Based on our experience matching travelers with the best safaris, African Budget Safaris has a comprehensive selection of affordable, popular safaris. These packages offer a no-fuss planning experience and excellent value for money.
You don't have to compromise on quality, even at the cheaper end of the spectrum, where a budget-friendly safari will cost from US$150 to US$300 per person per day.
Please note: The safari tour prices in this post were correct at the time of publication. For the most current pricing, contact our African travel experts.
Planning African safari tours on a budget can be daunting, and the cost of a safari will depend on various factors. The good news is that there is an African safari for almost every budget.
Factors that will affect much your African safari costs include 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 the cost of an African safari. Before we go into details, here are a few safari budget misconceptions to consider.
| Budget African Safari Misconceptions |
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The most essential thing is to work out the cost of your safari package. Generally, safaris fall into three categories: luxury, mid-range, and budget.
Below, we have safari prices based on US dollars per person daily. These budget price ranges are designed to help you determine how much you can expect to spend daily on your safari. The African safari packages that these price brackets are based on range from 1 day to 56 days in length, so once you know the cost per person per night, you can figure out how many nights on safari you can afford.
How much does a budget African safari cost? Well, for the budget-savvy traveller, the affordable safari range is perfect. Most importantly, you get to see and experience the magic of Africa. Budget-friendly safaris save money on accommodation and are a mix of camping and the odd safari lodge or B&B, basic meals, and are a little bit wilder and have a little less pizazz. The other cost factor is group size and duration, as more people on your safari translates to better deals, and the cheaper the cost per day, the longer people tend to travel. The costs of the budget-friendly safari option can be broken down into the following categories:
| Travel Style | Destinations you can visit for US$ 150 - US$ 300 per day | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Camping | Malawi | Mozambique | Namibia | South Africa | Zambia | Zimbabwe | Botswana | Kenya | Tanzania |
| Exclusive Budget | Malawi | Mozambique | Namibia | Zambia | Zimbabwe | ||||
| Overland Camping | Malawi | Mozambique | Namibia | South Africa | Zambia | Zimbabwe | Botswana | Kenya | Tanzania |
| Overland Lodge | Malawi | Mozambique | Namibia | South Africa | Tanzania | Zambia | Zimbabwe | ||
| Lodge Safaris | Namibia | South Africa | |||||||
Mid-range African safari packages will provide more care and comfort but still keep exotic destinations at the heart of things. Mid-range safaris are a good compromise, as often there are fewer people in groups, and the durations are less arduous.
| Travel Style | Destinations you can visit for US$ 360 - US$ 550 per day | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Tours (40+) | Botswana | Namibia | South Africa | |||
| Exclusive Budget | Botswana | Kenya | Tanzania | |||
| Lodge Safaris | Botswana | Kenya | Malawi | Mozambique | Tanzania | Zimbabwe |
| Overland Lodge | Botswana | Kenya | Malawi | Mozambique | Tanzania | Zimbabwe |
| Expedition Tours | Botswana | Malawi | South Africa | Zambia | Zimbabwe | |
How much does a luxury safari cost? In the luxury safari price range, you will not want for any sense of luxury, great food, great accommodation, and even the bee's knees:
| Travel Style | Destinations you can visit for US$ 450 - US$ 1,000 per day | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge Safaris | Botswana | Kenya | Tanzania | Zambia | ||
With this option, not only is the world your oyster, but you also get to decide when, where, and how it gets served. Oh, and did I mention you can have your cake AND eat it?
Private tours and custom safaris do not automatically cost more than packaged group tours. Private and tailor-made safaris can be a cost-effective safari option, especially when you are travelling in a big group. Our safari experts can also tailor your safari to suit your budget and help you save money without compromising the quality of your safari experience.
The cost of a custom or private safari depends on several factors, including destination, mode of transport, duration, and seasonal availability. African Budget Safaris prides itself on delivering high-quality safari experiences that cater to the individual's needs. We specialize in small-group, private, and tailor-made tours and have an excellent selection of ready-to-go private safari trips.
Our experienced consultants can answer your safari questions, so chat with our travel experts.
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Where you go on safari has a big impact on overall costs. Your destination will shape the answer to the question, "How much is a safari in Africa?" What you'll spend on an African safari differs by region, destination, and accessibility.
To provide an easy-to-read guide, we have broken down each safari price bracket by the relevant destinations and the types of trips applicable (above).
Southern Africa safaris are generally more affordable than those in East Africa. Namibia safaris and Zimbabwe safaris are competitively priced. South African safaris are typically cheaper because visitors benefit from a favourable exchange rate and a competitive accommodation market. On the other hand, Zambia safaris and Botswana safaris are not necessarily cheaper than East African safaris.
Tanzania safaris and Kenya safaris cost more than most of Southern Africa because national park fees are higher, pricing is in US dollars, and there are fewer accommodation options close to the safari areas.
For an overview of how much an African Safari in a top country will likely cost, see our articles below.
To find out what an average safari in each country is going to cost you, or ask about the costs in other countries, chat to a safari specialist.
Popular African national parks are often more affordable safari destinations, which is part of their appeal. This is true for top safari destinations such as Kruger National Park in South Africa, Chobe in Botswana, and Etosha in Namibia.
But, ultra-popular safari destinations can also become expensive due to high demand, especially in peak tourist seasons. Masai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania are two examples where the cost of a safari will increase sharply during the busy season, when the Great Migration is at its peak.
The most expensive part of gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda is the gorilla permits, not the national park entry fees. However, a Uganda safari can be affordable without the extra cost of a gorilla trekking permit, so the expenses depend on the specific destinations and activities.
The more remote your safari location, the more expensive it will be. However, if you go on an African safari relatively close to a main airport, it'll be easier to access by vehicle, making it cheaper to reach.
A fly-in trip is a more expensive type of safari holiday, in general. For instance, a safari in Botswana to a remote part of the Okavango Delta will typically cost you more. But the cost of a Botswana safari comes down when you drive into the delta in a safari vehicle from Maun. As a rule, more accessible safari camps will be cheaper in much of Africa, saving you the additional costs of local flights.
For cost-saving tips, see our 8-step Guide to Planning an African Safari on a Budget.
African safaris are a competitive market served by a huge array of companies. It is important to find a safari company that is the right fit for you. And that's where we come in.
African Budget Safaris (ABS) has over 19 years of experience in the safari industry, working with about 90 reputable tour companies across Africa, all vying to bring your trip within your budget.
Together, our team of African travel consultants has over a century of experience in African safari travel. That is firsthand experience travelling in Africa on a budget and working in the African travel industry. This wealth of knowledge, experience, and connections enables us to match each traveller with the best safari outfit for their dream trip.
Based in Cape Town, ABS has figured out how to cater to everyday people, so you won't need to remortgage your house, cancel college, or cash in your retirement annuity to see our amazing landscapes and wildlife. You don't have to waste time and energy on choosing the right safari operator; you can simply contact our African travel team, and we'll find the best fit for you.
If you prefer to trawl the internet and do your own research to find a safari company (that may or may not be the best option for you), just do your homework. One of the best ways to vet your African safari company is to check out its customer reviews. You can read our customer reviews here and see what other travellers say about our services.
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It comes down to personal preference, but the price of your safari does not necessarily reflect the quality of the experience. For example, some travel styles are cheaper than others. A camping overland trip costs less per day than a lodge-based safari, but if you like travelling in a group and camping out under the stars, you may well enjoy it more than a lodge-based experience.
To find out more about each travel style, follow the green links in the tables to go to the main listing page for that safari type. There you will find a detailed description of what to expect for the given style of safari trip, in the first column.
Over the years, African safaris have been actively promoted as costly luxury items. When asked, "How much does a safari cost?" the answer used to be A LOT. Why is that? The main reason is that luxury travel is where the big bucks are to be made for luxury travel agents.
These travel agents leverage the excess of past presidents, royals, and superstars to create an aura of elitism. Exclusive safari experiences, with private guides, chauffeur-driven airport transfers, five-star accommodations, haute cuisine, charter flights, and other needless expenses can run into hundreds and thousands of dollars. Nice for some, but not for everyone.
How much DOES an African safari cost? The truth is that African safaris today offer affordability and outstanding value for money. That's right, affordable safaris exist! We have a massive range of safari trips to suit every travel style and length of stay.
To start your journey, check out our tour search to see what's available. We cover 14 different African countries from South Africa to Kenya and beyond.
For more details about overall safari costs, contact our Africa travel experts and talk to one of our African travel experts.
Below you'll find further reading and articles related or similar to this post.
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