Budget Safari Guide: How Much Does a South African Safari Cost?

South Africa is a prime wildlife safari destination that attracts millions of visitors each year. Many of them, fall in love with the country to return time and again. But, how much does a South African safari cost? 

With over 20 national parks and hundreds of private game reserves, South Africa is one of the best safari destinations in the world. It is home to Africa's wildest animals and a wide variety of insect, bird, and plant life, boasting some of the richest ecosystems on the planet. Yet, you can experience South Africa on a budget safari!

Sabi Sands safari elephant

In South Africa, safari experiences come in many different forms; from private game drives to walking safaris, travellers can decide how they would like to explore the wilderness. There’s more to South African safaris than seeing the Big 5 animals, an item on many travellers' bucket lists. At African Budget Safaris, we offer a host of South Africa safari packages for the adventurous and brave, families, first-timers, and seasoned safari-goers.

Seeing lions on safari in South Africa

In this budget safari guide, we will look at a range of different South African safari experiences. From exciting one-day tours to longer overnight adventures, we’ll show you what a budget South Africa safari costs. We will explore different types of South African safari locations and accommodation options. You can also check out our comprehensive list of South Africa safari tours for more ideas or browse our budget safari tours across Africa.

One-day South Africa safari costs  

For under $200 per person, there are several one-day South Africa safaris leaving from the cities of Cape Town and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). Our Big 5 Cape Town Safari takes travellers to Aquila Private Game Reserve, a privately owned game reserve about a 2-hour drive from the city. This full-day safari includes a two to three-hour game drive in an open 4x4 game-viewing vehicle. Accompanied by professional game rangers, guests enjoy the best of African wildlife: the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo), zebras, giraffes, and more. Optional extras include spa treatments, a quad bike safari, or even a horseback safari.

Sea lovers will delight in our Marine Big 5 Safari - the Great White Shark Cage Diving Day Tour. On this South Africa safari, it is common to see two or more of the Marine Big 5 (sharks, dolphins, seals, whales, and penguins). About a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Cape Town, this boat tour includes all cage diving gear, a private guide, and light meals -  all for just $191 per person! 

Great White Shark in South Africa

If elephants are your thing, then we recommend a visit to Addo Elephant Park - one of South Africa's top national parks. Our Full Day Addo Elephant Park Safari starts and ends in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), or PE as it is known by the locals. For under $160 per person, you can enjoy a full day at Addo Elephant Park with a small group of up to eight travellers. Addo is the third largest National Park in South Africa and is home to 400 Cape buffaloes, nearly 50 black rhinos, and one of the largest populations of African elephants in the world. 

South African safari elephant

If you can't decide between a regular Big 5 South Africa safari and a Marine Big 5 safari, then our Full Day Addo Elephant Park Big 7 Safari is for you. For just $186 per person, you'll start your day with a boat cruise to a colony of African Penguins before heading into Addo for a 4x4 game drive. You’ll have the chance to see a wide variety of animals in their natural habitats, both on land and in the sea!

Multi-day South Africa safari costs

If one day just isn't going to cut it, then you’re looking at going on a safari for two or more days. In South Africa, safari cost ranges from just $220 per person, for a two-day budget lodge safari at Aquila, to more for luxurious accommodation options. 

Our 4-Day Luxury Kruger Lodge Safari starts at $2,095 per person and includes stays at two different safari lodges and game drives in three of South Africa's top game reserves: Kruger National Park, Balule Private Reserve in the Greater Kruger Park, and the scenic Motlala Reserve.

South African Safari game drives

Apart from the length of your safari, the type of accommodation you choose makes a big difference to the cost. Typically South African safari accommodation includes bungalows, chalets, lodges, and tented camps. Let’s do a cost comparison of a few three-day South Africa safaris that include some of these different accommodation options. 

South Africa safari costs for different accommodation options

Starting at $1,118 per person, our 3-Day Kruger Park Exclusive Lodge Safari includes three-star lodge accommodation. Surrounded by lush indigenous vegetation, guests can make use of an outdoor swimming pool and laundry services. Rooms have air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms, making your stay comfortable while still being affordable. 

South Africa safari cost, Kruger Lodge

With this tour package, a maximum of 10 travellers experience an intimate South African safari. Included in the price is an afternoon or evening game drive on the first day, a full-day game drive on day two, and a final game drive on the third day.

A more affordable three-day South Africa safari is our 3-Day Kruger Safari - Lodge & Treehouse Tour. Starting from $673 per person, guests spend the first night in a budget-friendly game lodge in the Greater Kruger. On the second night, guests stay at an enchanting Treehouse Camp near Kruger National Park. This tour starts with a sunset-to-night game drive on day one. 

Treehouse on South Africa safari

The highlight of day two is exploring Kruger National Park in an open safari vehicle with an experienced guide. Day three starts with an early morning bushwalk with an armed ranger who explains the wonders of South Africa's wild ecosystems as you explore the area on foot. 

For adventurous travellers on a tight budget and limited time, our 3-Day Budget Kruger Safari - Backpackers Tour brings you right into the heart of the South African bush for just $614 per person sharing. With two nights and affordable lodge accommodations, such as en-suite chalets, travellers can enjoy a budget safari without camping.

Semi-luxury camping safari costs in South Africa

While some of us prefer our creature comforts, others revel in the thought of sleeping in a tent nestled deep in the African bush. Starting from just $841 per person, you can enjoy three days of semi-luxury camping in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve with our 3-Day Kruger & Sabi Sands Safari-Tented Camping tour. Camping options include standard, luxury, and superior tented suites - you choose the one that suits your budget and needs. 

Sabi Sands South African safari tent

Sabi Sands is the ideal base camp for exploring the Sabi Sands Reserve and Kruger National Park. Diverse habitats and wild animals abound. This exclusive yet affordable South Africa safari hosts up to 12 guests at a time. 

The standard tents are spacious and set on wooden platforms with an en-suite bathroom and shower. These canvas tents have either a king-size bed or two twin beds. The luxury tent is a larger and more private option. Luxury tents include a bathtub, and an outdoor shower and can accommodate two guests and one child. Superior tents are completely secluded and can host two adults and up to three children.

Enjoy a seven-day South Africa safari on a budget

The last part of this budget safari guide is dedicated to seasoned safari goers looking to get a bit more out of their time in South Africa. These travellers should consider one of our longer South African safari packages. For just $1,232 per person, the Addo to Durban via the Drakensberg - Overland Lodge Safari combines a safari experience with hiking and sightseeing. 

Overland African safari truck

Our South Africa Safari - Kruger to Durban Lodge & Camping tour costs $1,096 per person for a seven-day tour starting in Johannesburg and ending in Durban. It includes game viewing in the Kruger National Park with expert local guides, a visit to KwaZulu-Natal game reserves, and optional extras, such as rhino tracking, boat cruises, game walks, and turtle and whale watching tours (seasonal).

The most dedicated safari goers will enjoy our 7-Day Sabi Sands & Kruger Safari - Tented Camp Safari. This South African safari includes seven days of semi-luxury camping inside the Sabi Sands Reserve where you can enjoy crowd-free game viewing with a private guide. For just $1,656 per person sharing, you get seven days of uninterrupted nature.

South African Safari Cost - Budget Safari Guide

South Africa offers some of the most affordable and comfortable wildlife safaris. With a wide range of destinations, safari types, and accommodation options, there is something to suit any budget. For example, our 4-Day Budget Kruger Park Safari Package (Bungalow Tour) starts from $847 and is also available as a 3-day Kruger Safari ($641) or as a 5-day Kruger Safari ($1,023).

South African safari cost on a budget

Check out our budget South Africa safari packages or get in touch with the team of safari experts at African Budget Safaris.

Pick from a range of South African safaris or let us custom design a private tour according to your personal specifications. Simply let us know how long you want to go, where you want to stay, and which areas you like to visit and our team of travel consultants will do the rest. We look forward to planning your next budget South Africa safari with you!

See our comprehensive African Safari Cost Guide for an overview of African safari costs and to compare the up-to-date safari prices in different countries.