__banner.jpg)
Wondering which safari optional extras are actually worth paying for? Same. Before my first African safari, I thought the tour price covered almost everything. Then I discovered the wonderfully tempting world of scenic flights, game drives, river cruises, helicopter rides, drinks, tips, and “just one more” once-in-a-lifetime activity.
On my 10-day overland safari through Namibia, Botswana, Chobe National Park, the Okavango Delta, and Victoria Falls, some extras were absolutely worth the splurge. Others were lovely, but not essential. And a few depended less on the activity itself and more on who I shared it with.
Here’s my honest first-timer’s guide to the safari extras I’d pay for again, what I’d skip, and how much extra money I’d budget next time.
If your budget allows, the Okavango Delta scenic flight, Victoria Falls helicopter flight, and Mahango game drive are the optional extras I’d prioritise. If you need to save, skip duplicate game drives where you already have similar wildlife experiences included. Also, budget extra for drinks, tips, park entry fees, and small local purchases, because those little costs sneak up like a baboon near an unattended lunchbox.
The itinerary for my first safari in Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe already included a solid foundation of…
These were all included in the price of the safari, meaning I was not relying on extras to “make” the trip.
That said, there were some optional extras layered on top I could choose from – like additional river cruises and game drives, scenic flights, plus a whole host of adrenaline activities at Victoria Falls.
And these, I discovered, are where your safari budget can stretch quickly.
For a full breakdown of how my (and most other) safari trips are structured, this guide is genuinely useful.
Planning a similar route? This kind of Namibia to Victoria Falls overland safari already includes the big safari building blocks, transport, guiding, campsites, most meals, and several wildlife activities. The optional extras are there to personalise the trip, not to make the trip worthwhile in the first place.
View the 10-day Namibia to Victoria Falls safari or chat to an African Budget Safaris consultant if you’d like help working out what to budget for before you go.
| Safari extra | Approx. cost in USD** | Worth it? | Best for... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Okavango Delta scenic flight | US$110–US$160+ | Yes, top splurge | Big-picture Delta views |
| Mahango game drive | US$55–US$110 | Yes | Quieter wildlife viewing |
| Chobe game drive | US$40–US$95 | Maybe | Predators and classic safari scenes |
| Victoria Falls entry | Around US$50 | Yes, essential | Seeing the Falls properly |
| Victoria Falls helicopter flight | US$160+ | Yes, if the budget allows | Once-in-a-lifetime views |
| Zambezi sunset cruise | US$40–US$70 | Depends | Relaxed social experience |
| Drinks, tips, small extras | Around US$150–US$300 total | Budget for it | Avoiding surprise costs |
**Note: These are guide prices only. Optional activity costs can change by season, operator, route, exchange rate, and local park fees, so check the latest rates with your safari consultant before you travel.
This blog is a companion to our video, African Safari FAQs: Which Overland Activities Are Worth Paying Extra For? If you’d rather watch the full breakdown first, Sakhu talks through the included activities, optional extras, and the safari splurges she’d prioritise next time.
Cost: roughly US$110 to US$160
This is the one I didn’t do… and honestly, the one I regret missing the most.
Two people in our group went up just after we arrived in Botswana, and it sounded incredible.
It seems flying over the Okavango Delta gives you a completely different perspective. From the ground, it’s beautiful but dense. From the air, you see the waterways, floodplains, and wildlife patterns in a way that finally makes sense of the landscape.
At the time, it felt a bit pricey, so I skipped it.
Looking back, it’s probably the one activity I’d go back and book without hesitation.
If your budget stretches to one big splurge, this is the one to prioritise.
For more ideas about popular safari optional extras, this round-up is helpful.
__medium.jpg)
Cost: typically around US$55 to US$110
This one really stood out, especially because of the conditions.
Located in Namibia near the Kavango River, Mahango Game Reserve isn’t as famous as other parks, which means fewer vehicles, fewer crowds, and a more relaxed and intimate wildlife experience.
Experiencing a game drive here during a thunderstorm made the whole experience feel much more raw and unpredictable.
At one point, we spotted a lion around 100m away, which was easily one of the most memorable sightings of the trip.
When it comes to value, this safari add-on was excellent.
Cost: around US$40 to US$95
In Chobe National Park, I had the option to do a game drive in addition to the included river cruise.
If you’re watching your budget, you don’t need both.
The add-on game drive was a classic safari experience and allowed us to see predators and land animals, but did feel similar to other game drives on the trip.
In contrast, the river cruise, which was an included activity, gave a completely different perspective and felt much more relaxed. It offers incredible sightings of elephants, hippos, and sunsets from the water,
If I had to pick one? The river cruise wins for contrast and overall value.
Watching elephants gather at the water’s edge at sunset, with golden light reflecting off the river, was one of the standout moments of the whole trip.
Not sure which safari extras to budget for? Ask before you book. A good safari consultant can help you compare what’s included, what’s optional, and which activities are genuinely worth adding for your route, travel style, and budget.
Arriving at Victoria Falls is where optional extras really ramp up.
Key costs for Vic Falls activities are…
The must-do is entry to the Falls itself, which is non-negotiable
Beyond that, there are loads of options.
The one I loved the most was the helicopter flight over the Falls, often called the “Flight of the Angels”.
Sitting right at the front of the helicopter and flying over the waterfall is genuinely surreal and felt worth far more than the price.
On the flip side, the Zambezi sunset boat cruise was a bit more mixed.
It was still a lovely experience, but doing it solo without the rest of the group made it feel slightly flat compared to everything we’d shared on the trip.
That’s a key takeaway here. Value isn’t just about the activity itself. It’s about the people you experience it with.
For more details on safari activities, this FAQ is worth a read.
This traditional canoe experience is one of the most iconic elements of an Okavango adventure.
Gliding silently through narrow channels while a local guide poles you along feels completely different from a game drive.
It’s slower, quieter, and far more immersive.
We saw smaller wildlife, birds, and incredible plant life you’d miss from a vehicle.
It’s not about big animals. It’s about slowing down.
As it was included in my upfront safari costs, this was an excellent activity.
Small extras are where safari costs quietly creep up without you realising - it’s not excessive in isolation, but it’s constant… a drink here, a tip there, and suddenly your budget’s gone!
Typical small extras on safari include:
Over a couple of weeks, this can easily add US$150 to US$300 to your total spend.
My advice is to budget for this upfront and bring some cash in USD that you can easily change into local currencies.
__medium.jpg)
Worth prioritising, in my opinion, are the Okavango Delta scenic flight, the Victoria Falls helicopter flight, and the Mahango game drive. Each one added, or would have added, something different to the main safari experience.
Potentially skippable are activities that repeat what you have already done. For me, that meant the Chobe game drive, because I had already enjoyed several land-based game drives on the trip. The Zambezi sunset cruise was lovely, but doing it without the rest of the group made it feel less memorable than the shared experiences.
The base price for this overland safari already delivers a strong experience. The extras can elevate it, but you do not need all of them. The trick is to choose the activities that add a new perspective, not just another item on the itinerary.
Want help choosing a safari that includes the right mix of wildlife, comfort, and optional extras? Contact African Budget Safaris, and we’ll help you compare routes, included activities, and realistic on-the-road costs before you book.
For a 10-day overland safari like this, your extra budget depends on how many optional activities you choose. You can keep costs fairly lean by picking one or two standout extras, or spend more if you want big-ticket experiences like scenic flights and helicopter rides.
| Extra safari budget | What it usually covers | Best for | Budget tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| US$150 to US$300 | Victoria Falls entry, drinks, tips, small purchases, and possibly one lower-cost activity. | Travellers keeping a close eye on costs. | Choose one meaningful extra rather than several similar activities. |
| US$300 to US$600 | One bigger optional activity, one smaller add-on, plus drinks, tips, and local costs. | Most first-time safari travellers who want flexibility without overspending. | Prioritise activities that give you a different perspective, such as a river cruise, scenic flight, or special game drive. |
| US$600 to US$850+ | Big-ticket extras such as an Okavango Delta scenic flight or Victoria Falls helicopter flight, plus selected smaller activities and on-the-road costs. | Bucket-list travellers, photographers, and those who want a fuller activity budget. | Book the experiences you would genuinely regret missing, not everything on the list. |
My advice? Budget at least US$300 to US$600 extra for a trip like this if you want some choice along the way. You do not need to say yes to every optional activity, especially if your safari already includes strong wildlife experiences. Spend where the activity adds something new, and save where it repeats what you have already done.
If you’re still weighing up which optional safari activities to budget for, watch the full video here: African Safari FAQs: Which Overland Activities Are Worth Paying Extra For?
__medium.jpg)
The biggest lesson I learned is this: choose experiences, not just activities.
On safari, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of the next optional extra. A game drive here, a sunset cruise there, maybe a scenic flight if the bank card is feeling brave.
But the moments that stay with you are not always the most expensive ones.
Sometimes it’s a thunderstorm rolling across Mahango Game Reserve. Sometimes it’s elephants at sunset on the Chobe River. Sometimes it’s gliding quietly through the Okavango Delta in a mokoro and finally slowing down enough to notice the small stuff.
So, if you’re planning your first African safari, don’t feel pressured to do everything. Pick the extras that add something different, budget for the small costs that creep in, and leave a little space for the unexpected.
Because on safari, the best memories are not always the ones you planned for.
Some are absolutely worth paying for, especially when they give you a completely different view of the destination. Scenic flights, special game drives, river cruises, and helicopter flights can add real value, but you do not need to book every extra to have an amazing safari.
For a 10-day overland safari, budget around US$300 to US$600 for optional activities, drinks, tips, park entry fees, and small purchases. Budget more if you want big-ticket extras like scenic flights or helicopter rides.
Yes, if your budget allows. Seeing the Okavango Delta from the air gives you a completely different sense of its waterways, floodplains, islands, and wildlife patterns. It is the safari extra I regret missing most.
For me, yes. It is not cheap, but seeing Victoria Falls from above is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and gives you a view you cannot get from the walking trails.
Not necessarily. If your safari already includes the Chobe River cruise, budget-conscious travellers may skip the extra Chobe game drive, especially if the trip includes other land-based game drives. The river cruise gives you great elephants, hippos, birds, and sunset views from the water.
Skip extras that repeat experiences already included in your trip. If you have already done several game drives, another optional game drive may not feel essential. Also, think about the social side, because some activities feel less special if you do them away from the group.
Not if the safari is clearly explained. A good overland safari should already include the core experience: transport, guiding, accommodation, meals, and key safari activities. Optional extras are there to personalise your trip, not make the trip worthwhile.
Prioritise the activity that gives you a completely new perspective. On this route, that would be the Okavango Delta scenic flight or the Victoria Falls helicopter flight. Both offer views and memories that feel very different from the included safari activities.
Planning your first safari? Chat to an African Budget Safaris consultant and we’ll help you choose a route with the right mix of included activities, optional extras, and realistic on-the-road costs.
Explore these destinations mentioned in this post.
Below you'll find further reading and articles related or similar to this post.
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.
© 2026 African Budget Safaris | Privacy | Terms | Cookie Policy | Consent Preferences
__thumb.jpg)
tours_through_moremi_game_reserve__thumb.jpg)
__thumb.jpg)
_(1)__thumb.jpg)
at_sunset_by_suzanne_elliot__(2)__large.jpg)
