Going on safari in Africa is a bucket-list, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Whether you choose an all-inclusive safari package to Kenya, Tanzania, or Zambia, or the go-it-alone self-drive experience in Namibia, South Africa, or Zimbabwe, there will be additional and unexpected costs. African Budget Safaris unpacks 14 extra safari costs to help you manage your safari budget.
African safari packages typically include transport on tour, accommodation during your safari, some (if not all) meals, selected beverages like local beers and soft drinks (high-end brands are usually excluded), game drives, and selected activities. There are however several costs that come up that are not included in the price of many African safari packages.
Don’t let these “hidden” extra safari costs take you by surprise!
Getting to your safari destination is NOT included in the cost of your safari package. There are some direct flights to Africa from Europe but the majority of long-haul flights to Africa connect via the Middle East. Generally speaking, direct flights are more expensive, and the more affordable flights involve layovers in larger travel hubs like Dubai. Working with experienced travel agents will help you book the best flights to Africa and back again. These agents will be aware of seasonal cost fluctuations, the most affordable routes, and the best up-to-date budget-friendly airlines. In this instance, it does help to deal with an African safari expert as they will be able to manage the logistics of coordinating your arrival with your safari operator. A good way to save money is to be flexible with your travel dates and to take advantage of credit card reward points, and frequent flier miles.
Visa costs vary from country to country. More and more countries are offering e-visas which can be obtained online before your departure. Many destinations also offer visas on arrival that must be paid for at border control posts. Navigating this changing landscape can be both stressful and costly. Typically, visas range from US$ 50 to US$ 150 per person. A good African safari travel agent can advise you on the latest visa costs but also suggest cost-saving visa options like the KAZA visa that allows multiple entries between Zambia and Zimbabwe when visiting Victoria Falls.
Health is an important part of an African safari. As a rule, it is good to be up to date with routine vaccinations like tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis, yellow fever, and diphtheria. Certain places in Africa also carry malaria risk and you will need to take malaria prophylactics during your visit. If you are travelling with young children, it might be better to plan a safari to a malaria-free destination like the Western Cape in South Africa. Schedule a visit to your local travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before your departure. Depending on your health insurance, vaccinations may or may not be covered.
Tipping etiquette varies across destinations, and the amount depends on who is being tipped, how long your stay has been, and of course, the quality of service. Tipping, while often expected, is always discretionary. Excellent service should be rewarded and many guides, cleaning staff, and waitrons depend on tips as a part of their income. Visitors to Africa who come from non-tipping cultures often struggle with tipping when they have already paid a significant amount of money for their safari. However, it is a good idea to look at tipping etiquette from both sides of the equation and to avoid surprises, do your research and budget for the inevitable like car guards in Cape Town, trackers in the Masai Mara, and safari guides in South Luangwa, not to mention the cleaning staff in remote destinations like the Okavango Delta in Botswana. For more information, see African Budget Safaris’ guide to tipping on African safaris.
When you book an African safari travel insurance is mandatory. While the vast majority of African safaris themselves are trouble-free, expenses related to medical emergencies can be significant. Safaris by nature, require getting to out-of-the-way places, and making sure that you are covered in case of an emergency is essential. Having a heart attack in Botswana or Namibia for example would require being airlifted to a medical clinic in South Africa. In addition to health issues, travel insurance will cover cancellations, delays, losses, damages, and any other costs not covered by your safari package.
African Budget Safaris partners with Global Rescue to provide robust travel protection and travel insurance through Signature Travel Insurance. Find out more about Travel Insurance for Africa.
Safari accommodation rates are typically calculated based on two guests sharing a room or tent. These rates cover expenses like meals, room maintenance, lodge operations, and staff salaries. However, for solo travellers, these rates can be steep. To accommodate single guests, many lodges and hotels offer a 'per-person' rate with an additional single supplement, ranging from 25% to 75% of the 'per-person' rate, ensuring they can balance their costs and make the safari experience more accessible for those travelling alone.
If you are open to travelling with a group of new people, and sharing accommodation, this can be a great way to save money.
During the peak safari season, the dry winter months when game viewing is at its best, demand for popular destinations is high. High demand means that prices for safaris and safari accommodation go up. As a result of this, some destinations add a high-season supplement, which means you will pay more to visit during peak season, Easter, and over Christmas for example.
To avoid these peak season costs, consider being flexible with your dates and travelling in the low, or shoulder season. An expert safari consultant will be able to advise you on the most affordable season for safari travel.
Getting to a safari destination is one thing, but ticking off bucket list items is altogether another. If you are visiting Victoria Falls, for example, it would be remiss not to take advantage of any of the adventure activities like swimming in the Devil's Pool or white water rafting. Ditto when visiting the Okavango where a scenic flight for a birds-eye view of the Delta is an absolute must. Taking advantage of these incredible activities might cost a bit extra, but people who spend the money don’t regret it. Be clear on what is, and is not included in your budget safari, so that you can set aside some extra cash for unforgettable experiences like taking a dawn hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti.
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Going gorilla trekking is one of East Africa’s most sublime experiences. Because of the nature of gorilla trekking and the high demand for this activity, gorilla trekking permits are seldom included in the cost of your safari package.
For answers to more gorilla trekking questions, you can read our quick guide to gorilla trekking in East Africa.
Safari packages often include meals at your safari lodge or prepared during your camping or overland safari. These may include water or juice, however, alcoholic beverages, especially hard-tack and imported brands will have to come out of your own pocket. Similarly, while dinners and breakfasts are often part of your accommodation package, you may well have to spend money on meals between destinations. When booking your safari it is good practice to check through your itinerary so that you know when meals are included.
Your safari will effectively start when you are collected by your safari guides and taken to your safari destination. To avoid logistic headaches created by flight delays or other logistical hiccups, it is standard practice for guests to arrive the day or night before their safari begins, and back to their terminal destination in good time. Any accommodation that you need to get either pre- or post-safari will be at your own expense.
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Safari companies aim to keep costs down by using more affordable options. And while domestic flights will save you time, as a rule, they are a more expensive option. Unless you purchase a fly-in safari it is very unlikely that your domestic flights will be included in the cost of your safari. Similarly, your airport transfers, unless expressly stated, will be at your own expense.
Most safari packages will include the park and conservation fees for your safari destination. However, it does happen that some safari packages do not include park fees. This will be particularly important when visiting a country like Tanzania where park fees are more expensive. In addition to this, some destinations have been known to increase safari conservation fees at short notice and these increases will be passed on to guests.
While flying internationally, airport taxes are usually included in the cost of your ticket. Particularly when travelling domestically, in some destinations like Zanzibar for example, you will be charged an arrival and departure tax payable in cash at the airport. In addition to this, in Zanzibar, there is a US$ 5 per day tourist levy charged by hotels that often takes guests by surprise. The best way to be prepared for these extra expenses is to talk through the costs with your booking agent (if you choose to get an all-inclusive package) or ask your hotel for up-to-date tourist levy information.
For help planning your trip within budget see our simple 8-step guide on How to Plan the Best African Safari on a Budget.
Budget travel agents, like African Budget Safaris, work hard to bring you the most affordable African safari deals. When looking at pricing information for any tour, be sure to find the ‘full pricing’ option that will lay out all the different seasonal prices, as well as give you options for single supplements, and add-ons like balloon rides or extra safari days. Now that you know what safari costs are often excluded from African safari packages, you know what to look out for and what to ask your expert travel consultant about. Don’t be shy to make contact with one of our expert safari travel consultants, and check what is, and is not included in your African safari package.
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