What is a Private African Safari and Can You Afford it?

Ready to book your private African safari? See what a private African safari costs and what it entails. No matter where you choose to go – Chobe in Namibia, Amboseli in Kenya, or Serengeti in Tanzania – it’s good to know what you are getting for your hard-earned buck on private safaris.

Not all private African safari packages are the same. So what is a private safari in Africa and can you afford it?

Private Safaris

“Private safari” means that you get to choose your tour group and control the size of your travel party. You choose who to share your private African safari with and the number of people travelling in your group.

The first thing to know is that the term “private safari” refers to a spectrum. There are private African safari packages to suit every budget. Whether you want a high-end bespoke safari experience with luxury accommodations, swimming pools, and exclusive game viewing opportunities or something a little more rustic with an African bush flavour in a tented camp, there is an option made for you and your budget.

Private Safaris can be broken down into two basic categories: a private African safari package or a private tailor-made African safari. The first category is a private safari based on an existing itinerary program and the second is a custom safari tailored to your wishes. Let's dive into the differences in more detail...

Private African Safari Package

A private African safari package, simply put, is a fixed itinerary safari tour for just you and your group. These African safari packages will visit pre-arranged destinations and follow pre-determined routes. The set private safari packages often visit the most popular African destinations without any specific or specialized activities and sights. Group sizes can be anything from 2 to 29 people. So if you want to travel with your best friends or your extended family, this is a quick and easy option that will give you an amazing African safari experience without too much fuss. Simply pick the safari package and off you go on your set private safari. 

Although the itinerary and departure dates of these private African safaris are 'set' beforehand, they are often flexible. This means you can usually request some changes.

For a private African safari package that can be adjusted to some extent, talk to African Budget Safaris.

Tailor-made or Custom Safaris in Africa

A tailor-made private African safari gives you more control. You get to choose not only who you go with but where you go, how you go, and what you do too. Bespoke safari packages (or custom safaris) are great for those who have specific African destinations in mind and particular activities on their bucket list. You might be travelling to see Zanzibar’s Old Town or want to get a glimpse of the black-maned lions of the Kalahari Desert, well-known or obscure, you get to choose on private custom safaris.

Secondly, custom safaris can get you off the beaten track and into specialized activities. Kite-surfing in Cape Town, kayaking the Orange River, birding in the Okavango Delta, or climbing Kilimanjaro, a tailor-made private safari is ideal for you. If you want to explore Africa on your own terms, then a custom African safari is just the ticket. The big question is will your budget stretch and can you afford it?

Go to Private Custom Safaris for a better idea of how these private safaris work and what your options are, or talk to an African travel expert

Can You Afford a Private African Safari?

So here is the great news: a custom private African safari does not necessarily have to cost more than a fixed-itinerary private safari package. That’s right. A tailor-made private safari can even cost you less! But how you might be wondering? Well, there are a few things to consider when you are planning your private safari in Africa with your expert travel consultant.

How many are you?

The number of people will affect the cost of your private safari. The more people there are in your private safari group, the lower the individual safari cost. Think of the difference between driving your car to work and taking the bus. Share the ride, share the cost. The balancing factor here is the intimacy of a smaller group versus the hubbub of a larger crowd. Look for the sweet spot that suits your ideal best.

To Luxury Safari or not to Luxury Safari?

Next, you need to consider the comfort level or luxury of your private safari. Obviously, the more comfort you want, the more you are going to pay. But that is the great thing about a custom private African safari, you get to choose. You can even mix it up, budgeting in tents for certain experiences and then splashing on a five-star lodge in a special location. Communicating with your professional travel consultant is key. The travel experts at African Budget Safaris have experience putting together custom safaris and private safari packages. Our team knows how to save on safari costs and where to get the best value for your money.

Location, location, location...

Lastly, your destination is key. Remote locations will be harder to access and this will push your African safari costs up. The remote regions of the wild Okavango Delta, for example, will be more costly than visiting the Chobe National Park. Popularity on the other hand is a double-edged sword and can go both ways. Visiting the endangered mountain gorillas is both popular and remote and these safari experiences come at a premium. An experienced safari travel consultant will have a good idea about where to save and where to spend and will work with you to tick all the boxes.

Private African Safari Packages

​These are just a few of the private African safari packages that you can book through African Budget Safaris. Many of our shared group safaris can be booked as private group tours upon request and customized to suit you. 

Private Tanzania Safari Packages:

• 9-Day Private Tanzania Safari to Southern Game Parks - Selous/Nyere, Ruaha, Mikumi & Udzungwa Mountains
• 7-Day Private Tanzania Safari to Mikumi & Ruaha National Parks
• 7-Day Private Tanzania Safari (Lodge & Camping Tour) - Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Great Rift Valley, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
• 6-Day Tanzania Private Safari (Camping & Lodge Tour) - Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Great Rift Valley, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater

Private Botswana Safari Packages:

• 13-Day Private Botswana Safari: Okavango Delta, Moremi & Chobe (Mobile Camping Trip)
• 10-Day Private Botswana Safari: Kalahari & Salt Pans (Mobile Camping Trip) 
• 7-Day Private Botswana Safari: Chobe & Khwai River Area (Mobile Camping Trip)
• 11-Day Private Botswana Safari: Moremi & Chobe (Mobile Camping Trip)

Private Namibia Safari Packages:

• 5-Day Private Namibia Desert & Swakopmund Safari
• 7-Day Private Namibia Desert, Swakopmund & Etosha Safari
• 10 Day Explore Namibia Private Safari - Namib Desert, Swakopmund, Etosha & Waterberg Plateau
• 14-Day Northern Namibia Private Safari - Western Etosha Park, Kunene, Kaokoland, Damaraland

​Private Madagascar Tour Packages:

• 7-Day Masoala Peninsula Private Madagascar Tour Package

Note that safaris to private game reserves, private concession areas, and private lodges or camps are not necessarily private safaris. These more exclusive safaris are often small group tours (limited to about 6 or 7 travellers per group), but not private group safaris.

Ready to Plan Your Private African Safari?

If you are planning to visit Africa, a private African safari is a fantastic option. Private safaris come in all shapes and sizes.

If you are looking for a quick fix, a set itinerary private safari package is an easy option. If you or your group have bucket list items and specialist interests, then it’s worth doing a little research and having a conversation with an experienced African safari consultant. A custom private safari doesn’t have to cost more. Talk to one of our friendly consultants today and take the first step towards making your African safari dream become a reality.