The Prices of Budget Safaris to Africa
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Setting out on an affordable safari through Africa is more than just a trip – it's the adventure of a lifetime! Imagine locking eyes with a lion, spotting elephants roaming freely, or catching a glimpse of rare wildlife in their natural habitat. Safaris let you dive into breathtaking landscapes and get closer to nature than ever before.
In this guide, we'll explore how to make your safari dreams come true without breaking the bank. We've scoured the options, crunched the numbers, and found affordable safari tours that deliver unforgettable experiences. From cost-effective shorter trips to longer adventures that still keep costs low, this guide will help you plan the perfect safari through Africa while staying within your budget. Pack your binoculars and prepare for an epic wildlife journey – Africa is waiting!
Why does Africa appeal to travelers on safari?
Africa is synonymous with iconic safari experiences, offering unparalleled wildlife encounters. Africa's expert-guided tours and various accommodation options enhance the safari adventure, making it a top choice for wildlife lovers.
How much do budget safaris in Africa cost?
The average price per day for budget safaris in Africa is $156, based on our analysis of 61 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $91 to $198 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $122 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $190 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Safaris in Africa
Budget-Friendly Safaris
Budget-friendly and affordable budget safaris in Africa average $122 per day, with daily prices from $91 to $141. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out 12-day Durban, Lesotho & Cape Town (Camping) here.
Mid-Range Safaris
For typical budget safaris in Africa that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $157 per day. Daily prices range from $141 to $173. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is 12-day Durban, Lesotho & Cape Town (Accommodated).
Luxury Safaris
Luxury budget safaris in Africa average around $157 per day, with daily costs ranging from $179 to $198. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is 10 Days in Egypt: Cairo (GEM) Wonders, Nile Cruise & Hurghada Beaches.
Which tour companies offer these trips?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer budget safaris in Africa. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
G Adventures
G Adventures is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Thailand, Peru, South Africa, and Vietnam. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, island hopping, snorkelling, surfing, wine tasting, kayaking, cooking classes, water sports, jungle surfing, and canyoning.
See All Tours from G Adventures
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Australia, Thailand, Tanzania, and Italy. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, wine tasting, snorkelling, kayaking, cooking classes, island hopping, white water rafting, surfing, horse riding, whale watching, and bird watching.
See All Tours from Intrepid Travel
Earthstompers Adventures
Focusing on South Africa, Earthstompers Adventures is a smaller tour company which provides a personalized level of service to customers. Traveling with Earthstompers Adventures provides for a very personal experience, because most of their tours have less than 12 people. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category. With a focus on wildlife viewing tours, they ensure you'll have a fantastic experience. Elephant admirers will treasure the tours that allow you to witness the beauty of these majestic creatures.
See All Tours from Earthstompers Adventures
Acacia Adventure Holidays
Acacia Adventure Holidays offers local overland truck tours through South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, and others. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 3 days to 8 weeks. Their expertise is in organizing fantastic overland truck adventures to exciting destinations. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, wine tasting, and whale watching.
See All Tours from Acacia Adventure Holidays
Departure Destinations in Africa
Wondering where tours launch from in Africa? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
A few of the most popular places visited by tours in Africa include Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, and Maun.
Budget Safaris vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
If you're torn between arranging your own trip and booking a guided tour, take a moment to weigh the differences between the two approaches.
Organized Tours
Pros- Guided safaris provide expert wildlife trackers and guides who enhance the experience.
- Professional guides know the best times and places to spot animals.
- Safari vehicles are specially equipped for wildlife viewing and photography.
- Guided tours handle permits and park fees, simplifying logistics.
- Knowledgeable guides offer detailed insights into animal behavior and habitats.
- Accommodations are often located in prime spots for wildlife viewing.
- You can join a group, making the experience more social and shared.
- Guided tours offer increased safety, especially in remote or dangerous areas.
- Pre-planned itineraries ensure you maximize time in key wildlife hotspots.
- Guides can adapt the tour to improve your chances of seeing specific animals.
- Fixed itineraries might not align with your specific preferences.
- Larger group sizes can make it harder to enjoy quiet wildlife moments.
- Departure times and schedules are not always flexible.
- The tour may focus on popular attractions, missing hidden or less-visited gems.
Independent Travel
Pros- You have complete flexibility in choosing destinations and timing.
- Independent trips allow you to prioritize animals or parks you want to visit most.
- Planning your own trip allows for more privacy and solitude.
- You can create a personalized itinerary based on your interests.
- Some parks and wildlife areas require guides for safety purposes
- Researching and organizing the trip can be time-consuming and complex.
- Navigating unfamiliar terrains without a guide can be challenging.
- Spotting animals without expert knowledge can be difficult.
- You need to arrange permits, park fees, and accommodations on your own.
- Safety concerns, such as wild animals or remote locations, can be stressful.
- Missing key details, like optimal viewing times, can limit the experience.
- Without local expertise, you might overlook prime wildlife areas.
Which is cheaper?
Can you save money by traveling independently instead of joining guided budget safaris? It's not a simple yes or no. Tours usually include key expenses such as lodging, transportation, meals, entry fees, guides, and activities, which you'd need to manage and pay for individually on your own trip. To figure out the difference, compare the total tour price with the cost of making your own arrangements. Depending on your choices—like opting for budget hotels or premium dining—the cost of a tour might be higher or lower. Be sure to examine the tour inclusions carefully when comparing.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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