The Prices of Budget Safaris to East Africa
Jump to: Best Tours | Tour Prices
Your safari dreams don't have to come with a sky-high price tag, especially in East Africa. From spotting breathtaking wildlife to immersing yourself in jaw-dropping landscapes, safaris deliver unforgettable experiences at every turn.
In this guide, we'll explore the costs of safari tours around East Africa, highlight budget-friendly options, and share tips to help you make the most of your adventure. We've analyzed the tours, crunched the numbers, and found safaris that combine incredible value with epic encounters. Whether it's a weekend getaway or a longer journey, your affordable safari in East Africa is just a few clicks away. Grab your binoculars and camera – the wild is waiting for you!
Why does East Africa appeal to travelers on safari?
East Africa is synonymous with iconic safari experiences, offering unparalleled wildlife encounters. East 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 East Africa cost?
The average price per day for budget safaris in East Africa is $168, based on our analysis of 10 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $106 to $195 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $137 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $193 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.
We partner with TourRadar because they offer the world's largest selection of multi-day organized tours, offering seamless travel experiences while supporting local businesses. It's the perfect way to explore new destinations with ease and confidence.
The Best Safaris in East Africa
Budget-Friendly Safaris
Budget-friendly and affordable budget safaris in East Africa average $137 per day, with daily prices from $106 to $164. 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 Baobab Safari here.
Mid-Range Safaris
For typical budget safaris in East Africa that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $173 per day. Daily prices range from $165 to $186. 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 7-Day Bush & Beach Adventure – Wildlife Meets Ocean Bliss.
Luxury Safaris
Luxury budget safaris in East Africa average around $173 per day, with daily costs ranging from $190 to $195. 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 Kenya Wildlife Safari.
Which tour companies offer these trips?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer budget safaris in East 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.
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
Oasis Overland
Oasis Overland is a large company with a focus on overland truck tours through Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Argentina. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 5 days to 38 weeks. Overland truck tours are their primary specialty, offering travelers the chance to visit remote destinations. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings. Their expertise is in wildlife viewing tours, so you can count on having a fun time.
See All Tours from Oasis Overland
Smile view Kenya tours and travel
Smile view Kenya tours and travel offers local safari tours through Kenya. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 1 day to 10 days. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category. By specifically offering wildlife safaris, this company offers a number of great adventures that can't be missed.
See All Tours from Smile view Kenya tours and travel
Travelia Safari
Travelia Safari is a smaller tour company that focuses on Madagascar. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many safaris focusing on families with children. A large number of their safaris fall within in the mid-range price category.
See All Tours from Travelia Safari
Departure Destinations in East Africa
Wondering where tours launch from in East 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 East Africa include Nairobi, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru, Kigali, and Kampala.
Budget Safaris vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
Deciding between an organized tour and independent travel? Keep these important aspects of each option in mind.
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?
Is traveling independently less expensive than taking guided budget safaris? The answer isn't straightforward. Guided tours often include services like hotels, transportation, meals, entry tickets, guides, and activities, all of which you would need to arrange and pay for individually if traveling on your own. To determine the cost difference, you'd need to compare the total cost of the tour package with the cost of booking everything separately. You may prefer a less expensive hotel or splurge on dining, so the cost of a tour could either save you money or cost you more. Be sure to review what's included in the tour package before making your comparison.
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
See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to East Africa, The Best Wildlife Tours to East Africa, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in East Africa, The Best Historical Tours in East Africa, The Best 10-Day Tours in East Africa, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in East Africa, The Best 3-Day Tours in East Africa, The Best 2-Week Tours in East Africa, The Best 3-Week Tours in East Africa, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in East Africa, The Best Extended Trip Tours in East Africa, One Month or Longer, The Best Bicycle Tours in East Africa, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in East Africa, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in East Africa, The Best Overlanding Trips in East Africa, The Best Coach Bus Tours in East Africa, The Best Bird Watching Tours in East Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to East Africa, The Best Eco Tours in East Africa, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in East Africa, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in East Africa, The Best White Water Rafting Tours in East Africa, The Best Sightseeing Tours in East Africa, The Best Cultural Tours in East Africa, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in East Africa, The Tours for Animal Lovers in East Africa, The Best Volunteering Tours in East Africa, The Best Photography Tours in East Africa, The Best Camping Tours in East Africa, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in East Africa, The Best Safaris in East Africa, The Best Walking Tours in East Africa, The Best Honeymoon Tours in East Africa, The Best Tours Under $1000 in East Africa, The Best Luxury Tours to East Africa, The Best Budget Tours to East Africa, The Best Tours for Seniors to East Africa, The Best Contiki Tours to East Africa, or The Best G Adventures Tours to East Africa for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
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.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.