How Much Does an African Safari Cost

At Discover Africa we will always find you the best value

We’ll work with you to create a journey that makes the most of your time and money. As a rule, we prefer to include as many of the costs upfront so that there are no unpleasant surprises once you’re on safari.

 

1. Your accommodation

 

Accommodation usually makes up the bulk of your safari's cost, so where you stay has the biggest impact on your budget. Options range widely, from a few hundred dollars to over $3000 a night per person.  We know which hotels and lodges offer the best value for money and these are the ones we'll recommend. Remember to pay attention to what's included and excluded. A lodge with all-inclusive rates may seem more expensive, but a lower-priced lodge may charge exorbitant rates for your gin & tonic, laundry, internet or other extras.

 

Because lodging accounts for the majority of your safari's cost, where you stay has the most impact on your budget. The prices range from a few hundred dollars to over $1500 per person per night. We know which hotels and lodges provide the best value for money, and we'll recommend them. Keep an eye out for what's included and what's not. While an all-inclusive lodge may appear to be more expensive, a lower-cost lodge may demand excessive charges for your gin and tonic, laundry, internet, and other amenities.

 

2. Your travel dates and time




We can advise you on how to benefit from low season rates.

 

Every destination has busy peak season rates, which can be as much as double the low season rates. Sometimes there are also shoulder seasons, priced between the two. If your travel dates are flexible, we can advise you on how to benefit from shoulder and low season rates. It's important to be aware that the prices shown on our website – and on other travel sites – are based on low season rates. So if the price you're quoted is higher than the prices you see online, it's because you're probably requesting travel dates that fall outside of the low season. Obviously, the time you spend on safari also has an impact. Reducing the length of your safari will certainly reduce what it costs!

 

We can help you take advantage of low-season pricing. Every destination has high season rates, which can be twice as costly as low season rates. There are also shoulder seasons, which are priced in the middle of the two. We can advise you on how to take advantage of shoulder and low season pricing if your travel dates are flexible. It's crucial to note that the prices displayed on our website – and on other travel sites – are based on off-season rates. If the price you're given is more than what you find online, it's usually because you're looking for travel dates that aren't during peak season. Obviously, the length of your safari has an effect. Reducing the length of your safari will undoubtedly lower the expense!

 

3. Your destinations
 

Island and beach destinations are often less expensive than national parks. Each destination and country you add to your itinerary increases the price of your african safari because of the transport involved as well as possible visa costs. However, it is still more cost effective to do one proper safari and see everything, rather than three smaller ones. Island and beach destinations are often less expensive than national parks as there are no entry or park fees involved, and accommodation is also usually more economical. For example, if we were to book you six days on safari and six days in Zanzibar, it would be less expensive than 12 days on safari. Another option would be to include visits to some of the lesser-known parks and reserves, which are more affordable and often just as good. Popular destinations such as the Serengeti, Masai Mara, the Okavango Delta and gorilla sanctuaries come at a significant premium.

 

Beaches and islands are frequently less expensive than national parks. Because of the transportation needed as well as possible visa expenses, each stop and country you add to your schedule raises the price of your safari. However, rather than three smaller safaris, it is still more cost effective to go on one large safari and see everything. Because there are no entrance or park fees, island and beach destinations are frequently less expensive than national parks, and lodging is usually less expensive as well. It would be less expensive to book you six days on safari and six days in Zanzibar than to book you 12 days on safari. Another alternative is to incorporate visits to some of the lesser-known parks and reserves, which are often as good as the more well-known ones. The Serengeti, Masai Mara, Okavango Delta, and gorilla sanctuary are all popular attractions with a high price tag.

 

4. Your group size
 

Game packages, where you fly from camp to camp and join the lodge vehicles for game drives, often seem more affordable because you are sharing vehicle costs with other guests. However, the flights between the camps can negate the savings. Depending on your group size, it can be cheaper to hire your own vehicle (with an optional driver/guide) and drive from camp to camp. Your driver, vehicle and fuel costs remain consistent and can be divided by the number of people in your group. This could save you up to $1000 per person over a week. Once again, these are the kinds of things we can help with.

 

Because you are sharing vehicle expenditures with other guests, game packages where you fly from camp to camp and join the lodge vehicles for game drives appear to be more reasonable. However, the cost of flying between the camps may outweigh the savings. It may be less expensive to hire your own vehicle (with an optional driver/guide) and drive from camp to camp, depending on the size of your group. The prices of your driver, car, and gasoline stay constant and can be divided by the number of passengers in your group. Over the course of a week, this may save you up to $1000 per person. These are the kinds of things we can assist with once again.