The Prices of Budget Safaris to Africa
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Embarking on a safari in Africa is a dream for many - a chance to witness majestic wildlife in their natural habitats and immerse oneself in breathtaking landscapes. Whether you're tracking the Big Five across the savannas or exploring remote areas teeming with life, safaris offer unparalleled experiences for nature enthusiasts. In this article, we'll delve into the costs associated with safari tours in Africa, showcase some of the most affordable options, and highlight popular destinations that promise unforgettable encounters with the wild while staying within your price range.
To guide you in selecting the ideal safari, we've conducted an in-depth analysis of various tours and their prices. By evaluating factors such as price-per-day, quality, destinations, and included amenities, we've identified affordable options around Africa that provide exceptional value. Whether you're seeking a short getaway or a full-fledged adventure safari, our insights will help you find a trip that aligns with your expectations and financial plans. So, prepare your binoculars and safari hat - your journey into Africa on a budget is about to begin!
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 $146, based on our analysis of 30 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $91 to $200 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $108 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $183 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 $108 per day, with daily prices from $91 to $128. 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 South Africa Road Trip: Kruger Safari Meets Garden Route (27 destinations) here.
Mid-Range Safaris
For typical budget safaris in Africa that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $146 per day. Daily prices range from $132 to $161. 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 Garden Route & Addo Group Adventure - 6 Days.
Luxury Safaris
Luxury budget safaris in Africa average around $146 per day, with daily costs ranging from $164 to $200. 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 Kruger in Depth.
Which tour companies offer budget safaris?
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.
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
Bonvoyage Kenya Safaris
Bonvoyage Kenya Safaris offers local safari safaris through Kenya. Most participants are adults and the safaris range in length from 3 days to 10 days. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many safaris focusing on families with children. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings. Because of their specilization in safaris, you can be sure to have a spectacular adventure.
See All Tours from Bonvoyage Kenya Safaris
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
Bokbus Garden Route Adventure Tours & Safaris
Bokbus Garden Route Adventure Tours & Safaris is a smaller tour company that focuses on South Africa. The small group sizes, often less than 10, make for a very personal experience. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. 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. Animal lovers will appreciate the tours that let you experience the magic of the region's beautiful elephants.
See All Tours from Bokbus Garden Route Adventure Tours & Safaris
Budget Safari Destinations in Africa
Wondering where budget safari tours visit 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 Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Cape Town, Nairobi, and Victoria Falls.
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 independent travel cheaper than guided budget safaris? The answer is not simple. Tours provide many of the services that you would otherwise pay for yourself on an independent trip. Hotels, transportation, food, entry tickets, guides, and activities are provided on organized tours, whereas you would pay for everything separately on your own. To deterine the difference in price, you would need to compare the combined price of everything in a tour with everything you would book separately. Sometimes you might want to stay in a cheaper hotel, or eat at a more expensive restaurant, so the price of a tour could be more or less than what you would otherwise pay on your own. Make sure you know what is included 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
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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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