How do I Budget African Safaris?

Using the services of a guide will ensure that you see the most wildlife possible on your safari.

Many people equate African safaris with only luxury travel, but safari types can run the gamut from low-budget tents with transportation by large overland trucks to fly camp safaris, where guests are flown from one camp to another and stay in lavish accommodations. There are several factors that will determine how much you will need to budget for your safari trip. You need to figure out in what areas you might want to splurge and other areas where you want to save money.

Instructions

1. Shop for the best airfare prices. Airfare to Africa is generally very expensive. Sign up for airfare alert services, such as Kayak, which will email you about low fares. In addition, scour travel ads and check with airline websites daily for deals that may pop up.

2. Choose a country or countries to visit. Botswana is considered by many to be one of the safest countries in Africa and has several outstanding game parks. Unfortunately, it tends to be more expensive than other countries.

   On the other hand, Tanzania and Kenya are considered to be less expensive, but many of their popular tourist areas, such as Ngorongoro Crater, are very crowded, with many safari trucks gathering around any game sightings.

3. Choose the type of accommodation you will be the most comfortable staying in and can afford on your African safari. If you are comfortable with completely roughing it and don't mind raising, lowering and staying in tents and possibly using a hole in the ground for a toilet, then you can save a lot of money on a low-budget tented safari. For safety reasons, children are generally not allowed on such trips.

   For those who would rather not rough it, there are several levels of accommodations that a traveler can choose from, including everything from low-budget hotels to luxury tented safaris to elegant game lodges. Your choice of accommodation will be the main determination of how big your budget is going to need to be for your safari.

4. Study safari packages and game lodge rates carefully to see what is included. Most game lodges include two guided game drives a day and meals with lodging, and some even offer a free laundry service. You may think you are saving money by getting a room at a cheaper place, but you lose money if you have to pay for game drives separately.

5. Decide how you will travel from one destination to another, if you will be going to more than one place. In Botswana, for instance, travelers with a big budget can choose to fly into more remote camps in the Okavango Delta. For those on a tight budget, overland trucks, which accommodate large groups of people, are the cheapest way to safari, but also crowded and not very comfortable.

6. Hire a guide if your accommodations do not include them. If you are staying in South Africa's Kruger National Park, for instance, you can rent self-catering lodging through the park. Hiring a guide is extra, but well worth the money.

   It is amazing how even large animals such as elephants, giraffes and lions can blend into their surroundings. A knowledgeable guide can also take you to spots where animals are known to frequent. It would not make sense to pay for airfare and rooms to go to Africa and then miss seeing many of the animals because you chose to skimp on the cost of a guide.

7. Decide whether you want to do any specialty safaris. Choosing to see gorillas in Uganda's Impenetrable National Park, for instance, will add substantially to your safari budget.

8. Factor into your budget the costs of any shots, travel doctor visits and malaria medication that you may need for your trip. Since most of these are not covered by most medical insurance, and some malaria medication can be very pricey, you could easily incur several hundred dollars or more in expenses.

9. Choose the off-season to safari to save money. Summer is high season. Spring and fall are usually cheaper for safaris.

10. Remember to figure in tips for guides and drivers in your budget. Tipping your guide and/or driver is expected.

References

• Budget Travel: The No-Frills African Safari
• Away: Into the Inexpensive Africa

Resources

• CDC - Travelers' Health- Safaries in East and Southern Africa
• Kayak