At Discover Africa, our 20 years of safari planning experience shows that understanding the costs of a safari is crucial, due to the many considerations involved.
Africa offers a variety of safari experiences, including budget, midrange, and luxury options – suited to every spending power and level of adventure.Â
While we partner with a number of properties, partners, and ground handlers we do, however, uphold distinct starting price points to ensure high-quality experiences for our guests and positive impacts on the local communities they visit.
Key factors for setting your safari budget:
The costings table provides an instant overview of typical safari costs across various destinations, helping you choose the right destination based on your budget.
Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | ||||
LOW SEASON | HIGH SEASON | LOW SEASON | HIGH SEASON | LOW SEASON | HIGH SEASON | |
Botswana | ||||||
Kenya | ||||||
Mozambique | ||||||
Namibia | ||||||
Rwanda | ||||||
South Africa | ||||||
Tanzania | ||||||
Uganda | ||||||
Zambia | ||||||
Zimbabwe |
Last updated: 3 December 2024
Curious about the cost of an African safari holiday? Calculate what kind of safari experience you can enjoy within your budget.
Level of Accommodation:
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Start planningThere are three main factors that will make a big difference in the price of your safari:
Our safari pricing includes all local flights, transports, and transfers, but excludes international flights.
Pricing displayed is for adults. Child rates vary between lodges. Some lodges offer reduced rates or family rooms. Contact our safari experts for personalised recommendations.
Groups of six or more can benefit from negotiated room rates. We strive to offer the best possible rates for your group.
Costs can vary significantly depending on the region you choose, influenced by factors like seasonality, popularity, and accessibility. At Discover Africa we pride ourselves on delivering expert first-hand safari travel planning advice to shape your tailor-made itinerary to give you peace of mind for an impactful travel experience, wherever you choose to go.
Accommodation is a significant component of your safari cost, profoundly impacting your overall safari budget.
Peak season safari travel, like during the Great Migration for example, is more expensive than off-peak times. Travelling during the low-season, however, can see rates being half the cost of high-season prices. It also sees a more intimate wildlife viewing experience. Shoulder seasons offer mid-range pricing. Flexible travel dates allow you to take advantage of these savings, away from the crowds.
The length of your safari will directly influence the total cost. If you are flexible for a longer stay, it does afford you a less rushed and more immersive safari experience.
Larger groups may benefit from group discounts, while smaller groups or solo travellers may incur higher per-person costs.
Game packages, where you fly from camp to camp and share lodge vehicles for game drives, may appear affordable due to shared vehicle costs. However, inter-camp flights can offset these savings.
Depending on your group size, choosing to drive between camps with a driver and a guide offers a more personal, quality safari experience. We can assist in finding the best options for your preferred group size.
Guided tours, self-drive safaris, and private safaris all have different price points. Our travel experts are seasoned planners for various budgets and customizable itineraries to craft the most impactful, memorable safari adventure for you.
We work exclusively with lodges that include the standard game drives in your stay, ensuring a seamless and immersive safari experience without unexpected additional costs.
This distinguishes us from options that require booking game drives separately, often found with accommodations outside the park.
Our expert advisors are able to tailor your safari package according to any additional activities and excursions you may want to experience. Here are some estimated costs for popular experiences that would have an additional cost factor for you to consider:
Entry fees for national parks and reserves vary and should be included in your budget. Park entry fees can range from $80 per day in Tanzania’s Serengeti to $30 per day in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. However, gorilla trekking in Rwanda comes with a $1500 permit fee to ensure a sustainable and responsible tourism experience.
When budgeting for your safari, consider the cost of both international and domestic flights, as well as transfers between lodges and parks. International flights to Africa typically range from $600 to $1200, depending on your departure location and the time of year.
Domestic flights within Africa, such as those between all major safari destinations, can cost between $200 and $400 pp per leg. Transfers between lodges and parks, whether by road or air, also impact your budget. Road transfers may cost around $100 to $400 per trip, while charter flights between camps can range from $300 to $500 per person, per leg.
Determine whether meals and drinks are included in your accommodation package or if they will be additional expenses.
When evaluating your safari accommodation package, be aware of the following inclusions – our expert consultants are on hand to explain it all to you:
Ensure you have coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen events.
Tipping is customary in many safari destinations and should be factored into your budget. Here is an estimated tipping guideline for various services you’ll encounter during your safari:
Account for the cost of visas and necessary vaccinations for travel to certain countries.
Include a budget for souvenirs, personal items, and any other incidental expenses.
When planning an East Africa safari, you’ll need to factor in expenses like park fees, accommodation, guided game drives, and domestic flights. Notably, a trekking permit of $1,500 is a unique cost for a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda.
East Africa is the epicentre of the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the most spectacular wildlife events on earth. Your safari could take you to Kenya and the renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve. A Tanzania safari complements this with famous locations such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area and Selous Game Reserve.
Our Africa Safari Estimator can help you estimate an average cost for your East Africa Safari, or schedule a call with one of our experts to tailor your safari experience to fit your budget while enjoying the region’s iconic wildlife and landscapes.
A Kenya safari ranges from $445 per person per night during the low season to $2,250 in luxury lodges during the high season. Costs are influenced by the destination, time of year, and type of safari. Activities such as hot air balloon rides and private game drives add to the overall cost.
Visit our page for more detailed pricing: Cost of a Kenya Safari.
A Rwanda safari costs vary depending on activities, season, and accommodation. Gorilla trekking permits are $1,500 per person, while luxury lodges can range from $300 to $1,500 per night. Peak season (June to September) brings higher rates, but low season offers savings. Additional activities like chimpanzee tracking and cultural tours can add to costs.
For more details, visit: Cost of a Rwanda Safari.
A Tanzania safari costs between $400 and $2,500 per person per night, depending on accommodation and season. The peak season (June to October) sees higher prices, while the low season (April and May) offers up to 50% savings. Factors like duration, group size, and activities such as hot air ballooning affect the overall cost.
For more details, visit: Cost of a Tanzania Safari.
A Uganda safari ranges from $500 to $1,500 per person per night, depending on accommodation, season, and activities. Gorilla trekking permits are $800 per person, while other activities, such as chimpanzee trekking and boat safaris, range from $50 to $300. The cost is influenced by destination, length of stay, and group size.
Visit our page for more detailed pricing: Cost of a Uganda Safari.
Southern Africa offers a wide range of safari experiences, from popular safari destination South Africa and its famous Kruger National Park to Botswana’s Okavango Delta and its unique landscapes. When planning a Southern African Safari, the typical expenses like park fees, accommodation, guided game drives, and domestic flights will apply.Â
Our African safari cost estimator can help you with an average cost for your Southern Africa safari, or schedule a call with one of our experts to tailor your safari experience to fit your budget while enjoying the region’s iconic wildlife and landscapes.
Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | ||||
LOW SEASON | HIGH SEASON | LOW SEASON | HIGH SEASON | LOW SEASON | HIGH SEASON | |
Botswana | ||||||
Mozambique | ||||||
Namibia | ||||||
South Africa | ||||||
Zambia | ||||||
Zimbabwe |
Last updated: 3 December 2024
The cost of a Botswana safari varies based on factors such as destination, accommodation, time of year, and safari type. Safaris in the low season start at around $525 per person per day, while luxury options can go up to $3,000. Prices are influenced by park fees, accommodation, activities, and internal transfers. Travelling during the low season can reduce costs by up to 50%.
To explore more detailed pricing options, visit our page: Cost of a Botswana Safari.
The cost of a Mozambique holiday varies based on destination, accommodation, and activities. Low-season options start at $550 per person per night, while luxury stays can reach $1320 during peak season. Additional costs include park fees, transfers, and excursions like diving or wildlife tours. Peak travel seasons typically have higher prices.
Visit our page for more detailed pricing information: Cost of a Mozambique Safari.
The cost of a Namibia safari varies based on factors such as accommodation, season, and safari type. Prices range from $120 per person per day in low season to $1,980 in high season. Other expenses include park fees, activities, and transfers. Group travel and longer stays can lower costs.
For more detailed pricing and to plan your safari with confidence, visit our page: Cost of a Namibia Safari.
The cost of a South Africa safari varies depending on accommodation, season, and safari type. Low-season prices start at $400 per person per night, while luxury stays can reach $2,600 in high season. Costs include park fees, transfers, and activities. Travelling with a group can reduce expenses, and longer stays may offer discounts.
For more details on South Africa safari costs, visit: Cost of a South Africa Safari.
A Zambia safari can range from $600 to $1,840 per person per day, depending on the season and accommodation. Costs are influenced by factors such as location, type of safari, and activities like walking safaris or river safaris. Travel expenses, including domestic flights, should also be considered.
Visit our page for more detailed pricing: Cost of a Zambia Safari.
The cost of a Zimbabwe safari varies based on season, accommodation, and activities. Low-season prices start at $150 per night, while luxury lodges can reach $1,800 during peak season. Factors like destination, length of stay, and group size affect overall costs. Park fees are around $20 per person per day, and transfers between locations add to the budget.
For detailed pricing, visit our page: Cost of a Zimbabwe Safari.
Steve Conradie, Co-founder, Discover Africa