Being surrounded by giraffes, elephants, lions, zebras, and cheetahs in Africa sounds like a dream come true. But it also sounds expensive. Getting a guide, accommodations in an area with easy access to wildlife, and airfare adds up quickly. So, how much does an African safari cost?
An African safari can run anywhere from $200 to $1,600 per person per day, or even more for something ultra-luxe. Read on for an in-depth breakdown of the costs below.
How Much Does an African Safari Cost on Average?
The cost of an African safari will vary depending on the specific destination, the type of accommodations, and the time of year among other factors.
The most budget-friendly safari includes tent accommodation and costs approximately $200 per person per day, while the most luxurious African safari can be up to $1,600 per person per day or more, with the sky the limit on high-end perks.
Your African safari costs include all park admission fees, meals, camping equipment, drinking water, and transportation. While most are at least a few nights, they can range from a short one-day adventure to a multi-week-long excursion. You’ll also need to account for tipping your guides thorughout, with the standard tip $10 to $20 per person per day.
Things That Impact Your African Safari Cost
You can do many things to cut your African safari costs, while other things will bring the price up. I always tend to focus on what’s important to me and splurge on those aspects. For instance, if you like staying in luxury accommodations, you might plurge on your stay but go during the off-season so it’s not as pricey.
The Length of Your Safari
Obviously, the total cost of your safari will be more the longer it is. However, the daily cost is cheaper when you book multiple days with one guide. It’s kind of like buying in bulk at Sam’s Club or Costco.
The Time of Year You Go
There is a high and a low season for African safaris. The high season is generally from May through September, when the kids are out of school in the Northern Hemisphere, the weather is the coolest and driest, and it’s easy to spot the animals. The downside is that it will cost more due to the higher demand.
For a more budget-friendly safari, consider the low season which is primarily summer in the Southern Hemisphere from around October through April. It will be hot and humid, typically with short bursts of rain between the sunshine, although heavy rains can occur in March and April.
Where Your Safari Is
The country and park you choose for your safari will have an affect on the cost. A safari that includes multiple countries will cost more compared to staying in one park. South Africa offers some of the cheapest safari options because it’s easier for self-drive trips, with the parks built better for these types of excursions.
The Level of Accommodation
You can stay in everything from a tent purchased at your local outdoor sporting goods store to yurts and lodge rooms with furniture and modern technologies like Wi-Fi. There are resort-like stays possble too, if you want an African safari that includes high-end accommodation like a villa, along with pools, bar and restaurant service.
Your Mode of Transportation
Driving yourself through one of the many parks and reserves is an option, but it’s generally not the best way to go. A guided safari ensures a better experience as the guides know where the animals hang out, which means you’re much more likely to spot the wildlife you want to see.
Less costly guided safaris are typically in open-roof minivans that people are crammed into. The nicer African safari tours use more comfortable Jeeps that are entirely open, ensuring that you’ll see everything wherever you sit.
How Many People Go On The Safari
The more people that come with you, the less your African safari will cost. Most accommodations will hold two people, and some have capacity for as many as five, although there’s usually a per-person charge for the safari. Still, it will cost less since you’ll be sharing one accommodation.
The Best African Safari Destinations
There are safari destinations throughout Africa. Each location has its own unique wildlife and price range, so it’s important to choose based on the type of African safari experience you want and your particular budget.
Kenya
Kenya is the original safari destination. It makes sense, with multiple large game reserves, the great migration, and a slew of cultural experiences to encounter. Some of the best reserves to visit in Kenya include:
- Masai Mara National Reserve- The most popular park in Kenya.
- Samburu Game Reserve- Has unique wildlife, like Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffes, and Somali ostrich.
- Tsavo National Parks- The largest and most remote park in Kenya.
- Amboseli National Park- You can see Mount Kilimajaro at this park.
- Lake Nakuru National Park- Millions of flamingos and white rhinos live here.
There are many great lodges to stay at in around these parks that will take you on a drive to see the wildlife every day. One that we can recommend is Elephant Bedroom Camp which gets its name from the elephants known to frequent the grounds. You might see monkeys and impalas right from your luxury tent too.
This camp has all of the comforts that any modern accommodation would include like a pool, hot and cold water, electricity, and WI-FI. A daily drive through the bush in an open-air vehicle, a picnic lunch, cultural visits, and entertainment by Samburu warriors are all included.
Uganda
If your dream is to see a gorilla or chimpanzee in the rainforest, then Uganda is the African safari destination for you. It’s different than most of the other African safaris in that here they’re enjoyed in rainforests rather than the desert. You can check out some amazing waterfalls during your safari. Some of the top parks to consider in Uganda are:
- Murchison Falls National Park- Has various mammals such as giraffes, buffaloes, and crocodiles.
- Bwindi Forest National Park- Has the largest population of endangered silverback gorillas.
- Kibale Forest National Park- Has the highest diversity of primates in Africa.
- Mgahinga National Park- A large park spanning three countries where endangered silverback gorillas live.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park- One of two places where lions climb trees.
To be fully immersed in the rainforests that gorillas and chimpanzees roam, stay at Bwindi Lodge. You might even spot colorful birds and chimpanzees swinging from the trees in the Bwindi forest right from your room. There’s also a village nearby hosting the award-winning Bwindi Bar.
Another advantage of staying at the Bwindi Lodge is that you can trek into the forest to see the mountain gorillas and other wildlife instead of having to get into a vehicle. There’s also a waterfall trail for exploring the landscape as well.
Botswana
Botswana is a lesser-known safari destination, so it will feel more exclusive and it comes at a smaller cost. There are a variety of landscapes and different types of wildlife, but one of the most popular types of safaris here is a boat safari where you can see elephants and hippos. The best parks in Botswana are:
- Okavango Delta- The most popular park in Botswana, famous for boat safaris on its winding channels.
- Chobe National Park- You can take a car to this park, making it more accessible. Elephants are a popular group here.
- The Kalahari- Look for black-maned lion during the wet season.
- Makgadikgadi Pans- Find unique African animals across glistening salt pans.
- Moremi Wildlife Reserve- One of the most remote and diverse wildlife areas of Botswana.
Staying at Abu Camp gets you up close and personal with elephants. Since the camp is next to a lagoon, there is a herd of elephants that call it home. There’s even a chance to sleep in the elephant boma for the ultimate experience. Every type of safari is available here too, from game drives to boat safaris.
Abu Camp has super comfy accommodations with modern furnishings and all the luxuries of any good hotel. There’s a plunge pool to cool off during the day while you wait for your evening safari while the private canvas tents overlook the Delta providing picturesque views.
Tanzania
Tanzania is home to the Serengeti, where millions of wildebeest form one of the most incredible sights that can be witnessed on the planet. It’s also home to Mount Kilimanjaro, where the most adventurous can summit its peak. This place is basically home to everything you’d envision when thinking of Africa. The most popular safari parks in Tanzania are:
- Serengeti National Park- The world’s most popular destination for a safari.
- Ruaha National Park- The largest park in Tanzania with many elephants and giraffes.
- Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area- Home to the Ngorongoro Crater, where you can find the largest population of lions in the world.
- Lake Manyara National Park- Home to a massive lake where you can spot animals looking for water during the dry season.
- Mikumi National Park- Mostly flat grassland, making it easy to spot wildlife.
For the best views over the Serengeti day and night, Klein’s Camp is a great place to stay for your safari. It’s situated on the border of the national park, allowing it to be one of the only camps offering open-air night drives. It’s also perfectly positioned to watch over the Serengeti right from your room.
Klein’s camp feels extremely exclusive as it includes 10,000 hectares of privately leased land. You can go off-roading anytime during the day, or follow a zebra trail. There are also specialized photography tours and visits to the Maasai village to experience their unique culture.
South Africa
South Africa is where you want to go to save a few dollars. There is plenty of wildlife and it has better infrastructure than most other safari destinations. That means there’s more opportunities for self-guided tours, which means significant savings. Of course, there are great guided tours too they just cost more. The best reserves in South Africa are:
- Kruger National Park- The most popular park in South Africa with the Big Five.
- Madikwe Game Reserve- A malaria-free, affordable park with rare wild dogs.
- Sabi Sands Game reserve- A private reserve bordering Kruger National Park.
- Phinda Private Game Reserve- Famous for cheetah sightings.
- Tswalu Kalahari Reserve- The largest private game reserve in South Africa.
If you want to stay in luxury on your South African safari, Loapi Tented Camp provides the quintessential safari aesthetic. However, it comes with a fully stocked kitchen, and an environmentally friendly plunge pool. All have plenty of space between each for a more secluded feel.
Each safari home comes with your own personal butler, a private chef to cook all your meals, a study with Wi-Fi, a full bar, and indoor/outdoor shower. You’ll even have your own safari vehicle with a private tour guide to take you out every evening. When you don’t feel like exploring by vehicle, head out on horseback instead.
