How to Book an Affordable African Safari
Affordable African Safari Packages
A safari is one of the most exciting and memorable holidays you’ll ever undertake. It’s a life-changing experience that’s on most travelers’ bucket lists.
Our affordable African safari tours and packages have been designed with the aim of delivering genuine, value-for-money safari experiences in the continent’s most iconic destinations – see our recommended safaris below. How to Book an Affordable African Safari
Authentic itineraries in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya or Tanzania are available in our range of affordable African safaris. And with destinations like the Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater included on our tours, you won’t miss out on any of East Africa’s top experiences either.
Tips on How to Book an Affordable African Safari
- Stay Longer in One Place
Internal flights in Africa can get pricey, so choosing just one park or game reserve to spend your entire vacation in is a great way to cut down on domestic flights and road transfers. Make your decision based on what you want to see and do on your safari. If you want to see the Big 5, then opt Murchison falls National park or Akagera. If you’re set on witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration, then head for the Masai Mara between about July and November, or the Serengeti around December to July.
- Choose the Right Destination
The most affordable African safari destinations are those that are accessible, offer plenty of choice when it comes to game reserves, and charge fees in local currencies rather than US dollar. With favorable exchange rates and fantastic infrastructure for self-drive holidays and camping trips, South Africa and Namibia are more geared for budget African safaris. Uganda and Rwanda are another destination that offers great value for money, thanks to low accommodation, food and transport costs.
- Use a Local Safari Operator
Booking your trip with a reputable safari company that’s based in Africa not only offers you better rates, but it also means your travel agent can offer a thoughtfully curated list of specific suppliers that are trusted. Furthermore, you’ll have professional support 24/7 on the ground – not at a call centre in another time zone!
- Consider a Self-Drive Holiday
If you’re an independent traveler or perhaps an adventurous family, then a self-drive holiday will offer you an affordable African safari experience.
- Compromise on Luxury
Compromising on the level of luxury at your accommodation can reduce your costs drastically. Choosing to stay at a tented camp rather than a luxury safari lodge is not only an authentic and affordable African safari option, but it also offers you the romance of sleeping under canvas in the African bush. It also doesn’t mean you have to rough it either – most tented safari camps have amenities like flush toilets, warm showers, comfortable beds and even swimming pools.
- Travel during Low / Green Season
Safari’s low season usually coincides with Africa’s rainy season. Prices for safari tours and accommodation are low during this time of year – usually from about November to April, depending on the destination.
But budget African safaris are not the only incentive for traveling during the low or Green Season. The rains transform the African bush into lush, emerald landscapes that deliver breath-taking photography conditions. Plus, there are far fewer tourist crowds in the national parks and game reserves.
Ready to Plan an Affordable African Safari?
Browse our selection of affordable African safaris below, or get in touch with one of our Africa Safari Experts to help tailor-make the best itinerary for you:
Sample itinerary
3 Days Bwindi Gorillas and Cultural tour
3 Days Bwindi gorillas and cultural tour is an exciting gorilla tour experience which will take place in Bwindi national park and during the safari you will also enjoy different experiences including trying out local food of the ankole people, driving through scenic hills, gorilla trekking and a cultural experience involving visiting a local brew or the local farm.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1; pick up and drive to Bwindi National park
Your safari will begin with pick up from the hotel in Kampala or Entebbe airport and your guide will welcome you. You will drive to Mbarara which is home to the ankole people and along the way you will spot some long-horned cattle grazing in the field. Your lunch will be in Mbarara and you will try out eshabwe which is a form of local mayonnaise or any other local food depending on your preference.
After lunch in Mbarara you will have a scenic drive to Bwindi national park and enjoy views of terraced hills as you drive through the towns to Bwindi national park to check in and stay at the lodge relaxing in the surroundings of the impenetrable forest.
Accommodation; Four gorillas lodge
Meal plan; full board
Day 2; Gorilla Trekking and optional cultural tour
After a cup of locally brewed coffee or tea at the lodge you will proceed to the park headquarters about 10 minutes from the lodge for a briefing on gorilla trekking. You will be divided in groups of 8 to trek a gorilla family and with your ranger guide you will proceed to trek into Bwindi forest to search for the gorillas. You will move through the tall trees and see different bird species and when you encounter the gorillas you will spend one hour with them recording videos and taking pictures. After the 1 hour with the gorillas, you will trek back to the park headquarters to receive certificates.
You will also have an optional cultural tour and experience how to make waragi which involves a local distillation method. Fermented banana brew is distilled to make waragi which is a local form of gin and you will visit the only community which makes this local brew around Bwindi and also taste the local brew. Other optional activities to do include gold mining with the batwa and also visiting the local farm.
Accommodation; Four gorillas lodge
Meal plan; full board
Day 3; Drive to Kampala with stop at the equator
On the 3rd day of your tour, you will have breakfast at the lodge and start your journey back to Kampala with a stop at the equator where you will take photos standing in the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere and also visit the craft shops managed by the locals. Your guide will drive you to Kampala and drop you at your hotel or at Entebbe airport which will bring the tour to an end.
Price includes
- 4×4 Safari vehicle
- Professional guide fees
- Gorilla permit
- Accommodation and meals during the safari
- Activities during the safari
Price excludes
- Visas
- Optional activities
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- Flights
- Anything else not mentioned in the itinerary