It’s common knowledge that safaris can be eye-wateringly expensive, but taking a walk on the wild side doesn’t have to cost the world. Here’s how to make a quality safari in Africa more affordable.
Bigger isn’t always better.
When it comes to safaris, certain destinations have an almost mythical status, but it’s worth remembering visiting these destinations can cost considerably more. “Fees charged by larger national parks can swallow a lot of your budget,” says James Haigh, head of sales at Lemala Camps and Lodges. “If seeing big-ticket destinations like the Serengeti or Maasai Mara isn’t essential, consider smaller parks [with lower entry fees] such as Tarangire, Manyara, Arusha in Tanzania [pictured above], or Tsavo, Meru, or the Aberdares in Kenya.”
Spend money on what matters.
Yes, you might dream of sipping sundowners in an elegant lodge with a bar carved from Zambian granite before dozing off under cotton sheets with 3,000 thread counts in a décor of artfully stage-managed antique trunks. But will these things make those all-important animal sightings more likely? In reality, they’ll simply push up the price tag. “Think about it. You get up in the morning, go out on a game drive for most of the day, come back, have a shower, a sundowner, dinner, chit chat, and go to bed,” says Alan Feldstein at Infinite Safari Adventures. “How much time did you really spend at that expensive lodge? Camps and lodges with comfortable beds, hot showers, and toilets that flush are all that you need.”
Understand national parks vs. wildlife reserves.
When it comes to safaris, wildlife reserves, which are mostly located in South Africa and can be privately owned, might well be cheaper due to their accessibility, but bear in mind that the overall experience is likely to be different. “Private reserves are primarily located in South Africa and they’re just that: private,” says Feldstein of Infinite Safari Adventures. “That means that there are no other vehicles in the reserve except for those owned or permitted by the reserve owners. But it also means that there are limits to what you will see. Reserves are typically fenced in and have limited amounts of wildlife. More vehicles are allowed inside national parks, but there’s more open space to view wildlife and you never know what you are going to see. Quite simply, [national parks] are wilder. And some of the great spectacles, like the Great Migration, are found only in national parks.”
Stay loyal.
Combining multiple lodges operated by different owners can quickly push up costs, so as you travel Africa in search of sightings, don’t be afraid to ask what perks might be available if you stick with lodges owned by the same company. “Always ask your agent if there are any long-stay discounts available if you book several properties from the same property brand,” says Haigh of Lemala Camps and Lodges. It’s also worth asking if your operator can access any “3-for-2 nights” deals. These are becoming increasingly common, because growing numbers of travelers are opting to combine multiple destinations in one trip and lodge owners are keen to hold onto customers.
Plan your trip far ahead.
Being an early bird reaps rewards when it comes to safaris. Bear in mind you’re not booking a hotel with hundreds of rooms. Most safari lodges and camps accommodate fewer than 30 people in a maximum of 10 or 11 tents, so they sell out quickly. “Booking early can provide access to early bird discounts, and you can save as much as 10 to 20 percent,” says Greg Fox, co-founder of Mahlatini Luxury Travel. “Booking early also guarantees you access to the most sought-after locations before the demand increases and pushes prices up even further.”
Always use an agent.
Booking directly with a hotel in Europe or the U.S. might reap rewards, but with safaris, a trusted travel agent can save you huge amounts of cash—and provide peace of mind, too. “Booking through a single source agent will save time and ultimately money, with another hidden benefit being that, while you’re enjoying your safari, the agency is monitoring your journey, anticipating cancelled flights, missed transfers and any other event that the direct booker wouldn’t be aware of,” says Warren Green, founder of Warren Green & Associates, which helps safari destinations market themselves to travelers. “Agents have your back.” On safari, you’ll spend long periods in the bush without a phone signal, so it pays to have someone else minding the overall picture.
Choose your transfer carefully.
Yes, stepping out of the airport into an air-conditioned four-wheeled drive stocked with bottled water and snacks might be lovely, but it’s another perk which can push up the price. And light airplane journeys over the African savannah might provide the perfect opportunity selfies, but are they really worth the added cost? Bear in mind the cost of a chartered flight typically starts at around $450 for a two-hour transfer, so traveling via road or visiting lodges which are closer together, might be more affordable choices. Unless your lodge or camp is truly remote, always ask about the cost of a road transfer, and ask whether it’s advisable to opt for a local taxi company rather than the lodge’s chauffeur-driven vehicle.
(Credit: marc m / Shutterstock)
On a Budget? Not Botswana
Botswana (pictured above) is a bucket list safari destination for many, and don’t get us wrong—its wetlands make it a truly spectacular place. But it’s also Africa’s most expensive safari destination. Numerous factors push up the cost of a safari here. Botswana has a small population and a high GDP per capita thanks to its mineral wealth, so it doesn’t need mass-market tourism as much as neighboring nations do. “Botswana has deliberately followed a low-volume, high-value model, which means they have an abundance of private concessions offering very exclusive stays,” says Mike Kelly, co-founder of Coral Tree Travel, a tour operator specializing in Africa. “Safari operators have created expensive accommodation options to market to the super wealthy.”
Know each country’s peak timing
Always remember that the best time to visit one country isn’t necessarily the best time to visit another. Some examples? “Zimbabwe and Zambia offer excellent value from late October to May,” says Sunit Sanghrajka, founder and CEO of Alluring Africa. “Kenya’s rainy Season [April to May] is also a winner.” A word of warning? “Botswana in peak season is now officially the most expensive destination between July and September,” says Sunit. “Many camps are now charging between $4,000 and $6,000 per person per night.”
Don’t dismiss rainy season.
Dry season is traditionally the most popular time to go on safari, but trust us: When you’ve spent three hours under the baking sun waiting for a lion to wake up from his afternoon nap (it’s not just humans who need siestas on hot days), you’ll realize why the dry time is not necessarily the best time for a safari. Pauline Frommer says that even though foliage tends to be thicker during the rainy season, which may require more effort from you to spot animals, the wet season also tends to be a good time to spot baby animals.
Assume everyone will pay the adult price.
Bear in mind that in terms of pricing, not all operators differentiate between children and adults, and when they do, there’s little common ground when it comes to the age when a child is deemed to be a grown-up. “As far as families are concerned, not all operators apply child rates to the same ages,” says Kelly of Coral Tree Travel. For this reason, never assume that your children will be entitled to reduced rates.
Avoid booking sites.
We’ve mentioned the advantages of using an agent, but a final word of warning: Be aware that safaris that are booked using mass-market travel websites are likely to be very different to ones booked with a specialist agent. “These sites are for people looking for budget options over a vetted experience,” says Jessica Parker, Travel Advisor at Trip Whisperer. “You have to be willing to go along with a bunch of other people, and it’s always a little riskier with the quality.” Finding out exactly who to contact if things go wrong can also be incredibly tricky, partly due to the way these companies often subcontract smaller operators.
Don’t rely on last-minute availability.
Years ago, bargain hunters could occasionally bag a great deal by simply turning up in cities such as Johannesburg or Cape Town (in the latter, Long Street was once lined with independent travel agents) and attempting to snap up a last-minute deal. Sadly, those days are over. Safaris simply became too popular. Several safari operators told us that camps and lodges typically sell out months in advance now, effectively eliminating the once-thriving market for last-minute spots. As one expert told us, the rules are different now: “It’s probably not a great idea to just try your luck.”