Planning an African Safari
How Much Does an African Safari Cost?
Safari is one of those holidays where prices can vary enormously. You might see one itinerary for £3,000 per person and another for £10,000 or more, which can make it difficult to know what you actually need to spend.
As a rough guide, we'd usually expect a safari holiday from the UK to start from around £2,500 to £4,000 per person. Around £4,000 to £7,000 per person opens up considerably more choice, while luxury and more remote safaris can easily exceed £7,000 per person.
But price alone doesn't tell you whether one safari is better than another. Where you go, when you travel, where you stay and how you travel between safari areas can all make a big difference.
What Do You Get for Your Budget?
£2,500 to £4,000 per person
We'd generally be looking at good-value destinations, a shorter safari or travelling outside the most expensive months. Shared game drives can also help keep costs down.
£4,000 to £7,000 per person
You'll usually have considerably more choice. This could mean better lodges, longer stays or combining different safari areas.
£7,000+ per person
You start to see more exclusive options, such as small luxury camps, private concessions, charter flights and remote locations.
There are safaris costing considerably more, but you don't need to choose the most expensive option to have an incredible wildlife experience.
What Makes a Safari More Expensive?
Destination makes a big difference. South Africa can offer excellent value and is relatively easy to combine with Cape Town or the Winelands. Kenya has a huge range of options, while Tanzania can become more expensive when you're combining several safari areas. Botswana is often at the higher end because many of its camps are small and remote.
When you travel matters too. Peak wildlife seasons usually command higher prices, particularly around famous events such as the Great Migration. Travelling in shoulder season can sometimes mean lower prices and fewer vehicles, although we'd always consider the wildlife and weather before recommending a particular month.
Then there's accommodation. A comfortable tented camp and a luxury lodge with a private pool can offer very different levels of comfort, but both could put you in an excellent wildlife area.
Don't Forget the Extras
The lodge isn't the only part of your safari budget.
International flights, internal flights, road transfers and park or conservation fees can add considerably to the overall price. If you're visiting several camps, light aircraft transfers can quickly increase the cost too.
This is one reason we don't always think more places equals a better safari. Spending longer in two well-chosen locations can give you more time actually enjoying the wildlife and less time packing and travelling.
It's also worth checking what's included at your lodge. Drinks, laundry and certain activities may be included at one property but charged separately at another.
Where Is It Worth Spending More?
This depends on what matters to you.
If wildlife is your priority, we'd look carefully at the location of the camp and the quality of the guiding before automatically choosing the fanciest room.
Private conservancies and smaller camps can also mean fewer vehicles around wildlife sightings.
For other travellers, having a beautiful lodge and time to relax between game drives is an important part of the experience.
The important thing is knowing what you're paying extra for and whether it's something you'll actually value.
How Can You Keep the Cost Down?
Travelling outside the most expensive weeks can help, as can staying longer in fewer places and choosing shared rather than private game drives.
You can also mix accommodation styles. You don't necessarily need a luxury lodge every night. Spending more on one particularly special safari camp and choosing something simpler elsewhere can work really well.
Most importantly, tell us your priorities. If seeing the Great Migration is non-negotiable, that affects where and when you should travel. If you'd rather spend longer on safari than have the most luxurious room, that changes the options again.
That's where a tailor-made holiday can work particularly well.
