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 travellers’ bucket lists. But cheap African safaris are unfortunately tough to find – see our comprehensive guide on African safari costs.

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.

Authentic itineraries in 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.

Affordability is also the name of the game with our Botswana, Namibia and South Africa safari packages. Our best-value itineraries enable you to experience some of Southern Africa’s top game viewing and most dramatic scenery – but for far less than you thought. We’ve pared down the luxury element, but with classic big game destinations such as Botswana’s Okavango Delta and South Africa’s Kruger National Park plus must-visit Cape Town and Victoria Falls, you won’t even miss it.

Tips on How to Book an Affordable African Safari

1. 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 for the Kruger or Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. 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.

2. Choose the Right Destination

Choosing the destination that best suits your budget is vital when booking an affordable African safari. While East Africa is synonymous with safari, a trip to countries such as Kenya and Tanzania can be an expensive holiday because of factors like high national park fees and vast distances to cover between destinations.

While Botswana and Zambia can work out to be a more affordable African safari compared to East Africa, some destinations like the Okavango Delta are rather remote and only accessed via charter plane – which will increase your trip expenses.

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 dollars. With favourable exchange rates and fantastic infrastructure for self-drive holidays and camping trips, South Africa and Namibia are more geared for budget African safaris. Zimbabwe is another destination that offers great value for money, thanks to low accommodation, food and transport costs.

3. 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 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!

4. Consider a Self-Drive Holiday

If you’re an independent traveller or perhaps an adventurous family, then a self-drive holiday will offer you an affordable African safari experience. Renting vehicles in countries like South Africa and Namibia are straightforward and offer excellent infrastructure, good road networks and safari parks.

5. 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.

6. 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 travelling during the low or Green Season. The rains transform the African bush into lush, emerald landscapes that deliver breathtaking 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:

Our Affordable African Safari Tours
6 days
Migration herds in the Masai Mara. Keep warm by the camp fire at  Tipilikwani. Cool off in the swimming pool at Tipilikwani. Unwind in the lounge at Nairobi tented Camp. The exterior of your tent at Nairobi tented Camp. Bedroom view from Nairobi tented camp.
Highlights

Great itinerary across Kenya with built-in value for money. Diverse lake and savannah wildlife.

Destinations visited
Kenya Lake Nakuru Masai Mara

Namibia Family Self-Drive

Enquire for pricing
10 days
Desert adapted elephant on the Onguma Nature Reserve. View from your room at Okonjima Plains Camp. Exterior of Onguma Bush Camp. Desert adapted lion on the Onguma Nature Reserve. Pull out beds at Doro Nawas Camp. See San rock art in Twyfelfontein. Swakopmund Guesthouse. Explore the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve by bike.
Highlights

Self-drive Namibia at your own pace. Marvel at millions of stars in Damaraland.

Destinations visited
Damaraland Etosha Namibia Sossusvlei Swakopmund
9 days
The penguin colonies of Boulders Beach in Cape Town. Explore all the activities and experiences that Cape Town has to offer. More Quarters Hotel. Luxury apartment at More Quarters. A delicious breakfast for the entire family. The Spier Hotel. The interior of one of the suites at The Spier Hotel. Swimming pool at The Spier Hotel.
Highlights

Independent, apartment-style living in Cape Town. Visit Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront and Camps Bay.

Destinations visited
Cape Town Cape Winelands Kruger Private Reserves South Africa

Adventurer Uganda's Fly-In Gorilla Trek

From $3,815 per person sharing
5 days
Cultural experiences. A camp fire after a full day of gorilla trekking. Face to face encounters with endangered gorillas. Camp lounge. Aerial view of the rolling hills of Uganda. The Boma Hotel exterior. The Boma Entebbe cottage interior.
Highlights

Accessible fly-in location. Accommodation in a private concession.

Destinations visited
Uganda

Botswana's Chobe & Delta

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7 days
A beautifully marked leopard sits resting, yet alert, in the boughs of a tree in the Delta. Elephant are readily seen in large, even massive, herds in Chobe National Park. End your day on safari with a traditional boma fire - one of the highlights on a Botswana wilderness safari. Each of the luxury fixed tents at Gunns' Camp have their own private deck with beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. When cruising through the water in a mokoro, you may come across large game fairly close to you. Water-based game viewing is a highlight of the Okavango Delta experience. When on nature walks make sure you wear protective shoes, bring along a hat and your camera. Most of your game drives will take place in open-air game drive vehicles with a roof to shield you from the sun.
Highlights

Stay near the Chobe River. Excellent game viewing & birding.

Destinations visited
Botswana Chobe National Park Chobe River Moremi Game Reserve Okavango Delta

10-Day Best-Priced Cape Town, Kruger & Vic Falls

From $4,435 per person sharing
10 days
Exterior of Welgelegen. The swimming pool at Welgelegen. Welgelegen lounge. Aerial view of Idube Game Lodge in the Sabi Sands. Elephant encounters. The Sabi Sands is a game-rich destination. Have a massage after a morning game drive. Aerial views of the majestic Victoria Falls.
Highlights

Beautiful Victorian-era guest house . Explore Cape Town’s top attractions.

Destinations visited
Cape Town Kruger National Park South Africa Victoria Falls Zambia
7 days
Canoe activities Sunset by boma Canoe activities Luxury Bedroom Exterior of Zambezi Expeditions Camp Viewing wildlife Lounge with a view Walking activities
Highlights

Up-close encounters with elephants around camp. Photography hide perfect for close-up and unique angles.

Destinations visited
Hwange National Park Zimbabwe