How to Take a Safari on a Budget
- Explore less pricey areas. Of course, those price tags differ from country to country.
- Go for laid-back, not luxe.
- Take your transfers down a notch.
- Travel outside peak months.
- Remember: some extras are worth the money.
Millions of travellers go on safari in Africa every year and on average, "perhaps one tourist dies per year as a result of wild animals." African safari deaths are very uncommon, however all wildlife encounters carry risks due to the unpredictable nature of these wild animals.
The best safaris for first-timers
- Masai Mara, Kenya. Masai Mara, Kenya. (
- Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. (
- Kruger National Park, South Africa.
- Chobe National Park & Moremi Game Reserve Botswana.
- South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.
- Etosha National Park, Namibia.
Check out these seven essentials for planning your dream safari in Africa.
- Plan far in advance.
- Pack the right wardrobe.
- Don't forget the essentials.
- Remember safety basics.
- Bring the right gear and tech.
- Enjoy all wildlife.
- Explore both land and water.
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Safari for You
- Step 1: Decide What You Want to See. The first step to finding the perfect safari vacation is to think carefully about what you want to see.
- Step 2: Decide on Your Mode of Transport. The most traditional mode of safari transport is, of course, an open-sided 4x4 Jeep.
- Step 3: Decide on Your Desired Level of Independence.
Kruger National Park fees
| Prices (per person, per day) | Prices (per child, per day) |
|---|
| South African citizens and residents (with ID) | $7 USD | $4 USD |
| Southern African Development Community nationals (with passport) | $14 USD | $7 USD |
| Foreign visitors | $27 USD | $14 USD |
Price Per Person
| May | November |
|---|
| Double Occupancy | $18,950 | $19,950 |
| Single Supplement | $3,050 | $3,550 |
| Internal Flights | $2,500 | $2,500 |
While safety should always be foremost in your mind, South Africa did not feel scary, uncomfortable, or dangerous. Sure, you'll need to take more precautions than you would in, say, Thailand, but it's still perfectly safe as long as you use common sense and follow the tips above.
1. Know When You Want to Go
| Peak or High Season | Low or Green Season |
|---|
| Book up to 12 months in advance | Aim to book 2-6 months in advance |
| Coolest and driest weather | Warmest and wettest weather |
| Easiest to find and see animals | More challenging but rewarding to find and see animals |
| Most visitors | Fewest visitors |
Going on safari is a must-do experience when visiting Africa. While Cape Town's mediterranean climate doesn't lend itself to the traditional African bush experience, the Big Five – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo – are but a couple of hours' drive from the city centre.
The average duration of our safaris is somewhere between seven and ten nights. With the pressures of the modern world, two weeks total trip duration seems to be about the norm and, factoring in travel time, this leaves most travelers with 11-12 nights on the ground in Africa.
The best months to go on safari are April to October when it's dry and warm. The wet season – there are plenty of animals around but some lodges in Hwange close during this time and access to Mana Pools is limited. The dry season begins.
1, Rothschild Safaris, apart — and who else joins them on this year's list of the best safari companies.
- Deeper Africa.
- Alluring Africa.
- Micato Safaris.
- Africa Adventure Consultants.
- Extraordinary Journeys.
- Go2Africa.
- African Travel Inc. African Travel, Inc.
- Wilderness Safaris. Wilderness Safari views elephants in Namibia.
The best time to visit Africa tends to depend on wildlife - with May to October being popular months in the game-rich plains of East and Southern Africa. In the north, the desert winters are chilly and the summers hot - spring and autumn are much more pleasant.
August and September are the best times to see the great migration — and your chances of witnessing a river crossing are generally much higher. Come early October, the rainy season in Tanzania will commence, and the herds will embark on their return journey back to the Serengeti.
Currently, U.S. travelers can visit more than a dozen African countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. Each country has its own entry requirements, most of which include arriving with proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within the past 72 to 96 hours.
10 Things To Avoid On Safari
- Arguing with customs officials, money changers, mosquitoes, and birders (twitchers)!
- Becoming dehydrated.
- Photographing anything relating to the government or military, including personnel (soldiers and police) and buildings (post offices, banks, airports, border posts, railway stations and bridges).
What You Need to Know Before Your First African Safari
- It's okay to ask questions of your guides.
- Bring a good DSLR camera and a high-quality zoom lens.
- If you can, bring a back-up camera in case your DSLR goes on the fritz.
- Anti-malarial medication gives you CRAZY dreams.
- Ticks.
- Bring extra camera batteries.
Considered home to some of the best – if not the best – safari parks in the world, Kenyan safaris offer some incredible adventures with the world's most impressive animals. And while many people head straight to the Masai Mara for its comprehensive range of big game, there's much more to see if you head further afield.
Iconic destinations featured include the Kruger National Park, Cape Town, Botswana, Victoria Falls, Namibia, and Mozambique. We have also added some hidden gems namely KwaZulu Natal and the Garden Route.
Typical Tanzania safari price per day
| BALLPARK PRICE PER NIGHT All-Inclusive | MODERATE, usually scheduled safaris |
|---|
| GREEN SEASON (April to May) | $400 – $475 per night |
| SHOULDER (January to March, Sometimes June, Oct) | $425 – $525 |
| PEAK SEASON July to Sept/October | $450 – $575 |
As I explained to my new friend, Africa is considered expensive for three main reasons: lack of infrastructure, complicated logistics and high staff to guest ratios.
A Self-Drive Safari gives you the freedom to drive yourself around the Kruger Park in your own vehicle. Once the Entrance and Camp Gates are open you can Self-Drive throughout the Park on designated Routes and Roads.
