An African safari is rarely cheap, but it is easier to budget for once you know what you are paying for. Costs vary widely with the country, the season, the comfort level and the size of your group. The figures below are guides to help you plan, not quotes. Prices are set by the operators and places to stay, so always ask for a written quote.
Compare like with likeTwo trips with very different prices often include very different things. Always compare park fees, meals, drinks, transfers and activities before you decide which is cheaper.
What a trip costs
In East Africa, most tour packages cost between about $200 and $600 per person per day, with international flights extra. Budget camping trips start lower, and luxury fly-in safaris cost more. The table below shows indicative ranges for a 7-day trip in Tanzania or Kenya, excluding international flights.
| Style | Per person per day | 7-day trip | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $200 to $300 | $1,400 to $2,100 | Camping or simple lodges, shared vehicles, basic meals |
| Mid-range | $300 to $450 | $2,100 to $3,150 | Comfortable lodges and tented camps, a private vehicle and guide |
| Luxury | $450 to $600 and up | $3,150 to $4,200 and up | High-end camps in the best locations, often with flights between parks |
Costs in other regions
- Southern Africa: South Africa and Namibia can be cheaper, especially on a self-drive trip, where you pay for the car, fuel, park fees and your own accommodation. Botswana and Zambia focus on small high-end camps, and prices are among the highest in Africa.
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking: permits are priced separately and can cost from several hundred to well over a thousand dollars per person, depending on the country, and they are strictly limited. Check the current price when you plan.
- Mountain climbs: price depends on the route, the number of days, park fees and the crew. Very low prices may mean the crew is badly paid or the safety standards are low.
- North Africa: generally lower day costs, with big differences between package and independent travel.
Where the money goes
- Park and conservation fees: a large share of the cost, charged per person per day and higher in some parks and countries. Fees are higher for non-residents and often change each year.
- Accommodation: budget camps and lodges start around $60 to $150 a night, mid-range places cost $150 to $350, and luxury camps are $400 and up. Rates are higher from June to October.
- Vehicle, fuel and guide: a private safari vehicle with a driver-guide is the biggest single cost for small groups, which is why sharing a vehicle lowers the price per person.
- Meals and drinks: usually included at safari camps, but not always drinks.
- Flights: international flights, and any flights between parks.
- Operator’s costs and margin: planning, staff, insurance, permits and licences.
Usually included, usually extra
| Usually included | Often extra |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | International and internal flights |
| Park and conservation fees | Visas and travel insurance |
| Guide, vehicle and fuel | Drinks, especially alcohol and bottled water |
| Meals during the trip | Tips for guides, drivers, porters and camp staff |
| Airport transfers | Optional activities such as balloon rides and cultural visits |
| Bottled water in the vehicle, sometimes | Laundry, souvenirs and personal items |
Each tour page on TTO lists what is included and what is not, so you can compare packages on the same basis.
Money in Africa
- Currency: each country has its own currency, and many tourist businesses also accept US dollars. Carry US dollar notes in good condition and not too old, because some places refuse older, torn or small-denomination notes.
- Cards: widely accepted at hotels, lodges and shops in cities, but often not in rural areas. Card machines may add a fee, and connections can fail.
- Cash machines: common in towns and airports, rare in parks. Withdraw what you need before leaving town, and use machines inside banks or hotels.
- Tell your bank where you are going so your card is not blocked, and carry a second card.
- Mobile money: widely used locally, but mostly not set up for visitors.
- Paying your operator: agree the deposit, the final payment date and the methods in writing. TTO does not take payments, so you pay the operator directly.
Tipping
Tipping is customary and is a significant part of the income of guides, drivers, porters, cooks and camp staff. Operators commonly suggest a daily amount for the guide or driver and a shared tip box for camp or lodge staff. Mountain crews usually receive a group tip, shared out by role. Ask your operator for their guidance, carry small notes for tips and tip in the currency they suggest.
Costs people forget
- Visa fees and travel insurance.
- Vaccines and malaria tablets.
- Extra nights in the city before and after your trip.
- Excess baggage on light aircraft.
- Camera and phone charges, wifi and SIM cards.
- Single-room supplements if you travel alone.
- Currency exchange and card fees.
Ways to save
- Travel in the shoulder or low season, when camps cut their rates, and the parks are quiet. See When to Travel.
- Share a vehicle and room. A private vehicle shared by four costs far less per person than for two.
- Stay longer in fewer places. It saves on transfers and flights.
- Compare two or three quotes for the same dates and inclusions.
- Ask about discounts for children, groups, repeat visitors and long stays.
- Book early for the best rates and availability.
- Be wary of very low prices. They can mean poorly paid crews, old vehicles, hidden extras or unlicensed operators.
Browse tour packages and compare prices, or read How much does a Tanzania safari cost?