How Can You Budget A Cost-Effective African Safari

Everyone should experience an African safari at least once. You can let go of all the stress of everyday life and experience the primal call of the wild. It's a chance to experience the unique fauna and flora in their natural habitats and be inspired by the stunning landscape of the African savannah. It's a myth that African safaris are available only to the wealthy - but the truth is when you do a bit of planning, there's no reason why this once-in-a-lifetime experience has to cost more than other type of international travel.

Select Your Destination Carefully

The first step to booking an inexpensive Luxury Safari Tanzania is to pick the destination that best suits your budget. The most well-known destinations for safari are associated with luxurious safari lodges and high park fees. therefore, safaris to countries like Kenya and Tanzania are usually more suited for those with money to burn. Botswana and Zambia aren't the only ones to be troublesome due to the sheer isolation of their most famous reserves. The Okavango Delta, for example is best accessible via charter plane - which inevitably increases your expenses.

The most affordable safari destinations are those that are easily accessible, have plenty of choice in terms of game reserves as well as operators, and also charge charges in local currencies rather than US dollars. South Africa and Namibia are each well-suited for the budget traveler, with an excellent infrastructure for self-drive safaris as well as camping safaris and overland safaris. Zimbabwe is another excellent option, thanks to the cost-effectiveness of food, accommodation and transport. If you are considering a destination, think about the cost of traveling to the best reserves and the exchange rate, as well as the cost of park fees and safari drives.

Destinations that don't require vaccinations or visas can help keep costs low.

Connect with an operator local to you

No matter where you go local tour guides, safari companies and accommodation options typically offer better rates than international companies. If you're looking to travel to East African destinations such as the Serengeti and Maasai Mara, it is best to pick an operator that is local to you. Booking locally is a great option to save money, and also allows for more flexibility (great for those who have a meeting on the road and want to take a Caprivi road trip or make a quick visit to Kruger National Park). However, some companies can only be contacted upon arrival, which makes advance booking difficult.

Join an Group Safari

There are a variety of options available for safaris with a group. From minibus tours for older travelers to social backpacker tours with well-known companies overland such as Nomad Africa Adventure Tours, there are plenty of. Group safaris are an excellent option for two reasons. They are less expensive than private tours. They let you split the cost for accommodation and transportation. Additionally, it allows you to access discounted group rates for guides and park fees. Furthermore, they're a wonderful way to meet others who are traveling and to make lasting friends. If you aren't a good fit with your group, it can be an issue. However, certain people might find the group's set itinerary to be limiting.

Take the opportunity to go on a Self-Drive Safari

If you're looking for a bit more freedom may want to consider a self-drive safari, whereby you lease a vehicle and drive independently towards (and around) the game reserves you have chosen. The benefits are numerous You can design your itinerary to meet your interests, and change the itinerary at any time. You decide where you want to go for photos, what routes you can take within the park, and even the location you'll stay at night. Self-drive vehicles often have a roof tent. This helps to keep costs of lodging low. Drawbacks include the lack of a knowledgeable local guide. Also, you must choose an area with roads that are safe and safari parks that permit self-drive vehicles - both that are available in South Africa and Namibia.

Compromise on Accommodation

It is possible to cut costs by compromising on accommodations whatever kind of luxury Safari Tanzania. The majority of National Parks in Southern Africa have public camping facilities, ranging from full-service camping with waterholes, restaurants and electricity , to wild campsites that require only an area that is cleared for you to pitch your tent. They aren't luxurious but they're very affordable. These places offer the romantic experience of sleeping in a tent within the African bush. Sesriem Camp, Namibia's Sossusvlei dunes sea, is a popular option. Reservations must be made months in advance.

If the comfort of the roof and solid walls is more your style, avoid the luxurious lodges that are located within the reserves. Instead, locate a budget hotel close to the gates of the park and arrange tours of the reserve for a day. This choice isn't without a disadvantage, however as you will not have the opportunity to take part in pre-dawn drives.

It is advisable to travel during low-season

In Africa the time of the year when the lowest season typically is a time of rainy season where prices for safari excursions and lodgings drop drastically. However, low prices are not the sole reason to travel during this period. The rainy season brings lush landscapes and fewer tourists. They also coincide with the baby season for many herbivores in Africa. However, the animals may disperse in an abundance of water and food which makes it difficult to see their presence, especially in the dense undergrowth. Some camps and lodges close for the rainy season, and the roads aren't easy to navigate in the event of flooding.

Focus on a Single Game Reserve

A lot of people go to multiple game reserves to experience the largest variety of wildlife and habitats when they travel in Africa. It is possible to save money on flights, vehicle rentals and transfers by selecting only one park. Choose your destination based on what you most would like to experience. For example, if would like to witness the annual Great Migration, then focus your efforts on either the Serengeti or the Maasai Maasai Mara. If getting the Big Five is important to you, consider one of the major reserves like the Kruger or Hwange National Park.