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African Budget Safaris & Tours
An African safari is often seen as being a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A quick glance at the eye-wateringly high prices charged by the top-end safari operators will make you realize why. But, with a bit of careful planning, an African safari trip needn’t be so expensive. To enjoy the adventures and wildlife sightings of an African safari without the big price tag, forgo the frills and luxury. Choose your operator carefully and do some research into what you’ll be getting for the price of your budget safari package.
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Best Seller
12-Day Customized Tour Package, Safari & Gorilla Trekking
$2,997 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Entebbe Airport (Entebbe), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Home To Africa Tours and Travel
5.0/5 – 246 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
8-Day Camping Spectacular Serengeti Migration
$2,170 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Highlands, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire NP, Arusha (End)
Lion King Adventures
5.0/5 – 782 Reviews
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3-Day Masai Mara Budget Group Joining Safari
$300 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Karibu Safaris In Kenya
4.8/5 – 1074 Reviews
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Best Seller
5-Day Gorillas Chimpanzees and Wildlife Safari in Uganda
$1,660 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Guest House
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Queen Elizabeth NP, Ishasha (Queen Elizabeth NP), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Equator (Highlight), Entebbe (End)
Dav Safaris
5.0/5 – 48 Reviews
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12-Day Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Adventurous Safari
$3,380 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Jinja (Town), Entebbe (End)
Kajie Safaris
5.0/5 – 83 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
3-Day Adventure in Masai Mara
$300 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Jocky Tours and Safaris
4.9/5 – 651 Reviews
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3-Day Group Joining Trip
$300 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Lenchada Safaris
4.9/5 – 413 Reviews
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3-Day Best of Masai Mara Joining Group
$300 to $320 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Axis Africa Expedition & Safaris
4.9/5 – 675 Reviews
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3-Day Uganda Gorillas Budget Safari
$1,392 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetResort & Guest House
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Kampala (City), Entebbe (End)
Uzuri Uganda Safaris
5.0/5 – 58 Reviews
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3-Day Masai Mara Daily Join Group Budget Safari
$290 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Okoa Africa Tours
4.1/5 – 78 Reviews
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5-Day Tarangire, Serengeti, Crater & Manyara Safari
$1,150 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Highlands, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)
Samora Explorers
5.0/5 – 18 Reviews
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4-Day Proposed Itinerary for 4 Days 3 Nights in Ruaha NP
$702 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetCottage
You Visit: Iringa (Start), Ruaha NP, Iringa (End)
Kitonga Tours and Safaris
4.9/5 – 13 Reviews
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4-Day Mikumi NP, Masai Tour, and Uluguru Mountain Hiking
$860 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Dar Es Salaam (Start), Mikumi NP, Morogoro (City), Dar Es Salaam (End)
Connect African Safaris
4.9/5 – 22 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
3-Day Tour to Queen Elizabeth National Park
$950 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Queen Elizabeth NP, Entebbe (End)
East African Jungle Safaris
4.8/5 – 107 Reviews
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3-Day Private Mikumi National Park from Zanzibar by Air
$1,420 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Zanzibar (Start), Mikumi NP, Udzungwa Mountains, Zanzibar (End)
Tanz America Safaris
5.0/5 – 5 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Northern Parks Budget Safari Tent
$1,845 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)
Shemeji Safari Tanzania
4.9/5 – 272 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
6-Day Magical Safari in Northern Circuit in Tanzania
$1,630 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetCamping & Hotel
You Visit: Arusha Airport (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)
Colours Africa Tours and Safaris
4.9/5 – 114 Reviews
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5-Day Close to Wild Camping Safari
$1,510 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetCamping
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)
Serengeti Mystery Adventures
4.9/5 – 7 Reviews
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3-Day Meerkat Mania Salt Pan Sleepout & Quad Bike Safari
$875 to $900 pp (USD)
Botswana: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping & Bungalow
You Visit: Maun (Start), Makgadikgadi Pans NP, Maun (End)
Kingfisher Safaris
4.7/5 – 46 Reviews
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3-Day Selous Reserve, Nyerere Park Boat, Drive & Walking
$430 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Dar Es Salaam (Start), Nyerere NP, Dar Es Salaam (End)
Selous Ngalawa Camp
4.6/5 – 64 Reviews
6 Questions About Budget Safari Tours

Answered by
Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler is a travel writer, photographer and author of many guidebooks for Lonely Planet, Rough Guides and Bradt, including guides to Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Tanzania. Over the past 25 years he has traveled widely in Africa and spends considerable time there each year on safari.
6 Questions About Budget Safari Tours

Which African countries are most suitable for a budget safari?
“Although it’s possible to do a budget safari in almost any African safari country, some places are better than others. South Africa, with its wide variety of parks and private reserves is a natural choice for a cheap safari holiday. You can even create your own budget safari easily. Some options for this include self-driving and using campsites and budget hotels. The South African National Parks board often has good-value banda accommodation, which have simple rooms with limited facilities. There are also plenty of small reserves in South Africa that can be accessed by public transport. In southern Africa, Namibia is another good destination for a cheap safari tour, for much the same reason as South Africa. Park entry fees in East Africa tend to be higher than in southern Africa. However, Kenya has a massive number of companies offering budget safaris. The competition between operators means it’s possible to get some good deals here. If you plan it well, Uganda can be another good option. The parks here are often quiet and you can also see mountain gorillas. While gorilla trekking could never be described as ‘cheap’, Uganda is certainly the cheapest place to see habituated chimpanzees.”
1What is included in a budget African safari package?
“Exactly what is included in a budget safari in Africa naturally varies between safari companies, and the country and parks visited. There are some common inclusions though. A vehicle and driver, some form of accommodation (often camping) and basic meals will always be included. Park entry fees may or may not be included. It is always best to check with the tour operator about inclusions when booking your budget tour.”
2What are the differences between a budget and luxury safari?
“As with anything, you get what you pay for. A budget African safari will mean fewer extras and options than a luxury safari. On a luxury safari the vehicle, guide, accommodation and food will be top-notch. However, at the end of the day, you’ll still see the same lions and elephants. A budget safari will generally involve camping or using budget accommodation just outside the park to save on costs. A luxury safari uses lodges or exclusive tented camps that are typically located in an area where the wildlife viewing is excellent.”
3What type of vehicles can I expect?
“At best, the vehicle will be a modified Land Rover or something similar, with open sides or a roof that comes off. In East Africa, 4x4 minivans with a pop-top roof are more common for budget safaris. On shared group safaris, you will be joining other people. If the vehicle is full to capacity it might feel crowded. Check what the seating capacity of the vehicle will be before you book. Also check the maximum number of people who could be in the group. If you are going for a super-cheap safari, you should also inquire about the wildlife expertise of your driver guide and the overall condition of the vehicle. These types of safaris are often booked through backpacker hostels.”
4What kind of accommodation can I expect?
“Almost invariably on a cheap safari tour, you will be camping inside the park or staying in budget accommodation just outside the park. Some countries, such as South Africa and Namibia, also offer affordable accommodation inside certain parks, run by the park authority. The experience of sleeping in a two-person dome tent might not be as swish as the infinity pools and comfortable mattresses of the luxury lodges. However, listening to the hoots and growls of the savannah at night is something that no amount of infinity pools can replace. The budget accommodation can be a mixed bag. Some places have lots of character, but others simply feel run-down. Be sure to check the internet for reviews. ”
5What should I consider when choosing this type of safari?
“It’s important to nail down exactly what you’re paying for on any kind of safari. But it’s even more vital for a budget safari package. One question to consider is how many other people will be in the vehicle with you. Fewer is better. At the very least, ensure that every passenger has a window seat. Find out what kind of vehicle you’re using and the wildlife knowledge of your driver guide. Find out where you’ll be staying. Check out guidebook and online reviews first. If the reviews are poor, stay elsewhere even if it means paying a bit more. It’s also important to confirm how far your accommodation is from the actual park. More than a half-hour’s drive away is too far. What sort of food will you be served? If it’s a camping safari, who is responsible for cooking the meals and other camp chores? Confirm whether water and other drinks are included in the price. Also, check whether park entry fees are included in the package cost as these can be a significant extra cost. Most importantly, examine the schedule. There is a tendency among safari companies (and tourists) to try and cram too many parks into too short a time period. The result is that you spend more time traveling to and from each park than you do on actual safari.”
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