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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
5-Day Join Big Five Safari Adventure
$1,610 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)
Enchanting Tanzania Safaris
4.9/5 – 59 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Masai Mara/ Nakuru/Naivasha Daily Joining Safari
$500 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Lake Naivasha, Nairobi (End)
Bison Safaris
4.9/5 – 241 Reviews
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12-Day Trip Gorilla Trekking, Big 5 and Nature Sighting
$3,126 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), 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 – 154 Reviews
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6-Day Kenya's Finest Budget Masai Mara, Amboseli Safari
$700 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Greater Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru NP, Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Jadi Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 41 Reviews
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5-Day Mid Range Group Tour
$1,400 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Tented Bush Camp
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire NP, Arusha (End)
Suricata Safaris
4.9/5 – 202 Reviews
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4-Day Masai Mara Budget Camping Safari
$420 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 – 147 Reviews
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3-Day Amboseli Group Joining Tour
$270 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Karibu Safaris In Kenya
4.8/5 – 710 Reviews
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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
5.0/5 – 203 Reviews
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5-Day Private Southern Kruger Camping Adventure
$1,050 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tourBudgetCamping
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Wild Planet Safari
5.0/5 – 163 Reviews
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6-Day Masai Mara/Lake Nakuru/Amboseli Safari
$720 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Hyrax Safaris
4.7/5 – 61 Reviews
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Best Seller
5-Day Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Tarangire
$980 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping & Hotel
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire NP, Arusha (End)
Serengeti Wakanda Tours and Safaris
5.0/5 – 146 Reviews
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3-Day / 2 Nights Join Group Serengeti & Ngorongoro
$501 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)
Swahili Paradise Tours & Safaris
4.4/5 – 68 Reviews
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5-Day Mara-Lake Naivasha-Amboseli Mixed Camp and Lodges
$840 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Axis Africa Expedition & Safaris
4.9/5 – 300 Reviews
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3-Day Maasai Mara Shared Budget Safari Tour 2021- 2023
$295 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Bienvenido Kenya Tours and Safaris
4.5/5 – 19 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Best of Camping Manyara Serengeti Ngorongoro
$1,340 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Highlands, Arusha (End)
Lion King Adventures
5.0/5 – 324 Reviews
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3-Day Gorilla Trekking Budget Safari in Uganda
$1,196 pp (USD)
Rwanda & Uganda: Shared tour (max 6 people per group)BudgetLodge
You Visit: Kigali (Start), Genocide Memorial (Kigali), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Kigali (End)
Bamboo Ecotours
5.0/5 – 21 Reviews
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5-Day Camping Safari
$1,400 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetCamping & Tented Camp
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Highlands, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)
Fur Tours & Trek
5.0/5 – 11 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
11-Day Best of Safari & Zanzibar Getaway
$2,200 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetCamping & Resort
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Zanzibar (End)
Shemeji Safari Tanzania
4.7/5 – 224 Reviews
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5-Day Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire Tour
$1,000 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Highlands, Arusha (End)
Safari Soles
4.9/5 – 60 Reviews
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4-Day Camping Kruger NP
$1,115 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 12 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Armadillo Overland Safaris
5.0/5 – 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 safari?
“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 on a budget safari?
“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 a budget 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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