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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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3-Day Gorilla Tracking Uganda
$1,491 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 6 people per group)BudgetLodge & Resort
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Kampala (End)
African Adventure Travellers
5.0/5 – 16 Reviews
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5-Day Joining Camping Safari
$890 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)
African Hub Serengeti
4.9/5 – 13 Reviews
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3-Day Karibu Mara Budget Group Joining Safari 4x4 Jeep
$408 to $628 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Dosasha Tours and Safaris
5.0/5 – 56 Reviews
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2-Day Fly in & out from Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater
$710 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetHotel
You Visit: Zanzibar (Start), Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Zanzibar (End)
Faithfull Adventures
4.9/5 – 64 Reviews
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3-Day Masai Mara Budget Safari Tour Kenya 2025- 2026
$418 to $605 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
4.8/5 – 131 Reviews
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Best Seller
10-Day Kruger, Victoria Falls & Cape Town Comfort Tour
$3,096 to $3,298 pp (USD)
South Africa & Zimbabwe: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Greater Kruger, Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Johannesburg (City), Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls town (Victoria Falls), Cape Town (City), Cape Peninsula, Winelands, Cape Town Surrounds, Cape Town (End)
MoAfrika Tours
4.9/5 – 2,865 Reviews
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5-Day Camping to Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
$1,606 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetCamping
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Highlands, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)
Lekobe Adventures Safaris
4.9/5 – 59 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
3-Day Chimpanzee Trekking, Canopy & Lake Kivu Adventure
$1,134 pp (USD)
Rwanda: Private tourBudgetGuest House & Hotel
You Visit: Kigali (Start), Nyungwe NP (Chimps), Lake Kivu, Kigali (End)
Hermosa Life Tours and Travel
5.0/5 – 176 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
3-Day 4x4 Amboseli Group Joining Tour
$320 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Aanika Karibu Safaris In Kenya
4.8/5 – 1,494 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Private Camping Tour to Wildebeests Migration
$1,870 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)
Meru Slopes Tours & Safaris
5.0/5 – 540 Reviews
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3-Day Budget Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park
$660 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge
You Visit: Kampala (Start), Queen Elizabeth NP, Kampala (End)
Expedition Rwindi Voyage
4.9/5 – 65 Reviews
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6-Day Tanzanian Wilderness Camping Extravaganza
$1,320 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping & Hotel
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)
Good One Tours
5.0/5 – 51 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
6-Day Unforgettable Tour in Tanzania
$1,122 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)
Cubs Expeditions
5.0/5 – 217 Reviews
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5-Day Tanzania Wildlife Lodge Safari
$1,480 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Tented Bush Camp
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)
Go Makini Tanzania Expedition
4.9/5 – 85 Reviews
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12-Day Wildlife Venture & Culture Experience
$4,290 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Moshi (Start), Materuni Waterfalls (Highlight), Tarangire NP, Lake Natron, Northern Serengeti NP, Central Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Mto wa Mbu (Town), Arusha (End)
Great Escape Trails
4.9/5 – 59 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
10-Day Ultimate Safari Explorer Budget
$3,000 to $3,118 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Arusha NP, Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP), Ngorongoro Crater, Kikuletwa Hot Springs (Highlight), Arusha (End)
Shemeji Safari Tanzania
4.8/5 – 296 Reviews
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5-Day Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
$1,964 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Resort
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Entebbe (End)
JM Jungle Safaris Uganda
4.9/5 – 22 Reviews
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Best Seller
7-Day Masai Mara/Nakuru/Naivasha/Amboseli Budget Safari
$980 to $1,200 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Hell’s Gate NP, Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Jungleroam Safaris
5.0/5 – 598 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Tanzania Budget Camping Tour
$920 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)
Mountain Warriors Tours and Safaris
4.9/5 – 284 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
9-Day Budget Safari with Walking & Kilimanjaro
$2,420 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetCamping & Hotel
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Arusha NP, Tarangire NP, Mto wa Mbu (Town), Central Serengeti NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Highlands, Ngorongoro Crater, Mt Kilimanjaro, Arusha (End)
Serengeti Wakanda Tours and Safaris
5.0/5 – 676 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.› More about Stuart
6 Questions About Budget Safari Tours

Which African countries are most suitable for a budget trip?
“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 a budget African 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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