Zambia Budget Safari Tours

4.6/5 – 96 Zambia Reviews

Dreaming of a budget safari in Zambia? It can be done! Zambia doesn’t attract the attention that its more-famous neighbors (such as South Africa and Botswana) receive for being a safari country. And especially not as a country known for its budget safaris. In fact, the country pitches itself mainly at the upper end of the safari market. But that doesn’t mean a cheap Zambia safari isn’t possible. You just need to spend a bit of time shopping around. If you like camping you will be in your element. There are plenty of budget camping options, and many are located in beautiful riverside settings. Just know that you will have hippo and crocodile as neighbors once the sun goes down. But that’s all part of the adventure in Zambia!

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6 Questions About Zambia Budget Safari Tours

Expert

Answered by

Alan Murphy

Alan is a travel writer and author of more than 25 Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Southern Africa and Zambia. He is also founder of RoundTrip Foundation, an international NGO dedicated to promoting responsible travel, and providing real support to impoverished communities.

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Why should I choose Zambia for a budget safari?

“You should choose Zambia for a budget safari because it offers a remarkable and unique wildlife experience. Rural Zambia feels very remote, and here you experience ‘raw Africa’ in all its glory. If you want to sum up this land-locked, off-the-beaten-track country in just a word, it would be ‘wild’. Most Zambian camps are not fenced. They are also deliberately situated on traditional wildlife tracks, which encourages animals to spend time in and around the camps. It’s all a part of the Zambian adventure. A Zambian budget safari in the country’s extensive protected areas is all about wildlife encounters in pristine African bush. And if you are on a budget safari package you will most likely be camping for most, if not the whole, trip. Sheltering in a tent at night while wild animals grunt and snuffle outside your tent adds to the sense of adventure.”

What is included in a Zambia budget safari?

“Generally, park fees and activities (such as game drives and walks) are included in a budget safari in Zambia. So are accommodation, camping equipment and a driver/guide. Transport, transfers from/to the airport, and basic meals are also usually included. There may well be some variation between operators so it’s always good to check what you are getting for your money. International flights, alcoholic drinks, tips, shopping (such as handicrafts or souvenirs) and increases in taxes or park fees are generally not included. It’s always worth finding out the detail of inclusions too. Does camping equipment include a sleeping bag and cooking equipment, for example? Are there any tax or park-fee rises around the corner? Some tours will throw in beer and wine too (although not spirits). A good operator should make all that clear.”

What are the pros and cons of a self-drive Zambia budget safari?

“Self-driving can be a lot of fun. It feeds your sense of adventure and gives you great flexibility. It also provides alternative sleeping options (in the back of the car or in a tent on the roof). It’s a great way to explore wild Africa. However, your holiday can be ruined by careless or inexperienced driving. If you haven’t had any experience in a 4WD, Africa (Zambia included) is not the place to learn. Driving on gravel roads, or roads with hard-to-spot, massive potholes can get the better of you. At the very least, try to go with someone who has experience 4WDing. 4WDs are generally very expensive to hire, and the costs may be out of reach for people wanting a cheap Zambia safari. Otherwise, the biggest con is getting stuck in a remote corner of the country if your vehicle breaks down. Check if there is mobile reception where you are going and take a local sim card that you know will work. Otherwise your best option is to rent a satellite phone (another expense!).”

Can you describe a typical day on a Zambia budget safari?

“When you wake up in your tent you will feel the delicious cool of early African morning time in Zambia. You will probably hear birdsong and perhaps some grunting hippo nearby. You’ll have a quick breakfast (prepared yourself or made for you, depending on your budget safari package). With the crack of dawn illuminating your surrounds, it will be time to hop into a vehicle and go on an early morning game drive. Alternatively, depending on the park, you could join a walking safari or even do some canoeing. At this early time of morning you’ve a chance of seeing big cats on their way back from a hunt. You could spot hyena loping across the landscape, and even nocturnal (active at night) animals such as genet. Elephant and buffalo herds may be on their way to the closest waterhole for their morning drink. In the late morning when you return to camp and the heat is building, everyone flakes out until late afternoon. Flaking out can mean reading a book or snoozing. Or it could be going through your photos, or sitting in the common areas and chatting to whoever’s around. The late-afternoon game drive starts at about 4pm. If you go on a night drive later, the guides usually have powerful hand spotlights to help them find animals. It’s a great opportunity to see nocturnal animals. See if the guides will let you have a go, it’s terrific fun. ”

What type of accommodation can I expect on a Zambia budget safari?

“You can usually expect to be sleeping in a tent on a Zambia budget safari. Tents will be supplied, and you will either erect it yourself or it will be done for you, depending on your package. In some places, such as South Luangwa National Park, there is a wider range of accommodation options. You may get a bed in a budget lodge, cottage, chalet, or even a small room. In such cases the accommodation is normally basic but clean and comfortable. Safari tents are another possibility. They are used at the budget and luxury ends of the market. At the budget end you will get a bed, perhaps a bedside table and a light, and not much more. Bathrooms are shared. There’s no doubt that sleeping under canvas is a particularly exciting option, be it camping or staying in a safari tent. The sounds of the African bush at night are that much closer in a tent.”

What are the typical costs of a Zambia budget safari?

“The price of Zambia budget/camping safaris start at around US$150 per person per day. Although you’re more likely to pay upward of US$200 per person a day. On top of that you need to factor in your flights to get here, personal shopping and tips for your guides. (Generally work on US$10 to US$15 per day for tips). As a general rule of thumb, the better-known and more accessible parks and attractions will be cheaper for a Zambia safari. This is because there are many more accommodation options available. South Luangwa NP and Livingstone (for Victoria Falls and Mosi-oa-Tunya NP) have the largest array of facilities, including accommodation ranges. Most budget safaris will include these destinations. Kafue NP, which has a major highway running through it, is also good for budget safaris. It has affordable lodges and great camping options just off the highway. ”

Zambia Reviews

4.6/5 96 Reviews

Expert

Mike Unwin –

Mike is an award winning wildlife writer, editor of Travel Zambia magazine and author of the Bradt Guide to Southern African Wildlife.

Safaris for aficionados

5/5

Zambia has emerged relatively slowly on the safari map. Overshadowed for many years by neighbouring Zimbabwe, and suffering from a poor conservation record and neglected parks, its attractions were best known to insiders. In recent times,...

Full Review

Expert

Stephen Cunliffe –

Stephen is a travel writer and avid conservationist whose work appears in prestigious magazines such as Africa Geographic and Travel Africa.

Africa’s Hottest Safari Option

5/5

It is only in the last decade that Zambia burst back onto the African safari scene, re-building its safari reputation on the back of some epic national parks and outstanding wildlife. Anyone even vaguely familiar with Zambia and its...

Full Review

Halley –

Reviewed: Nov 30, 2019

Beautiful spot on the River

4/5

The safari overall was spectacular, just so much fun seeing all the animals in their natural habitats. The time we were there (mid October) was very hot, we felt it and so did the animals. So because of the heat many of the animals were not...

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Hakan Olsson –

Reviewed: Oct 9, 2019

Even better than expected, we had a wonderful but too short visit to South Luangwa.

4/5

We have travelled a lot in Southern and Eastern Africa visiting most of the great parks and South Luangwa stands out as one of our favourites after a previous visit. An Eden of scenic beauty and this time during high season there was...

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Graeme –

Reviewed: Jul 29, 2019

Superb

5/5

I used Gondwana Tours to organise my entire tour, and it was absolutely superb. July is a brilliant time to visit South Luangwa, with cool mornings, warm afternoons and mild evenings, all perfect for wildlife watching. Accommodation with...

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AS –

Reviewed: Mar 8, 2019

Excellent experience!

5/5

We used Luciano Tours and Travels to book our vacation and everything was fantastic. They were even able to help with some immigration issues and were very good about checking in with us to make sure everything was going smoothly. Zambia is...

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All 96 Zambia Reviews

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4-Day Central Kafue Bush Break

2-Day Short Canoeing Safari - Lower Zambezi

6-Day Lusaka to Livingstone via Kafue National Park

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19-Day Kokomo Safari - the Western Circuit

3-Day Lower Zambezi Explorer Rustic Safari

15-Day Liuwa Plains National Park

8-Day Kwalata Safari - Southern Kafue Explorer

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6 Questions About Zambia Budget Safari Tours

Answered by

Alan Murphy

6 Questions About Zambia Budget Safari Tours

Why should I choose Zambia for a budget safari?

What is included in a Zambia budget safari?

What are the pros and cons of a self-drive Zambia budget safari?

Can you describe a typical day on a Zambia budget safari?

What type of accommodation can I expect on a Zambia budget safari?

What are the typical costs of a Zambia budget safari?

Zambia Reviews

Safaris for aficionados

Africa’s Hottest Safari Option

Beautiful spot on the River

Even better than expected, we had a wonderful but too short visit to South Luangwa.

Superb

Excellent experience!