How to go on a budget-friendly safari in Africa

An African safari on a budget is possible if you're willing to be flexible about when you travel, where you stay, how you get around, and whether you travel privately or with a group. 

And here’s the important part. You don't have to sacrifice the wildlife, scenery, or adventure that make a safari special. You can make the sacrifices elsewhere to ensure the wildlife experience itself remains memorable.

This article covers seven practical ways to go on a budget-friendly safari without compromising your safety or the wildlife experience.

Key takeaways

• A budget African safari can start from $80 per day per person, excluding park entry fees.

• To go on a budget-friendly safari, join a group safari, go on a self-drive, travel during the low season, and choose camping over lodges. Working with local operators can also cut costs by eliminating intermediary commissions. 

• Ancora Voyages is a Kenyan-based travel agency with offices in Seattle, US, that creates customized safaris based on your interests and budget. Tell our travel experts what your priority and budget are, and then they’ll create an affordable safari package for you.

How much does a budget safari cost?

A budget safari could start from as low as $80/day depending on several factors. That’s excluding park entry fees. The total cost ultimately depends on several important factors.

• Country and park: Entry fees vary considerably by destination. For example, non-resident adults currently pay US$80 per day to enter Kenya’s Amboseli and Tsavo East national parks, while the Masai Mara charges US$100 per person during its January - June low season and US$200 from July–December.

  The fees also vary greatly depending on the country you visit. In South Africa, international visitors currently pay R602 (about US$37) per adult per day to enter Kruger National Park. Tanzania charges $83 per day per person to enter Serengeti National Park, while the Ngorongoro Crater has a separate conservation fee.

• Season: Peak periods, such as the Great Migration season in the Maasai Mara, generally mean higher park fees, accommodation rates, and demand. Travelling during the shoulder or green season can lower your overall cost.

• Accommodation: Luxury lodges cost considerably more than campsites, budget lodges or mobile camps. Your choice will have a major impact on the final bill.

• Group size: Sharing a safari vehicle and guide with other travellers spreads transport costs across more people. A private vehicle offers more flexibility but costs more per person.

Park fees and permits are unavoidable costs. Always check whether they're included in your safari quote. A $150 per day safari package may sound cheap until you realize you also have to pay an additional $100 out of pocket to cover the entry fee.  

7 ways to go on a safari on a budget

Let's now look at seven practical ways you can go on a cheap safari in Africa. 

1. Join a group safari 

A group safari lets you share the vehicle, guide, and some accommodation costs with other travellers. This cuts the cost of your safari significantly. 

For example, a shared group safari on Ancora Voyages can start from around $280 per person for a maximum of seven tourists. That price includes park fees and accommodation at an affordable lodge. 

Of course, you can pay extra for add-ons like airport transfers and accommodation upgrades. 

However, you do lose out on things like customizing the content or itinerary of the safari. The itinerary is fixed to benefit all participants. 

So, while a group safari does mean less control over the itinerary and who you travel with, it's worth considering if keeping costs down is your priority.

2. Go on a self-drive

Hiring a car and exploring the park yourself is another option that can eliminate the cost of a dedicated safari vehicle and driver. But you must confirm that the country and park you’re going to permit this.

Kruger National Park is a good example. International visitors currently pay R602 (about US$37) per adult per day in conservation fees. SANParks allows visitors to explore the park in their own vehicles. 

Expect to spend around US$270 to $337 per person, including park fees, shared accommodation, fuel and self-catering food on a self-drive Kruger National Park safari.

The trade-off is that you'll handle the driving, navigation and logistics yourself, and you won't have a guide helping you spot wildlife. 

Of course, you can also hire a local guide on a daily rate to help with communications and wildlife spotting. 

Kruger is one of the best parks to spot the Big Five on a self-drive budget safari.

3. Travel during low season 

Safari prices change dramatically depending on when you travel. Peak periods, such as July to October in many East African and Southern African destinations, tend to command higher accommodation rates. Travelling during the green or shoulder season gives you more room to negotiate.

Botswana provides a striking example. Chobe Game Lodge lists 2026 rates from US$695 per person per night in its green season, compared with US$1,295 during peak season for a shared room. That's a difference of US$600 per night.

The trade-off is that low season may bring more rain, fewer visitors, and different wildlife-viewing conditions. Traveling during low season could also mean that you miss out on spectacular events like the great migration in the Maasai Mara and Serengeti National Parks. 

If you're flexible, get in touch with our safari operator. We’ll work together to identify the months that offer the best combination of price, weather and wildlife for your chosen destination.

4. Choose camping over a lodge

Accommodation accounts for a substantial portion of your safari budget, so swapping a lodge for a campsite can make a big difference.

Chobe Safari Lodge in Botswana lists campsites from US$25 per person per night during the 2025–26 season. Compare that to US$365 for a shared room on a half-board basis. 

In Kruger, SANParks also offers campsites alongside huts, safari tents and bungalows. It gives visitors several accommodation levels to choose from.

You don't necessarily have to rough it, either. Mobile camps and permanent tented camps can offer beds, bathrooms and meals while costing less than high-end lodges.

Compare the cost of camping + food + activities with a lodge package before booking.

5. Pick the right destination for your budget

Not all safari destinations cost the same. Park fees, accommodation, transport, and even the distance from the airport can push the total price up or down.

South Africa's Kruger National Park, for example, charges international visitors R602 (about US$37) per adult per day in conservation fees for 2025–26. It also allows self-drive safaris and offers relatively affordable accommodation within the park, including huts currently listed from around R947 ($58) per night.

If you're flying into South Africa, Cape Town and Johannesburg are the two main entry points, and factoring in the domestic transfer to Kruger will affect your overall budget.

By comparison, some private game reserves in Botswana's private concessions can be substantially more expensive because of their small-scale, all-inclusive camps and remote locations. 

That doesn't make them a bad choice. It just means your budget may stretch further in a national park such as Kruger than in a luxury private concession. This is especially the case in the Okavango Delta, where you’ll find luxury lodges.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Maasai Mara charges $100 per person in entry fees. The Maasai Mara National Park is located about 248km from the international airport, which is something you must consider if you’re thinking of a self-drive safari. 

So consider both the country and the park, as well as entry fees, accommodation, and transport in your planning phase. Our travel experts can help you with this. We can customize the trip to find you the right country and parks for your budget. 

For example, Maasai Mara may be out of your budget, but we could create a package that features the Tsavo National Park, another incredible yet cheaper park in Kenya. 

The entry fee for the Tsavo East National Park is only $80 compared to the $100 at Maasai Mara, for example. 

Tsavo houses the big 5 and is only 2 hours away from the coastal towns of Mombasa and Diani.

6. Book through local operators

Book directly with a reputable local safari operator to cut out intermediaries and reduce the cost of your safari. 

Online travel agencies (OTAs) may charge operators commissions of around 15–25%. That cost is usually passed on to the traveller, which is you. Finding local operators and working with them directly eliminates that commission.

That said, booking directly doesn’t always translate to cheaper rates. Some specialist safari companies negotiate wholesale rates with lodges and other suppliers. Compare the total cost of working with an agency vs working directly with a local operator. Check what’s included in both packages to find the right, affordable option for you. 

And, of course, verify that the local company is properly licensed and established before paying. 

Check out our list of top travel companies in Kenya to see local operators you may want to work with.

7. Shorten the safari

Shortening your itinerary is the simplest way to bring down the total cost of your safari. Remember, the more days you spend on the safari, the more accommodation, meals, park fees, transport, and other expenses you incur.

So, instead of spending seven nights moving between three parks, consider a three- or four-night safari focused on one destination. You'll pay fewer nights of accommodation and spend less on transfers between parks, while still getting multiple game drives.

For example, we can create a tailored 3-day Maasai Mara safari package focusing on just the one park. You’ll do two game drives per day, one early in the morning and another later in the evening. And then squeeze in activities like a visit to the Maasai village and some conservancies during the day.

That would be much cheaper and still gives you the opportunity to experience the crucial elements that make Maasai Mara so special.

Where not to cut costs when going on a budget-friendly safari

Don’t put yourself at risk or compromise the quality of your experience while trying to save money on a cheap safari. 

Be very careful with deals that seem far cheaper than comparable safaris. They may exclude park fees, meals, transfers, or other costs, or come from an operator that isn't properly licensed.

Additionally, don’t compromise on safety, vehicle condition, insurance, or an experienced guide. 

Always check what your quote includes and verify the operator's credentials and reviews before paying a deposit.

Lastly, avoid paying the full amount upfront through an unverified website or personal account. 

How Ancora Voyages can help you plan a safari around your budget

Ancora Voyages provides customized African safaris. We work with all travelers, including folks who want to experience the magic of Africa without going back home to expensive debts. 

Tell us your budget and priorities as far as wildlife experience and accommodation go. We’ll work hard to curate a good experience for your exact budget. 

Send over the priority list in the form below, and we’ll get back to you in the next 12 hours.

Best safari on a budget FAQs

1. Where is the cheapest place to do a safari?

South Africa, particularly Kruger National Park, is one of the cheaper destinations for affordable safaris. It offers affordable accommodation and the ability to self-drive. Kenya’s Tsavo East and West National Parks are also very affordable. 

Ultimately, the cheapest safari destination varies depending on park fees, accommodation, transport, season, and activities.

2. Can you have a private safari on a budget?

Yes, you can have a private safari on a budget by travelling with friends or family to share the vehicle, choosing budget accommodation, and travelling in the low season. Ancora Voyages will help book your safari in the right month to get affordable accommodation and private guide rates.

3. How to go on a safari on a budget?

To go on a safari on a budget, travel during the low or shoulder season, join a group safari, consider self-driving where permitted, choose camping or budget accommodation, and pick a destination with lower overall costs. Compare what's included in different safari packages to avoid unexpected expenses.

4. How much does a 3-day Maasai Mara Safari cost?

A 3-day Maasai Mara safari can cost roughly US$300 - $1,000+ per person, depending on whether you join a group or travel privately and your choice of accommodation and season. Park fees alone currently range from US$100 per person per day from January to June to US$200 from July to December.

5.  What is the average cost of a Safari trip?

Safari prices vary significantly across Africa and by travel style. A budget safari can cost a few hundred US dollars for several days, while luxury safaris can run into several thousand dollars per person. Ancora Voyages’ travel experts provide custom quotes based on the experience you want and your budget.