How to go on an African safari on budget?
How to go on an African safari on budget: An African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that opens up your sight to a plethora of things for instance the amazing wildlife, beautiful scenery, and the unadulterated beauty of the natural world.
Despite people’s perception that safaris are expensive and too costly, there are several methods to do that can reduce the cost of this once-in-a-lifetime trip without sacrificing quality. In this guide we are going to provide guidance on the best way to experience the true beauty of an African safari and how best you can enjoy your dream safari on budget.
Selecting your destination carefully.
Choosing an ideal destination that is affordable is the first step in planning an African safari that is budget friendly. Different destinations cost differently for instance; Kenya is frequently more affordable compared to Tanzania. The other thing is that Tanzania mostly offers hotels and fewer comparable lodging options unlike Nairobi that offers hostels and Airbnb’s implying that a safari in Kenya is less costly compared to Tanzania.
Their fees are typically in local currencies rather than US dollars, so you can benefit from favourable exchange rates to have more money on hand. You can still result to visiting different game reserves than national parks in order to cut on the cost but still offer unique experiences.
Tip: Make vast research about a particular destination to visit.
Joining group tours.
Joining a group of people is among the main strategies that can be followed to embark on an African safari while on a budget option. Group togethers are very budget friendly options since it comes with sharing costs such as fuel, accommodation and many more.
They provide thrilling experiences as you explore vast places while connecting with each other. These tours may involve camping or staying in simple accommodations, but they still provide a fantastic opportunity to see the wildlife while keeping costs low.
Tip: Always seek out group trips designed specifically with low-budget travelers in mind
Always visit during the peak season.
Many tour operators are open year-round, so consider going for your wildlife viewing during the low season, which happens to be the rainy season, when there are less crowds in the parks.
In East Africa, the long rains fall from March to June and short rain from October to December. This is a perfect idea of saving money since during this period you will find fewer tourists and lower prices for accommodation and at times park entry. The wet season offers a different experience with lush landscapes and fewer crowds, but the animals may be more dispersed.
Booking in advance is key.
Looking for the best option on how you can travel to Africa on budget is advance booking. This saves your money and enhances proper planning thus enjoying your African safari on budget.
Because flight schedules for direct flights to Africa are frequently available 330 days in advance, booking your safari trip 4 to 5 months in advance helps you take advantage of lower fares as well as lower expenses for accommodations and logistics.
Depending on the season you have decided to travel, this can allow enjoy some of the benefits especially those visiting with in the low season. Some accommodations tend to offer discounts on their prices. Furthermore, several parks frequently provide multi-day passes, which might result in cost savings. This can enable you spend enough time with in the park as you are enjoying an African safari on a budget friendly option.
Look for affordable accommodations.
Opting for affordable accommodation can drastically cut down on your expenses. This option can help you do your African safari with out spending much money. If you booked with a tour operator, make sure you inform them about your preference for a budget-friendly accommodation.
This would usually be a private tent with a bed and a private toilet. You can still ask more about various budget options whether camping or any cheap dorm-style lodging where you can pay mainly suitable for you while on your safari.
Booking with a local tour operator.
Always ensure organizing and booking your safari through a reliable tour operator instead of online booking mainly to cut on the cost. Looking for a trusted tour operator go to google on trip advisor and read through some reviews then select one
Though some of these online companies and agencies offer deals, you can have higher chances of negotiating for better prices since you are dealing directly with the ground operator
Opting for a self-drive safari.
One of the ideal ways of how one can travel on budget while on an African safari is embarking on a self-drive safari. Unlike the guided tours, self drive safari enables travelers save a certain portion of money (driver fees) as well as they are exploring a number of places. Many African national parks in countries like Namibia, south Africa, Uganda, Kenya allow visitors explore various destinations on their own in rental cars.
If you’re an independent traveler or perhaps an adventurous family, then a self-drive holiday will offer you an affordable African safari experience.
Proper packing of essentials.
Proper packing of the necessary essentials is one of the best things that can help you travel on an African safari on budget. This helps to minimize the need for last-minute purchases and excess luggage penalties, allowing you to stay on budget.
By packing exactly what you absolutely need, allows you save plenty’s of money, decrease travel stress, and have a more planned and productive trip. Proper packing of essentials is an easy yet effective approach to travel affordably without sacrificing comfort or convenience.
Embark on Using public transportation.
If you want to travel more cheaply, think about taking public transit to your safari site. Local planes or bus services are far less expensive than private transportation in many African nations.
Once at your destination, you can frequently join a local group safari or use public transportation to travel to such as buses to access a particular destination. This is a fantastic method to save money if you’re traveling on a very limited budget, but be ready for lengthy trips and occasionally terrible travel circumstances.