African Safari Cost 2027 | Everything You Need to Know!
An African safari costs anywhere between $150 and $3,000+ per person, per night. For a typical mid-range experience, expect to pay around $350 to $750 per night, while luxury lodges start at $1,000 to $1,500 per night. What you actually pay depends significantly on the country, the style of travel, and the time of year.
At The Bespoke African Safari Co., “How much does an African safari cost?” is by far the most frequent inquiry we receive. Here, we break down the components that go into calculating the final price of your dream safari, and offer some suggestions for stretching your dollar.
Safari pricing information is notoriously difficult to discover online, and there is such a wide variety of approaches from different firms that it’s nearly impossible to know what you’re getting for your money. Many travelers assume that using a tour operator will be much more expensive than organizing their own trip. A tailor-made African safari may be more cost-effective than a do-it-yourself trip or a pre-arranged vacation. Choosing from fixed-price packages means missing out on off-season deals, early-bird discounts, and even last-minute availability, while working with a reputable tour operator guarantees you’ll take advantage of all available savings opportunities.
However, it is important to note that a safari is an expensive vacation option, and that you will most certainly get what you pay for.
African Safari Cost: Country by Country
How much does an African safari cost is the number one question we get. The information you need to set a realistic budget for your upcoming vacation is included in this comprehensive guide.
African Safari Cost
*Now let’s look at the three categories of African safari cost we offer – Value, Classic, and Luxury:
- Value: Travelers on these tours may stay in traditional tents or in more luxurious settings, such as 4-star lodges and camps. The emphasis is on excitement rather than the opulence of other hotels. The average cost of a Value safari is $4,500 – $5,000 per person.
- Classic: The average cost of a classic safari is between $7,000 and $8,000. The camps and lodges where these safaris are held typically have 5-star ratings, and their standards for guiding, food, and service are exceptionally high. The Classic category often comprises properties that are run by some of our most notable partners.
- Luxury: Our most luxurious safaris are the Luxury safaris. These tours feature residences that cost above $1,000 per person per night! Lodges and camps with private plunge pools and high standards of hospitality tend to cost upwards of $10,000 per person each week. There will definitely be a wow factor!
African Safari Costs: What to Keep in Mind
You won’t forget a safari more than any other vacation you’ve ever taken. Location, season, and degree of comfort are just a few of the many variables that affect how much an African safari will cost, but there are some reliable guidelines to help you stay within your budget.
Package deals are not necessarily cheaper: With a personalized safari, you and your travel agent may set your own spending limits, so you can save where you need to and indulge where you want. When you book a scheduled departure trip or buy a package deal, you’re committing to a certain time and price.
The more privacy and exclusivity you want, the more you will spend: However, with the help of your agent’s expertise, you can still enjoy yourself in a less than ideal setting.
South Africa remains one of the most affordable safari destinations thanks to a favourable rand-dollar exchange rate: If this is your first time going on a safari, South Africa is a great place to start. But seasoned safari travelers might reap substantial dividends as well.
‘Doing it yourself’ is not necessarily cheaper – or often even possible: Light aircraft schedules, transfer businesses, and ground handlers are all areas where your agent’s specific knowledge will be invaluable.
Using an agent gives you a single ‘all-inclusive’ price: In order to avoid any “surprises,” your travel agent will be able to compile all of your expenses, including foreign flights, into a single invoice based on factors such as accommodation availability and special rates.
East African Safari Cost Guidelines
There are a plethora of national parks in Kenya, including the renowned Masai Mara, Amboseli, and Samburu. Other notable parks in the country include Mount Meru, Tsavo, and the Aberdares. Among Tanzania’s national parks are the world-renowned Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater Conversation Area, Nyerere (formerly Selous Game Reserve), and Ruaha.
East Africa, which includes both Tanzania and Kenya, is often recognized as the safari’s original home. The Great Wildebeest Migration also passes through this area.
Tanzania Safari Cost
| 4-star comfort | 4-star luxury | 5-star luxury | |||
| Low | High | Low | High | Low | High |
| $500 – $675 | $550 – $725 | $800 – $1,200 | $950 – $1,350 | $1,250 | $1,850 |
Kenya Safari Cost
| 4-star comfort | 4-star luxury | 5-star luxury | |||
| Low | High | Low | High | Low | High |
| $420–500 | $550–650 | $650–750 | $800–1050 | $1,100–1,250 | $1,300–1,750 |
Tanzania And Kenya Safari Cost Combined
| 4-star comfort | 4-star luxury | 5-star luxury | |||
| Low | High | Low | High | Low | High |
| $500 | $650 | $700–1,150 | $1,200–1,400 | $1,450 | $1,800–2,900 |
** In both the high and low seasons, the prices listed on this page are simply suggestions and averages based on two people sharing a room. Foreign flights, visas, and extracurricular activities are not included. All conservation levies, fees, and permits are dynamic and could alter at any time. Typically, the busiest times of year are between July and October, as well as throughout the holidays and new year.
Kenya Safaris
A Kenya safari is widely considered the birthplace of the traditional African safari, offering vast savannahs, diverse eco-systems, and unparalleled opportunities to spot the Big Five. The crown jewel of Kenyan wildlife tracking is the Masai Mara National Reserve, which stages the iconic Great Wildebeest Migration.
Tanzania Safaris
A Tanzania safari is the quintessential African wildlife experience, home to the legendary Serengeti National Park and the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater. Safaris in Tanzania generally fall into three geographic “circuits,” with the Northern Circuit being the most popular for first-time visitors due to its dense concentration of iconic wildlife.
Tanzania & Kenya Safaris
A combined Kenya and Tanzania safari offers the ultimate East African wildlife experience, allowing you to follow the Great Wildebeest Migration as it loops between the Serengeti National Park and the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Southern African Safari Cost
Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta are two of Botswana’s most well-known wildlife habitats. Among South Africa’s many attractions are Sun City, Cape Town, and Kruger National Park. The spectacular Etosha National Park is the crown jewel of Namibia, whilst the Victoria Falls are shared by Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Since you may rent a car and drive yourself around, as well as stay in self-catering accommodations, Namibia and South Africa are the most budget-friendly safari destinations we offer. Cheaper, but more “work” for you—driving and cooking on vacation—are two options.
The combination of a dry winter and a massive influx of international tourists causes the peak season to return to July and August. During the “shoulder season,” which occurs between peak and off-peak seasons, you may expect to see favorable weather conditions (beginning or ending showers), reasonable prices, and plenty of available options.
For the greatest game viewing experience all year round, head to South Africa. The severe rainy season in Zambia occurs between November and May, and many camps are still closed at this time. While October is Botswana’s hottest and driest month, it’s still a fantastic time to see wildlife, but you might want to stay in an air-conditioned resort to avoid the heat. It becomes difficult to see wildlife in November since the rains have dispersed the animals.
South African Safari Cost Guidelines
Botswana Safari Prices
| 4-star comfort | 4-star luxury | 5-star luxury | |||
| Low | High | Low | High | Low | High |
| $600 | $800 | $800 | $1,250–1,375 | $1,450 | $1,800–2,850 |
Namibia Safari Prices
| 4-star comfort | 4-star luxury | 5-star luxury | |||
| Low | High | Low | High | Low | High |
| $300–450 | $350–500 | $600 | $700 | $1,350–1,600 | $1,600–1,750 |
Zimbabwe Costs
| 4-star comfort | 4-star luxury | 5-star luxury | |||
| Low | High | Low | High | Low | High |
| $700 | $1,100 | $950 | $1,450 | $2,650 | $2,950 |
Zambia Safari Costs
| 4-star comfort | 4-star luxury | 5-star luxury | |||
| Low | High | Low | High | Low | High |
| $900 | $1,000 | $950 | $1,250 | $1,450 | $2,000 |
Victoria Falls Costs
| 4-star comfort | 4-star luxury | 5-star luxury | |||
| Low | High | Low | High | Low | High |
| $550 | $600 | $600 | $700–900 | $1,100 | $1,200–1,900 |
South African Safari Cost
| 4-star comfort | 4-star luxury | 5-star luxury | |||
| Low | High | Low | High | Low | High |
| $450 | $500 | $550 | $600–800 | $1,000 | $1,100–1,700 |
**All prices listed on this page are approximate averages based on two people sharing a room during high and low season. International flights, visas, and optional activities are not included. Keep in mind that conservation levies, taxes, and permits can and will alter. Between July and October, as well as throughout Christmas and New Year’s, is typically considered peak or high season.
Botswana Safaris
Botswana is widely regarded as Africa’s premier luxury safari destination. Known for its strict “high-revenue, low-impact” tourism policy, the country prioritizes vast, untouched wilderness reserves over mass tourism, providing exceptionally exclusive wildlife viewing.
South Africa Safaris
A South Africa safari offers one of the most diverse, accessible, and spectacular wildlife experiences in the world, famous for guaranteed encounters with the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo). Whether you are looking for the rugged freedom of a self-drive adventure or the ultimate indulgence of a luxury private lodge, the country caters flawlessly to every travel style.
Victoria Falls Tours
A tour of Victoria Falls, locally named Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke that Thunders”), is the perfect addition to a Southern African safari. Spanning the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, this Natural Wonder of the World provides everything from serene sunset cruises to high-octane adrenaline sports.
Gorilla Trekking Cost
The cost of gorilla trekking varies significantly depending on which country you visit and the species of gorilla you want to see. The largest single expense is the compulsory gorilla trekking permit, which funds habitat conservation, anti-poaching rangers, and local community development.
To see endangered gorillas in their natural habitat—the verdant hills and rainforests of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Congo—is to embark on a gorilla trekking adventure into the pure and breathtakingly beautiful center of Africa. Some of the porters and guides who work to defend the gorillas in Africa are really former poachers who have found a new calling in the tourism industry.
Congo Safari Costs
| 4-star comfort | 4-star luxury | 5-star luxury | |||
| Low | High | Low | High | Low | High |
| $1,200 | $1,750 | $1,200 | $1,750 | N/A | N/A |
Rwanda Safari Prices
| 4-star comfort | 4-star luxury | 5-star luxury | |||
| Low | High | Low | High | Low | High |
| $1,150 | $2,800 | $1,150 | $2,800 | $2,650 | $3, 025 |
Uganda Safari Costs
| 4-star comfort | 4-star luxury | 5-star luxury | |||
| Low | High | Low | High | Low | High |
| $600 | $1,200 | $600 | $1, 250 | N/A | N/A |
**All prices listed on this page are approximate averages based on two people sharing a room during high and low season. International flights, visas, and optional activities are not included. Keep in mind that conservation levies, taxes, and permits can and will alter. Between July and October, as well as throughout Christmas and New Year’s, is typically considered peak or high season.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the world’s ultimate wildlife privileges, giving you the rare opportunity to look directly into the eyes of a wild mountain gorilla. Uganda is home to roughly half of the global mountain gorilla population, making it a premier destination for this raw, untamed adventure.
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is widely regarded as the most premium, accessible, and highly organized mountain gorilla experience in the world [1]. While it is more expensive than neighboring options, Rwanda’s smooth logistics and shorter drive times make it the top choice for travelers seeking maximum comfort and luxury.
Gorilla Trekking in Congo
Gorilla trekking in the Congo basin is split across two entirely separate nations: the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville). While it offers the most affordable mountain gorilla permits and exclusive access to wild lowland gorillas, it is an intense, high-adventure destination.








