Typically, African safari prices are given as ‘cost per person’, but this can be misleading as these figures are based on two people sharing a room. So if you’re a solo traveler or you want your own room as part of your family or group trip, it’s likely you’ll pay a single supplement cost. However, if you’re a large family with an odd number of people, Yellow Zebra can aim to have this fee waived, depending on availability and season – another advantage of booking with a respected operator.
How Much Does an African Safari Cost?
For a six-night/seven-day safari, prices vary. The guidelines below cover all our destinations, with the exception of Botswana, which carries a higher price tag.
Value
$5k-6k+
/per person
Features
Authentic tented accommodation, or they might be designed around 4-star camps and lodges
Focus on adventure versus luxury, getting right back to nature
High standards of guiding and game viewing
Classic
Most popular
$7k-8k+
/per person
Features
Superb 5-star properties – camps and lodges where standards of guiding, food, and service are set very high
Ideal balance of safari adventure and luxury stays
Luxury
$13k+
/per person
Features
Ultra-luxurious 5-star camps and lodges
Sumptuous features like private plunge pools and butler service
First-class guiding and exclusive game viewing
Factors Influencing Safari Cost
Value
What are the properties like and what experience can I expect?
The value camps we use for these safaris are often more adventurous than they are luxurious. The focus is the adventure of the experience rather than the luxury on offer within our classic and luxury safari categories, which are more expensive. However, it is worth mentioning that we also use a number of 3 and 4-star lodges. The aim, after all, is to offer an adventurous style of trip to those who want it, and a more ‘secure’ version to those who prefer a higher level of comfort on safari!
Of course, for all the properties in our value category, both the game viewing and character in camp are first class. We take pride in our value safaris – whether they use 3 and 4-star lodges or adventurous tented camps, they are as likely to be that vacation of a lifetime for you as any other safari we sell!
Classic Safaris
What are the properties like and what experience can I expect?
Our classic Africa safaris are seriously good safaris. The price you pay at this level ensures terrific trips and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The properties themselves are more than comfortable, featuring large beds, excellent en-suite facilities, and a real focus on the hospitality experience as much as the quality of the safari itself! The price bracket guarantees a significant increase in luxury levels over our value safaris, while the guiding standards are better too. High standards of accommodation and guiding combine to create a product that is backed up by our use of Africa’s most-experienced and best-run safari companies.
Luxury Safaris
What are the properties like and what experience can I expect?
Of course the majority of camps, lodges, and hotels at this price tag are all 5 star and are some of the best properties in Africa. The experiences these properties offer, from the food and service to the sheer quality of your accommodation, is as good as you will find anywhere on the continent! Unless you are staying at an adventurous tented camp, you will find that the properties we use tend to have swimming pools, various locations for meals, and accommodation standards to rival any boutique hotel in London or New York.
One of the biggest differences between our classic and luxury categories is the space that you have in your own room! Many classic properties, albeit superb, have rooms that are little more than places for sleeping. At the luxury level, balconies, terraces, and private plunge pools come as standard, allowing guests to relax privately in the heat of the day.
The guiding standards in properties like this deserve their own special mention. The companies running properties at this price level are sending their guides on extensive training courses – for the guides themselves, this is a big plus point. The resulting levels of guiding are obviously some of the very best!
Good to know
01.
What’s included?
Unless otherwise specified by the property, prices include all internal flights, transfers, reserve fees, and accommodation booked by Yellow Zebra, as well as meals, soft drinks, local beverages/alcohol, and all activities that don’t incur an additional cost. An example of an extra charge activity is a hot air balloon safari.
02.
What’s not included?
International flights
Maybe you want to use your airline rewards points, or you can find better deals with which you’re more comfortable. We’re happy to book your international flights for you. However, we find that many clients book these flights themselves, so we don’t include international flights in our quotes unless this is requested. If you book them yourself, then we simply dovetail your flights to fit your itinerary. It is worth noting that you should almost always arrange the itinerary first before booking international flights! This is to ensure availability at the lodges and avoid disappointment.
Visa costs
At Yellow Zebra, we have a dedicated team who can help with visa applications, for which we charge a small service fee. Visa costs vary depending on the destination. Some require upfront visa applications, whilst others can be obtained on arrival in cash. Normally, a visa costs between US$30 and US$100 per person. We generally recommend getting your visas arranged beforehand for peace of mind.
Vaccinations
It’s vital to ensure you have the right vaccinations for travel to Africa before you set off on your trip. As we are not medically trained, we cannot give medical advice. A number of the destinations we sell are classed as malaria areas and we recommend that our clients speak to their doctors for the most up-to-date information regarding anti-malaria medications. There are malaria-free areas in South Africa, such as Madikwe and the reserves in the Eastern Cape, so do chat to your safari consultant about these safari destinations if this is important to you.
Many vaccinations are recommended, but not all vaccinations are a requirement to enter certain countries. Whenever traveling to Africa, it’s important to seek medical advice from a doctor or specialist travel clinic. Travel clinics can sometimes have long waiting lists, so it’s a good idea to make sure you book your vaccinations well in advance of your trip.
Tipping
Tipping is different in each destination and the amount to tip depends on the circumstances – for example, tipping your airport drivers or your private professional guide. To help, we’ve put together a rough outline of how much to tip on an African safari.
Travel Insurance
Please be aware that as part of Yellow Zebra’s Terms & Conditions, we require all clients to purchase adequate travel insurance prior to travel, making it an incredibly important extra cost to note. We’ve assembled a safari travel insurance guide, to help you decide which policy is best suited to you.
03.
Can you explain the cost of a safari?
Cost and quality are closely connected when it comes to safaris. The price reflects much more than just where you stay – it’s about access, guiding, comfort and unforgettable experiences. Hard-to-find online prices and a huge range of approaches from different companies can make it difficult to understand exactly what you get for your money on safari, but essentially, your trip will be a combination of accommodations, activities, transfers, and tourism and concession fees. The real value, no matter your budget, lies in working with someone who knows how to effortlessly combine these aspects to create a seamless safari.
When you use a trusted tour operator like Yellow Zebra, you’ll get a wealth of safari knowledge (we pride ourselves on our team’s vast experience!), impeccable logistics, and 24-hour medical and on-the-ground support should you need it.
Some people believe that booking a safari through a tour operator always costs more. In reality, a trusted tour operator can actually save you money. We’re the first to know about last-minute offers, off-peak deals, and early-booking specials that aren’t always visible online, thanks to our established network of safari partners and suppliers. Unlike package companies with fixed pricing, we can tailor your trip around current offers and vacation deals, ensuring you maximise your budget and safari experience.
04.
What are the key factors when considering the price of an African safari?
As a general rule, South Africa is the most affordable destination, offering great value for luxury. Botswana is the most expensive country, due to its sensational properties, set amidst pristine wilderness in exclusive private reserves. Destinations such as Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Tanzania can be equally suitable for travelers on stricter budgets, but any of these options can also easily tip towards a Botswana price tag depending on the property and region.
You can browse our trips to find out more about the African safaris that we offer in Tanzania, Kenya, and more. The first decision to make is choosing which country (or countries) you’d like to visit for your safari! Then, to start the process, it’s good to have a chat with one of our safari specialists, as this is the quickest way to narrow things down. Once they know a bit more about you, they can start putting together some itinerary options for you to consider – ones that fall within your budget and include the safari areas you have your heart set on.
05.
African safari prices for top destinations in high and low season
Here is a rough price guide per person, for a week-long trip (6 nights/7 days) to our top safari destinations.
Value Safaris
Low season
Tanzania $5,000 – $6,000
Kenya $5,000 – $6,000
South Africa $5,000 – $6,000
Botswana $6,000 – $8,000
High season
Tanzania $6,000 – $8,500
Kenya $6,000 – $8,500
South Africa $6,000 – $7,000
Botswana $8,000 – $9,000
Classic Safaris
Low season
Tanzania $6,000 – $8,000
Kenya $6,000 – $8,000
South Africa $6,500 – $10,500
Botswana $6,500 – $10,000
High season
Tanzania $8,500 – $11,000
Kenya $8,500 – $11,000
South Africa $7,000 – $11,000
Botswana $9,000 – $14,000
Luxury Safaris
Low season
Tanzania $9,000+
Kenya $9,000+
South Africa $11,500+
Botswana $10,000
High season
Tanzania $11,500+
Kenya $11,500+
South Africa $13,000+
Botswana $16,000+
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