The Honest Answer to "How Much Is a Safari?"
It's the first question everyone asks, and most safari companies dodge it. Not us. An African safari costs between $150 and $5,000+ per person per day, depending on the destination, accommodation style, and season. The typical mid-range safari — the sweet spot for most travellers — runs $350–$700 per person per day all-inclusive.
This guide breaks down every cost component so you can budget accurately and avoid surprises.
- Budget: $150–$350/person/day (self-drive, camping, group tours)
- Mid-Range: $350–$700/person/day (private lodges, shared game drives)
- Luxury: $700–$1,500/person/day (exclusive lodges, private vehicles)
- Ultra-Luxury: $1,500–$5,000+/person/day (exclusive-use, helicopter transfers)
Cost Breakdown by Component
Flights
International flights are typically the single largest cost and are NOT included in safari package prices:
- USA → South Africa: $800–$1,500 economy, $3,000–$6,000 business
- UK → Kenya/Tanzania: $500–$900 economy, $2,000–$4,000 business
- Europe → South Africa: $600–$1,200 economy
- Internal flights (bush plane transfers): $200–$600 per sector
💡 Flight Savings Tip
Book 6–9 months ahead for the best fares. Flying mid-week (Tuesday/Wednesday) saves 15–25%. Consider positioning flights — flying into one city and out of another (e.g., into Johannesburg, out of day trips">Cape Town) often saves money and avoids backtracking.
Accommodation & Game Drives
Most safari lodges are all-inclusive: accommodation, three meals, local beverages, two game drives per day, and laundry. This makes comparison easy:
- Kruger self-drive rest camp: $60–$120/night (no meals or drives included)
- Budget tented camp (Kenya/Tanzania): $150–$300/person/night all-inclusive
- Mid-range private lodge (Kruger): $350–$600/person/night all-inclusive
- Luxury lodge (Sabi Sands): $800–$2,000/person/night all-inclusive
- Ultra-luxury (Singita, Mombo): $2,000–$5,000/person/night all-inclusive
Park & Conservation Fees
These daily fees fund conservation and are sometimes included in lodge rates, sometimes not:
- Kruger: R440/day (~$25)
- Serengeti: $60/day
- Masai Mara: $80/day
- Okavango Delta: $50/day + concession fees
Often-Forgotten Costs
- Travel insurance: $100–$300 for a 10-day trip (essential, non-negotiable)
- Visas: $0–$100 depending on nationality and destination
- Gratuities: $15–$30/day for guides, $10–$15/day for camp staff
- Premium drinks: Champagne and premium spirits often extra at mid-range lodges
- Optional activities: Balloon flights ($400–$500), helicopter tours ($300–$800), spa treatments
Real-World Safari Budgets
Budget: 7-Day Kruger Self-Drive — $1,200/person
Flights to Johannesburg ($800), car rental 7 days ($250), SANParks accommodation ($420), fuel ($80), park fees ($175), food ($200). Total: ~$1,925 or ~$275/day including flights.
Mid-Range: 10-Day Kruger + Cape Town — $4,500/person
Flights ($1,000), 4 nights Kruger lodge ($2,000), 3 nights Cape Town hotel ($600), 2 days touring ($400), transfers ($300), tips and extras ($200). Total: ~$4,500 or ~$450/day including flights.
Luxury: 12-Day Sabi Sands + Victoria Falls + Zanzibar — $12,000/person
Flights ($1,500), 4 nights Sabi Sands ($5,200), 3 nights Victoria Falls ($2,100), 4 nights Zanzibar ($2,000), internal flights ($800), extras ($400). Total: ~$12,000 or ~$1,000/day.
How to Get the Best Value 💡 The Golden Rule The biggest factor in safari cost isn't the lodge — it's the timing.
How to Get the Best Value
💡 The Golden Rule
The biggest factor in safari cost isn't the lodge — it's the timing. The same luxury lodge that costs $2,000/night in August might offer $1,200/night in January. Green season travel is the single most effective way to stretch your safari budget.
Read our budget safari guide for detailed money-saving strategies, or our luxury safari guide if budget isn't a constraint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do safari prices vary so much?
Three factors: exclusivity (how many guests share the lodge), location (remote fly-in camps cost more than drive-to lodges), and season (peak dry season commands premium rates).
Are all-inclusive packages better value?
Almost always. All-inclusive means no surprises: meals, drinks, activities, park fees, and laundry are covered. We strongly recommend all-inclusive packages for first-time safari visitors.
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Tours & Safaris You'll Love
Handpicked by our team based on what you're reading. Book direct for the best price — guaranteed.
Serengeti Great Migration River Crossing — Mara River Safari
Witness the world's greatest wildlife spectacle — wildebeest crossing the Mara
per person • Best price direct
Okavango Luxury Fly-In Wilderness Camp — 5-Star Under Canvas
The world's most exclusive tented camp — deep in the delta
per person • Best price direct
Masai Mara Great Migration Safari — River Crossing Season
Witness nature's greatest spectacle — millions of wildebeest crossing the Mara River
per person • Best price direct
Okavango Delta Fly-In Safari — Luxury Bush Camp
The world's most exclusive safari destination from above and within
per person • Best price direct
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