How much does a South Africa safari cost?
Typical Expenses for a Safari in South Africa (USD per person per day)
The costings table here provides a glimpse into the expenses associated with an average safari in South Africa, tailored to your unique travel style. This table helps you effortlessly align your daily budget with the type of safari experience you can embark on in South Africa. South Africa offers thrilling safari experiences throughout the year, making the timing of your visit less crucial than the specific locations you choose to explore, as various regions shine at different times of the year.
Understanding Extra Expenses
The table below outlines some extra expenses for South Africa – some are clear, while others may not be as apparent – that you might want to consider for your overall budget.
Global Journeys
South Africa offers an affordable gateway to the continent, with international flights landing in Johannesburg, the prime destination for an exhilarating wildlife safari, or the vibrant city of Cape Town. To find more affordable flights, steer clear of school-holiday seasons in Europe and South Africa.
Visa Expenses
Citizens from many European and North American nations, along with those from Australia, can embark on a journey to South Africa for tourism without the need for a visa, allowing them to explore for up to 90 days.
Places to stay
From luxurious safari lodges to simple campsites, South Africa offers an incredible variety of places to stay that cater to all types of travelers. Many national parks feature charming bandas (cottages) and inviting campsites, alongside privately managed lodges and tented camps that beckon exploration.
Immunizations
A yellow-fever vaccination is essential for travelers coming from regions where the disease is prevalent. Malaria remains a challenge, with its presence felt across nine northwestern provinces of the country, as well as in parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal. When exploring these regions, we highly suggest taking antimalarial medication.
Suggestions
It is customary to show appreciation to drivers, guides, and safari-accommodations staff through tips. Pack a few hundred US dollars in smaller bills for those moments when you want to show appreciation. Here’s a clue: around US$15 to US$20 for each person daily.
Travel Insurance Standard travel insurance is suitable for the majority of safari experiences in South Africa. If you plan to engage in any thrilling sports like bungee jumping or paragliding, make sure your policy includes coverage for these activities.
10 Elements That Affect the Price of a South Africa Safari
The overall expense of a South Africa safari can fluctuate significantly based on the specifics of the experience, including the destination and the mode of exploration. Steering clear of the bustling South African school holidays, as well as the lively European summer break, can lead to considerable savings.
1: Duration of visit
Park entry fees remain the same regardless of how long you linger, as they are billed on a 24-hour basis. If you’re planning a mostly self-guided safari, you might notice that the longer you stay in one location, the more you can save on your daily accommodation costs.
2: Quality of lodging experience
South Africa stands out as a remarkable safari destination that accommodates a wide range of budgets. Many parks, reserves, and other protected areas offer a variety of accommodations across different price ranges. The primary parks are expected to feature public campgrounds and affordable bandas, along with a variety of quality mid-range package hotels and cozy safari camps. In the privately managed conservancies, accommodations are typically quite limited, offering an exclusive atmosphere and catering primarily to high-end safari camps.
3: Where the accommodations are situated
Larger and more renowned parks, like Kruger National Park, offer a variety of lodging options for every budget right within their borders. However, more secluded parks may feature just a couple of accommodations, and these are typically high-end options. In South Africa, the rise of private conservancies is notable, yet many of these offer accommodations that come with a hefty price tag, starting at US$300 per person per night. Nonetheless, you can embark on a day trip to some of these conservancies, enabling you to enjoy more budget-friendly lodging in the closest town.
4: Team size
Joining a well-structured group safari is often the most economical option for exploring the wonders of South Africa. However, keep in mind that the value of your experience often reflects the price you pay, and those opting for the lowest safari rates frequently find themselves let down. Exciting budget camping safaris are available for just US$50 per day per person. On the other end of the spectrum, a luxurious, custom-designed safari to one of the elite wildlife conservancies can run into the hundreds of US dollars each day.
5: When you are ready to embark
There’s never a wrong moment to embark on a safari in South Africa! Peak times across the country often align with the breaks in local schools. Christmas, falling in the height of summer for South Africa, is particularly bustling and costly. The European summer holidays (July to August) can be quite lively and costly. The perfect blend of fewer crowds and more affordable prices can be found from May to June and September, coinciding with the prime time for wildlife watching across the country.
6: Your mode of transportation
South Africa is an expansive land waiting to be explored. If you attempt to experience everything in a single journey, you will find yourself spending excessive time traveling and a considerable amount of money on the journey itself. Focusing on a single region of the country can lead to thrilling discoveries. South Africa boasts an affordable internal flight network, with budget airlines linking its vibrant major cities. Specialized safari flights come with a higher price tag. The well-developed road network makes traveling by vehicle the most economical option, and South Africa offers an incredible opportunity for an unforgettable self-drive safari with a rental car.
7: Where do you wish to embark on your journey?
The most famous region for an exhilarating safari experience is Kruger NP and its nearby locations. The high demand and exceptional quality of the safari experience here often result in prices that are elevated compared to numerous other wildlife-rich regions in the country. This is particularly true during the peak season for this region (October to March). However, the best opportunities for wildlife viewing, along with more affordable prices, can be experienced from May to September during the Dry season. In the more secluded or lesser-known parks in the west and north, prices tend to be more affordable, though the limited accommodations can lead to higher bed prices during peak times.
8: Exciting Add-ons
There are some captivating behind-the-scenes-style conservation packages that can be added on to a South Africa safari. These often involve activities such as assisting in the care of injured or orphaned rhinos for a day or tracking lions. There are often extra fees for these types of experiences, and they tend to be found primarily at private conservancies. A walking safari, whether for a couple of hours or a full day, offers an exciting opportunity that’s available in many parks for an extra fee.
9: Excursions
A trip to South Africa often leads to the vibrant city of Cape Town and the enchanting nearby wine regions, making it a favored addition to any safari experience. Organizing this is a breeze, and with affordable internal flights, abundant accommodations, and reasonably priced car rentals, it’s an easy addition to your journey.
10: Unique passions
A unique and specialized safari experience is a flower safari. The Western Cape region boasts an incredible variety of unique plants, and it is now quite simple to organize specialized botany safaris that promise excitement and discovery. The costs are often comparable to those of a typical safari in a well-known park.
