HOW TO BUDGET FOR YOUR SAFARI: A FIRST-TIMER’S GUIDE

If you are yearning to come to Africa for the first time, here are our top pointers for budgeting correctly so that you know what you’re in for and have an accurate picture of what your journey will entail. As seasoned safari travellers throughout Africa who have helped countless clients from Arusha to Zanzibar this is our best advice:

Explore the highlights of this post with ease by using the table of contents below to navigate to sections of interest.

Like most things in life, the more you can spend, the more options you’ll have!

Certain parts of your trip will have fixed costs such as:

• Airline tickets (don’t forget any points that you may be able to cash in)
• Vaccinations if necessary (some are mandatory – please discuss with your doctor or travel clinic)
• Travel insurance (we strongly suggest getting comprehensive insurance that includes ‘cancel for any reason’ coverage if possible)
• Visa fees
• Park entry fees
• Conservation and community levies
• Road or air transfers (to get you from the airport or airstrip to your accommodation)
• Tips

Some activities, like hot-air ballooning, are not included in your stay and cost extra.

There are other amounts that could come up – depending on how your safari is structured – such as:

• Shopping (you may need to buy appropriate clothing)
• Drinks and meals not included
• Activities or excursions not included (for example, hot-air ballooning, scenic helicopter flips or motorised water activities)
• Car rental
• Single supplement if you are going solo

Even if you have planned trips elsewhere in the world, Africa is a totally different kettle of fish. Many travellers who have been through Asia or South America ‘on the cheap’ expect to be able to do a safari in the same way. It is simply not possible because you cannot grab a tuk-tuk into the bush, eat at a roadside stand and sleep at a local B&B.

Unless you are very experienced and can competently plan a self-drive journey on your own, it really is best to leave it all to an African travel agent. Not only will it save you money in the long run as we have access to deals and specials, but it will be far less of a headache. A safari has many different moving parts: if you DIY it, you need to book flights, transfers, accommodation and activities yourself – and ensure that you haven’t forgotten entry fees, levies and permits. You need to co-ordinate with drivers about gate opening and closing times, know when flights land and if that gives you enough time to be in camp by sunset… Then throw in rainy and dry seasonality, room availability, the facts that some lodges close for parts of the year, when major phenomena occur… Instead, you could leave all the hassle to your agent.

Agents also are invaluable for:

• Dealing with delayed flights (which can have a knock-on effect for the rest of your trip)
• Emergencies
• Refunds or cancellations
• Helping with misunderstandings
• Co-ordinating special events such as proposals, birthdays or honeymoons

They are literally your private safari PA!

You can splurge on private villas with pools, artworks, butler service, private chefs, hair salons, spas, cinemas and more…

Naturally, we’d all like to splash out on every aspect of the trip. This is generally not possible but clever ‘sacrifices’ in some areas can allow more of a splurge in others. For example, if you are in a city for a portion of your trip, opt for a simpler hotel so you can spend more money on your safari lodge. We always suggest saving in cities and spending in the bush because cities have a host of free or cost-effective activities and attractions. Private concessions, private reserves and private game-drive vehicles, however, come at a premium.

Everyone is different. It is important to spend your budget on elements that will keep you comfortable but also align with your personal interests. Take stock and ask yourself:

• Do you enjoy camping or do you prefer more formal accommodation?
• How important are facilities like spas, swimming pools and gyms?
• Do you feel comfortable with butler service or do you prefer a more casual atmosphere?
• Do you mind being around young children?
• Would you feel safer in a fenced lodge or do you want free-roaming animals?
• If you are afraid of flying, would you be happy with long road transfers?
• How much downtime do you want? Do you want to be as busy as possible 24/7?
• Is gourmet food and wine important to you?
• Would you like to play golf, go wine tasting or see other major sites in Africa?

If you know that you enjoy rustic accommodation, food cooked on an open fire and don’t mind showering under the stars, then we can set you up with the most incredible mobile safari or old-school bush camp. If you know that air conditioning, massages and superb cuisine make your holiday memorable, then we can arrange the perfect lodge to meet your needs.

Don’t be shy about mentioning your likes and dislikes so we can pinpoint exactly how to allocate your budget.

Simple tented camps hark back to the golden age of safari and affordable without sacrificing mod cons like plumbing or electricity.

Once you and your consultant have put all the pieces of the safari puzzle together, be prepared to pay a deposit that, depending on how your trip is structured, could range from 25% to 50% of the total amount.

This is to secure your place for elements like air and road transfers, your accommodation and so on. In Africa, demand is high and places are limited (many lodges take fewer than a dozen or even 20 guests at a time and some specialist planes carry only two passengers). A deposit ensures that your place is secured. Some costs – such as airline tickets and gorilla-trekking permits – must be paid upfront in full. Some safari suppliers also request larger deposits, and we are contractually obliged to meet their requirements.

Your final payment will be due around 60 days before you depart. It will be the balance of your invoice that remains after paying the deposit. Please read all cancellation and refund policies carefully as these can differ from lodge to lodge, even in the same country. Refunds generally work on a sliding scale: the closer you are to arriving at the lodge, the less money you are refunded. Lodges are remote and will have already incurred costs in anticipation of your arrival such as flying or trucking in kitchen inventory for meals, sourcing special requests or adding extra staff.

Your consultant will lay out your payment schedule and send you reminders in advance for when payments will be due. We provide secure payment platforms for easy online transfers.

Helicopter transfers and doors-off scenic flights are an exciting splurge.

Because most safaris are logistically complex, it can be hard to make changes unless there is an unforeseen emergency. Be sure that you are happy with your selection of accommodation, dates, costs and so on. Changes can trigger extra costs.

If you can, always opt for CFAR or cancel-for-any-reason insurance. This costs more upfront but is helpful if you are unsure of what is on the horizon. Life is unpredictable and events such as weddings, pregnancies or illnesses can all impact your ability to travel. Please be aware that there might be time constraints on being eligible for CFAR insurance: some insurers or policies, for example, have to be purchased within 24 hours of your deposit payment. This is an upfront cost you will have to factor into your budget.

One of the most important factors in your budget is when you travel. High, peak or dry season is aways more expensive than low, green or rainy season. Travelling midyear is pricier than travelling at the beginning or end of the year (barring Christmas and New Year). This is because the midyear dry season allows for easier game viewing and has extremely high demand (but also more vehicles, for example). Phenomena like the wildebeest river crossings from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara from around June to August are also at a premium. It is also important to bear in mind regional school holidays as well as long vacation periods for the northern hemisphere summer as demand is very high then.

Do not overlook travelling in the off-season. You can often save considerable amounts as long as you understand that the grass will be higher, the game somewhat dispersed and it will be hotter. The upsides are plenty of baby animals around, spectacular birdlife since all the northern hemisphere migrants have arrived and much quieter lodges.

The time of year you travel can have a significant impact on your costs.

One of the most crucial aspects of using a reputable agent is their ability to find you deals and specials that are only available to ‘the trade’. These range from single supplement fees being waived to pay-stay deals, where you might stay for five nights but only pay for four. Some lodges will offer complimentary flights or transfers while others will allow children or spouses to stay for free or at reduced rates.

Another way we can save your money is by linking lodges owned by the same company, which often triggers considerable discounts. It is always worth talking to an agent no matter how large your budget may be.

Coming to Africa is worth every penny. You will see a different way of life, be among wild animals, experience genuine hospitality and leave feeling inspired and replenished. With our help, your budget can be skillfully used to give you experiences you’ve only dreamt of.

PHOTOS Savanna Lodge, Governors Balloon Safaris, Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve, Ongava Tented Camp, Helicopter Horizons and Tena Tena Camp

We love helping first-timers come on safari. There is so much to see, do and experience. Please browse our expert FAQs so you can get the most of out your trip and have a smooth planning process: