South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe — a safari can be the trip of a lifetime for any traveller. But prices range from €500 to €10,000+ per person. This guide shows you how to plan a real safari on a real budget.
How Much Does an African Safari Cost in 2026?
| Safari Type | Price/Person/Day | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Budget safari (camping) | €80–150 | Tent with bed, meals, shared jeep |
| Mid-range safari (lodge) | €200–400 | 3★ lodge, all meals, 2 game drives/day |
| Luxury safari (exclusive lodge) | €500–1,200+ | Private luxury lodge, exclusive guide, all-inclusive |
Best Safari Destinations by Budget
Budget — South Africa (Kruger)
Kruger National Park is Africa’s most accessible safari. You can rent a car and self-drive, staying at SANParks rest camps (€40–80/night). The Big Five are virtually guaranteed. Return flights from Europe from around €550.
Mid-range — Tanzania (Serengeti + Ngorongoro)
The Serengeti hosts the Great Migration — a million wildebeest crossing the Mara River between July and October. Ngorongoro is a volcanic crater with the highest concentration of wildlife in Africa. 5-day safari: €800–1,500/person.
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Mid-range — Kenya (Maasai Mara)
The Great Migration from the Kenyan side. Authentic Maasai culture. Excellent network of mid-range lodges. 5–7-day safari: €1,000–2,000/person all-inclusive.
Luxury — Botswana (Okavango Delta)
The world’s largest inland freshwater delta. Mokoro (traditional canoe) safari among hippos and elephants. Botswana is expensive but has unmatched wildlife density and low-volume tourism. €400–1,200/night.
Best Times for Safari
| Destination | Best Season | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kruger (South Africa) | May–September | Dry season, low vegetation, animals near water |
| Serengeti (Tanzania) | June–October | Great Migration, dry season |
| Maasai Mara (Kenya) | July–October | Mara River crossing by migration herds |
| Okavango (Botswana) | June–September | Delta flood, wildlife concentration |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do a safari with children?
Yes, but with restrictions. Most luxury lodges accept children from age 12 on game drives. Some family camps accept younger children. Kruger self-drive is ideal for families with children of any age.
Organised safari vs self-drive — which to choose?
Self-drive (Kruger) is much cheaper (€50–100/day vs €200–400 at an organised lodge) and gives total freedom. An organised safari with a guide is incomparably better for actually finding animals — guides know the territories and animal behaviours. For a first safari, the guide fee is worth it.
How many days do you need for a safari?
Minimum 3 days to have a realistic chance of seeing the Big Five. 5–7 days is ideal for wildlife diversity without relying on luck. For the Great Migration, plan 7–10 days in the Serengeti or Maasai Mara.
🦁 Plan Your Safari: Flights to Africa | Lodges & Hotels | Safari Tours
For more, see all Africa destination guides.
See also: travel insurance for safari trips.
Sobre o autor — Rui Carreiro
Born in the Azores — literally in the middle of the Atlantic — Rui Carreiro spent 11 years working in the travel industry before turning that experience into a mission: making extraordinary travel accessible for everyone. He has visited 50+ countries, personally tested hundreds of deals, and researched 500+ destinations. Every guide, comparison and recommendation on this site is written, tested and signed by him. We earn affiliate commissions when you book through our links — at no extra cost to you.---Nascido nos Açores, Rui Carreiro acumulou 11 anos de experiência na indústria de viagens antes de criar o Traveler Whisper. Já visitou 50+ países e testou centenas de deals. Todos os guias e recomendações são escritos, testados e assinados por ele. Ganhamos comissões de afiliado quando reservas pelos nossos links — sem custo adicional para ti.