Safari holidays are on so many people’s bucket lists, and for good reason too! However, there are so many things you need to consider that will allow you to enjoy the best possible safari experience; including making sure you budget correctly. Indeed, safaris are not exactly cheap, and costs have risen in the past decade. We discovered that the average African safari can reach costs of greater than $1,000 per person per night! So, you can understand why it is that people are interested in finding the best value options for their experiences. Here are 5 suggestions that will help you budget for a safari holiday, and get a wonderful experience without having to break the bank in the process.
1. Travel Off-Peak
The first thing we would suggest would be to make sure you travel off-peak on your safari adventure. It’s pretty remarkable the sort of savings you can make if you choose to visit in the low season. Now, the exact low season may vary depending on the country and safari park you visit. For instance, Botswana’s Okavango Delta has its low season from November to April, and this is the ideal time to get a budget experience while still enjoying some stunning scenery.
2. Go as a Group
Going on a group safari is often the favoured choice because it makes for a more special and sociable experience. This is also a great way of saving cash when it comes to accommodation. You can book a safari lodge between the group of you, which is going to help you pay less and get just as great an experience in the long run. South Africa’s African Spirit Game Lodge might be one of the best choices as it can house up to 20 guests.
3. Choose Your Transport Wisely
It is also important to choose your transport wisely because this is something that can have a big impact on your journey. There are a lot of different safaris you can indulge in these days, such as walking safaris, and hot air balloon safaris. But, for many, the best choice would be a driving safari, particularly a self-drive option. UK residents can actually use their driving licenses in some African countries, which can save you cash because it makes a self-drive possible. There are plenty of safari driving tips you need to make use of to get the most out of your adventure.
4. Speak to a Specialist
One of the best ways of budgeting properly for your safari holiday is to make sure you speak to a specialist and tell them your budget. They will be able to find some stunning safari holidays that fit in with your budget and interests. Speaking to a specialist covers all your basis, and makes you likely to get more bang for your buck as a result. This is a simple way of budgeting better, but it is shocking how very few people actually do it.
5. Stay Outside the National Parks
Staying inside the National Parks on an African safari is definitely convenient, and provides lots of opportunities for unexpectedly seeing animals. However, it is likely to be significantly more expensive than staying outside of the parks. South Africa boasts the delightful Halstead Farm B&B, which is located a mere 10-minute drive from the gates of Addo Elephant National Park and costs as little as $80 per person per night.
There are a fair few ways you can go about making sure you budget correctly for This experience. You might like to come up with some excellent ideas of your own to try to cut costs and make those valuable bucks stretch further. And, if we have overlooked any truly life-changing ideas on this list, please let us know in the comments section below!