Everyone should take an African safari at least once. It's a great way to forget all the stress of everyday life and embrace the primal calling of the wild. It's a chance to experience extraordinary flora and fauna in their natural habitats and be amazed by the magnificent beauty of the African savannah. Although it is believed that African safaris are only accessible to the wealthy but the reality is that they are not less expensive than other forms of travel internationally.

Choose Your Destination Be Careful

The first step to booking an inexpensive Luxury Safari Tanzania is to choose the location that is most suitable for your budget. The most well-known East African safari destinations are synonymous with luxurious safari lodges and huge park fees. consequently safaris in countries such as Kenya and Tanzania are often better suited for those who have cash to burn. Botswana, Zambia and other remote regions can be difficult to access. Charter flights are the best option to travel to the Okavango Delta. This will add cost to your trip.

Operators that are flexible, accessible and game reserves that are accessible, flexible and affordable are the best alternatives for budget-friendly safaris. They also offer fees in local currencies and not US dollars. South Africa and Namibia are each well-suited for travelers on a tight budget, with an excellent infrastructure for self-drive safaris, camping safaris and overland excursions. Zimbabwe is another excellent alternative, due to the affordable cost of lodging, food and transport. Think about the costs to get there as well as the exchange rate and the cost of park fees and game drives in deciding where to go.

Destinations that don't require visas or vaccinations also help to keep prices low.

Use a Local Operator

Whatever you do, local tour guides, safari firms and accommodations typically provide cheaper rates than international firms. In particular, choosing an organization that is local can be an excellent method to reduce costs for those with their eyes determined to visit East African destinations like the Serengeti or the Maasai Mara. Booking locally is a great method to save money and provides more flexibility (great for those who have a meeting on the road and want to go on a Caprivi road trip, or simply stop at Kruger National Park). However, some companies can only be contact at the time of arrival, making advance booking difficult.

Group Safari

There are a variety of options available for safaris with a group. From minibus excursions that cater to people over the age of 65 to backpacker social tours with well-known companies overland such as Nomad Africa Adventure Tours, there are a myriad of. Because of two reasons, group safaris can be a great option. They are more affordable than private tours. They let you share the costs of accommodation as well as transportation. It also provides access to group rates on park fees and guides. They can also be a great way to make friends and make new acquaintances. The social aspect could be an issue if you don't get on well with your group, however there are some who find the fixed itinerary of a group tour restricting.

Opt for the Self-Drive Safari

Those that prefer a little more flexibility should think about self-drive safaris where you hire a car and drive your vehicle on your own towards (and around) the game reserves you have chosen. There are many advantages - you can tailor your itinerary to suit your needs, and modify it whenever you like. You decide when to stop for photographs, the routes you want to take within the park and also where you will spend the night. Self-drive vehicles usually have a roof tent. This keeps the cost of accommodation down. The lack of a local guide is one disadvantage. You also need to choose an area with roads that are safe and safari parks that accept self-drive vehicles, both of which are prevalent in South Africa and Namibia.

Compromise on Accommodation

It is possible to cut costs by making compromises on accommodation, no matter what type of Tanzania luxury safari. Most of the National Parks in Southern Africa have public camping facilities, ranging from full-service camps complete with restaurants, waterholes, and electricity to wilderness campsites that require only the space needed to set up your tent. They're not luxurious, but they're very cost-effective. They also offer the romance of spending a night under canvas in the African bush. Some of the more popular sites (like Sesriem Camp in Namibia's Sossusvlei Dune Sea) are extremely popular and require booking months in advance.

If the convenience of an encased roof and solid walls are more your taste, steer clear of the lavish lodges inside the reserves. Instead, find a cheap hotel close to the gates of the park and arrange tours of the reserve for a day. This option has one major disadvantage that you don't get the option of participating in night drives or pre-dawn drives.

Travel during the Low Season

In Africa the season of low-cost travel typically coincides with the rainy season which is when safari tours and accommodation fall dramatically. The low prices aren't the only reason to travel in this season, however. The rains provide beautiful landscapes and less crowds and usually coincide with the birth season of many of Africa's famous herbivores as well as the year's most spectacular birding. But, animals are able to spread out in abundant amounts of food and water and it can be difficult to see their presence, especially in dense undergrowth. In the event of flooding the lodges and camps could close.

Keep your eyes on a specific game reserve

Many visitors visit multiple game reserves to experience the largest variety of habitats and wildlife possible during their time in Africa. But choosing only one park to spend the entirety of your vacation there is a fantastic method to save money on flights to the United States, car rental, or transfer. Choose your destination by deciding what you want to observe. For example, if you would like to witness the annual Great Migration, then focus your efforts on either Serengeti, or the Maasai Maasai Mara. If getting the Big Five is important to you, then choose one of the major reserves like the Kruger or Hwange National Park.