What does a trip to Africa cost? In this post, I want to help you find the best way to arrange your trip without breaking the bank. That said, you should know the cost of a safaris is not cheap and the goal of this article is simply to help you keep these costs down. It is also important to note that you will not want to go with the cheapest tour operators in Africa as this is a recipe for disaster!
My website is supported by you. Clicking through links that you see on this page can sometimes earn me a small affiliate commission. This will come at no extra cost to you. Learn more
What Does a Trip to Africa Cost?
I worked as an overland tour leader for five years and many of our guests arrived from the United States. I have also met a lot of Americans on private safari who were staying at luxury hotels. The difference in cost between these two types of trip is huge. You can literally pay tens of thousands of dollars for a week-long private safari in Africa but then a 30-day overland tour will cost just a fraction of this amount. So, what does a trip to Africa cost? It depends on the length of time, level of comfort/luxury and whether or not you are willing to share the cost by joining a group tour.
The Cost of Flying to Africa from the US
If you book ahead of time, you can certainly save on the cost of flying to Africa. But the best way to avoid overpaying for your flight is to ensure you fly and out of one of the major airports. This might be Nairobi in Kenya or Jo’burg in South Africa as flights to either one of these airports tends to cost a lot less than elsewhere. For instance, if you look up a flight itinerary from the US to JRO Kilimanjaro Airport, you should see some pretty astronomical prices. I always use Trip.com to check my flight options because I have found this website to offer the best prices and the most reliable service in terms of ticketing and after sales service.
The Cost of Accommodation on a Trip to Africa
You can find everything from hostels to five-star hotels in the major cities. This is one area you can blow your budget in terms of the cost of a trip to Africa from the US. In short, a nice hostel will cost approximately $15-$20 and a decent hotel should cost between $60-$80. Anything above that number should offer more luxury and you will find hundreds of options on the lower end – that I would personally avoid. Hotels and tenting in Game Reserves and National Parks will cost significantly more and this is one reason most travelers opt for a camping safari in these areas. I say ‘one reason’ because camping in wildlife parks is an incredible experience not to be missed and a great way to get closer to Mother Nature on your trip to Africa. I always use Booking.com on my trips to Africa because hotels take this platform very seriously and there is a cancellation option on most hotels.
The Cost of Transport in Africa
Taxis are expensive in most cities and countries in Africa and locals use the small minivans or buses. Backpackers sometimes use these same buses to get around but they are usually cramped and slow and certainly not the most comfortable! If you join a safari or overland tour, you can expect a high level of comfort as a good tour operator will use high-end safari vehicles. Keep this in mind if you decided to join an overland tour because some companies are still using very old vehicles that will affect the quality of your trip. This is one reason I suggest taking a look at G Adventures as the ‘Lando’ they use for their trips is incredible and kitted out like no other overland vehicle in Africa.
I will show you my list of favorite tours in a moment…
The Cost of Spending Money on a Trip to Africa
The cost of a trip to Africa from the US does not have much to do with your daily spending. The prices at local markets, stalls etc is extremely low in Africa but the cost of a high end restaurant might not be much different to back home. However, this spending money should be small compared to the outlay you cover in terms of the flight, safari or tour booking. Again, the best way to reduce costs is by joining an overland tour which includes the cost of many attractions and most of your meals. Everyone’s spending habits will differ so while I suggest you budget for $50 per day, you could easily spend half this amount on an overland tour that includes food and accommodation.
The reputable tour companies in Africa require you to show proof of personal travel insurance for your trip. I suggest you get a quote below for your trip. It takes just a few seconds and I always use World Nomads because the rates are affordable and they provide excellent customer service.
The Cost of a Private Safari in Africa vs. Group Safari Tour
If you can afford the extra cost and specifically want some alone time with your partner, a private safari makes sense. This is the main reason for a price gap when it comes to the cost of a trip to Africa from the US. As a couple, you will be covering the same costs that a group of 6-8 others (This is how many people would fit in a safari vehicle) would normally pay on a group safari. If this trip is for your family or a group of friends, you will be paying something similar to what you might pay on a group safari. But maybe you are traveling alone? The cost is going to be extremely high for a private safari and it would be best to join a group tour to your chosen destination.
Now, I have another question; do you want to see more than just the wildlife?
About Joining an Overland Tour in Africa
Some visitors to Africa book a wildlife safari and then do their own thing for a couple of days before and after the safari. There is nothing wrong with this approach and it makes sense if you only have less than a week available. But if you want to experience more, the better option is to book either a private tour or group tour which includes more than just the safari. For instance, if you wanted to visit Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya, you might arrange a 7-day private tour which includes three days in the Mara and a couple of nights at Lake Naivasha. There are so many interesting things to do at the latter destination and time travel between the two is minimal.
If you are willing to join a group tour, there is so much more you will see on your trip. This will also reduce the cost of a trip to Africa from the US and remove any need to sort out logistics. I specifically recommend that you learn more about overland tours. These tours have excellent itineraries and offer amazing value in terms of what you pay and what you get to see.
But what itineraries or tours should you actually consider?
My Top Overland Tours for Less than 30 Days
The Best Safari in East Africa: According to a Tour Leader
