Top 5 Places for an African Wildlife Safari on a Budget

Top 5 Places for an African Wildlife Safari on a Budget

 

It has to be one of the world’s greatest adventures. A once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Epic, remote, totally unique and absolutely awe-inspiring, an African wildlife safari is bound to be the sort of travel journey you’re unlikely to forget.

After all, it’s not every day you get to see some of the earth’s largest and most spectacular creatures out in the wilderness of their natural habitat, the wildness of the African continent.

I mean, whose bucket list isn’t this on?!

Well it’s certainly on mine!

In fact, I’m very excited (read. over the moon, ecstatic-kid-at-Christmas excited) to say I’m going to be ticking this ultimate travel goal off my list in the next few months!

Yep, I’m heading back to Africa people and have been researching like crazy in readiness for my next travel adventure.

Of course, I’m looking to do it all on as small a budget as possible and wanted to bring you some of the best tips I’ve discovered so far.

And here they are, the top 5 places for an African wildlife safari on a budget …


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This article was written in collaboration with Ashanti Travel Centre and contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.


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South Africa

South Africa is a great first-time safari destination in Africa and can be travelled independently or as part of a guided tour.

For more information about a top South African tour that includes both of the below wonderful spots, click here, otherwise read on to discover the best places to safari here on a budget…

 

#1 Kruger National Park

South Africa, Kruger National Park, Me

Maybe the continent’s most famous reserve, Kruger National Park lies in the north of South Africa and is one of the continent’s largest game reserves – the perfect place for an African wildlife safari on a budget.

One reason is Kruger’s proximity to the major city of Johannesburg, which is where many international travellers arrive into South Africa. Picking a safari tour that doesn’t involve covering a huge distance is a great way to keep costs down.

Another reason I’ve chosen Kruger as one of the cheapest African safari options is because you can self-drive here; that is, you can hire a vehicle and undertake your own safari, without the need for a tour …* ka-ching*

If you do choose a self-drive option however, you’ll need to pay the R304 per adult / per day entrance fee, as well as accommodation costs in one of the park’s many camps and bush lodges.

On the other hand, taking a tour may cost a little more, but will allow you to spot and learn more about what you’re seeing on your African wildlife safari – so do consider why you are taking this trip before making your decision.

It’s also wise to know that there’s a daily limit on visitors to Kruger National Park, so booking in advance, as part of an organised trip, is guaranteed to get you access.

Kruger is known for its big 5 inhabitants – lion, rhino, leopard, buffalo and elephant – so a good safari here will give you a great chance to tick them all off your list.

LEARN MORE: How to Experience a Kruger Safari on a Budget

 

#2 Addo National Park

South Africa, Kruger NP, Elephant

Another African wildlife safari where it’s possible to undertake a self-drive option is Addo National Park.

This park is smaller than Kruger and the entrance fee is cheaper too, at R248 per adult /per day.

That said, Addo is till the 3rd largest park in South Africa, with over 120km of tourist roads suitable for normal 2wd vehicles. There’s also plenty of hiking trails and horse trails to be enjoyed as well.

Addo is a great option for a budget safari trip if you are already travelling in South Africa, as it can be easily accessed from the country’s popular Garden Route – it’s only 72km by road from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.

Most famous for its Elephant Park, which was established in 1931 to save 11 elephants on the brink of extinction, this amazing place is now home to over 350 of these incredible creatures and is a top spot to head for if you’re yet to see one of the world’s largest creatures.

 

Why Southern Africa is Cheapest for a Safari

As you scroll through this list you’ll quickly realise that all 5 of my wallet-easy safari solutions are based in Southern Africa.

Now in no way is this because I’ve ignored all the amazing opportunities other parts of the continent provide for African wildlife safaris.

Far from it!

No, it’s simply because South Africa, Botswana and Namibia are all countries much easier on the traveller budget in terms of food and fuel.

Zimbabwe, Zambia and most of East Africa are much more expensive places to travel, and this will obviously have a big effect on the costs of your safari tour too.

 

Botswana

Just north of South Africa, Botswana is another classic safari nation, with 2 brilliantly diverse wildlife-spotting options.

For tours that include trips to both the Okavango Delta and Chobe River National Park, check out these super offerings, otherwise scroll down to learn more about each of these spots individually…

 

#3 Okavango Delta

Botswana, Okavango Delta, Sunset

Rated by many as the top destination for an African wildlife safari, Botswana’s Okavango Delta has to be seen to be believed.

A huge wetland at the edge of the Kalahari Desert, the seasonal flooding here –  which peaks in July – sees a giant migration of animals from the dry hinterland and is one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries on earth.

The 1000th site to be inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, this really is a totally unique and special place.

For that reason, it’s impossible to get to the region without taking an organised tour, the vast majority of which are high-end, luxury tours definitely way out of my budget!

That said, Ashanti Travel Centre offers some great Okavango Delta budget camping trips, which give an amazing opportunity for those of us who can’t afford the earth to still experience this incredible part of it.

In fact, many people don’t realise you can experience the Okavango Delta on a budget at all … but you can!

Largely travelling on dugout canoes (mokoros), Ashanti’s budget tours give you the chance to experience plenty of hippos and crocodiles, as well as great herds of antelopes, zebra, buffalo, elephants, lions, leopards and cheetahs.

The quietness of the canoes, which locals have traditionally used for centuries, allow visitors to silently sail close to the animals in a way a game drive could never do!

READ MORE: What’s the Best Time to Visit the Okavango Delta in Botswana?

 

#4 Chobe National Park

Botswana, Chobe National Park, Elephant Bottoms

Botswana’s first national park, and perhaps one of the remotest on this list, Chobe is massive, with many parts simply inaccessible.

As a result of this however, it has a huge concentration of wildlife and is often referred to as the elephant capital of Africa. In fact, latest estimates put the elephant population here at 120,000 – making Chobe home to the largest continuous surviving elephant population on earth.

Now if that doesn’t excite you, I don’t know what will!

In the dry season – April to October – literally thousands of these huge mammals make their way to the Chobe River, meaning this park offers visitors one of Africa’s truly great wildlife spectacles.

Seeing some of this action yourself isn’t possible via a self-drive in Chobe, but from Kasane you can easily do a day safari, or even a boat safari down the Chobe River.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to get to the less accessible areas of Chobe National Park, Ashanti offer mobile camping tours that will get you into the heart and soul of one of Africa’s last remaining wildernesses.

From simple games drives to 13 day complete Botswana safaris, their African wildlife trips are perfectly designed for those of us on a budget – hoorah!

DISCOVER MORE: Chobe River National Park : A Photo Essay

 

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Namibia

And coming in at number 5, it’s this gem in Namibia!

If you want to take a tour of Etosha National Park, then check out these great options, otherwise read on to learn more about this stand-out safari spot…

 

#5 Etosha National Park

Namibia, Etosha National Park, Lion

Totally unique when it comes to African national parks, Etosha is actually a huge salt pan – so huge in fact, it can be seen from space!

Indeed, in the language of the Ovambo tribe, Etosha means ‘great white place’ – no prizes for guessing why!

Despite its desert landscape however, Etosha National Park still boasts some of the most abundant wildlife on the continent and you’re almost guaranteed game sightings here, as multiple species gather around the precious waterholes.

To make things even easier, some of the waterholes are floodlit at night to increase your chance of spotting wildlife and are fully accessible in a regular 2wd car.

As such, you can visit Etosha as part of a self-drive, but in reality, many of the budget camping tours available are not much more expensive.

Due to the vast size of Etosha, animals here still roam freely and are largely unrestricted by human activity.

Taking a tour will provide you with an experience that can never be achieved on a self-drive, which may be something to think about.

A tour will also give you the chance to spot an endangered black rhino, as well as some of the 1 million flamingos, who help to make this park the only known mass breeding ground for flamingos in Namibia.

LEARN MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Etosha National Park

 

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Don’t these top 5 places for an African wildlife safari on a budget all sound amazing?

I’m so excited for my trip to this incredible continent soon and can’t wait to bring you more amazing photos and tips then!

In the meantime, please feel free to share your top Africa safari experiences too …

Where did you go?

What did you see?

Do you have any more great budget tips to add?

 

16 thoughts on “Top 5 Places for an African Wildlife Safari on a Budget

    • Steph says:

      Me neither until I started reseraching David! I was really surprised, but it’s definitely good to know right! Very useful for those of us looking to safari on a budget 🙂

  1. Ian says:

    I have not done a safari yet and agree with David about being surprised Southern Africa was more budget friendly than places in East Africa. Great post.

    • Steph says:

      Hi Ian, I definitely found it surprising too, but I guess that’s why the research was worthwhile. So happy you enjoyed the post … don’t forget to let me know when you book your first safari! Any idea where you’d like to go first?

  2. Rebecca Childress says:

    We are in Tanzania and amazed at how much safaris cost here. We did find one “in” using the Tourist Office right at Mikumi Village a few miles from the park. We made a video about it on our YouTube channel…and the contact details are in the description if you should opt to go to come to Tanzania. We found them MUCH cheaper than anyone else…but I think they ONLY do Mikumi, Selous and Ruaha National Parks…the ones nearest them. They seem to have some friends at Mikumi National Park that can get you in to pretty decent accomodations inside the park for less than $100 per night which is a small miracle in this country 😉

  3. Barbara says:

    I’m surprised that you say Zimbabwe is more expensive. My travel consultant says you can get ‘more bang for the buck’ in Zimbabwe. I know their guides are supposed to be nonpareil.

    • Steph says:

      Hi Barbara, Zimbabwe is very expensive at the moment, because of the economic and political situation. Inflation is crazy and a few basics at the supermarket will cost you the same as they will in the US / Europe. Not sure when you spoke to your travel agent, but may be wise to re-confer.

  4. Barbara says:

    Thanks, Steph. I realize the current issues now, with high food prices and gas shortages. And most recently the cyclone. This blog was written in mid 2017. I was responding based on that date, and the issues not prevalent at that time.

  5. Jogi P says:

    A perfect glimpse of African wildlife. Interesting information for wildlife enthusiasts. Thanks for sharing Steph. I like your travel moto – Spend less travel more

    • Steph says:

      I’m about to take my first trip back to Africa post-covid shortly Muneera, so will know more then. Stay tuned to my social channels and blog for more details. Best wishes, Steph 🙂

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