What is the cost of a safari in South Africa 2025 -2026

What is the cost of a safari in South Africa, In discussing the cost of a safari in South Africa, the inquiry proves to be complex due to the country’s dual role as a safari destination and a provider of diverse attractions for holidaymakers, including its thriving wine regions, vibrant cosmopolitan cities, stunning landscapes, majestic mountains for hiking, and, notably, its breathtaking beaches.

In assessing the cost of a safari in South Africa, it is important to note that the primary factor influencing the total price will be the number of nights spent in national parks or reserves, as these accommodations are significantly more costly than those found elsewhere in the country.

Determinants of Safari Holiday Costs in South Africa

As previously stated, several factors are outlined below to provide a clearer breakdown of the expenses you may incur while planning your safari in South Africa.

Accommodation expenses at a South African safari lodge

Accommodation in South Africa is abundant, providing excellent service, desirable amenities, and cost-effectiveness. In summary, facilities can be categorized as budget, mid-range, luxury, and super luxury, with each classification assessed in the local currency, the Rand. The cost of accommodation in safari lodges within national parks is higher than in other regions of South Africa. Prices may vary from approximately US $280 per night per person in a budget game lodge to as much as US $2,300 per person per night in a super luxury safari lodge.

Presented below is a summary of the average expenses associated with accommodations in South African safari lodges and non-safari lodges.

	Type of Accommodation	Price Range in Safari Lodges	Price Range Elsewhere
1.	Budget accommodation	$275 to $450	$100 to $200
2.	mid-range accommodation	$450 to $750	$200 to $350
3.	luxury accommodation	$750 to $1100	$450 to $650
4.	super luxury	$1100 to $2300

Duration of nights on a safari

A multitude of tourists visiting South Africa appreciate favored holiday itineraries that encompass diverse activities, including whale watching, lounging on picturesque beaches, touring Table Mountain, exploring wine estates, and navigating vibrant cities, in addition to discovering national parks to observe the abundant wildlife. It is, however, customary for travelers to allocate three to four days for a safari during that itinerary, exploring the national parks. Each night spent in a game lodge within South Africa’s national parks is more costly than a night in other holiday destinations throughout the country. As previously outlined in the accommodation costs, it is evident that the longer the duration of your safari, the higher the total expense incurred.

Consequently, it is strongly recommended that when planning your itinerary, you consider your budget and the number of days you will spend on Safari.

Safaris are priced in Rand.

South Africa is among the most affordable tourist destinations on the African continent relative to several other nations. The primary reason for this is that Safari prices are denominated in the local currency, unlike most destinations that charge itineraries in US dollars.

Table displaying the average daily cost of safaris in various African countries.

	Country	Budget (private)	Mid-range (private)	Luxury (private)	Super Luxury (private)
1.	South Africa	$230 – $350	$350 – $450	$550 – $650	$700 –
2.	Botswana	$400 – $550	$550 – $850	$850 -$1100	$1,000 -$1,700
3.	Tanzania	$250 – $400	$400 – $550	$550 – $800	$850 – $1,200
4.	Namibia	$230 – $400	$400 – $550	$550 – $750	$750 – $1,100
5.	Zambia	$200 – $350	$370 – $500	$500 – $800	$800 – $950

The peak safari season coincides with the low climatic season in South Africa, affecting safari costs.

What distinguishes South Africa is that the optimal period for a safari is during the dry season from June to September, coinciding with winter. Conversely, Europe is currently in its summer season, resulting in a significant influx of tourists traveling to South Africa to partake in summer holidays, which therefore drives the largest demand for safaris in the nation.

Due to South Africa’s distinctive seasonality, game viewing in its safari national parks and reserves, such as Kruger, KwaZulu-Natal, Madikwe, and Pilanesberg, is optimal when the vegetation is sparse, short, and arid. During this period, wildlife congregates around the limited water sources, facilitating easier observation compared to the summer months when they are dispersed across the landscape in taller grass.

During this period, Safari lodges maintain stable accommodation prices, and notably, the cost of safari lodging remains consistent throughout the year, with several facilities in national parks and reserves, such as Madikwe and the Eastern Cape, providing even greater discounts in May, June, and July. Moreover, several establishments provide exclusive rates for individuals who stay multiple nights at their venues. Conversely, throughout South Africa

In South Africa, the low season is seen as being from May to mid-September, during which discounted lodging rates of 10-20% are offered by certain lodges and hotels. In the northern region of the country, this season is regarded as the optimal period for wildlife viewing, marking the pinnacle of safari season during the arid months.

Expense of transportation for a safari in South Africa focused on lions

During a safari in South Africa, travelers have various alternatives for transportation inside the country. Some individuals like personally led safaris, some opt for self-drive safaris, and there are also those who prefer a combination of both privately guided and shared day trips, as outlined below.

Exclusive Guided Safaris

In South Africa, private guiding is more intricate than one might anticipate. This service is undeniably costly, although it provides a completely dedicated private guide who typically also serves as the safari driver. These guides function under fully operational standards and are subject to stringent regulation. The cost for a full day of these services may range from $100 to $110, potentially becoming more expensive for two individuals compared to a group setting. As you will be accompanied by a guide to each stop, this necessitates overnight accommodation for the guide, so incurring additional costs to the overall price of your South African safari.

Nonetheless, numerous advantages are associated with utilizing guide services: guides possess the ability to visit various regions within the parks that may be restricted to common tourists. They possess extensive knowledge of the animals’ vocalizations and can easily identify their tracks, enabling them to choose the optimal sites for observing these creatures. Moreover, these exceptionally skilled guides possess comprehensive knowledge regarding the flora and fauna of diverse safari locales, as well as the local culture and history, which they are eager to impart; they will enhance your game viewing experience, making it more accessible and enjoyable. Within

Autonomous safaris

While self-driving may not be feasible in all locations, various South African National Parks are conducive to this experience, allowing holidaymakers the opportunity to operate their own safari vehicles, a benefit largely due to the well-maintained road network. This alternative conserves funds by eliminating the necessity of daily guide expenses.

One advantage of a self-drive safari is the freedom to remain in a specific location for as long as desired or to pursue other species at will, in contrast to a guided safari, which typically restricts game drives to approximately two and a half to three hours. This option is most appropriate for travelers who have previously experienced a safari.

Privately Guided and Group Day Excursions

An alternative would be to choose for a safari that encompasses both shared tours and private guided safaris. Your itinerary may commence with several days guided by a professional tour guide, followed by a few days of self-driving in rural areas, supplemented by private transfers for segments requiring extended travel, and concluding with charter flights to the safari destinations. This approach will enable you to minimize the expense of daily guide services; nevertheless, such an itinerary can only be developed with the assistance of a professional tour operator.

How to do a safari in South Africa

After analyzing the various factors influencing the total cost of your Safari, we have outlined several ideas to assist you in economizing.

Reserve your lodging directly through numerous internet discount platforms.
These inexpensive websites typically function as platforms for liquidating unsold accommodations from many of the premier hotels nationwide. Indeed, travelers who are prepared to assume the risk of booking accommodations at the last minute, approximately one week before to their safari date, will be able to secure more appealing bargains.

Camp Beyond the National Parks

Camping well beyond the National Park’s boundaries typically proves to be a cost-effective choice, allowing for self-driving into the park or the option to hire a guide once within. Fortunately, most of the nation’s wildlife destinations offer a variety of appealing hotel options nearby. For instance, one may choose to reside at the budget-friendly Halsted Farm, situated approximately 10 km from the entrance of Addo National Park, where accommodations are more economical ($80) in comparison to its affiliated property, Camp Figtree, located within the national park, which charges around ($130) per person.

Plan your meals judiciously during your Safari holiday, except on days spent at remote Safari lodges within national parks or reserves, where an all-inclusive package covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner is essential. While exploring the remainder of South Africa, we strongly encourage you to sample the exquisite array of cuisines available in the country. Travelers are advised to dine at many recognized restaurants outside their hotels for lunch and supper, allowing them to experience a broader culinary selection and potentially reduce overall meal expenses.

Exercise caution by refraining from consuming street food; consistently verify that your food is served hot and, if possible, patronize only reputable restaurants.

Select the appropriate time for travel

The off-peak or low climatic season in South Africa occurs from May to September, coinciding with winter. This period offers substantial discounts on numerous hotels and lodges, even though it is the optimal time for game viewing in the northern region of the country. Optimal discounts are available in the Eastern Cape and Madikwe Reserve.

Select extended stays at safari resorts.
Numerous Safari hotels in South Africa’s national parks and reserves provide exclusive deals for travelers who extend their stay. Consequently, you may capitalize on these distinctive discounts to reduce the overall expense of your Safari.

Optimal Period for Visiting South Africa
Given South Africa’s vast expanse and diverse activities, coupled with its distinctive climatic patterns, it is essential to identify your primary interests when planning your safari, which will subsequently enable you to ascertain the optimal time for your visit.

Optimal period for game observation

The optimal period for seeing in South Africa occurs during the winter and spring months, specifically from May to September, occasionally extending into early October. The arid winter results in little vegetation, facilitating the congregation of animals near the limited water sources. Locations such as KwaZulu-Natal, Kruger National Park, Pilanesberg, and Madikwe Reserve are accessible during this period.

Optimal period for cetacean observation

Plettenberg Bay and Hermanus draw numerous vacationers, particularly from July to November, who visit to observe the whales in these regions. September is the prime month for observing these whales, despite the potential for low temperatures and occasional light rain. Observing the juvenile whales glide near the shoreline is a truly awe-inspiring spectacle.

Optimal period for visiting Cape Town

Cape Town is the second most popular city in South Africa, following Johannesburg, and attracts a substantial number of tourists each year who seek to experience its remarkable beauty. The optimal period for visitation is from December to early March; however, if you intend to amalgamate your journey with a wildlife safari, try exploring any of the private game reserves for wildlife observation.