One of the most common questions we get from people who are starting to think about visiting Africa is: what is this going to cost?
The short version: Pricing really depends on where you’re visiting in Africa, for how long, and what you want to experience. Some of our itineraries start at around $1,000 per person per night. A two-week high-end luxury trip for two people can easily exceed $50,000. That range exists because the experiences within it are genuinely different from one another, not just more expensive.
Our expertise is in designing high-end, tailor-made safaris, which may not align with more budget-conscious travel plans. What we do is build bespoke itineraries across East and Southern Africa for travelers who want to have the ultimate experience: the right camps, the right timing, guides who know their parks, and logistics that hold together.
This guide is designed to give you a clear understanding of what goes into the cost of a luxury safari experience and how pricing is shaped across destinations and travel styles.
This guide walks through what actually drives safari pricing, what you can expect to spend by destination, and the planning decisions that have the biggest impact on your total cost.
How Much Does an African Safari Cost?
Safari pricing is not like booking a hotel. A single night in a remote Serengeti camp involves several separate cost components, including but not limited to accommodation, meals, park fees, conservation levies, guide fees, vehicle costs, and in many cases a direct contribution to the local community or wildlife trusts. None of these are optional add-ons. They are the cost of operating responsibly in these places.
That matters for planning. We typically see a 10-15% increase in costs each year, which we take into account when planning adventures 2-3 years out.
The biggest factors in your final number are where you are going, when you are traveling, how you want to experience your full trip, who is in your group, and how long you are staying.
What Moves the Number Most
Where You Are Going
East Africa and Southern Africa are priced differently across properties. Within each region, there is also often a meaningful price gap between national parks and private reserves or conservancies. Private land allows activities like night drives, off-road driving, and walking safaris that many national park rules do not permit. That difference in experience is reflected in the price, and for most of our clients, it is worth it.
When You Are Traveling
Peak season drives rates up across the board. In East Africa, the highest demand coincides with the Great Migration through the Masai Mara and Serengeti, roughly July through October, as well as the calving season in January/February in the Serengeti.
In Southern Africa, the dry winter months from May through September are prime season across most parks. South Africa is unique in that there are perks to every season and most properties only introduce peak season rates during the festive season over Christmas and New Year.
The further out you book, the more availability you have access to, and the more flexibility we have to build an itinerary that fits your budget. For the Great Migration specifically, we recommend planning 12 to 24 months in advance. Most of our preferred safari camps only have 8-12 rooms so availability is key. For more details on timing by destination, see our When to Travel guide.
If your dates are flexible, that works in your favor to find availability at the best value and most sought after camps and lodges as well as finding opportunities to incorporate any off-peak specials, like Stay Pay deals.
What Category of Property You Want
Classic means four to four-plus star camps and lodges; excellent facilities, experienced guides, and good food. Luxury is a step above, with smaller properties, higher staff-to-guest ratios, private vehicles, premium food and wine programs, and in some cases private plunge pools or butler service. For fully private experiences, see our Exclusively Yours travel style, which covers private-use camps and charter access.
Who Is in Your Group
Families traveling with children require specific planning. Most lodges offer only one family room, and triple occupancy is rarely available. This affects how families with multiple children are accommodated and which properties make sense for your group. Our Family travel style page is a useful starting point for families thinking through the options.
Children’s ages also matter. Minimum age requirements vary by activity and lodge; some only allow teens over 12 years old while others cater to families and have their own programs for small children. Gorilla trekking requires a minimum age of 15, and walking safaris typically require 16. We account for all of this when designing itineraries and will only recommend properties and activities that work for your specific family.
Special Occasions
Honeymoon and celebratory trips can be built around properties that offer complimentary nights or added value during stays.If you are planning a romantic experience or honeymoon safari, we have a lot of experience building these and know which properties genuinely deliver on the occasion!
How Long You Stay
Stay-pay promotions reward guests who commit to extended time at a single property. Beyond the financial angle, staying longer at fewer camps almost always produces a better safari experience. You settle in, your guide gets to know what you want to see, and the wildlife becomes more familiar to you.
Flights
International flights are not included in safari costs and vary significantly by origin, season, and routing. We work with our trusted flight partner, Exito Travel, on international and regional flight bookings. Internal flights between destinations are often necessary for efficient routing and are quoted separately, while all light aircraft transfers for access to remote safari camps are included in the trip cost.
For comprehensive trip protection, we also recommend reviewing our travel insurance options through our partners at Travel Insured.
East Africa
Kenya
The Masai Mara Game Reserve is the anchor of almost every Kenya itinerary we build. It is one of the best places in the world to see predators, and even outside of migration season, the wildlife is extraordinary. Private conservancies adjacent to the national park allow night drives and off-road driving that the Masai Mara National Reserve does not. For serious wildlife travelers, that access changes the experience completely. You can explore everything we offer on our Kenya Safaris page.
Tanzania
Tanzania’s northern circuit covers the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park, forming the backbone of most Tanzania itineraries. Park fees and conservation costs in Tanzania are a meaningful part of overall pricing, particularly in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, and, like everywhere else, are built into every itinerary.
A hot air balloon over the Serengeti is one of the most requested additions to any Tanzania trip and runs about $599 per person in 2026.
One detail worth knowing if you are planning around the migration: mobile camps do not move while you are staying in them. They relocate between seasons to follow the herds, so you are always positioned where the action is, but your camp stays put during your visit.
See our full Tanzania Safaris page for more on what a Tanzania itinerary typically includes.
Rwanda
Rwanda is much more than gorilla trekking, though that is often where the conversation starts. Volcanoes National Park is home to several habituated mountain gorilla families, and permits cost $1,500 per person per trekking day. Permits are limited, allocated by the Rwanda Development Board, and sell out well ahead of peak periods.
But Rwanda also has Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of the best places in Africa for chimpanzee trekking, and Akagera National Park in the east, which is home to all of the Big Five. It is a genuinely diverse destination that rewards travelers who give it more than a couple of days. Our Rwanda Safaris page covers all three parks in detail.
A note on gorilla trekking: the minimum age is 15, the terrain is demanding, and waterproof boots are highly recommended. We do pre-trip packing calls with all our clients and will make sure you are properly prepared.
Uganda
Uganda offers a broader primate and wildlife experience beyond gorilla trekking, including chimpanzees, Big Five game viewing, Murchison Falls, and the chance to see rare species like shoebill storks. While gorilla permits are priced lower than Rwanda, the additional logistics and routing involved often bring the overall trip cost to a similar level.
Congo
Congo offers one of the most remote and raw gorilla trekking experiences in Africa as well as the only opportunity to see Western Lowland Gorillas. Permits are lower in cost, but infrastructure is far less developed, and access can be more complex, which impacts logistics and overall trip pricing. For experienced travelers, that remoteness is part of the appeal. Our Congo Safaris page has more on what a Congo itinerary involves.
Southern Africa
South Africa
South Africa is often the first African safari for our clients, and it is easy to understand why. Malaria-free reserves, world-class private game reserves, excellent food and wine, and Cape Town as a natural add-on to any bush itinerary. Private reserves like Sabi Sands, Phinda, and Madikwe, offer Big Five game viewing that is as good as anywhere on the continent. See everything we offer on our South Africa Safaris page.
Seasonal promotions are available at a variety of properties and represent real value, particularly for families or anyone wanting to slow down and settle into one area for longer.
Namibia
Namibia is unlike anywhere else we operate. The landscapes, including Sossusvlei, the Skeleton Coast, and Damaraland, are as dramatic as any wildlife encounter you will have. Etosha National Park delivers reliable lion, elephant, and rhino viewing from established waterholes. The distances are significant and internal routing needs careful planning, but for travelers who want something genuinely different, Namibia delivers. Explore our Namibia Safaris page to see current itineraries.
Zimbabwe and Zambia
Victoria Falls is often the first destination of both countries’ itineraries. Zambia is particularly known for walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park and Lower Zambezi, intimate on-foot experiences led by highly trained guides. Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park is one of Africa’s great elephant parks, and Mana Pools offers some of the most dramatic walking safari scenery on the continent.
Walking safaris have a minimum age of 16 and is always the discretion of highly trained walking guides. The reasons are practical: the grass in certain areas can be taller than a child, and the liability and safety considerations are real. We design family itineraries around this carefully. More on each destination on our Zambia Safaris and Zimbabwe Safaris pages.
Mozambique
Mozambique is the natural extension of a Southern Africa itinerary for anyone who wants to combine bush with the Indian Ocean. The private island properties off the east coast are among the most remote and beautiful in the world. Charter flights are often required to reach them, which adds to the cost but is part of what keeps them that way. In addition to beautiful beaches, Gorongosa National Park offers an exceptional safari experience, especially for seasoned safari-goers looking for new adventures. Our Mozambique Safaris page covers both the bush and beach options, and for travelers wanting both in one trip, see our Bush and Beach travel style.
When to Book and Why It Matters
The earlier you book, the more options you have. That is true everywhere, but it is especially true in Africa.
The camps we work with are small, many have 10 rooms or fewer. Peak season availability at the best properties is limited, and it goes quickly. For Great Migration travel, gorilla permits, or any multi-country itinerary involving popular camps, we recommend starting the planning process 12 to 24 months before your intended departure.
What Is Not Included in Safari Pricing
When we build an itinerary, the following are typically separate from the quoted safari cost:
- Scheduled flights: we work with Exito Travel for scheduled international and regional flight bookings
- Visas: we provide guidance and logistical support, as some destinations are more complex than others
- Travel insurance: we strongly recommend comprehensive coverage (see our travel protection page for details)
- Gratuities: every client receives a personalized and detailed tipping guide from us
- Optional activities not included in your itinerary: these range from hot air ballooning to exceptional private conservation experiences
- Premium beverages and laundry service at some properties
How We Work
Every itinerary we build is designed around the specific traveler: where they want to go, when they can travel, who they are bringing, what they have already seen, and what matters most to them.
Our team has over 50 years of combined safari experience across 18 countries. We have been inside the camps we recommend, we know the guiding standards and expectations, and we have relationships with our partners on the ground that give us access and insight that online booking platforms cannot replicate.
The best way to understand what your trip might cost is to talk with us. We will ask the right questions and come back with an honest picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an African safari cost through African Safari Co.?
Our itineraries start at approximately $1,000 per person per night. Super luxury itineraries involving private use camps, charter aircraft, and highly exclusive properties typically exceed $50,000 per person.
Do you offer budget safaris?
No. We specialize in high-quality, bespoke travel and are not the right fit for budget travel. If you are looking for a lower-cost introduction to Africa, we are happy to point you in the right direction, but it would not be something we build.
How far in advance should I book an African safari?
For peak season travel, Great Migration itineraries, or any trip involving gorilla permits, we recommend starting the conversation 12 to 24 months ahead of your travel dates. Gorilla permits are limited and allocated in advance. The best migration camps fill well ahead of the July through October peak.
Can families with young children go on safari?
Absolutely, with the right planning. Minimum age requirements exist for certain activities: gorilla trekking requires a minimum age of 15, walking safaris require 16. Many lodges have limited family room availability, and triple occupancy is rarely offered. That said, there are some phenomenal family-friendly safari options for kids of all ages if you know where to look (and we do)! We take all of this into account when designing family itineraries. See our Family travel style page for more on how we approach this.
What is not included in the quoted safari price?
International or regional scheduled flights, visas, travel insurance, gratuities, and any optional activities beyond the standard itinerary are typically quoted separately. We are transparent about this from the start. Every client receives a personalized tipping guide, and we work closely with trusted partners on flights and travel insurance.
Ready to start planning? Call us at 1 800 414 3090 or send us an inquiry. We will ask a few questions, get a feel for what you are looking for, and come back with an honest picture of what your trip will look like and what it will cost.