Safari Pricing
The most common question we get asked at ADORE AFRICA is, ‘How much does a safari cost?’ If this is something you need advice about, believe us when we say you are not alone in feeling uncertain. Hard-to-find online prices and a huge range of approaches from different safari companies make it incredibly difficult to understand what you get for your money.
We’ll start with a slight negative. Safari, when it is done well, is expensive. We also have to say that this is a type of holiday where you definitely get what you pay for. Building and running wonderfully serviced camps in remote locations – whilst avoiding the local elephant herd or resident lion pride – is obviously something of a challenge. The cost of safari reflects this.
It is important for our potential clients to realise that we specialise in mid- to high-end safaris. There are cheaper options on the market – basic camping or mass-market hotel tours, for example – but we don’t sell these kinds of trips. The most economical trips we sell are seriously good safaris. They include great guides and provide a genuine wow-factor of an experience.
All our safaris are all-inclusive, which means that meals, most drinks, park fees and taxes are included in the rate for accommodation and you don’t get any ‘surprises’ when you leave. We also prefer to book and arrange excursions or activities as part of your itinerary for the same reason. It is generally pricier to stay in a private concession rather than a national park but the benefit is that you can undertake activities like going off-road to get closer to sightings, night drives and nature walks that aren’t permitted in the park.
For many of the trips we design we use the price categories Value, Classic and Luxury to help clients understand the range of trips we sell:
HOW MUCH DO OUR CLASSIC SAFARIS COST?
A ‘Classic’ safari usually comes in at approximately USD7,000 to USD8,000 per person. These safaris tend to feature some superb 5-star properties – camps and lodges where standards of guiding, food and service are set very high. This is where we use genuinely luxurious properties that are run by some of our most impressive partners.
HOW MUCH DO OUR LUXURY SAFARIS COST?
Our luxury safaris start at approximately USD10,000 per person with some going up significantly higher than that. With our luxury safaris, it’s not just the accommodation that needs to be considered, but also the mode of transport. Lodges and camps offer private plunge pools and excellent levels of hospitality. The wow-factor is guaranteed.
When you are travelling between camps, light aircraft transfers are an option – and this choice of transport will certainly enhance your experience by affording spectacular views of the wilderness areas. And, of course, travel by air significantly reduces time spent on the road. On another level, the convenience and efficiency of chartering your own private jet – scheduled to depart at the exact time that suits you for arrival at your next National Park – must be the epitome of luxury. This method of travel will allow you to cover more ground in less time, while, most importantly, giving you the freedom to encounter the very best of Africa.
If you prefer a more exclusive and personal safari experience, then paying a supplement for a guaranteed private game drive will enable you to have more of an influence on where you explore as well as increased flexibility. You do not have to reach a compromise with other guests on where to go, what to look for, and how long to spend at each sighting. If you have a particular photography or wildlife interest, then we can match you with an experienced specialist driver/guide to ensure your requirements are met. Additionally, there are often no age limits for a private guided safari, making this an awesome option for families. It is worth noting that there are a few camps in the Serengeti and in the Masai Mara, where a private vehicle is offered as part of the standard package.
Finally, we offer a category of safari where price goes utterly stratospheric. There are no example trips as literally everything is tailored specifically, so you can be sure of experiencing the very best safaris that money can buy. Think private helicopters, private camps, and trips that are privately guided by Africa’s finest guides. Prices at this level are truly jaw-dropping – almost unbelievably high.
‘VALUE’ SAFARIS
These often tend to be adventurous tented safaris, or trips designed around 4-star camps and lodges. The focus is on the adventure of the experience, rather than the luxury on offer at other properties. A Value safari starts at about USD4,000 to USD5,000 per person.
‘LUXURY’ ADORE SAFARIS
The ‘Luxury’ safari is among the best that we offer at ADORE Africa. These trips feature properties that cost over US$1,000 per person per night. Expect to see prices coming in at US$10,000 per person for these trips, for lodges and camps where private plunge pools and excellent levels of hospitality are standard. The wow-factor is guaranteed.
Finally, we offer a category of safari where price goes utterly stratospheric. There are no example trips as literally everything is tailored specifically, so you can be sure of experiencing the very best safaris that money can buy. Think private helicopters, private camps, and trips that are privately guided by Africa’s finest guides. Prices at this level are truly jaw-dropping – almost unbelievably high.
All our safaris are all-inclusive, which means that meals, most drinks, park fees and taxes are included in the rate for accommodation and you don’t get any ‘surprises’ when you leave. We also prefer to book and arrange excursions or activities as part of your itinerary for the same reason. It is generally pricier to stay in a private concession rather than a national park but the benefit is that you can undertake activities like going off-road to get closer to sightings, night drives and nature walks that aren’t permitted in the park.
Like most things, the more substantial your budget, the more options you will have. Communicate openly with your ADORE Private Travel Designer so that he or she can do their utmost to create the best possible trip for you.
A safari is one of the most exciting and memorable holidays you’ll ever undertake. There are lot of factors that go into the cost – such as location, time of year and level of accommodation – but there are also some good rules of thumb to bear in mind for your safari budget:
Package deals are not necessarily cheaper.
A tailormade safari will be crafted to your specific budget, allowing you to save and splurge where you feel it’s necessary. A package deal or scheduled departure tour locks you in to a specific itinerary and non-flexible price.
The more privacy and exclusivity you want, the more you will spend.
You can still have a great time in a less luxurious environment – this is where your ADORE Private Travel Designer’s knowledge and experience are so important.
South Africa remains one of the most affordable safari destinations thanks to favourable foreign exchange rates.
South Africa is a fantastic option for first-timers to Africa and an excellent ‘introduction’ to safari. But it also offers rich rewards for experienced safari goers.
‘Doing it yourself’ is not necessarily cheaper – or often even possible.
In many places, you need your ADORE Private Travel Designer’s specialised knowledge of light aircraft schedules, transfer companies and ground handlers for your itinerary.
Using ADORE Africa gives you a single ‘all inclusive’ price.
Your ADORE Private Travel Designer will have access to room availability, special deals and other factors that allow him or her to create an entire itinerary with one cost so there are no ‘surprises’.
Once you are ready to start planning your trip, spend time on the phone with us. We cannot recommend this highly enough; it is the key to the very best safaris.