- operating on a small(er) budget.
Let's face it - going on safari is not a bargain holiday. It's something special.
South Africa and Kenya tend to be the best value destinations in Africa - with South Africa operating on the South African Rand (and not the US Dollar like the rest of safari Africa) it will often comes out best value.
Admittedly if you want to go to Kenya in July there are unlikely to be any great deals about so this is where a bit of planning comes in.
It's no great secret that travelling out of season is one way to save pennies. Even in beautiful Botswana there are Green Season rates for travel November to March. Shoulder season or the 'secret season' is our favourite time to travel - so for example June and November in Kenya is quieter than in high season (July to October), rates are a little lower and wildlife is great, so if budget is key and you're flexible do seek advice before commiting to holiday dates!
Think about where you really want to visit and what's important - the more places you combine in a holiday, the more travel costs you will incur and the more hectic the trip. To ensure maximum value (and enjoyment) simplify your ideas and stick to one or two centres, staying for longer, rather than lots of short stays in multiple places.
Self-drive is also a good way to make the budget stretch further, for example in South Africa and Namibia.
The really expensive bit of the trip is the safari itself as you are paying for all your activities, guiding, your park and conservation fees (which help to safeguard the areas you are visiting) and often your food and drink is all included in the package too - think about extending your trip with a stay at the beach/lake/river - the nightly rate for this will be much lower than what you are paying on safari, so for example combine Victoria Falls with a Chobe or Hwange safari; a Nyerere National Park safari with the beaches of Zanzibar.