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A herd of elephants with calves in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
Photo: Christoph Strässler, CC BY-SA 2.0

Southern and East Africa · Once-in-a-lifetime

How much does a safari cost?

Across 6 operators we track, the median price for a 5-day trip is $2,033 per person, with offers from $802 to $6,995. Prices last verified 25 Oct 2026.

Operators compared
6
Priced products
27
Median price (5 days)
$2,033
Range
$802–$6,995
Prices last verified
25 Oct 2026

What drives the price

  1. 01

    Safari prices are driven by park and conservancy fees, the standard of camp or lodge, whether you fly or drive between camps, and the season.

  2. 02

    Southern Kruger and Sabi Sand in South Africa are the most accessible for self-drive and private reserve options; the Serengeti and Okavango are mostly fly-in or guided circuits.

  3. 03

    Most prices are quoted per person sharing, full board, with game drives included; international flights and visas are almost never included.

  4. 04

    Group departures on fixed dates are the cheapest way to see East Africa; private vehicles cost more but set your own schedule.

Options compared

VariantDaysoffersMinMedian
Kruger and Sabi Sand3–714$802$1,467
Serengeti and Ngorongoro5–109$1,290$2,741
Okavango Delta and Chobe5–104$4,695$5,695

Best months

Southern Africa dry season

Best game viewing as water concentrates animals; cool mornings; Okavango flood peaks June to August.

East Africa dry seasons

Serengeti calving in Ndutu January to March; Mara River crossings in the north July to October.

Green season

Lower prices, lush scenery, newborn animals and birding; some roads and camps close in the heaviest rain.

How to choose

  1. 1

    Choose the region by wildlife event and season, then by budget band (camping, mid-range lodges, luxury camps).

  2. 2

    Compare what is included, especially park fees, internal flights, drinks and conservancy levies.

  3. 3

    Check vehicle type and guaranteed window seats on group safaris.

  4. 4

    Malaria risk differs by park; the Eastern Cape and Madikwe in South Africa are malaria-free.

Lowest price per day right now

See every operator
Trend Verified
Viva Safaris
Licence unverified
Kruger and Sabi Sand
7 Day Tremisana Lodge Safari
7 Group $1,670
ZAR 27,695 · per person · 2027 - Tremisana Lodge Safari
$239 +7%
Viva Safaris
Licence unverified
Kruger and Sabi Sand
6 Day Tremisana/Tent Safari
6 Group $1,501
ZAR 24,895 · per person · 2027 - Tremisana Lodge Safari
$250 +46%
Kurt Safari
SATSA member
Kruger and Sabi Sand
5 Day Kruger and Panorama Classic safari
5 Group $1,252
ZAR 20,765 · per person · Luxury - Kruger and Panorama
$250 +7%
Viva Safaris
Licence unverified
Kruger and Sabi Sand
5 Day Tremisana/Tent Safari
5 Group $1,332
ZAR 22,095 · per person · 2027 - Tremisana Lodge Safari
$266 +40%
Viva Safaris
Licence unverified
Kruger and Sabi Sand
3 Day Budget Tented Safari
3 Group $995
ZAR 16,495 · per person · 2027 - Tremisana Lodge Safari
$332 +57%
Kurt Safari
SATSA member
Kruger and Sabi Sand
5 Day Kruger and Panorama Private Luxury safari
5 Private $1,731
ZAR 28,700 · per person · Private Luxury - Kruger and Panorama
$346 first seen
Kurt Safari
SATSA member
Kruger and Sabi Sand
4 Day Best Of Kruger Private Luxury safari
4 Private $1,418
ZAR 23,520 · per person · Private Luxury - Best of Kruger / Kruger and Panorama
$355 first seen
Kurt Safari
SATSA member
Kruger and Sabi Sand
3 Day Best of Kruger Private Luxury safari
3 Private $1,102
ZAR 18,280 · per person · Private Luxury - Best of Kruger
$367 first seen

Frequently asked questions

Answers use the live dataset; figures update when prices are re-verified.

How much does a safari cost?

Across the 6 operators we track, the median price for a 5-day safari is $2,033 per person sharing, observed on 25 Oct 2026. Camping safaris in Tanzania and self-drive Kruger trips sit at the bottom; fly-in Okavango camps at the top.

Which is cheaper, Kruger or the Serengeti?

Kruger. South Africa has national park camps you can self-drive and book directly, and lower park fees. The Serengeti needs a guided vehicle and has higher daily park and camping fees.

When is the best time for a safari?

The dry season, roughly June to October across most of southern and East Africa, when animals gather at water. January to March is calving season in the southern Serengeti.

What is usually included in a safari price?

Accommodation, meals, game drives, a guide and park fees are standard. International flights, visas, drinks, tips and travel insurance are usually not. Internal flights are included on fly-in itineraries.

Is a group safari or a private safari better?

Group safaris on fixed dates cost less per person and suit solo travellers. Private safaris give you the vehicle and guide to yourself and flexible dates, at a higher price.