How to plan an affordable African Safari
If Africa is on your bucket list, we will show you how you can plan an affordable African Safari or holiday while you cut costs.
There is no need to miss out on seeing the big 5 (five) or enjoying Africa’s plentiful cultural highlights any more.
Learn some of the tricks to plan an affordable African safari through our handy guide.
Travel during the shoulder season
When you hear about the word “holiday” and all that comes to mind are the sunny days and pleasant evening temperatures- right?
If that is you then, when planning an affordable Kenya safari, you should go through all the seasons as you weigh cost over weather.
The shoulder seasons includes these months; April, May, October and November which are excellent times to be on a safari in Kenya.
Please remember that Africa’s weather is un predictable and for Kenya it rains and experience splendid sunshine in the same day.
The shoulder seasons tend to offer magnificent views of young wildlife or I may say it’s the time of the year when most wildlife give birth.
On your safari you will enjoy views of Zebras, Black Rhinos, Wildebeests, Impalas, Rhinos, giraffes calving during this period.
Having young ones creates a lot of drama when the different wildlife are protecting the young ones from the big cats.
April and May are rainy seasons and the dampest seasons in Kenya for a safari but don’t let the dampness lie to you.
This is because Kenya is open all year for safari in its premier game reserves and parks like Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo East and West.
It’s amazing when you find yourself in these hard to reach areas of a park during the peak seasons when everyone is travelling.
Popular Itineraries
Use Local Guides
For any of the places you choose a local guide, local safari or tour companies will always offer better rates than using an international company.
With the internet that has made everything easy nowdays, you can scan around for a company that will meet your expectations.
For those whose hearts are set to the East African region you will get reasonable costs to different destinations.
For example; Serengeti, Masai Mara, Murchison falls, Bwindi impenetrable forest, Amboseli, Ngorongoro and Mt Kilmanjaro
The other bonus for booking local companies is the last-minute available discounts you will enjoy. On top of that, you can even add onto activities to your itinerary and pay instantly.
For example; Visit to Sambura people, day trip to Ngamba Chimp sanctuary, Giraffe Center, beach life in Mombasa and Zanzibar and elephant park
Stay for Extra Nights
This is a common practice for most hotels whereby if you stay for more than one night you get a discount on the second or more nights to come.
You will find that longer stay deals will always get you awesome discounts like pay three (3) nights and sleep fourth (4) night free.
Sanctuary retreats lodge (Olonana Camp) in the Masai Mara offers up to 30% off your stay from 4-6 nights and 40% from 7+ nights.
This offers you a win – win offer to stay longer on holiday but while cutting costs.
Stay loyal to a brand.
This is another safari trick you should always keep at the back of your mind that being loyal to a brand comes with many benefits.
You may be asking HOW and this is through sticking to theme deals offered by sister brands.
These always have lodges in most of the game reserves and parks in Kenya’s from Masai Mara to Tsavo.
These are some of the best brands we would recommend for you; Sopa lodges, Serena Lodges and Sanctuary Retreats.
If you are interested or looking or planning an affordable Kenya Safari free feel to get in touch for the best deals.
Get a Private Driver
Seriously…I know you are asking yourself so many questions but yes you need a private driver.This is because flying in Africa is expensive or costly to move from park to park or country to country.
Hiring a driver in the African country you are visiting is cheaper than flying inside the country.
The private drivers serve as guides as well so be rest assured that you can get from destination to destination.
This will enable you enjoy views of places and wildlife on your way at your own pace. Take up extra safari game drives whenever you want.
Select Locations Carefully
While planning for your African safari, you should look out for all the location options and choose those locations that interest you.
Many may tell you that you should choose accommodation facilities inside the national parks since you will be in the middle of where the wildlife gem happens.
These places costly or expensive yet you can also book facilities outside the park at affordable prices and be in time to see the wildlife.
This means you will make saving and still explore the park earlier seeking out for more wildlife.
If its Lake Nakuru National Park commonly known for the Pink flamingo birds and the endangered rare black Rhino.
Bwindi Impenetrable forest N.park known as the best place to trek gorillas in Africa and it’s scenic views of waterfalls and vegetation.
Checkout the giraffe Manor where you get to feed and leave with the giraffe or watch the wildebeest migration in the Masai mara.
It’s not impossible to plan an affordable African safari when at Forever Africa Safari we are there for you.
