How you CAN go on safari on a budget: From gorillas in Uganda to South African elephants - and some creatures you may not expect to see - our expert picks the wildest options for as little as £335 a week
In the Lion King, Simba says: ‘As you go through life, you will see that there is so much that we don’t understand. And the only thing we know is things don’t always go the way we plan.’
But they don’t have to when it comes to safari holidays. Here we’ve scoured tour operators’ latest offerings to find the best safari bargains in Africa.
These are journeys of a lifetime to see wonders of the animal kingdom up close and personal, without a whopping price tag - though you will pay more than a week in the Med. But that’s hardly surprising when you factor in travelling so far... and staying out in the wild in some of the world’s most remote, and hauntingly beautiful, spots.
More than 340 species of birds can be spotted in Etosha National Park in Namibia, including eagles, ostriches and flamingos
CAMPERVANS IN NAMIBIA
Drive your own Toyota Hilux four-wheel drive with an unfoldable tent attached to the roof to visit Etosha National Park in Namibia - home to lions, leopards, black rhinos, giraffes and zebras. More than 340 species of birds can be spotted including eagles, ostriches and flamingos. Simply park at campsites after picking up your vehicle - which comes with a hob for cooking and a fridge - from Windhoek, the capital.
Book it: From £335pp for a week (camperdays.co.uk), return flights from 900pp (skyscanner.net), campsites from about £20pp per night - or £1,375 in total (etoshanationalpark.co.za).
Take a visit to the Addo Elephant Park, where four game drives are included
Colourful houses in the vibrant city of Cape Town in South Africa
CITY, WINE AND ELEPHANTS
Enjoy a stay in the vibrant city of Cape Town in South Africa followed by a visit to the Stellenbosch wine region and a journey along the beautiful ‘Garden Route’ by the coast, staying at hotels along the way on a self-drive trip. This culminates in a visit to the Addo Elephant Park, where four game drives are included. In Cape Town, a tour to Cape Point at the extreme southwest tip of Africa is arranged.
Book it: From £1,669pp including flights, ten nights in four/five star hotels and car hire (flightcentre.co.uk).
CLASSIC KENYA
Spot elephants, lions, hippos, leopards and much more on a 12-day tour covering the Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo West National Park and the Taito Hills reserve in Kenya. Expect also to see giraffes, chetahs and zebras - plus herons and kingfishers. An optional balloon ride is offered at the Masai Mara. The trip includes two days at Diani Beach at the end before flying home.
Book it: From £2,712pp including flights, 11 nights’ accommodation with 11 breakfast, nine lunches and nine dinners, plus game drives (tui.co.uk).
BOTSWANA CAMPING
Immerse yourself in the African wilderness on a fortnight-long organised camping trip with stays for four nights at designated campsites with hot showers and laundry facilities, while seven nights are spent ‘wild camping’ in the bush, where support crews will erect bucket showers and rudimentary toilets. Yes, you’re ‘roughing it’, but it’s a brilliant chance to see sunsets and sunrises out in the open. You also visit the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve Savuti and Chobe National Park with game drives included.
Book it: 13 nights from £1,709pp including most meal; international flights about £1,000 extra (responsibletravel.com).
Travelling by private 4X4 allows an intimate view of the spectacular Masai landscape, including lions
Baboons are a common sight in the Masai Mara Nature Reserve
Aberdare, to the east of the East African Rift Valley, is home to lions, wild dogs, baboons and elephants
MASAI TASTER
If you’re short of time, but want a taster of a good value safari, pop over to Kenya for a four-night ‘Private Taste of Kenya’ 4X4 road trip to Aberdare National Park, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara Nature Reserve. Aberdare, to the east of the East African Rift Valley, is home to lions, wild dogs, baboons and elephants. Travelling by private 4X4 allows an intimate view of the spectacular landscape.
Book it: From £2,199pp for four nights including accommodation full-board (tropicalsky.co.uk).
UGANDAN GORILLAS
To witness some of the rarest creatures on the planet up close and personal in their wild natural habitat (not in a zoo), join an 12-day adventure in Uganda to see the lovely, gentle mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. There’s an opportunity to spot chimpanzees and red-tailed monkeys in Kibale Forest, plus giraffes, zebras and leopards at Lake Mburo National Park.
Book it: Seven nights from £2,399pp including accommodations, guides, all activities and many meals, but not flights, which are from about £500 return (gadventures.com).
Go swimming and snorkelling in Lake Malawi
Lake Malawi National Park is a habitat for diverse wildlife, from colourful birds and fish to the Big Five
MAKE IT MALAWI
Explore the wildlife in Majete Wildlife Reserve and Liwonde National Park in the regions bordering Lake Malawi on a ten-day small group tour of this southeastern African country, where cheetahs, lions and black rhino can be seen wandering across the savannah. Go swimming and snorkelling in Lake Malawi and then laze on a beach at Mumbo Island Lodge and Nankoma Island at the end.
Book it: Nine nights from £2,666pp with accommodation, game drives and most meals, but not flights, which are about £800 return (yellowwoodadventures.com).
An African leopard in Zimbabwe, among the stunning wildlife on show
Large herd of elephants on the open plains in Hwange national park
The Victoria Falls make a spectacular sight at sunset, and you may even see a rainbow
FULL OF ZIM
Enjoy four nights at a lodge on the banks of the Zambezi river in Zimbabwe, where there’s the chance to visit Victoria Falls (three miles away), go kayaking and white-water rafting and see elephants, before heading off on a three-night safari. This is at the Hide Safari Camp in Hwange National Park, with walking safaris and game drives included. Expect to spot lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras and giraffes.
Book it: Seven nights from £2,859pp with B&B at the Zambezi lodge and all-inclusive on safari (dialaflight.com).
SAFARI EPIC
Take off for a three-week group tour of a lifetime covering Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa with wildlife walks, game drives, river cruises and sightseeing included. The trip begins in Zimbabwe with a visit to Victoria Falls and a sunset cruise on the Zambezi river - where hippos, crocodiles and elephants can be spotted - before moving onto Botswana and a game drive in Chobe National Park, plus a visit to the Okavango Delta and Etosha National Park before seeing the world’s highest sand dunes in Namibia.
Book it: 21 days from £5,899pp with international flights, transfers, accommodation, most meals and a guide (rambleworldwide.co.uk).
* More information: africanbudgetsafaris.com, safaribookings.com, tourradar.com