Budget Tours to Africa
Ever thought about watching lions prowl the Serengeti or trekking with mountain gorillas in misty forests? Africa brings everything from Cape Town's Table Mountain to Victoria Falls' thundering waters, the Okavango Delta's waterways to Namibia's towering dunes. Try safari drives and the Ngorongoro Crater. Africa's wild heart beats here.
10 best Budget Africa tour packages
Compiled by
NadineAfrica travel expert at TourRadar
- Southern Africa Overland: Cape Town, Falls & Kruger
- Nairobi To Cape Town (76 Days) Grand Adventurer
- Nairobi To Kigali (13 Days) Gorillas & Gameparks
- Wild Dogs and Victoria Falls
- Rainforests and Reefs
- 20-day South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini Explorer (Camping)
- 14-day Mozambique and Zimbabwe Explorer (Camping)
- Falls to Namibia - 12 days
- Nairobi To Johannesburg (94 Days)
- Nairobi To Victoria Falls (54 Days) Apes & Lakes
Southern Africa Overland: Cape Town, Falls & Kruger
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was the best way to experience a lot in a short period of time! And you will make friends for life.”
Karoline, traveled in September
Priced at around $150 per day, covering 24 breakfasts, 23 lunches, and 17 dinners. Accommodations include budget-friendly campsites and lodges. Free activities feature hiking Fish River Canyon and visiting !Khwa ttu San Culture Centre. Optional activities range from $40 Chobe River cruises to $165 Victoria Falls helicopter rides.
Duration 28 days Destinations South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $154 Operator G Adventures From
- US$4,299
Nairobi To Cape Town (76 Days) Grand Adventurer
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Oasis not only met my expectations, they blew them away! From the very first correspondence to the end of the trip and beyond everyone involved within Oasis were amazing.”
Priced at approx. $60 per day including transport, camping equipment, 60% of meals, and various activities. Additional options include gorilla permits ($700) and Serengeti safari ($350). Local payment of $1,500 covers park fees and select accommodations.
Duration 76 days Destinations Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $65 Operator Oasis Overland From
- US$4,972+$1,850 local payments
Nairobi To Kigali (13 Days) Gorillas & Gameparks
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was a nice trip in the diffrent countries and nice people.”
CLAUS, traveled in September
A 13-day safari priced at approx. $100 per day includes camping gear, 60% of meals, and transport. Gorilla trekking permits are additional. Local payment of $430 covers park fees and camping, with accommodation upgrade options available.
Duration 13 days Destinations Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $118 Operator Oasis Overland From
- US$1,541+$590 local payments
Wild Dogs and Victoria Falls
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The group was dynamic, fun, and nice. I would've loved to stay for longer.”
Mirjam, traveled in November
Value safari at approx. $140 per day includes camping equipment, game drives, and 18 meals. Activities range from $50 rhino treks to $160 bungee jumps at Victoria Falls. Package includes transport, guides, and entry to multiple national parks.
Duration 12 days Destinations South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $171 Operator Absolute Africa From
- US$2,052
Rainforests and Reefs
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was amazing - it covered the three things I wanted to do - gorillas, the Serengeti and rest at the end in Zanzibar.”
Chitra, traveled in October
Safari highlights priced at approx. $170 per day include meals (18 breakfasts, 14 dinners), camping equipment, and game drives. Activities start from $15 for snorkeling, with gorilla permits and park fees included. Accommodation combines camping with B&Bs.
Duration 18 days Destinations Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $203 Operator Absolute Africa From
- US$3,646
20-day South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini Explorer (Camping)
40 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour would not have been as enjoyable without Gee as our guide. Excellent sense of humour and very witty.”
Laura, traveled in September
African adventure priced at approx. $140 daily includes meals and accommodation. The package provides 16 nights camping, 2 nights twin share rooms, and 1 night dorm stay, covering all game drives, cultural experiences, and local transportation.
Duration 20 days Destinations South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $116 Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From $3,095
25% Off- US$2,321You save $774
14-day Mozambique and Zimbabwe Explorer (Camping)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I felt save the whole time. I would recommend Sam to everyone. He is the best guide!”
Maja, traveled in October
A $250 daily rate provides camping equipment, 36 meals, and game drives in three premier national parks. Shangaan tribal dancing, Great Zimbabwe ruins tours, and Victoria Falls visits are included, maximizing your adventure budget.
Duration 14 days Destinations South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $240 Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From $3,955
15% Off- US$3,362You save $593
Your $170 daily investment includes 30 meals, all camping equipment except sleeping bags, and guided activities. Walking safaris with San Bushmen, Chobe River cruises, and game drives in both Chobe and Etosha National Parks are included.
Duration 12 days Destinations Zambia, Botswana, Namibia Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $191 Operator On The Go Tours From
15% Off- US$2,290+$390 local payments
Nairobi To Johannesburg (94 Days)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The best part was that all of the staff are incredibly helpful, from answering questions online prior to my trip.”
Kristen, traveled in February
For around $60 daily, guests enjoy 80% camping accommodation, most meals, and transport. Optional activities include gorilla trekking ($700+) and Serengeti safaris. Local payment of $2,300 required initially. The package spans 94 days across 11 countries.
Duration 94 days Destinations Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, NamibiaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $63 Operator Oasis Overland From
15% Off- US$5,913+$2,580 local payments
Nairobi To Victoria Falls (54 Days) Apes & Lakes
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“For safe, fun, well-organised and good-value overseas travel, Oasis Overlanding is definitely the way to go.”
The daily rate of $60 covers camping equipment, transport, and most meals across 54 days. Optional activities include a $1,100 local payment. Gorilla permits and Serengeti safaris available as add-ons. Participatory nature keeps costs low while maximizing authentic experiences from Nairobi to Victoria Falls.
Duration 54 days Destinations Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $72 Operator Oasis Overland From
15% Off- US$3,895+$1,490 local payments
What people love about Budget Tours in Africa
- Nairobi To Cape Town (76 Days) Grand Adventurer
Overland trip to Africa has been a life time dream which I manage to fullfill through Oasis Overland. I chose 59 days trip fron Nairobi to Cape Town. Jim had been a wonderfull tourguide, easy to talk to and much more fun than one could expect at first. Walter (the driver) an amazing man with lot of humour and loads of knowledge about the route and local cultures. Best part of the trip was when we suddenly got an extra day because we decided not to stay overnight at delta. Jim and Walter came up with a plan to add not one but four surprises in the itenery. These surprises were a visit to the Meteorite, vist to San tribe (living peoples museum), EHRA (Elephand Human Relationship Aid) desert elephants. and visit to the Cape of good hope. I strongly recomend Oasis because its cost effective, its fun and it gives very unique experience.
- Nairobi To Kigali (13 Days) Gorillas & Gameparks
I travelled with a friend of mine and the tour was an amazing experience. The guide was very experienced and attentive! They gave us all the time to explore and it was a well paced trip! I would highly recommend the tour with Oasis Overland, a great way to see this part of amazing Africa!
- 20-day South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini Explorer (Camping)
Absolutely incredible tour!!
What our customers ask about Budget Tours to Africa
What's included in budget Africa tour prices?
Budget Africa tours typically wrap several essentials into their base price. Looking at G Adventures' Southern Africa tour priced at USD 2699 as a reference point the package covers your main transport needs game drives and about 60% of meals. You'll get camping equipment park entry fees and expert guides along the way. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Great value considering all the included game drives camping gear and transport - just budget extra for optional activities and some meals."
Which areas in Africa offer the best value for budget travelers?
East Africa's Kenya and Tanzania along with Southern Africa's Namibia and Zambia stand out as budget-friendly destinations. Your money goes further at places like South Africa's Kruger National Park the public camping areas in Botswana's Okavango Delta and Tanzania's Serengeti and Ngorongoro public campsites. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Tanzania offered amazing wildlife viewing opportunities at reasonable prices especially when camping."
What type of accommodation can I expect on budget Africa tours?
Budget accommodations mix camping with basic hotels and lodges. Take Oasis Overland tours where you'll spend about 80% of nights in two-person dome tents and 20% in simple hotels or hostels. At spots like Kande Beach in Malawi expect shared bathroom facilities. Hotel stays such as at the Airport Game Lodge in Johannesburg provide basic but clean rooms. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The tents were really quick to put up and down and were comfortable. My number one tip is to buy a pillow at the start of the trip!"
When is the most affordable time to visit Africa?
Travel costs drop during shoulder and low seasons which vary across regions. Southern Africa's dry winter (May-September) brings lower prices while maintaining good wildlife viewing conditions. In East Africa look for deals during the rainy seasons of March-May and October-December. As one TourRadar reviewer noted: "We traveled in May - accommodations were cheaper sites less crowded and though we had some rain the afternoon thunderstorms created amazing photo opportunities at Victoria Falls."
How much should I budget for optional activities on a budget Africa tour?
Set aside USD 300-500 for a two-week tour's extra activities. Popular options range from a USD 45 Chobe River cruise to a USD 120 Okavango Delta flight or USD 160 Victoria Falls bungee jump. According to a TourRadar traveler: "I spent around USD 400 on optional activities during my 2-week trip - the gorilla trek permit was expensive at USD 700 but absolutely worth it for that once-in-a-lifetime experience."
How much extra money should I budget for meals not included?
Plan for USD 15-25 daily for meals not covered in your tour price. Local eateries in Uganda and Malawi offer meals for USD 5-10 while tourist spots near Victoria Falls charge USD 15-20 per meal. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "Food costs varied greatly - local places were very cheap but tourist restaurants could be expensive. Having a mix of included meals and eating at local spots helped keep costs down."
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