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: Canoes & Camp-Outs
- West African Explorer – Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia
- Kenya to Vic Falls
- The Grand Southern Safari (23 destinations)
- 14-day Mozambique and Zimbabwe Explorer (Camping)
- 20-day South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini Explorer (Camping)
- Johannesburg to Nairobi Overland: Waterfalls & Beaches
- Southern Africa Overland: Cape Town, Falls & Kruger
- Ultimate Africa: Safari Drives & the Savannah
- Wild Dogs and Victoria Falls
Southern Africa Overland: Canoes & Camp-Outs
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The nature, wildlife, landscape and history all make up for it!!! I was so emotional on the last day.”
Yvanovna, traveled in August
The $180 daily rate for this budget-friendly tour includes 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 8 dinners. Simple hotels await in Victoria Falls and Johannesburg, with most nights camping to maximize value. Optional activities like Chobe River cruises ($50) and Victoria Falls visits ($30) available.
Duration 15 days Destinations Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $150 Operator G Adventures From $2,649
15% Off- US$2,252You save $397
Duration 11 days Destinations Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia Age Range Ages 16+ Price Per Day $233 Operator Penguin Travel From
15% Off- US$2,565+$239 local payments
Duration 27 days Destinations Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe Age Range Ages 15+ Price Per Day $157 Operator Intrepid Travel From $5,290
20% Off- US$4,232You save $1,058
The Grand Southern Safari (23 destinations)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was absolutely FANTASTIC! It was very well organized & I can't say anything but great things about it.”
KIM, traveled in June
Priced at around $170 per day, including 19 nights accommodation, most meals, and transport. Accommodation choices range from camping to upgraded lodging. The package features game drives, cultural experiences, and guided activities across four countries.
Duration 20 days Destinations South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe Age Range Ages 10+ Price Per Day $188 Operator Encounters Travel From
20% Off- US$3,765
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 $226 Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From $3,955
20% Off- US$3,164You save $791
20-day South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini Explorer (Camping)
38 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Had a fantastic time on this tour. Highly recommended.”
KP, 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
Johannesburg to Nairobi Overland: Waterfalls & Beaches
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“My expectations were fulfilled completely.”
Andrea, traveled in July
The package costs around $180 per day, covering 25 breakfasts, 22 lunches, and 18 dinners. Simple accommodations include 19 nights camping and 4 nights in hotels. Free activities feature Khama Rhino Sanctuary drive, Tribal Textiles Market visit, and walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park.
Duration 27 days Destinations South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $180 Operator G Adventures From
25% Off- US$4,849
Southern Africa Overland: Cape Town, Falls & Kruger
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It's one of the best ways to explore a country and see as much as possible in a short time.”
Sandra, 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
25% Off- US$4,299
Ultimate Africa: Safari Drives & the Savannah
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Fab 8 weeks discovering lots of countries, seeing lots of animals and meeting amazing people.”
Laina, traveled in July
Priced at approx. $200 per day, this 55-day adventure provides 50 breakfasts, 44 lunches, and 37 dinners. Accommodations alternate between camping sites, simple hotels, and hostels. The package includes gorilla trekking permits and entrance fees to major national parks across 9 countries.
Duration 55 days Destinations South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $195 Operator G Adventures From
25% Off- US$10,699
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 $175 Operator Absolute Africa From
25% Off- US$2,099
What people love about Budget Tours in Africa
- Southern Africa Overland: Canoes & Camp-Outs
My very first of hopefully multiple trips to Africa! G Adventures offered a variety of activities for us to parttake in. The tour leaders were gems! Chris Zulu and Chris Ncube are great men!, so was Tony! Just know that there is lots of camping and a few basic facilities that you may not be accustomed to. The nature, wildlife, landscape and history all make up for it!!! I was so emotional on the last day, as I got so attached to some of the travelers and the leaders, whom I appreciated getting to know. Thank you G Adventures for the best trip of my life! To make this tour better, 1) some of the safaris, game drives, or at least the river cruise should be included in the tour package. 2) The trip notes are not updated, as I was not often able to use the USD currency I brought, as they suggested. The countries mostly accept cards or the local currency. 3) Trip notes also suggest water cleaning pills, when they do have drinking water on the coach and at every stop.
- 14-day Mozambique and Zimbabwe Explorer (Camping)
The communication with acacia via TourRadar was not the best. We have received the most important information just 10 days before start. The extra costs for the adventure pass were not transparent. We were the guinea pigs for the trip to Mosambik and we have paid the full price. Our guide Sam did a great job. I felt save the whole time. I would recommend Sam to everyone. He is the best guide!
- 20-day South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini Explorer (Camping)
Had the best time ever! Gee was the most amazing guide, everything was always so organised and thoroughly thought through! Not just an amazing tour guide but great friend as well!
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."
More about Africa
Morocco toursKenya toursEgypt toursSouth Africa toursNamibia toursMadagascar toursUganda toursComplete Safari Packing List: Clothes, Medicines, Gear & EssentialsWildebeest Migration in Africa 2022 (incl. Migration Map)10 Best African Photographic Safaris 2026: Tour Deals & Tips10 Best Self-Drive Safaris 202610 Best African Wildlife Safari Deals 2026