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
- Kenya to Vic Falls (including Lushoto)
- 14-day Mozambique and Zimbabwe Explorer (Camping)
- 20-day South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini Explorer (Camping)
- Wild Dogs and Victoria Falls
- Johannesburg to Nairobi Overland: Waterfalls & Beaches
- Southern Africa Overland: Cape Town, Falls & Kruger
- Ultimate Africa: Safari Drives & the Savannah
- Great African Expedition Northbound (Accommodated) - 56 days
- Falls to Namibia - 12 days
Southern Africa Overland: Canoes & Camp-Outs
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great way to see the area for your first time visiting these regions. This is a budget friendly trip.”
Anna, traveled in September
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 $177 Operator G Adventures From
- US$2,649
Duration 27 days Destinations Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe Age Range Ages 15+ Price Per Day $176 Operator Intrepid Travel From $5,290
10% Off- US$4,761You save $529
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 $218 Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From $3,595
15% Off- US$3,056You save $539
20-day South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini Explorer (Camping)
38 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Had the best time ever! Everything was always so organised and thoroughly thought through.”
SamaraRalston, traveled in January
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 $120 Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From $2,825
15% Off- US$2,401You save $424
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 $172 Operator Absolute Africa From
15% Off- US$2,059
Johannesburg to Nairobi Overland: Waterfalls & Beaches
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“G Adventures provide a great customer experience from start to finish.”
Lucy, 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
15% Off- US$4,849
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
15% Off- US$4,299
Ultimate Africa: Safari Drives & the Savannah
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Ultimate Africa was really the adventure that I had anticipated. I would thoroughly recommend this tour!”
Sophie, 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
15% Off- US$10,699
Duration 56 days Destinations South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $187 Operator On The Go Tours From $13,110
20% Off- US$10,488+$1,500 local paymentsYou save $2,622
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 $143 Operator On The Go Tours From $2,290
25% Off- US$1,718+$390 local paymentsYou save $573
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.
- 20-day South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini Explorer (Camping)
Excellent tour. Would highly recommend.
- Wild Dogs and Victoria Falls
Unfortunately I only joined for 9 days (Jo'burg to Vic Falls) and I had an amazing time. I would've loved to stay for longer. The group was dynamic, fun, and nice. The tour guide Kanyo and our driver Mugu were very good, doing their work and mixing with the group, keeping track of everything, being there for us when necessary. I was sad to leave!
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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