AS the Land Rover turns the corner, under the bluest African skies, you come face to face with a herd of majestic giraffes – it’s an incredible sight.
And the best part is, it doesn’t have to break the bank.
You don’t have to break the bank to go on a safari in AfricaGetty
You can bag some great deals if you book a safari lodge closer to your date of travelGetty
Majestic elephants under the shadow of Kilimanjaro in KenyaGetty
Ben West gives his guide to designing a bucket list African holiday on a budget . . .
FLY OVERNIGHT: Booking an overnight flight saves on your first and last night’s accommodation costs, so you’re ready to hit the ground running once you land.
Remember to pack an eye mask and earplugs — that will give you the best chance of a kip onboard.
BOOK EARLY ( . . . OR LATE): Long-haul flights tend to increase in cost the nearer to departure you book, so you could save a fair whack by getting in there quickly.
“Book two years in advance and you’ll pay the current year’s prices, saving you up to 20 per cent,” says Anita Powell, founder of travel agent training website The Africa Hub.
“Book as soon as the flights have been released to get the most competitive price.”
For accommodation, booking within three weeks of travel can give you big discounts at some camps.
SHOP AROUND: Costs vary greatly depending on which country you visit, so it’s worth doing some digging.
Non-mainstream destinations, like Cameroon or Rwanda, tend to be more expensive and Botswana has a government policy to attract high-spending holidaymakers.
Currency also affects the cost, says Claire Farley of 2By2 Holidays.
“South Africa and Namibia currently offer the most cost-effective safaris, as they are priced in South African rands, a weak currency,”
Farley explains. “All countries to the north of these are priced in the much stronger US dollar.”
You can take snaps of elephants like this one taken at a waterhole in NamibiaGetty
You’ll be able to feast your eyes on fine dining at a safari lodgeGetty
Jeepers – a lion gets up close and personal by this vehicleAlamy
DITCH SOUTH AFRICA FOR TANZANIA: If you’ve been on safari many times before and feel confident going off the beaten track, doing it yourself rather than having a guide will save money, but this isn’t recommended unless you’re a real pro.
There are still some cheap guided safaris for those on a budget. Ditch South Africa and head to destinations like Tanzania where you’ll get the same experience for a little less.
Intrepid (intrepidtravel.com) has a ten-day trip, including most meals, transport, accommodation and guided safaris from £1,241pp.
If you do drive solo, spending a few hours with a guide at the start of the trip, to learn how to spot different species, would be a great help.
GO CAMPING: Sleeping under the stars with the exotic animal sounds of the African night is not only a must-try, magical experience, it’s also cheaper.
Many parks have official campsites, which are safe and have facilities like electricity, showers and toilets.
South African National Parks (sanparks.org) lists campsites at 19 parks.
At Bontebok National Park, for example, a campsite pitch costs about £12.50 (R270) per night, while daily conservation fees are £7.61 (R160) per adult per day.
PICK A LESSER-KNOWN PARK: “Book with an Africa specialist operator — they know wonderful places that are not as well-known,” says Anita Powell.
Try Lake Manze in the Selous, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park in South Africa, Kidepo National Park in Uganda and Kasanka National Park and Bangweulu Wetlands in Zambia.
TRAVEL IN THE SHOULDER SEASON: Accommodation, safaris and flights are generally cheaper at off-peak times, especially the rainy season.
You may be lucky and not see much rain, but if spotting wildlife is a priority, animals are more likely to hide with the vegetation thick and high.
In the drier months, from May to September, vegetation thins out and wildlife congregates around remaining water sources.
A good compromise is travelling in the shoulder seasons — spring and autumn.
DON’T MOVE AROUND: “The cost of travelling within African countries can be very expensive so reduce the number of stops and stay longer in each place,” says Anita Powell.
“If you book several nights with the same hotel or lodge group, you can take advantage of their long stay rates or ‘circuit’ rates, giving you better rates if you stay with their sister camps.”
GO SELF-CATERED: There are lodges at all budgets in Africa, but the wonder of seeing spectacular animals in the wild hopefully offsets the desire for a roll-top bath, posh toiletries and the rest.
Many parks have self-catering budget lodges that will trim the cost. Plus, you’ll often be able to access game drives with the lodge’s trackers.
“In South Africa, SanPark self-catering rest camps are inexpensive and quite charming,” says Claire Farley. “They have shops for provisions, fridges and outdoor barbecue facilities, as well as camp restaurants if you don’t want to cook yourself. This is how the locals do it.”
BUDDY UP: Opting for a small group escorted tour will be cheaper than travelling solo.
The mainstream destinations, like Kenya and South Africa, may be pricier, but they offer a good choice for larger group tours.
Perfect Wilderness Tours (perfectwildernesstours.com) has a three-day Masai Mara safari from £163pp through tourradar.com.
HIT THE ROAD: If you travel overland in a truck, camping along the way, you’ll have less creature comforts than staying in hotels, but it will be a real adventure — and notably cheaper than flying between destinations.
Absolute Africa’s (absoluteafrica.com) 26-day Taste Of Africa tour is £1,798pp, including some meals, tours, camping and travel — this works out as £69.15 per day.