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When a trip is under selection, this is a major question to ponder. Although there are some people traveling that don’t have to worry about the cost, many of our clients have to stay within a budget and have a certain price range set. This is a highly critical factor in helping us choose a suitable safari for you. The saying “what you pay for is what you get,” is most likely true when you plan a safari. There is a safari available for almost everybody’s budget; however, there are big variations in lodging, services, transportation and eating. It is necessary that you realize how rough you can live before you make safari plans. Depending on if you are a member of a group tour or just want an individualized tour for you and your family members, your price tag will be affected. A smart and skilled, specialty tour operator will know something about good and not so good safari companies, current costs and the situations in Africa that may influence your trip.
Here are some things that will affect how much your trip costs:
LUXURY LEVEL
Generally speaking, a more luxurious safari costs more. The price can vary from $250 to $1000 a night for each person, not including moving from one area camp to somewhere else, which is usually by airplane. Anyway, the price at many safari camps and lodges usually consists of all your meals, game locations and nearly all other game viewing activities available. Occasionally the rates include laundry and drinks. Well, when you think about the extra price for these additional components, compared to the median price for a 4 to 5 star hotel (just the room), the price for a safari is really a bargain! Always consider tips and gifts when you figure how much spending money you will have. Exchange fees and fuel costs change, and this can make a difference in the final price for your safari in some situations. In the same way, the government raises the visa charges, park prices, tourist levies or sales taxes, which can affect the travel costs. Try to figure out what you can honestly afford, and remember that basically, you receive what you pay for: safaris are not any different. Services aren’t cheap in Africa, regardless of the fact that a great deal of it is “third world”. We strive for the best at African Portfolio. We offer the highest quality of lodging and service, as well as the best operators and guides. The reason for this is that these elements directly affect how much game you will see and how well you will see it. We want you to have vivid memories of Africa!
DURATION OF THE TRIP
The daily cost for each person is a basic rule of thumb to figure out how much time you can spend traveling. Just by making your trip a few days shorter, you can sometimes reduce the price by hundreds of dollars. Traveling around less normally saves on expensive transfers or local flights and you can also have a more comfortable, enjoyable experience. Three nights is good enough for most camps and lodges to give you the opportunity to see how the area is, and to participate in every activity available at a comfortable pace. Traveling about more can oftentimes mean seeing less of what you journeyed to Africa for to begin with! However, getting to Africa involves a lot of time and money, so we would encourage you to stay for as long as you can in this amazing area of the planet. It is hardly ever worth it to rush your trip, and although a lot of clients end up returning again and again, Africa is still a far away destination – and this may be one of the only times, if not THE only time, you have a chance to go on a safari!
SELECTION OF CAMPS, LODGES AND HOTELS
When choosing certain safari camps, lodges and hotels for our clients, African Portfolio has a history of maintaining total independence and objectivity. Because of this, we are able to combine a variety of elements into your trip (activities, properties, areas) to best suit your desires. In this situation, we are not limited by the cost of middlemen, such as destination managers and inbound operators. We take pleasure in our excellent reputation and terrific relationship with lodges and ground keepers everywhere throughout East and Southern Africa, and as our customer, you have the benefit of our different preferred prices, combined packages and bonus fares, plus our special treatment as important visitors! We would be glad to suggest the perfect combination of properties, venues, activities and destinations for your trip to make sure that you have the best possible safari that meshes with your personal interests and preferences, and that you get the best value for the money that you are laying out for this trip of a lifetime!
ACTIVITIES
The safari segment of your trip will probably be the most expensive. Safari camps basically include everything, and there is a combined price for the lodging, food, guides, leisure activities, as well as entry to the park. Lodging at a hotel or beach accommodations usually cost less than a safari camp, since you spend your money individually for food, tours, and additional activities – as you prefer when you stay there. You can combine a few days at the beach with your safari, or you can drive yourself along the Garden Route in Cape Town, South Africa. Doing this will give you more for your money.
SEASON
Season prices can be very different, based on the high season or low season rates for the same safari camps and accommodations. During the high season, there is a reason for these rates. Usually, this is the best time of year to see game, so it is expensive to book a space. However, if peak game viewing isn’t important and you can adjust your travel dates, you will still be able to have a nice safari experience at a lot cheaper price if you travel in off seasons. The advantage is that you will see that the areas are not as crowded and it will not be too hard to find a space.
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So the Africa is not as cheap as it seems? ;-)
nimbo — africa is cheap, you just need to know where to look :-)
Your articles are interesting and so useful for me.