Africa Travel Costs: What to Budget
A realistic budgeting guide covering accommodation, transport, food, activities, and safaris—so you don’t get surprised on the ground.
The 3 biggest cost drivers
- Transport: long distances and limited routes can make flights expensive.
- Safaris: park fees, guides, and camp location drive pricing.
- Seasonality: peak months raise rates quickly in popular areas.
Typical budget categories
| Category | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | Location, season, and inclusions (meals, activities) |
| Transport | Domestic flights, drivers, fuel, transfers |
| Food | Self-cater vs restaurants; city vs remote areas |
| Activities | Park fees, guides, permits, tours |
| Insurance | Medical + trip delay + activity coverage |
A simple budgeting method
- Estimate non-safari days (cities/beaches) and assign a daily budget.
- Add safari days separately using realistic per-day ranges.
- Add transport costs last (often the hidden killer).
- Include a 10–15% buffer for changes and surprises.
Next steps
Use daily budgets by country as a starting point, then refine for your route and season.
Related reading
Last updated: Feb 2026. We review this page periodically for seasonality, pricing, and policy changes.
Sources & references
We link to primary sources where possible (tourism boards, park authorities, and health agencies).