Budget safaris travel guide
The Big Five are incredible. But for me, the dignity, sustainability, warmth, generosity and wisdom of the Maasai people are the Mara's real Big Five.
Going "out of Africa" does not mean having to go completely out of pocket. There are ways to experience the marvels of the Mara or the Serengeti’s stupendous swathes without the white sheets, gin and tonics, private jeep and pool at the end of the day. The best way to go budget is on an overland trip that usually takes in at least a couple of countries. Travelling in a small group, usually no more than 24, you travel everywhere by overland truck, often camp along the way and eat al fresco. The trucks have big windows instead of cosy air con, you camp rather than glamp, help out round the campfire, but still have the best responsible tourism safari guides you could hope for. And the cheetah chasing his dinner across the plains or the zebra dodging the crocs as he crosses the river doesn’t give a monkeys what you paid. And those moments are gold dust. Find out more in our budget safaris travel guide.
Our Budget safari Holidays
Small group Kenya safari and culture holiday
.Great itinerary combining safari & cultural tours
From
US $1637 to US $2238
7 days
ex flights
The Masai Heartlands safari
An amazing and great value 2 week truck safari
From
£2025 to £2185
15 days
ex flights
Kenya and Tanzania safaris
Follow the amazing wildebeest migration tracks in Serengeti
From
US $2297 to US $4706
10 days
ex flights
Short Masai Mara safari
This is where Big Cat diaries are filmed, come see it live
From
US $770 to US $1880
4 days
ex flights
Kenya & Tanzania wildlife tour, Masai to Serengeti
Experience the ultimate wildlife adventure in 10 days
From
£1567 to £2249
10 days
ex flights
Classic Kenya safari, 7 days
Visit Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and Samburu
From
US $1595 to US $2450
7 days
ex flights
Kenya to Harare overland tour
Nairobi to Lilongwe, an African adventure
From
£995
22 days
ex flights
Short safari in Kenya
See 75% of wildlife in Kenya including big 5 in 4 days
From
US $936 to US $1320
4 days
ex flights
Kenya wildlife tour, tailor made
Holiday & safari in Kenya's national parks
From
US $1365 to US $2795
7 days
ex flights
Short Kenya safari in Amboseli national park
The best safari to combine with beach holiday in Mombasa
From
US $680 to US $1286
4 days
ex flights
Kenya & Uganda small group holiday
Magnificent Lakes and Wildlife parks of Kenya
From
£1399 to £2115
14 days
ex flights
Kenya wildlife adventure holiday
Track down the Big 5 as you roam the savannah
From
£1200 to £1629
9 days
ex flights
Kenya 1 week safari
Fantastic guaranteed holiday departure with minimum 2 pax
From
US $1750 to US $2379
7 days
ex flights
Kenya & Tanzania safari, 2 weeks
Explore the beauty of Kenya & Tanzania parks in 15 days
From
US $3985 to US $6804
15 days
ex flights
Kenya highlights tour
Masai Mara, Nakuru and Amboseli private holidays
From
US $1378 to US $2448
7 days
ex flights
East African budget overland tour
3-week wildlife odyssey in the heart of East Africa
From
£2015 to £2485
21 days
ex flights
Is a budget safari holiday for you?
Go on a budget safari holiday if...
Don't go on a budget safari holiday if...
Our top Budget safari Holiday
Small group Kenya safari and culture holiday
.Great itinerary combining safari & cultural tours
From
US $1637 to US $2238
7 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 19 Nov, 3 Dec, 17 Dec, 24 Dec, 31 Dec
2020: 7 Jan, 14 Jan, 21 Jan, 28 Jan, 4 Feb, 11 Feb, 18 Feb, 25 Feb, 3 Mar, 10 Mar, 17 Mar, 24 Mar, 31 Mar, 1 Apr, 8 Apr, 15 Apr, 22 Apr, 29 Apr, 6 May, 13 May, 20 May, 27 May, 3 Jun, 10 Jun, 17 Jun, 24 Jun, 1 Jul, 8 Jul, 15 Jul, 22 Jul, 29 Jul, 5 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, 2 Sep, 9 Sep, 16 Sep, 23 Sep, 30 Sep, 7 Oct, 14 Oct, 21 Oct, 28 Oct, 5 Nov, 12 Nov, 19 Nov, 26 Nov, 3 Dec ...
2019: 19 Nov, 3 Dec, 17 Dec, 24 Dec, 31 Dec
2020: 7 Jan, 14 Jan, 21 Jan, 28 Jan, 4 Feb, 11 Feb, 18 Feb, 25 Feb, 3 Mar, 10 Mar, 17 Mar, 24 Mar, 31 Mar, 1 Apr, 8 Apr, 15 Apr, 22 Apr, 29 Apr, 6 May, 13 May, 20 May, 27 May, 3 Jun, 10 Jun, 17 Jun, 24 Jun, 1 Jul, 8 Jul, 15 Jul, 22 Jul, 29 Jul, 5 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, 2 Sep, 9 Sep, 16 Sep, 23 Sep, 30 Sep, 7 Oct, 14 Oct, 21 Oct, 28 Oct, 5 Nov, 12 Nov, 19 Nov, 26 Nov, 3 Dec ...
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Budget safari or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Best time to go on a budget safari
The best time to go on a budget safari is, for most people, when the price is right. A bargain is a bargain, right? Even if the clouds are starting to gather in force.
In general, the dry season is the best time to go on safari, as this is when wildlife gathers around the rapidly shrinking waterholes. Once the rain comes, the animals start to scatter. The rainy season does bring migratory wildlife, such as wildebeest and zebra in the Maasai Mara and Serengeti. In Namibia, the green season is a joy in its own right, as the desert dust disappears, revealing a bevy of beautiful birdlife.
More about Budget safari
If you’re wondering where to go on a budget safari then check out our budget safari map & itineraries page that will help you make the most of your time in the world-famous national parks of: Kruger, Chobe and awesome Etosha.
When it comes to safari holidays, Kenya has been catering to all tastes and budgets for decades. Here, budget safaris make the most of Kenya’s geography, whisking you between parks that are conveniently close to one another, to trim out costly domestic flights.
The only thing that’s modest on budget Tanzania safaris is the price. This big, beautiful country is hopping with wildlife, bursting with impressive landscapes and the staging ground for epic spectacles, all waiting to be enjoyed on holidays that won’t break the bank.
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Johann S.] [Top box: Hu Chen]
[Go/don't go if: Abir Anwar]
[Best time to go: Thomson Safaris Tanzania Safaris and Kili Treks]
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