Reducing Safari cost.
I will be arriving to Tanzania on the 12th of July. I would like to a safari through the Serengeti NP and visit the area in about 5 days before climbing Kili. I would then spend 2 days in Zanzabar after Kilimanjaro and proceed to South Africa. I will be traveling for 6 weeks. I have been reading some suggestions from other travelers and they have been very helpful. Sane Dallas suggestion about getting to Arusha and making a deal at the tourist office has been a fresh of breath air. I was looking at the cost of a 5 day safari and they quoted me $1564 plus park fees....Could anyone share helpful experiences that would help me see the migration and explore as much as possible without selling my liver? Thanks....
Reply to this Hello Helen 😊
I traveled independently in East Africa. That costs pretty much what you want it to because you can travel very cheaply and pick and choose what you want to splash out more for. If you spent 500 $ on 5 days of independent travel in East Africa you would be living like a queen. 😊
Mel
Reply to this One thing is going on safari and completely different thing is having an independent travel outside "safari" zone... Safaris are darn expensive, both in Tanzania and in Kenya, however Tanzania seems to be more expensive. 1564US$ for 5 days seems to be a luxury safari, you can get 5 days safaris for much lower... try looking for camping safaris, it all depends what do you want and expect...
To my information (which cannot be 100% accurate, from a friend who was there last year) a day on a budget camping safari in Tanzania costs from 100-150US$, in Kenya less... If you want to go to Tanzania, I guess you could get better deals on spot in Arusha... HOWEVER, it is a lot of hassle, there are a lot of touts, "agents" wanting to sell you a deal and sometimes you don't know what to get until the end... I went on two safaris, Tanzania (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara - november 1998), Kenya (Masai Mara, big movement of game - july 2005) and those were completely different experiences, and Masai Mara was a bit of disappointment...
Besides, in some less reputable safari companies they will put on the market low prices, downside is that they will pack lots of people in the car...
Reply to this Hey thanks for the info... I am planning a
in Africa by this winter.... I gather huge info here Reply to this Thank you Mel for the heads up. How did you negotiate your safari? Did you arrive to Arusha and negotiated then? Do you recommend a company that you might have used? thanks
Reply to this Thank you matevzH for sharing your input on Safari. I do agree with you, $1500 + is too much for a safari. I am trying to find a cheapter way to make it. You mentioned the hassle, how bad is it? I worry about this a bit. I am traveling on my own (don't have much experience traveling on my own) for the first time. I am also ready to experience how to be a smart traveller and not pay full faires when I could hussle a bit and enjoy my travels at a reduce cost. If you have any wise advise, please pass it on... helen
Reply to this Its nice to read what people are posting on this topic. I am looking at doing a safari in South Africa and a couple other countries but i'm confused as to the cost. I have seen prices like what is posted in #3 above for five days but I have also seen 21 days for the same price. Any chance people could provide me with scams to watch out for, how to judge a good company from a bad one and how much I should budget per day for a month of travel in SA, Zambia, Mozambique, kenya and maybe Namibia. I still have no idea if I will hit all of them but I have seen overland safaris that deal with the countries I mentioned. I am also considering self guiding or meeting up with others looking for a travel partner to split costs on a vehicle. This portion of my world tour is proving to be the most confusing in terms of solid planning? I'm not sure what travelblogs policy is for posting links or websites but if those who have travelled in africa could send me some links via email that they know to be reputable that would be great. Cheers
Reply to this I didnt go on a Safari Helen. I traveled independently. If I was going on a safari I would choose one that travelers recommend. I dont think everybody offering safaris can be trusted. Otherwise, go to a hostel or cheap hotel which backpackers frequent. If they are used to backpackers they will likely be reliable and will recommend only reliable and good value services. Ask there about safaris.
Reply to this Hello Ryan 😊
To find somebody to share vehicle costs with you could try posting on the following forum.
Looking for Travelling Companions
About the linking policy: Advertising is not encouraged on these fora but links to companies that are tried and tested and recommended by genuine travelers are. Please avoid posting email addresses and phone numbers. We delete these to prevent spammers from gathering and using them. You can exchange these via the private messaging system.
Mel
Reply to this Thanks Mell for the headsup. You sound like such an experience traveller, I am looking forward to accumulate your wealth of travel experience. Silly question, but what do you mean by "independant traveller"? Those this means that you arrange your travel plans as you go....negotiating, etc...or you rent a truck and travel with a map? new to this, but SUPER excited!!!!
Reply to this Independent travelers are ones who travel without being on a tour. Some travel completely independently and others do things like hire a guide to show them around a temple or a castle or to go on a safari.....
Here is a forum especially for those who are new to independent travel, in case you are interested in giving it a try.
New to independent travel Reply to this Thanks Mel...but I have tried the "thread" and have not been very successful. I just came from the 5th travel agency today and I might have something for tomorrow....not sure, but in the works....thanks for keeping many of us going....
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