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In The Lion King, Simba says, “As you go through life, you will see that there are many things we don’t understand.” And the only thing we know is that things don’t always go as planned.
But it is not necessary when it comes to safari holidays. Here we’ve scoured the latest offers from tour operators to find the best Africa safari deals.
These are once-in-a-lifetime trips to see the wonders of the animal kingdom up close and personal, without a huge price tag, although you’ll pay more than a week in the Mediterranean. But that’s not surprising considering traveling so far… and staying in nature in some of the most remote and hauntingly beautiful places in the world.
More than 340 species of birds can be seen in Namibia’s Etosha National Park, including eagles, ostriches and flamingos.
MOTORHOME IN NAMIBIA
Drive your own four-wheel drive Toyota Hilux with a folding tent attached to the roof to visit Etosha National Park in Namibia, home to lions, leopards, black rhinos, giraffes and zebras. More than 340 species of birds can be seen, including eagles, ostriches and flamingos. Simply park at the campsites after picking up your vehicle, which comes with a cooktop and fridge, in Windhoek, the capital.
Book it: from £335 per person for a week (camperdays.es), return flights from 900pp (skyscanner.net), campsites from around £20 per person per night, or £1,375 in total (nationalparketosha.co.za).
Visit the Addo Elephant Park, where four safaris are included.
Colorful houses in the vibrant city of Cape Town in South Africa
CITY, WINE AND ELEPHANTS
Enjoy a stay in the vibrant city of Cape Town in South Africa, followed by a visit to the Stellenbosch wine region and a trip along the beautiful “Garden Route” along the coast, staying in hotels along the way on a trip without a driver. This culminates with a visit to Addo Elephant Park, where four game drives are included. In Cape Town, an excursion is organized to Cape Point, at the southwestern tip of Africa.
Book it: from £1,669 per person, including flights, ten nights in four or five-star hotels and car hire (centrodevuelo.es).
CLASSIC KENYA
Spot elephants, lions, hippos, leopards and more on a 12-day tour covering the Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo West National Park and Taito Hills Reserve in Kenya. Expect to also see giraffes, chetahs and zebras, as well as herons and kingfishers. An optional hot air balloon ride is offered in the Masai Mara. The trip includes two days on Diani Beach at the end before flying home.
Book it: from £2,712 per person including flights, 11 nights’ accommodation with 11 breakfasts, nine lunches and nine dinners, plus game drives (tui.es).
CAMPING IN BOTSWANA
Immerse yourself in the African wilderness on a fortnight-long organized camping trip with four-night stays in designated campsites with hot showers and laundry facilities, while you spend seven nights in a “wild camp” in the bush, where teams Support will install showers with buckets and rudimentary toilets. Yes, you are having a hard time, but it is an excellent opportunity to see sunsets and sunrises outdoors. You will also visit the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Okavango Delta, Moremi Savuti Game Reserve and Chobe National Park with game drives included.
Book it: 13 nights from £1,709 per person, including most meals; International flights around £1,000 extra (responsibletravel.com).
Traveling in a private 4X4 allows an intimate view of the spectacular Maasai landscape, including the lions.
Baboons are a common sight in the Masai Mara Nature Reserve.
Aberdare, east of the East African Rift Valley, is home to lions, wild dogs, baboons and elephants.
MASAI TASTER
If you’re short on time but want to try a safari for a good price, visit Kenya for a four-night ‘Private Taste of Kenya’ 4X4 road trip to Aberdare National Park, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara Nature Reserve. Aberdare, east of the East African Rift Valley, is home to lions, wild dogs, baboons and elephants. Traveling in a private 4X4 allows an intimate view of the spectacular landscape.
Book it: From £2,199 per person for four nights including full board accommodation (tropicalsky.es).
UGANDA GORILLAS
To witness some of the rarest creatures on the planet up close and personal in their wild natural habitat (not a zoo), join a 12-day adventure in Uganda to see the charming and gentle mountain gorillas in the Impenetrable Forest of Bwindi. There is the opportunity to spot chimpanzees and red-tailed monkeys in Kibale Forest, as well as giraffes, zebras and leopards in Lake Mburo National Park.
Book it: Seven nights from £2,399 per person, including accommodation, guides, all activities and plenty of meals, but not flights, which cost around £500 return (gadventures.com).
Go swimming and snorkeling in Lake Malawi
Lake Malawi National Park is a habitat for diverse wildlife, from colorful birds and fish to the Big Five.
DO IT MALAWI
Explore wildlife in Majete Wildlife Reserve and Liwonde National Park in the regions bordering Lake Malawi on a ten-day small-group tour of this southeast African country, where you can see cheetahs, lions and black rhinos wandering through the savanna. Swim and snorkel in Lake Malawi and then lounge on a beach at Mumbo Island Lodge and Nankoma Island at the end.
Book it: Nine nights from £2,666pp with accommodation, game drives and most meals, but no flights, which cost around £800 return (yellowwoodadventures.com).
An African leopard in Zimbabwe, among the impressive wildlife on display
Large herd of elephants on the open plains of Hwange National Park
Victoria Falls offers a spectacular view at sunset and you may even see a rainbow.
FULL OF ZIM
Enjoy four nights at a lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe, where you’ll have the chance to visit Victoria Falls (five kilometers away), kayak and white water raft, and see elephants, before embarking on a three-night safari . . This is at Hide Safari Camp in Hwange National Park, with walking safaris and game drives included. Expect to see lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras and giraffes.
Book it: Seven nights from £2,859pp with Zambezi lodge bed and breakfast and all-inclusive safari (dialaflight.com).
EPIC SAFARI
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime three-week group tour covering Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa with wildlife walks, safaris, river cruises and sightseeing visits included. The journey begins in Zimbabwe with a visit to Victoria Falls and a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, where you can spot hippos, crocodiles and elephants, before moving on to Botswana and a safari in Chobe National Park, plus a visit to the Okavango Delta. and Etosha National Park before seeing the world’s tallest sand dunes in Namibia.
Book it: 21 days from £5,899 per person with international flights, transfers, accommodation, most meals and a guide. (rambleworldwide.co.uk).
* More information: africanbudgetsafaris.com, safaribookings.com, tourradar.com