Luxury safaris

A luxury privately guided safari in East or southern Africa will set you back between 1000 and 3000 USD per person per night in 2027, and much more if you are an over-the-top sort of person. This is all-inclusive, but for international flights, so for a 7 - 9 night safari, you are looking at between 7000 USD and 27 000 per person. The price variation depends on the camp tier, season and the size of the group (see the detailed breakdown below). We are not going to pretend this is a cheap-as-chips camping holiday, but we’ll give you an idea of what’s included and - most importantly - why it’s worth every dime.

What's included in the price

• Accommodation - luxury accommodation (tented for the more basic options or bricks and mortar suites for the uber-luxurious)

• Food - great meals, endless snacks, teas, coffees, sundowners, most drinks. For the more premium ones - minibars, room snacks etc.

• Activities - game drives, walks, sunset cruises, mekoro rides, boat trips, snorkeling. Basically just about everything that your destination offers on-site is included. 

• Park and conservation fees, where itinerary-specific - these help maintain the pristine environments we want to send you to. 

• Internal flights - from the capital cities to the safari launchpad towns and into the luxurious camps where the wildlife lives. 

• If you choose a privately guided option, then you have a WildEarth guide at your beck and call for the duration of your stay. 

What Drives the Price Up or Down

• Season - a lot of places have high and low seasons. In East Africa where the migration is, the prices are higher - by up to 50%. In southern Africa (Botswana), the cooler months when the Okavango floods and the festive period can see prices almost double. South Africa is a notable exception with very little variation.  

• Camp tier - there are camps and there are camps. WildEarth partners with a small range of exceptional destinations that we believe represent the ideal combinations of hospitality, guiding, wildlife, food (home-cooked to haute cuisine) and accommodation (comfortable tented to opulent suites)  - each of these aspects can dictate the price point. It really depends on what is important to you. 

• Location - to the untrained eye, the best wildlife locations are impossible to discern. Some camps look great but are located in suboptimal areas - close to fences, too many other camps close by, difficult access, small concessions - that’s where we help you avoid a mistake. 

• Party size and room type - if you're single in your own room, most places charge a single supplement. If you are travelling in a group, the price comes down a bit - especially if you are using a private guide.   

• Flights vs road transfers - there is nothing quite so magical and ‘Out of Africa’ as flying into your safari destination on a small (relatively) plane. Where flying is an option, we recommend it.

• Exclusivity - on a privately-guided safari, you generally want a private vehicle. The more expensive camps offer this as a default, but others charge a premium - worth thinking about whether or not you are prepared to share your safari experience with strangers. 

Real Trip Cost Breakdown 

Here’s an idea of what a mid-tier luxury safari costs and how it all adds up. 

Cost Breakdown for 8 Nights

Accommodation

— Camps/lodges, all meals, most drinks, activities (drives, walks):

approximately 75% of total cost ($12,750)

Flights & Transfers

— Light-aircraft or scheduled flights between camps, road transfers:

approximately 15% of total cost ($2,550)

Park & Conservation Fees

— National park entry, conservation fees, concession fees:

approximately 5% of total cost ($850)

Extras

— Airport meet & greet, visas, optional activities:

approximately 5% of total cost ($850)

Total: $17,000 USD for 8 nights

Cost by Tier

Entry-Level Luxury (from $1,000 per person, per night)
Comfortable tents with full amenities and home-style meals, everything you need without many frills. Private vehicles cost extra. Camps tend to be either quite large or set in a remote location, with a communal pool. Best for travellers seeking budget-friendly authenticity, an explorer feel, and a fully wildlife-focused trip.

Premium (from $1,700 per person, per night)
Smaller camps with a dedicated butler, spa access, tented or solid suites, air-conditioning, and the option of a private vehicle. Food is delicious and varied, and the airstrip is close to camp. Amenities include a spa, gym, and private pool. Best for travellers who want creature comforts without being over-the-top, including multi-generational families with different tastes.

Ultra-Luxury / Private (from $3,000 per person, per night)
Large concessions in wildlife-rich areas with superbly trained hospitality staff. Options include exclusive-use villas or opulent suites, a private pool, and a private guide, butler, and concierge. Activities and timetables are bespoke, with haute cuisine from a kitchen able to prepare anything requested, private air charters, and a world-class spa with bespoke treatments and products. A wide range of activities is on offer, including drives, walking, hides, private bush meals, conservation experiences, tennis courts, and a gym. Best for travellers seeking a completely private wildlife experience, ultimate pampering, and trips built around celebrations, special occasions, or connoisseurs of luxurious living.

Consider mix of tiers

It is a great idea to mix and match different kinds of destinations on a safari - for example you might explore the Mabamba Swamps of Lake Victoria for shoebills staying in very basic accommodation and combine that with an ultra-luxurious stay in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda with gorilla trekking. Another great combination might see you tracking the migration in basic mobile camps before finishing off in a luxurious Indian ocean paradise.

Single Traveller Pricing

Note that solo travellers typically pay a single supplement rather than the full second-person rate - often 40-60% on top of the per-person sharing rate - see this itinerary here.

What's NOT Included

• Premium drinks - specialist wines, whiskies, and, if you can stomach it, imported tequila etc

• Spa treatments - if you book with us, we’ll consider tossing in a massage.

• Gratuities - much appreciated, not obligatory.

• International flights - we’ll take over from the time you step off your international flight.

• Visas - most countries require one, some are free and some have a marginal cost compared with the total of the safari

• Travel insurance - not because Africa is dangerous, but because if you have an issue you need to get home quickly.

How to Get an Accurate Quote 

If you’d like to go on a luxury safari, get hold of us. Also ask yourself what is really important to you for this trip. Is it pampering and creature comforts you really crave with the safari? Is it awesome wildlife with luxury being secondary? Is it an exotic location that is so desirable that you are prepared to forgo certain comforts?  Check this Cape to Kruger itinerary and this rather more exotic Zakouma in Chad itinerary.

FAQ 

Is a luxury safari worth the cost?

Absolutely! There is no need to rough it in Africa (unless you want to!). Let wildlife do the roughing, you’re on holiday, not an expedition.

Do luxury safaris include flights?

Yes, indeed, they do. All your internal and domestic flights are included. If you’d like us to include your international flights as well, we can do that also.

What's the cheapest time of year to go on safari?

The best value safaris are often in the so-called low season - but these can be magical times, free of crowds, full of wildlife and lesser-known gems. 

How much should I budget per day for a safari?

You should budget from 1000 USD per person per day all in. This can balloon to well above 7000 USD per person per day. A word of caution - make sure you know what you are paying for - the bathroom or the wildlife and then decide what is more important to you.