What is the cost of an African Safari? My complete Kenya & Tanzania Budget Breakdown
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Updated: January 2025
When I booked this trip (just six weeks before departure – classic me), I knew it would be pricier than my usual budget adventures. But after years of travel restrictions, I’d been saving for something special to celebrate the return of travel, and an African safari felt like the perfect choice.
The cost of an African safari can add up quickly, and booking last minute certainly didn’t help. Safaris are often considered bucket-list experiences, and with their unique accommodations, guided game drives, and park fees, they tend to be more expensive than your average trip.
Knowing this, I made it a point to track every dollar spent to better understand the full cost and provide a detailed breakdown for anyone else dreaming of a safari in Kenya and Tanzania.
Whether you’re wondering about the cost of an African safari to help you save, or just curious how to make it work within your budget, this guide will give you a clear idea of what to expect. From accommodations and transport to meals and extras, here’s everything I spent over 12 days on my safari trip.
Table of Contents
Costs prior to leaving
- Return Flights (Perth/ Nairobi) – AUD $3000
Flights were by far my biggest expense. While I usually book well in advance for better deals, I booked last minute, which meant I paid a higher price. Luckily, I used Qantas Frequent Flyer points to reduce the cost by AUD $400. (Pro tip: Always check for points or miles that might be expiring!) - “East Africa Highlights” 10-day Tour with Intrepid – AUD $3794
I booked this last minute and snagged a discount of AUD $1,626 off the original price. Tour companies, like Intrepid, often run deals throughout the year – such as Black Friday sales or last-minute discounts closer to departure – so it’s worth keeping an eye out to save on your tour.
If this trip doesn’t seem like the right fit for your budget, Intrepid also offers “Essential East Africa,” which is a budget version of this trip for travellers between 18 – 35 year olds. - Pre-booked arrival transfer from Nairobi Airport to hotel – AUD $64
You could grab a taxi on arrival for around USD $20–30, but I wanted the peace of mind of having this organised ahead of time. - Medical
- Travel Consult* – AUD $82
This was a medical appointment with a registered medical practitioner. - Yellow Fever vaccination* – AUD $138.00
- Hep A and Typhoid vaccination* – AUD $190.00
- Malarone Tablets* – AUD $60-80
Sooo I’ve lost the receipt for this one so this is an estimation. I know they were quite pricey!
- Travel Consult* – AUD $82
- Visas
- Visa for Kenya – AUD $79
Payment for this is USD $50. You’ll pay for this in USD so the conversion rate to AUD might differ from what I’ve written. - Visa for Tanzania (at the border) AUD $79
Payment for this is USD $50. You’ll pay for this in USD so the conversion rate to AUD might differ from what I’ve written. - Visa for Tanzania that I processed too late online so it didn’t come through in time (hence above) AUD $79
Payment for this is USD $50. This won’t apply to you unless you make the same mistake I did (pleaaaase don’t haha). Organise those visas 3-4 weeks before your trip and not days before like me (story for another time!)
- Visa for Kenya – AUD $79
Pre-tour costs
- Pre-tour accomodation (1 night) – AUD $ 118.69
- Food and drinks:
- Dinner at hotel (Main and a drink) – AUD $ 13.42
- Lunch at hotel (Entree and a drink) – AUD $12.87
- Dinner at hotel (Main and a drink) – AUD $ 9.68
- Dinner at hotel (Main and a drink) – AUD $ 13.42
Costs on the tour
- Food and drinks
- Snacks and drinks for the bus – AUD $14.52
- Lunch (day 2 of tour)- AUD $10
- More snacks and drinks – AUD $25
- Buffet Dinner (day 8 of tour) – AUD $23.62
- Buffet Dinner (day 9 of tour) – AUD $23.62
- Snacks and drinks for the bus – AUD $14.52
- Tipping
- Tipping kitty – AUD $79
Our group decided to do a tipping kitty for hotel staff, local tour guides, etc. We put in USD $50 each. - Tips for Tour Leader, Chef and Driver – AUD $120
I tipped in USD or KSh (Our crew were Kenyan and would be able to use the Kenyan currency. However, USD is preferred.
- Tipping kitty – AUD $79
- Shopping/ souvenirs costs:
- Bag of spice – AUD $9.93
- Key rings, magnets etc – AUD $25.20
- Bracelet from the Hadzabe tribe – AUD $20
Post Tour
- Post-tour accomodation (1 night) – AUD $120.48
- Giraffe Centre Entry – AUD $15
Entry price is KSh 1500.
- Transport
- Cost for taxi to and from Giraffe Centre – AUD $31.92
Cost split between two people. Total cost before splitting was USD $40. - Taxi to the airport – AUD $23.62
Split the ride with someone from my tour group who ended up on the same flight. Total cost before splitting was USD $30.
- Cost for taxi to and from Giraffe Centre – AUD $31.92
- Food and drinks:
- Lunch (fries and a drink) – AUD $8
- Dinner (main and a drink) – AUD $15
- Breakfast (with a drink) – AUD $12
- Lunch at Nairobi airport (main and a drink) – AUD $14.48
- Lunch (fries and a drink) – AUD $8
Costs in-transit (Dubai Airport)
- Food – AUD $21.99
- Beverages – AUD $15.25
Total = AUD $8,368.29^
* This is not meant as medical advice, please always consult a doctor in relation to what vaccinations you will require according to the destinations you’re travelling to and your own vaccination history.
^ While the prices quoted are what I paid as at 17 October 2023, they may vary for you.
I hope this detailed breakdown of the cost of an African safari, including my Kenya and Tanzania trip expenses, gives you a clearer idea of what to budget for your own adventure. Whether your spending habits differ from mine or you’re planning a more luxurious or budget-friendly trip, this guide should help you make informed decisions and plan your bucket-list experience
Money-saving tips for an African safari
- Book flights early: I booked late and paid for it. If you can, book flights a few months in advance to find better deals.
- Check for tour discounts: Keep an eye on tour operators’ websites for discounts, especially close to departure dates.
- Plan medical costs: Vaccinations and malaria tablets add up, so budget for these in advance.
- Be organised with visas: Apply for visas at least 3–4 weeks (or as per the current advice) before your trip to avoid paying twice like I did.
- Tipping budget: Factor in tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff; they’re a significant part of safari expenses.
Have a question about the cost of an African safari?
I’d love to hear from you if any questions about the cost of an African safari As always, you’re welcome to leave any thoughts or questions in the comments below and I will do my best to answer you. Or feel free to send me a message via my contact page.
Planning a trip to Kenya and Tanzania? Check out these posts:
Trip Planning Resources
eSIM Card
After years of hunting for local SIM cards or paying hefty roaming fees, I finally switched to Airalo eSIMs for my recent trips to India and Thailand – and it’s been a total game changer. As a solo traveller, having immediate connectivity upon landing gives me a comforting sense of security.
Travel Money Card
Over the years, I’ve tried several travel cards, but my go-to is Wise. It offers excellent exchange rates and is super convenient to reload with options like ApplePay, bank transfer, debit card, or credit card. Plus, it’s a Visa card, which came in handy when travelling to places like Tanzania, where many ATMs didn’t accept MasterCard.
Tours and attractions
Over the years, I’ve booked most of my tours and tickets through Viator (unless I’m booking directly with local vendors or at the attractions themselves). Recently, I’ve started exploring GetYourGuide as well. Both websites offer a fantastic range of tour options, and since they sometimes have different selections, it’s definitely worth checking out both.
Accommodation
For over 10 years, I’ve been religiously booking my accommodation through Booking.com – it’s my go-to platform for keeping all my trip’s hotels and hostels organised in one place.
