This is one of the most important decisions to make when planning a safari and key for us to make recommendations and design an itinerary that is appropriate for you.
Our passion is to help our clients get off the beaten path, develop a deeper understanding of the people and places they are visiting, to travel in a responsible manner, and to have a fun, memorable travel experience.
This means we focus on sending our clients to smaller, intimate camps, often in more remote parks and private concession areas. The places we recommend tend to be a bit pricier than mainstream trips not because of the level of luxury, but rather because this affords our clients the benefit to get away from the mass tourism- to experience pristine wilderness, be with highly skilled guides and have more authentic experiences. Our clients have always said it is worth the investment.
Some things to keep in mind: Going on safari will probably be one of the most expensive trips you will ever take. We recognize this, respect this and thus make every effort to work within your budget and provide you with the best value for money. As such, we’ve never heard anyone say it wasn’t worth every penny!
In general, the more remote, private and game rich the areas, the pricier the safari. Safari camps/lodges range from $450 – over $3,000 per person per night. Keep in mind that the costs tend to be “all inclusive” – including meals, drinks, activities, park fee, etc.. Our philosophy is to invest in a great experience in “the bush” and, if needed, cut back in urban areas.
On safari, “luxury” generally comes in the form of experiences rather than accommodation amenities. Higher priced camps are often that way due to their prime locations and offerings such as having fewer people in a vehicle, highly qualified guides, quality vehicles, policies that don’t limit the amount of kilometers, etc.. These are the things that we believe (and our clients keep telling us) really make a trip special and unique. This means that some of the more basic, tented camps are some of the more expensive.
More often than not, the price is first related to “the experience”. Of course there are camps/lodges that do offer luxurious accommodations. Some of these camps/lodges are less expensive than more basic camps as the focus is more on the accommodations than the experience.
At Global Sojourns, we focus on the experience first and the accommodations second. However, for those who enjoy their amenities, there are some wonderful camps/lodges that offer luxury both in terms of accommodation and experience.
Some people will save for years, knowing that going to Africa can be a trip of a lifetime. Subsequently they are tempted to fit too much into a short time and spend valuable time in transit. Instead, we suggest that you focus on seeing and experiencing certain areas more in depth. Then, consider a future visit to other regions (there is so many amazing places to see and experience!)
Other factors that can impact the cost of a safari include:
· which country/regions you visit
· # of countries/regions you visit
· when you travel (high/low season)
· privacy/size of the camps/lodges
· remoteness
· quality of guides and vehicles
· policies regarding # of people in a vehicle & distances included
· amenities
· choosing to travel by air or land to the camps/lodges
· time spent in urban areas vs. the bush
· length of trip
Global Sojourns is committed to recommending camps that offer the best value whether your price is mid-range or high. Also, unlike a number of operators/ consultants, we are completely independent in what we recommend to our clients. While cost will always vary depending on locations, seasons, accommodations, etc., we will always make every effort to provide you with an outstanding itinerary while staying within your budget.