We're not going to beat around the bush here - the words 'budget' and 'safari' are rarely used in the same sentence...

While safaris are well known to be some of the most expensive holidays, they really don't have to cost a fortune. There are plenty of ways to keep the costs down. 

Here are our insider tips on how to plan an affordable safari without forgoing comfort, style or your experience:

Travel outside of peak season

OK, so this one is a bit of a no-brainer. Going on safari during peak season can be eye-wateringly expensive, but travelling outside of peak can save you up to 50%. 

Even better, peak season doesn't always coincide with the best time to for wildlife viewing - it's also geared somewhat to the main holiday periods like Christmas and New Year. 

The most affordable time to travel is during 'Green Season' when the bush is full of new life. 

Minimise internal travel

Getting around Africa can be surprisingly expensive. Keeping to a single country, park or reserve is an easy way to manage costs.

We always suggest not trying to do too much during your safari (it is a holiday after all). We recommend spending 3 or 4 nights at most lodges to make the most of the area and activities on offer. There are exceptions however - at some lodges we'd recommend staying a week!

If you're interested in travelling to the beach after your safari, focus your efforts on one or two neighbouring countries where the transport links are good. 

Avoid reserves with high park fees

While the cost of accommodation varies throughout the year depending on season, the park fees remain the same year-round. 

Some countries and parks have much lower fees than others (up to £100 per night in Tanzania). We recommend understanding where the lion's share (too tempting to resist, sorry...) of the cost is being spent. 

Did you know that a gorilla permit in Rwanda is more than double the cost of a permit in Uganda?

Travel somewhere with a good exchange rate

It sounds so simple, but check where you get best value for your currency. 

Both Namibia and South Africa use the Rand which can be very good value. Large parts of Eastern Africa use the US Dollar, while some areas in Botswana use the Pula. A number of islands around Africa use the Euro.

Book Early

If you're able to book over a year in advance, lodges might honour the previous year's rate, sometimes saving you up to 10%.

If you're looking for a good deal on flights, we recommend doing a bit of research and finding which airlines fly on the route, then sign up to their newsletters and book when they have their sale.

Travel in a group

Renting a private lodge in a reserve might not sound very cost-effective, but if you spread the cost between a group the savings can be enormous. We've made a very handy list of our favourite exclusive use lodges, some of which can sleep up to 12 people!

Going one further, depending on the size of your group, you might be able to save by chartering your own private plane.

Look out for promotions

While they're not that common, some lodges and camps around Africa offer fantastic discounts. 

If you stay with the same lodge operator for 4 nights or more, they might offer a long stay discount ('pay for 3 stay for 4', all the way through to 'pay for 10 stay for 14'). Or, if you are visiting a couple of their lodges, they will pay for internal travel between.

Some of the discounts can be superb. Particularly If you're planning a honeymoon or anniversary. We know all of the juicy ones!

Last-minute deals

If you're flexible with when you can travel, lots of lodges offer very good last-minute promotions aimed at filling vacant rooms. The promotions can be very good, and can even be for travel during peak season.

We recommend signing up to lodge newsletters (or ask us to keep an eye out for you). Then it's just a case of being ready to jump on that plane!

Avoid places with potential additional costs

Take into account anything else that you might need to spend money on. Do you need a visa to travel? Are the international flights much more expensive? Do you need a specific vaccination to enter the country?

Safari lodges are almost always fully inclusive so you won't have any nasty surprises when you're there. Just factor in a bit of pocket money for tips.  

Speak to an expert

Ultimately, this is the best way to make your money work the best. Experts like us know every trick in the book to make your budget stretch the furthest.

Additionally, we know handy little additions that you may not know about that have the potential to make your safari even more memorable. 

What's even better is that you'll more than likely end up spending less booking through an expert. There's no fee to use us - you essentially get our services for free!

If you've been inspired to start planning your safari, get in touch with us here, or complete the Start Planning form (the button on the bottom right of your screen).

Alternatively, send an email to safari@bonamy.co.uk, or give us a call on +44 (0) 20 3575 1098 and we can chat.