Why is African safari so expensive?

Why are African safaris so expensive? is a question we are asked a lot since we have been in the safari industry for years and we have the experience. Although going on a safari is one of the most thrilling and unforgettable vacation experiences you will ever have, it won’t be the cheapest trip you will ever have. It’s a genuinely transformative experience that profoundly stirs your soul. People that adore Africa find themselves coming again and time again because it is a magical continent. Granted, the cost may be more than in other regions, but it would be difficult to find an African safari traveller who didn’t appreciate that the trip was well worth the money.

Distance and Infrastructure

The reason why the African safaris are so expensive are contributed by three factors: Three primary factors contribute to Africa’s reputation as an expensive travel destination: inadequate infrastructure, sophisticated logistics, and high staff-to-guest ratios. When you combine these elements with a tourist strategy that advocates for “high price-low density” in order to shield delicate ecosystems from large-scale human traffic (much like Botswana does with the Okavango Delta), you may get a decent idea of what drives up safari prices. But let’s take a closer look at this query to see if you still have questions about why African safaris are so pricey. Sometimes roads are made of dirt, and during strong, seasonal rains or floods, they might be washed away. The road maintenance in the Serengeti National park requires extensive logistical planning.

The Location of the Parks and Reserves

Safari Camps are located in the most remote area and they are far away from towns and they require a lot of logistical arrangement to facilitate the necessities required for the comfort of the safari travellers. Every food you take in this camps and lodges, beer bottle you sip, soap drop you use, mattress you sleep on, fan that keeps you cool, and mattress were transported over thousands of miles of unpaved roads or might have been transported across rivers on boats. Although it usually takes two hours to fly to a camp, driving there to provide supplies can take two days, and flying in is far more costly. The closest store could be more than 200 kilometres (124 miles) away on a seldom-travelled road, so there is just no chance to quickly get to the store. Because of their severe isolation, safari lodges require very careful logistical planning to keep them operating, which drives up their operational costs and contributes to the high cost of African safaris.

The Staff required

The crew is another factor that has the power to make or ruin your vacation. Many safari camps have staff-to-guest ratios of five to one or greater. Only a porter, concierge, sometimes a maid, a barman or a waiter may be present at upscale hotels in first-world nations; all of them depart at the end of the day to go home. Since the majority of employees in Africa reside on the safari lodge’s grounds, all of their meals, laundry, lodging, uniforms, personal hygiene products, entertainment, transportation, and medical care must be covered. Additional staff is required because many camps also provide services like free laundry, private butlers, babysitters, private guides, and birding specialists. Gardeners who will have to keep the environment neat and tidy are hired to make the environment beautiful. There are also a great number of personnel such as housekeeping, anti-poaching teams, and constructors and maintenance workers who make sure the solar panels and generators continue to function.

The National parks and Reserves entrance fees

It is a requirement that all safari tour visitors spend within an African national park, wildlife reserve, or conservancy is subject to a conservation fee. This is the method used to finance the extensive management of these protected areas. Your safari’s price includes conservation fees, which are donated to national parks and private or native landowners. By paying these tariffs, you encourage local communities to actively contribute to the preservation of Africa’s remarkable ecosystems and directly fund the conservation of wildlife. When you get the cost estimates, the fees that are charged are the main reason why African safaris are so expensive.

The majority of safari hotels and camps were established with the intention of conserving land and wildlife particularly in private game reserves and conservancies. Time, money, effort, and manpower—such as anti-poaching units—are all necessary for protecting the land and wildlife. Your stay significantly supports conservation projects and community uplifting activities to help protect the ecosystems and species. Staying at a lodge or camp during your safari vacation in most places gives locals much-needed work, which lessens the necessity for or motivation for poaching.

Accommodations

The term “all-inclusive” refers to a daily charge per person that covers your lodging, meals, snacks, standard beverages, and general game-viewing activities. At first look, this is typically the reason why African safaris are so costly. In actuality, all-inclusive safaris provide outstanding value for the money.

On your Africa safari you will be in a remote region, the safari camp will have to provide almost everything because there are usually no restaurants nearby from which you can get meals. Therefore, the cost of accommodation on a safari may initially seem excessive, especially when compared to a hotel stay that only offers breakfast. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this up-front cost includes more, so you will spend less money overall at the safari lodge.

The comfort and Luxury

Needless to say, increased management and maintenance costs translate into higher lodging rates for guests at a lodge or camp that is more opulent. While many tented camps recreate the splendour and extravagance of safari’s romantic past, others have completely revitalised the safari lodge, presenting a fresh interpretation of African luxury, authenticity, and aesthetics. High-end cars, air conditioning, wood-burning fireplaces, Victorian bathtubs, and modern gourmet dining with views of some of the most breathtaking and untamed landscapes on earth are all features that the best luxury safari lodges in Africa frequently have to offer. Of course, all of that costs more than the less expensive African safari options.

Booking Directly or through a Tour operator

The question is to Why are safaris so expensive? is likely to be on your mind if you have ever attempted to book your safari directly as opposed to through a safari tour operator. A safari tour operator will provide you with the greatest  safari deals. Focus East Africa safari tour is a reputable safari company, has established reliable connections with the top safari operators in Africa, enabling you to get the best negotiated prices and the best value without sacrificing the credibility of your Kenya safari trip.