Self-Drive African Safaris

Only for the Adventurous & Experienced (Limited Recommendations).

A self-drive African safari is often the most budget-friendly option, but it also comes with the most personal responsibility. This involves renting a 4×4 vehicle and camping equipment (we’ve used SelfDive4x4.com as an example), and then navigating the destinations wilderness areas independently. You’ll be responsible for booking your own campsites, locating animals, adhering to all safety regulations, and managing every aspect of your trip.

What you generally get for the cost:

• A 4×4 vehicle suitable for challenging off-road conditions.
• Camping equipment, typically including a roof-top tent with mattress, a compact kitchen (fridge/freezer, stovetop).
• Table & chairs: 1 table and 2-5 chairs.
• Lantern: 12v rechargeable lantern or gas lamp.
• Jerrycan for fuel: 1 or 2 jerrycan(s), 20 liters (depending on type).
• Water tank: A 40 liter water tank (depending on type).

Basic items NOT included (and essential for budgeting):

• Food, water, and other drinks and snacks – these will need to be purchased.
• Fuel for your vehicle and cooking for the entire duration of your trip.
• Campsite bookings and accompanying national park fees.
• Cross border fees.
• GPS and/or Satellite phone.

Important considerations before planning a self-drive safari (Naturecrazi Safaris’ perspective):

• Lack of Expert Guidance: You will not have a professional safari guide. This means navigating the bush entirely on your own using maps and limited GPS. Self-drivers can frequently get lost, experience vehicle breakdowns, or become stuck, potentially incurring significant rescue costs.
• Missed Opportunities: Without an expert to interpret animal tracks or explain behaviors, you’ll be relying on guidebooks to identify and understand what you’re seeing (if you even find the animals!). A professional guide enhances the educational and interpretive aspects of your safari immensely.

Wilderness Expertise Required: To minimize your African safari costs, you must be highly proficient in wilderness camping. There will be no one to assist with setting up/taking down camp, preparing meals, or general bush navigation. You must be prepared for all eventualities independently.

Naturecrazi Safaris’ Recommendation: While we understand the appeal of independence, we generally do not recommend a self-drive safari in remote, challenging environments like Botswana’s wilderness for most travelers. The difficult driving conditions, the risk of getting lost or stuck, and the potential to miss out on incredible wildlife sightings and crucial interpretive information from a skilled guide significantly diminish the overall safari experience. Our priority is your safety and ensuring you have the most enriching safari possible.

Budget African Safaris

The second most affordable option is a budget African safari, often a fantastic blend of an all-inclusive and self-drive experience. With Naturecrazi Safaris, a budget mobile tented safari allows you to enjoy key benefits of a guided safari, including a professional guide, essential camp equipment, a safari vehicle, basic meals, and expert navigation, while being more cost-effective.

You can plan a budget African safari for $250 – $400 USD per person, per night.

What you generally get for the cost (can vary by operator, so always confirm with Naturecrazi Safaris):

• A dedicated safari guide to drive you around the bush, expertly track animals, and serve as your invaluable resource for all questions and safety considerations.
• All essential camping equipment, including comfortable small tents, sleeping bags/cots, basic ablutions (often drop toilets and bush showers), folding chairs, and other necessities.
• Basic meal preparation and cooking (often over an open fire), along with basic drinks (sometimes including local alcoholic beverages).
• A 4×4 safari vehicle (driven by your experienced safari guide).
• Campsite reservations, national park fees, and all vehicle fuel are typically included in this African safari cost.

Basic items NOT always included (and good to clarify with Naturecrazi Safaris):

• Premium meals and a wider selection of alcoholic beverages.
• Full-service camp assistance. In some budget options, you might be expected to assist with setting up your own tent, treating it more like self-camping with a guide nearby.

Important considerations before planning a budget safari with Naturecrazi Safaris:

• Comfort Levels: You need to be comfortable with a more rustic camping experience, with fewer creature comforts, if you opt for a budget African safari.
• Service Level: A budget African safari focuses on core experiences, so you’ll need to be prepared to compromise on some conveniences to achieve a lower price point. This doesn’t mean your safari won’t be incredible; it just means you prioritize different aspects.

If you have a tighter budget but are eager to experience an authentic African safari, a budget safari with Naturecrazi Safaris is an excellent choice. The key is to discuss your comfort requirements with us. For example, if a proper bed with a mattress is essential, we can guide you to options that include this. Our Botswana Mobile Lodge-To-Lodge Safari is a prime example. Some budget options may use communal ablution facilities at campsites, while others offer private en-suite tents. There’s a budget level for almost everyone; just ask questions and choose what aligns with your preferences.

Crucial Advice from Naturecrazi Safaris:

Never compromise on the quality of your safari guide. Your guide is paramount to your experience. When considering a budget safari, inquire about the experience and qualifications of the guides provided by Naturecrazi Safaris. A knowledgeable and passionate guide will elevate your safari exponentially.

All-Inclusive African Safaris

The Ultimate Naturecrazi Safari Experience

The pinnacle of African safari experiences is the all-inclusive safari. This is the standard at most luxury lodges and many mobile camps. An all-inclusive safari means you pay one comprehensive price, and virtually everything is covered. Your cost includes superb accommodations, daily room servicing, gourmet chef-prepared meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), expert safari guiding, and a wide array of other thrilling safari activities.

All-inclusive safaris start at $500 per person per night and can cost upwards of $3,000 per person, per night.

What you generally get for the cost (highly varied based on luxury level):

• Daily safari activities, including multiple game drives, walking safaris, and potentially mokoro, boating safaris, or even helicopter flights (depending on the destination and lodge).
• A dedicated safari guide to lead your adventures, expertly track animals, and provide invaluable insights into the African wilderness.
• All accommodations, ranging from comfortable en-suite tents to opulent villas, often with private decks and stunning views. Lodges typically feature inviting communal areas like pavilions, lobbies, and elegant dining spaces.
• Full-service provided by attentive staff, including daily cleaning, personalized meal service, and comprehensive camp care (often including daily laundry service).
• Premium meal service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a selection of drinks including local alcohols and often premium spirits, wines, and imported beverages.
• All necessary campsite reservations, vehicles, national park fees, and other incidentals related to your safari experience.

Basic items NOT included (primarily personal expenses):

• Travel insurance, health insurance, visa, and passport fees.
• Cash gratuities (tips) for staff (though some ultra-luxury options may include a service charge).
• International and internal bush flights to reach your lodge or camp.
• Personal purchases such as souvenirs, items from the lodge shop, or premium specific requests outside the standard offerings.

Important considerations before planning an all-inclusive safari:

• Luxury Tiers: The nightly rate significantly influences the level of luxury and amenities at your chosen lodge or camp. A higher budget might include private plunge pools, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, in-room televisions, or an even more extensive selection of premium imported alcohols. Consider it like selecting a high-end hotel: more expense generally equates to more luxurious facilities and services.
• Safari Experience Consistency: What often remains consistently excellent, even as you pay more, is the core safari experience itself. Paying a higher price doesn’t necessarily guarantee “better” guides (as Naturecrazi Safaris prides itself on high-quality guides across all its offerings) or more frequent game drives. The quality of the actual wildlife viewing experience is often more dependent on the expertise of your operator and guide, and the natural dynamics of the bush, rather than solely on your budget.
• Prioritize Your Needs: With Naturecrazi Safaris, we encourage you to define what’s most important for your safari. Then, we can help you find options that fit within your budget and highlight where you might be willing to compromise. More expensive doesn’t always mean “better” for your personal preferences. Some all-inclusive safaris are priced highly due to their exclusive nature or unique amenities, and you should ensure these align with your desired experience. For instance, if your primary goal is exceptional wildlife photography, you might prioritize a lodge known for its guiding and vehicle access over one with a lavish spa.

If your budget allows, Naturecrazi Safaris highly recommends an all-inclusive safari. This option generally provides the most seamless, comfortable, and memorable safari experience, leaving you with minimal logistical worries. The key is to determine your essential needs and preferences.

• If you don’t plan to use a swimming pool, don’t pay for it.
• If you wish to disconnect, don’t prioritize Wi-Fi or TV.
• If your ultimate goal is to immerse yourself in the wildlife, select an all-inclusive option that emphasizes extensive game drives and expert guiding over non-essential amenities.

Exclusive Use African Safaris

For groups of 5 -10 guests

An exclusive-use safari means you book the entire lodge or facility for the exclusive use of your group. There are no other guests and your group has all services focused entirely on your wants and needs.

Your cost includes superb accommodations, daily room servicing, a dedicated gourmet chef to prepare meals and snacks, a safari vehicle with expert guide, a nanny (if child minding is required), and a wide array of other thrilling safari activities.

Exclusive use safaris start from $700 to $2,500 per person, per night.

Our 6 Day Dhow Marine Safari in Kenya’s Lamu Archipelago is a prime example.