Often people think booking a Tanzania Safari is very expensive, which is true, considering you book your vacation in the most luxurious way possible. But then, you can also plan your safari to be under budget without compromising on the quality. If you have been dreaming of going on a safari and saving to make that happen, then you have come to the right place. Here we have mentioned seven tips that can make your Tanzania Safari Tours memorable and budget-friendly.
Travel during Low Season
If you want to visit Tanzania on a budget, do it during an off-peak and low-season. March-May and November – December are considered to be the off-peak season. During this season, you will get an experience that is very close but not exactly high-season. The off-peak season has many advantages, such as:
The cost is low. Safari activities, park fees, even flight tickets have low prices. During this season you may get exceptional deals on your package.
There are fewer crowds during the low-season.
Baby animals are generally born during January – April, which includes parts of low-season. You could witness the animal birth with must less crowd.
The prices of hotels and safari lodges are relatively low.
April and May tend to be Tanzania’s rainy season. But, that doesn’t mean heavy downpour or continuous rain. Yes, the ground could get muddy, but the scenery of the landscapes during a rainy day is something spectacular. And if you love wildlife photography, this would be the right season to book yourself a Tanzania Safari Tours.
Visit a Single National Park
Many Tanzania Safari Holidays involve visiting multiple national parks and game reserves that offer a wide range of wildlife exploration. Sticking to just one national park is a very great way to cut down your cost. A significant amount can be saved through vehicle rentals, flights, hotels, transfers, by focusing on just one good national park.
Therefore we suggest you book the Serengeti National park as it will provide you with a sight of the Great Wildebeest Migration. Other parks/game reserves that you can visit are Gombe Stream National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Selous Game Reserve etc.
Consider Group Travelling
Traveling in a group is a great way for cost-cutting. The prices of group Tanzania Safari is low because they are already planned out and the more the people, the less is the cost.
Benefits:
- You do not have to plan your itinerary, as it is already planned out
- The total cost of safari activities and accommodation is split among the group members, making it significantly less than a private tour
- You get to meet like-minded people on the tour. Hopefully make few friends along the way
- Seek out Camping
Tanzania has some amazing lodges and hotels with luxury facilities for tourists. But, these hotels are often very expensive for budget travelers. If you are going on a wildlife adventure, why not stay in the wild? You can go camping in tents that will save you a ton.
In fact, there are some wonderful campsites in the wilds of Tanzania. These sites very secure and have the necessary facilities. Some campsites even have electricity with barbecue facilities and restaurants.
Your Tanzania Travel Guide will provide you with clean tents, sleeping bags, camping chairs, and even chefs. Pitching a tent in the wild, under the stars, or near a lakeside will give you incredible experiences as you get attached to nature.
- Try for a Self-Drive Safari:
Hence Self-Drive Safaris are those safaris where you rent a car and drive yourself to various destinations without booking a driver/guide. Few Tanzania Safaris operator allow you to rent a car and drive independently.
In a self-drive safari, you make all the calls. You can create your own itinerary, change routes, manage your time when to go when to stop, how much time to stay at a particular site, which park to explore, and a lot more. Obviously, this only helps if you know where to go and where to look.
- Keep an Eye out for Better Offers:
Although a big chunk of your budget goes on the flight tickets you make. If you can, always plan in advance. Booking your flights months before your vacation would cost a lot less than last minute booking. Check deals on flights frequently. Flight tickets cost relatively less during the off-season. Go for mid-week traveling, as they cost less than weekend flights.
Also, check various websites and travel agencies for the best deal that will come under your budget and suits your itinerary. If the demand is low, travel agencies tend to promote packaged deals such as 3 days-4 nights for half price or extra game drives. If it will be under the budget, you could immediately book it.
- Little Things Cost More:
You can plan your big expense areas such as flight tickets, hotel rooms, safari packages, etc. But it’s the little things that we often ignore, which makes us go over budget. These are few things that should be kept in mind while you are budget traveling:
Tipping: While tipping is not mandatory, it is more of a courtesy. Do not go over tipping if you are sticking to a budget. Tip the minimum.
Travel Insurance: Do not forget to get your travel insurance. In case of a change of plans or events, you could save a fortune through your travel insurance.
Food and Drinks: Food and drinks at hotels and resorts are ridiculously expensive and then often fail to give authenticity. Try the local cuisine at local restaurants and street shops.
Shopping: Do not shop freely when you are on a budget. Do not purchase something you don’t want for a price higher than usual. If you want souvenirs, purchase one or two.
In conclusion, It is very easy to plan a Tanzania Safari within budget. Book a local operator, negotiate anywhere possible, try to make it a dry holiday, stay outside of national parks, etc. With these Tanzania Safari Tips and those mentioned above, you can book amazing, budget-friendly Tanzania Safari Tours with Jerry Tanzania Tours. Make sure to stick to your plans and have a great safari experience within the budget you have set.