What’s the real cost of traveling in Africa? It’s important to note that traveling in Africa can be quite expensive; you’re often paying for safety measures or navigating complex logistics. However, there are definitely ways to save.

This adventure kicked off with a playful WhatsApp message—"How about a road trip through Namibia?"—almost two years prior. Planning such a trip can be overwhelming, making me question if the wildlife was worth the hassle. (Spoiler: It absolutely was!)

I enjoy discussing finances openly and being transparent about travel costs. That’s why I recorded every dollar spent on a seven-month trip across Latin America in 2014, and I decided to do the same for this pricier two-month expedition in Africa.

To make the journey more budget-friendly, I traveled with my best friend, Becky, and we both worked remotely while on the road. Neither of us paid rent or a mortgage during this trip—Becky rented out her Lisbon apartment, and I opted to remain lease-free by choice. We also had two other friends join us at different times, further reducing our expenses. Importantly, I have no debt and would never go into debt for travel. This trip was a more ambitious version of a canceled 2020 trip, so I had saved significantly in advance! It was an unusual type of journey for me.

After hours of analyzing spreadsheets, I put together a comprehensive cost breakdown of traveling in Africa over two months to assist you in planning your own adventures. Here’s what I found:

(All costs are in USD.)

This post includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you, which supports blog upkeep.

Total Trip Cost: $12,789.83

Monthly Cost: $6,394.15

Daily Cost: $203/day for 63 days

Excludes flights. All costs are in USD.

Countries Visited: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, ZambiaTrip Length: 63 days

Itinerary in Southern Africa

Week 1: Cape Town

Week 2: Safari in Kruger National Park

Week 3: Relaxation in Windhoek, Namibia

Week 4: Safari through Botswana and Victoria Falls

Week 5: Leisure week in Windhoek, Namibia

Weeks 6 & 7: Road Trip around Namibia (self-drive)

Weeks 7 & 8: Back to Cape Town

Major Expenses in Africa

Our safari tours were the biggest expenses:

  • 8-Day G Adventures: Base Rate $2,294.15 + $472.46 (tips, airport transfers, $55 visa, meals & safari drives)Botswana and Victoria Falls Tour
  • 8-Day G Adventures: Base Rate $1,699 + $448 (tips, airport transfers, meals & safari drives)Kruger National Park Tour
  • Total for tours = $4,913.61, which made up 38.4% of the total cost!

Summary of Travel Costs in Africa

Considering the total cost of $12,789.23 USD, opinions may vary—some find it “outrageously expensive!” while others think “that’s a good deal,” depending on personal budgets and expectations. Just for perspective, luxury safaris can cost between $1-2.5k/day per person, while budget camping trips average around $166/day per person, approximately 19% less than our trip.

For instance, G Adventures provides a 40-day camping adventure across eight countries (Nairobi to Cape Town) for a base price of $6,199, recommending an extra $470 for meals not included. This averages $166/day but excludes optional safari activities, tips, or entrance fees such as the $50 for Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls. (G Adventures often has promotions—we saved around 15% on our tours.)

I documented all my expenses using the Dollarbird app, a subscription service ($34/year) recognized as the best finance management app I’ve encountered.

Detailed Expense Breakdown for the Africa Trip

Tours and Entrance Fees: $5,779.24

(Visas: $145; Entrance Fees: $426.65; Tours: $4,810.90; Tips: $396.69)

We participated in two eight-day safaris with G Adventures, a budget-friendly option recommended by travel colleagues. The prices listed are base rates and exclude optional safari activities, certain meals, tips, and airport transfers. We thoroughly enjoyed the tours and highly recommend them!

Certain activities can’t be done alone due to safety regulations, such as Sandwich Harbor Dune Driving ($175 per person) in Namibia, rhino tracking ($116 per person), and leopard spotting ($84 per person). We also booked several guided safari drives for better wildlife viewing.

Since tipping is customary, always budget an extra 10% minimum for gratuities. Entry fees for specific attractions can be steep—like the $50 entry fee for the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls.

Visa Costs in Africa

As of April 2025, Namibia mandates a $90 multiple-entry visa for U.S. citizens, and a $55 multiple-entry visa for Zimbabwe, which we needed for a day trip to Zambia. (If you hold dual citizenship, you can’t switch passports in Africa to save on visa fees. Immigration will notice past stamps to track your movements.)

Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp after seeing the nearby UNESCO rock art site.

Accommodation: $2,719.44

In rural Africa, you typically have two accommodation choices: camping ($20 per person in Namibia) or luxurious lodges. Since we were working remotely, camping wasn’t feasible, so we splurged on nicer accommodations for four nights during our two months, ranging from $281 per person to $143 per person, including two meals. We joked about feeling retired since we were often the youngest guests at these establishments! The heat also influenced our choice for more comfortable lodging.

For the remainder of our stay, we averaged around $57 per night per person for two-bedroom apartments with full kitchens and laundry facilities. (Swakopmund, Namibia was the most affordable—only $19 each per night for a two-bedroom apartment downtown.) In Namibia’s Etosha National Park, we spent $88 per night for a basic two-bedroom chalet.

Dining Expenses: $2,164.86

(Dining Out: $1,076.33; Groceries: $925.31; Alcohol: $163.22)

While traveling, we often snacked on sandwiches during long drives. Whenever we were in towns, we mostly dined out for convenience, especially after tiring travel days.

The priciest meal I had was $38.86, including tip and wine. In two months, only eight meals exceeded $30, with a median meal cost of $12.97. Dining out was relatively affordable—cute cafes in Cape Town offered breakfast sandwiches for $6, for instance. The cost of alcohol contributed to higher expenses. I tracked beer just for fun, which also includes wine. The wine scene in South Africa and craft beer in Cape Town were impressive!

Transportation: $1,539.68

(Car Rentals: $574.76; Gas: $111.06; Repairs: $73.73; Taxis & Private Transfers: $780.13)

We prioritized safety in our transport choices. Let’s be clear: walking alone at night is unsafe in most of Southern Africa. The risk of robbery and wildlife encounters is significant. We attempted to walk back from a farmer’s market in Cape Town, only to meet some Dutch travelers urging us to turn around due to a recent robbery.

We rented a 4×4 SUV ($1,487 total) for our two-week road trip in Namibia from Kalahari Car Hire, which I highly recommend. An amusing incident occurred when we ran out of gas 20 miles from Swakopmund, incurring a $105 fee for roadside assistance. The staff was incredibly helpful and checked on us later. We also had to purchase a new tire for $116 after returning the vehicle due to multiple punctures.

In Cape Town, we rented a standard SUV ($315.20 total for a week) for local travel during our first week. The Namibia car costs were split among three people, while the Cape Town rental was shared with four because another friend joined us.

For additional transport, we used taxis, rideshares (Uber), and private transfers. To ensure safety, we arranged airport pickups through our hotels. In Cape Town, we preferred Uber Black or Comfort for secure travel. I also utilized the women driver feature, which worked well for me. Additionally, I used a private transfer service called Angel Watch for airport pickups and winery tours, which I recommend booking via WhatsApp.

Namibia has a rideshare app called Yango, which we used during the day without issue. The cars were mostly older models, but drivers occasionally requested extra fare (a feature in the app for rating drivers). I wouldn’t feel safe using it alone at night.

eSIM Cards: $63.75

Staying connected was crucial as we worked remotely at times, necessitating hotspot capabilities for our computers. Moreover, it was vital for navigation during long trips. I used Airalo’s eSIM plans for connectivity in both

South Africa and Botswana my detailed eSIM review.

In Namibia, MTC (the local network) is the primary service provider in the country. They claim to cover 95% of Namibia but only work in towns and cities. eSIMs can be purchased at the airport store in arrivals. No other eSIM provider operates in Namibia. A friend's international Verizon plan failed, as they do not partner with MTC, and Airalo had similar results.

According to MTC staff, they don’t partner with other providers, so you must use MTC—your U.S. carrier’s international plan won’t work unless they collaborate with MTC. For more details, check my review.

Travel Insurance: $309.23

While SafetyWing is my preferred travel medical insurance, I opted for

World Nomads for this trip, as it met G Adventures’ minimum coverage requirements.

which was essential for my flight to Asia from Cape Town. (I often use World Nomads domestically to cover hiking trips when I’m 100 miles away from home.) I switched back to a

World Nomads plan with better coverage for travel delays

Full disclosure: We earn a commission if you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not endorse World Nomads. This is not a recommendation for purchasing travel insurance.

Clothing/Laundry: $144.20 & Souvenirs: $23.95

I picked up a few clothing items during the trip. I ensured to book accommodations with free laundry to simplify things. (I dislike having others do my laundry since they often mishandle my clothes.)

Toiletries/Travel Accessories: $45.48

One frustrating aspect of Southern Africa is the plug situation—a large round version of the British plug is used. I’ve visited over 70 countries and have never encountered anything like it. Additionally, many places also feature standard European plugs. You need both types since you never know which is available at your bedside or desk. The electronics—hair dryers, kettles, etc.—in rooms are often a mix.

Occasionally, there’s even a standard British plug along with rectangular plugs. It's confusing, and the South African plug doesn't fit standard travel adapters. Acquire them at the airport upon arrival or at an electronics shop.

Flight Costs to Africa

The expense breakdown doesn’t include flights since most of my internal flights were covered with miles, and a freelance job subsidized part of my other flights. The Star Alliance offers the best network in Southern Africa, while Lufthansa’s budget carrier Discover Airlines provides direct flights to Victoria Falls and Windhoek from Germany. Another budget airline, Norse, operates direct flights from London to Cape Town.

My primary goal is to achieve status with American Airlines, but I utilized extra United points for these flights. Traveling through Qatar is a cost-effective option, but I avoided it due to regional tensions—there was an attack in Qatar while I was booking.

  • One-Way Flight from Athens, Greece to Cape Town via London: $1,300 for economy
  • Cape Town to Johannesburg: $166.90 for economy + $99.50 to upgrade to business class to avoid checking my camera gear.
  • Johannesburg to Windhoek: $118 for economy + $208 to upgrade to business class for the same reason.
  • Victoria Falls to Windhoek: 12.5K United Airlines miles + $50 for economy.
  • Windhoek to Cape Town: 25K United Airlines miles + $34.70 for economy.
  • One-Way Business Class Singapore Airlines flight from Cape Town to Bangkok via Singapore: $1,900.

Avoid Singapore Airlines Business Class from Africa! Economy was half the cost, and the business class experience was disappointing due to an outdated plane with awkward seating and subpar amenities.

Advice for Budget Travel in Africa

The simplest way to travel Africa on a budget is to camp or participate in a camping safari where you assist with tent setup and meal preparation. It’s as straightforward as that. Renting 4×4 SUVs with camping equipment is easy, so you won’t need to bring much yourself. The rental can cost a little more to include gear.

I highly recommend this approach for self-driving in Namibia. We enjoyed two weeks of independent driving. A reliable GPS and a portable air compressor are essential. You can rent these, but I suggest the travel-friendly Hoto portable air compressor that measures in both psi and bar.

For other areas, do your research on safe driving regions, particularly in South Africa. We rented a vehicle for exploring Cape Town but didn’t venture beyond the Western Cape on our own.

I suggest G Adventures for affordable tours. They offer a variety of options, from classic hotel tours to more economical participatory camping experiences.