How much does a trip to Africa cost?

South Africa is the best-value major safari destination on the continent. Cape Town, the Garden Route and Kruger can all be done on under USD 100 per day if you self-drive and pick wisely.

Zambia offers walking safaris (South Luangwa pioneered them) at a premium. Vic Falls on the Zambian side is more affordable than the Zimbabwean.

Zimbabwe runs on USD, so there's no exchange-rate surprise. Hwange and Mana Pools are exceptional value for safari; Vic Falls town is the tourist hub.

Botswana is unapologetically premium. Low-volume, high-cost tourism is national policy — the Okavango Delta is one of the world's most expensive safaris.

Namibia is the ultimate African self-drive country — great roads, low traffic, dramatic scenery. Costs are very controllable when you do it yourself.

Mozambique offers beach Africa at a fraction of Indian Ocean prices. The Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos are top-end; Tofo and Vilanculos are affordable.

Tiny and affordable — Eswatini is usually a 2-to-3-day add-on between Kruger and Mozambique or Durban. Cultural richness at low cost.

The 'Kingdom in the Sky' is one of Africa's most affordable countries — pony trekking, mountain villages, and snow in winter at South African prices.

Lake Malawi is the headline. Affordable beach Africa with no salt and no sharks — diving, kayaking, and lodge time on a budget.

Kenya offers safari at every price point. The Masai Mara is the headline experience; park fees and conservancy fees are the biggest line items.

Tanzania is more expensive than Kenya for safari, but the Serengeti–Ngorongoro circuit is unmatched. Park fees are the biggest cost driver. Zanzibar is a relatively affordable beach add-on.

Uganda's headline cost is the USD 800 gorilla permit. Outside of that, it's one of East Africa's most affordable safari destinations.

Rwanda positioned itself as a premium destination — gorilla permits are USD 1,500 and accommodation skews high-end. Kigali itself is surprisingly affordable.

Ethiopia is one of Africa's cheapest destinations day-to-day, but distances are vast and most travelers fly between sites — domestic flights eat the budget.

Madagascar is cheap on the ground but expensive to get around — roads are rough, distances are vast, and most travelers end up flying or hiring 4x4s with drivers.

Morocco is Africa's best-value cultural destination. Marrakech, Fes, the Sahara and Chefchaouen can all be done well on under USD 60/day.

Egypt is one of the world's great budget destinations — pyramids, Nile cruises, Red Sea diving. The currency devaluation since 2022 has made foreign-currency visitors flush.

Tunisia is North Africa's value pick — Roman ruins, Sahara desert, Mediterranean beaches, and Carthage on a budget. Still well off the mass-tourism radar.

Ghana is West Africa's easiest first stop — friendly, English-speaking, with a rich heritage trail. Accra is increasingly expensive; the rest of the country remains affordable.

Senegal is West Africa's most accessible big city, with French sophistication on a budget. Music, food and beaches at North African prices.

Nigeria is energetic and complex. Lagos is expensive for top hotels but cheap for street food and culture. Travel mostly happens by air between cities.

DRC is one of Africa's hardest and most rewarding destinations. Most tourist visits are organized around Virunga National Park — gorilla trekking on the Nyiragongo lava lake.

Gabon is West Africa's rainforest jewel — pristine national parks, forest elephants on beaches, very little tourism. Expensive and adventurous.