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An explanation on how the pricing system works in the safari industry

Camps, lodges and safari operators set their prices based on cost plus margin or in some cases on the price that the market will bear accounting for supply and demand.  This is the rack rate (or "off the shelf" brochure price) and usually includes all land costs with accommodation, meals, guide fees and activities.  Some safari operators sell directly to the consumer but they don't discount the rack rate - if they do they run the risk of alienating their trade support.

The rack rates are discounted to tour operators and travel wholesalers by around 20% who then package, market and sell to consumers and travel agents.  In some cases the "net" rates are discounted even further based on volume or reciprocal deals.  They apply to the trade only.

Travel agents often purchase these packaged trips from wholesalers/tour and safari operators, and earn around 10% for distribution to consumers.

The price to consumers is usually based on the rack rate and sometimes gets discounted.  (In some cases tour operators run the risk of alienating safari operators if they discount rack rates without agreement.)  When applied, discounts are offered as follows:

• Last-minute bookings: if a camp has unsold space or last minute cancellations then discounts of around 5% are sometimes available (see www.lastminutesafari.com for examples).  Some camps never discount on rack rates in which case the tour operators pass the discount to the consumer.
• Seasonal discounts: low-season and "shoulder" periods on either side of the high season are good times to look out for seasonal discounts.
• Group discounts: some camps offer discounts on volume of 6 or more guests and in the case of activities (eg river rafting) full discounts usually apply to the 10th person in the group

So what are the average costs of a safari?

• Low-budget trips in Namibia can cost as little as $50 per person per night - set departures, fairly large groups, basic campsites. 
• Overland trips in East Africa, or Victoria Falls/Botswana or South Africa/Zimbabwe/Botswana can work out at less than $70 per night.

In both cases above these are well organised trips run by reputable companies in a very competitive sector of the market.  They generally appeal to the younger set, are packaged and priced accordingly. (A word of caution - some budget trips set around $105 per night are of far less value than the cheaper overland offers.)

All-inclusive trips to small and remote bush camps with Professional Guides cost a fair bit more.  To illustrate, 

• Medium budget trips in Zimbabwe's lower Zambezi valley costs around $185 per night, a comparable trip in Botswana will cost just under $300per night.
• Some of our best and most successful safaris which cover additional ground with a bit more exclusivity work out at $280 in Zimbabwe, $310 in Zambia, $450 in Botswana and Southern Tanzania.  
• Consider one or two of these trips with a specific Pro Guide and you may need to add 30% to the rates - and there's no question that these safaris are fair value for money.

Compare apples with apples - these "daily" rates could include local charter rates getting you in and out of remote areas.....spend 2 nights in a given area and it could cost a heap more on the daily rate than 10 nights in that area covering 5 different camps.....

Why the big regional differences?

In Botswana, we have a well established policy of "low volumes, high returns".  From a conservation point of view there's very little doubt that it's a good policy - especially since a large portion of the safari earnings go back into actual conservation.  So prices are generally higher, supply and demand is a big factor.

In the remoter parts of Zambia, southern Tanzania and Zimbabwe (the Luangwa, Kafue, lower Zambezi, Ruaha, Selous and Mana Pools) the camps are often very small (some with only 6 guests) and our safari season is relatively short (May to October at best).  Zambia's prices in particular are a very fair deal when you start adding in logistical costs.

In Zimbabwe we've gone from a booming industry to one that's crashed due to political chaos.  Prices in many cases have been discounted in an effort to try and encourage demand.  (Operators showing profits in Zimbabwe don't exist at present.)  Generally speaking some of the safaris from Victoria Falls or in the lower Zambezi Valley are amongst the best deals you'll get in Southern Africa this season.

What variables will keep the cost of a safari down?

Bear in mind that all of our safaris are based on land costs and exclude international airfares.  A review of the "Airfares for Africa" site is strongly recommended for some ideas on this....

One of the biggest cost drivers on a trip is in fact the logistical costs of getting in and out of remoter spots.  Typically a 7 day trip covering the South and North Luangwa is going to be far more cost effective than trying to cover the Luangwa, Kafue, lower Zambezi and Victoria Falls in the same period.  Aside from costs, you'll probably be too exhausted by the series of light aircraft charters to appreciate the latter trip.

Be careful when planning a multi-country trip in the region.  Typically, East Africa and Southern Africa don't combine all that well because of the lost time in transit and additional costs if you can't get code-sharing connections between the destinations.

Think about combining a bit of luxury with "participative trips".  For example a lower Zambezi canoe trail works well with a "luxury" lodge in Matusadona.  The canoe trail is a load of fun and relatively inexpensive, the lodge gives you a good walking safari and some creature comforts.

Take a close look at our modules.  They've been packaged based on options that are well proven - the logistics work, the activities and destinations are well matched and we've discounted prices.

As a rule you get what you pay for....but at the same time you need to watch that you're getting real value for money...

...so take a look at some specific safari prices or take a look at special interest trips....