Best value ways to visit Africa

Whether it’s because of limited visitor numbers to preserve the ecosystem, boutique accommodations with just a few rooms, short seasons of the best weather, or just the huge appeal of the location, African destinations get booked up quickly.

The best advice for any traveller is to plan and confirm early. Securing the best-cost flights and the best-value accommodation is a huge part of keeping your trip to Africa on the right side of your budget. Start doing your research at least a year in advance and be ready to put down deposits as soon as the flights are released, usually around 11 months before the departure date.

The most common times to travel from the UK to any destination are July, August, and around Christmas and New Year. Easter holidays and any time the schools are closed are also popular. Many of these dates align with the best weather in several African nations; understandably, this is when prices can be at their highest. However, if you can be flexible or don’t mind a little rain, you can significantly improve your trip’s value by travelling outside the most popular windows.

For safaris, in both eastern and southern African nations, there’s a great deal to be gained by skipping the ‘dry seasons’ and arriving in the ‘green season’ when rainfall helps the landscapes to bloom, and many animals give birth to adorable young. North Africa is warm and dry almost all year, so, in many cases, travelling outside of the peak dates will offer a more exclusive and better value experience.

With the right packing, South Africa can also be enjoyed all year, thanks to its diversity of attractions and locations. Our Travel Specialists will always be able to advise on the best balance of cost and conditions for your specific trip.

Whether you choose self-drive or an all-inclusive escorted itinerary, one of the best ways to fully explore Africa’s amazing destinations is through pre-arranged touring. Not only does this take away the logistical task of planning your days, but it also allows a clearer picture of your total costs and includes more payments upfront. In large countries with so many attractions, touring also helps ensure you don’t miss a thing.

South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana are all ideal touring destinations, while many of the best African safari holidays in Kenya and Tanzania are those in which you are guided from camp to camp across the vast savannahs.

Group touring will always offer a lower cost per person and often comes with exclusive opportunities arranged by the tour company, while private touring and self-drives offer increased flexibility and more opportunities for magical moments all to yourself.

One of the largest expenses in any long-haul holiday is often the international flights. Africa has an easy and reliable network of domestic airlines, making getting from location to location straightforward and great value.

As a result, one of the most common ways to get the most out of an African adventure is to combine two or more destinations or even two or more countries. Add a beach stay to your East Africa safari when you fly to Mombasa or Zanzibar. Travel to the iconic Victoria Falls from South Africa, Botswana, or Mozambique. Combine Gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda with a safari in the Masai Mara or Serengeti. Fly across the border from a Mozambique holiday for animal spotting in Kruger Park. Or take in everything from Durban and KwaZulu-Natal to the Eastern Cape, the Garden Route, and Cape Town when you choose one of the complete holiday packages South Africa has to offer.

International flight links to the Maldives, Mauritius, and the United Arab Emirates make adding something completely different to your trip easy, too. You could even fly via Amsterdam or Paris if you wished to start or end your adventure with a European break.

Of course, not every holiday needs to be an odyssey. Sometimes, landing, checking in, and taking a break is nice. Get the best value for you by honing in on one location and focusing your resources on making the most of it.

Spend a week exploring Madagascar’s postcard-perfect Nosy Be and surrounding islands, take a long weekend grazing the restaurants of Cape Town, or immerse yourself in ancient history in Cairo. Sometimes, just occasionally, less is more when it comes to your perfect holiday.