Budget safaris
Seeing the country on the cheap
Keen to explore the wilds of our beautiful country, but not quite sure if you can afford it? A South African budget safari could well be the answer to your wanderlust woes. If you believe the write-ups in travel magazines and the glossy brochures that litter travel agency waiting rooms, the only way to experience a proper South African safari is to pay through your ears to stay in a succession of sterile hotel rooms and eat at a succession of 'fusion' (read: European) restaurants, interspersed with a few game drives during which you may spot a warthog if you are lucky.
This, however, is very far from the truth. Travel agencies make a percentage profit off of each travel package they recommend and sell; therefore it makes sense for them to push the safaris that will bring them the most revenue. This is why, more often than not, foreign visitors end up with an experience that is more Hollywood than it is Hogsback. This is fine if you chose South Africa as your holiday destination merely to enjoy another climate, but can be quite disappointing if you planned to immerse yourself in the culture and view game up close.
Keen to explore the wilds of our beautiful country, but not quite sure if you can afford it? A South African budget safari could well be the answer to your wanderlust woes. If you believe the write-ups in travel magazines and the glossy brochures that litter travel agency waiting rooms, the only way to experience a proper South African safari is to pay through your ears to stay in a succession of sterile hotel rooms and eat at a succession of 'fusion' (read: European) restaurants, interspersed with a few game drives during which you may spot a warthog if you are lucky.
This, however, is very far from the truth. Travel agencies make a percentage profit off of each travel package they recommend and sell; therefore it makes sense for them to push the safaris that will bring them the most revenue. This is why, more often than not, foreign visitors end up with an experience that is more Hollywood than it is Hogsback. This is fine if you chose South Africa as your holiday destination merely to enjoy another climate, but can be quite disappointing if you planned to immerse yourself in the culture and view game up close.
Contents at a Glance
Alternative
Tented safaris
Tented safaris are a great money-saver and simultaneously afford you the opportunity to experience the bush firsthand. Here are a few of the benefits associated with African tent safaris:- Camaraderie: Tented safaris are normally conducted in groups of ten or more, which means that you will get to meet some new people with whom you'll be interacting on a daily basis. When you participate in a safari like this you are expected to pitch in with regard to making camp, preparing food and gathering firewood, all of which makes for quite an interactive environment.
- Affordability: Cut out expensive accommodation, fancy meals and satellite television and your South African safari suddenly becomes much more affordable. Camping might not be for everybody, but those individuals who don't mind sacrificing a few creature comforts in the name of a brand new experience are sure to enjoy this unexpected kickback.
- Proximity: There is nothing quite like going to sleep under a blanket of stars and waking up to find fresh animal tracks on the perimeter of your camp. Experiencing the bush in this way is much more vivid than doing so from the back of a sterile safari vehicle.
So, if your budget is tight and you yearn for adventure, I recommend that you sign up for a tented safari to experience Africa at its best.
Kruger Park on the radar
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Journey into Africa
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Tented safaris
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