Today we’re going to cover one of the most essential issues of any trip: the budget issue. When tourists travel to any country, they always want to spend a particular sum. And if they realize that they are going over budget, they begin to look for ways to reduce this amount. For example, they may choose cheaper hotels, give up some activities, or look for guides who can provide services much cheaper. But does this approach work for traveling to Africa? So what do you pay for on a safari, and why can’t it be cheap? Let’s get to the bottom of this.
Accommodation
❌ Any tourist destination in Africa has a fairly large selection of hotels and lodges, and prices can range from a couple of dozen dollars a night and up. You can select the most budget accommodation option, explaining that you plan to stay in the lodge for just one night. What difference does it make where to live if you spend only a few hours in the lodge and your main goal is to see wild animals?
✅ What Iconic Expeditions offers. We do not cooperate with the most budget accommodation options because your comfort is our priority. We understand that the lodge is a place where you need to have quality rest after a safari. Also, we know that the primary goal of travel is to see as much wildlife as possible. So you will get accommodation in the most convenient location so that you do not waste precious time on unnecessary relocations. After all, a safari is a vivid experience, and it shouldn’t be ruined as soon as you enter a low-quality lodge. You should feel comfort and warm hospitality every minute of your stay in the park.
Transportation
❌ A budget safari means you can get an old and not always-functioning vehicle. For example, the air conditioning will not run there. Or at the worst possible moment, the car may break down, and instead of a long-awaited game drive, you’ll be waiting for it to be fixed.
✅ What Iconic Expeditions offers. We cannot neglect the comfort and safety of our clients, so our fleet includes the newest safari jeeps (from 2019 and younger). We carefully monitor the technical condition of each vehicle to prevent breakdowns during the safari. Each jeep is equipped with air conditioning, so you can be in the savannah during the hottest hours without getting tired of the African heat. Want to stream live straight from the heart of the savannah? Wonderful! There’s Wi-Fi in our jeeps. You can relax and know you will not miss an important call or message. Stay in touch with loved ones and share emotions with friends by sending them the latest photos from the savannah.
Nutrition
❌ Let’s say you decide to spend your lunchtime in the savannah, or you have to move to another park. The question arises: where can you have lunch if there are no restaurants in or near the park? When on a budget safari, you may have several options. For example, you can get a lunch box with a sandwich set and some fruits. It’s not the most nutritious lunch, and by the time you get hungry, the food won’t be at the proper temperature. Is it worth mentioning the taste qualities of such a lunch? Or you may be offered to stop for lunch at one of the lodges along the way. It won’t be an expensive lodge with poor food and a small selection of dishes. It is unlikely that you will be satisfied.
✅ What Iconic Expeditions offers. We know that food is a small detail, but it can ruin the entire safari experience. While in the savannah with us, you will always receive a hot and freshly prepared lunch, no matter where you are. Instead of eating a sandwich in the car, you will get a real picnic on a picturesque lawn. There will be a hot dish on your table, meat, salad, and drinks for every taste. We will offer you a glass of chilly wine, beer, or soft drink. Your picnic will be beautifully organized thanks to high-quality wooden furniture and beautiful tableware without plastic dishes! We don’t use plastic because we care about the environment.
Without exaggeration, this will be a dream picnic, which you will describe as the most unusual in your life!
Our jeep also has a refrigerator with soft drinks and snacks. Your personal restaurant on wheels is always at your disposal!
Individual approach
❌ A budget safari may mean that there will be strangers in the safari jeep beside you. What does this mean? Firstly, your safari will take place strictly according to a schedule, for example, 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening. If you want to go to the savannah during the day, you will have to pay extra. If you miss the morning safari, you will have to wait for the next one. Also, there is no guarantee that you will take the most comfortable seat in the jeep, and because of this, you may not catch a moment to see the animals.
✅ What Iconic Expeditions offers. We are strongly against template group tours because every client is unique and should have an experience that matches their expectations. On a safari with us, you get a car at your disposal for the whole day. This means you can adjust your schedule to suit your needs and stay in the savannah as long as you see fit (within daylight hours). The loved ones around you can sit comfortably in the jeep and enjoy the moment without distractions. In addition, the program will be tailored to your individual needs, the requirements of all safari participants, and so on.
Logistics
❌ Going on a budget safari, you will find that you spend much more time traveling between parks than you do on the safari itself. As a result, you realize that you are very tired, you spend a lot of energy, and manage to do almost nothing.
✅ What Iconic Expeditions offers. We build logistics correctly so that you have enough time for game drives and relaxation. For example, when you arrive at the park, we will allow you to relax and organize a small picnic with fruits and drinks. You will recover after the flight, meet your guide, and go on a game drive with renewed vigor. You can always take a break while moving in or between parks. We will also offer to replace the ride with a flight, where appropriate, and so on.
Guides
❌ A lot depends on the guide. Or rather, on how he can present Africa to you. The services of a guide with extensive experience, a wealth of knowledge, and the ability to provide high service cannot be cheap.
✅ What Iconic Expeditions offers. Our guides have experience working with different categories of clients, including high-ranking officials. With us, you will feel like royalty, regardless of your current status. You will get not just a guide, but a real friend who will take care of you, cheer you up, and take care of all the chores so that you can enjoy your safari carefree.
Company qualification
❌ A budget safari is often a template that works the same for everyone, regardless of the mix of travelers or season.
✅ What Iconic Expeditions offers. We have been organizing safaris for more than 10 years. We have personally visited all countries and many lodges and experienced all the nuances ourselves. Our goal is not just to sell, but to provide you with the best conditions. We will honestly tell you about the seasonality and other features of the safari and offer the most convenient option. Even when you choose a ready-made tour on our website, we first need to make sure that it resonates with your expectations and refine it if necessary.
Choose the best safari possible
Summing up the topic of what do you pay for on a safari, and why it can’t be cheap, we want to add one more important point. A safari is a trip you take once or just a couple of times in your life, so the experience needs to be flawless. You shouldn’t leave Africa feeling unsettled, so we encourage you to make the best of your trip!
We at Iconic Expeditions organize safari trips not because we put our earnings at the forefront. And because we love Africa with all our hearts and want it to leave the same mark on your heart! Never skimp on safari, dear ones. You deserve the best!