Zambia Safari Cost According To Experts: Approved

Zambia Safaris & Tours

Zambia is the place to go if you want a safari unlike any other in Africa. This island nation is a paradise for ecotourists and intrepid explorers thanks to its abundance of unspoiled wilderness areas.

Among the many animals that call Zambia home are lions, leopards, elephants, and hippos. There are over twenty game reserves and national parks to pick from, so you may locate the ideal place to observe these creatures in their native environment.

Zambia, though, is considerably more than just its wildlife. From the verdant Luangwa Valley to the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, this breathtaking nation is home to breathtaking scenery. Safaris in Zambia are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Africa’s wildlife up close and personal or to just take in the stunning landscapes.

Is Zambia: The Best Safari Experience

Additional Zambia Safari Costs Explained

The following table details some extra expenses you may incur while in Zambia, some of which are readily apparent and others of which may require further research.

• International Flights:
  Flying to Zambia can be somewhat costly due to the lack of direct international flights from North America or Europe to Lusaka’s international airport. It might be more cost-effective to travel into Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls airport.
• Visa Costs:
  Most nationalities pay US$50 for a three-month, single-entry visa. A multiple-entry visa is available for US$80.
• Accommodations:
  The majority of safari lodgings are small and cozy, with few options for those on a tighter budget. You can find decent mid-range accommodations for about US$200 per night for a twin room.
• Vaccinations:
  Travelers entering Zambia must have proof of a yellow fever vaccination. There is currently no vaccine for malaria, however taking antimalarial medication and taking every precaution to avoid mosquito bites are highly recommended.
• Tips:
  Zambian tipping customs are very similar to those of other southern and eastern African countries. Tip the drivers, guides, and hotel employees that assist you during your safari. To cover tips, bring a couple hundred dollars in smaller bills. The price per person, per day is fifteen dollars (USD).
• Travel Insurance:
  For the most part, standard travel insurance will cover your safari activities in Zambia. For example, if you’re planning to go on one of the country’s famous walking safaris, then most insurance policies will cover it.

10 Factors Influencing the Cost of a Zambia Safari

1. Length of stay

Most people who come to Zambia for a safari do so for at least some portion of their stay on an organized safari. The cost of entering a park is assessed 24 hours a day, and it doesn’t get any cheaper the longer you visit. The longer you go on safari, the more likely it is that your expenditures will go down slightly each day (especially if you mostly visit one or two parks adjacent to each other), but these savings are typically rather tiny.

2. Level of comfort of accommodations

Zambia excels at creating cozy, small-scale jungle camps. These are all of the highest caliber, although they’re frequently highly priced. Many begin at about $500 per person per night in the US. Along with all the amenities of the luxury camps, several excellent mid-range safari camps also have a little less glitz. These will run you around US$300 per person per night. The most affordable options for travelers on a tight budget are the basic campgrounds located in and around some of the more well-known parks. You can’t beat it for a true bush experience, but you will need to be self-sufficient.

3. Location of the accommodations

Nowhere in Zambia is overrun with tourists, although the more popular parks, including South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Parks, provide an overall somewhat less expensive safari than the wilder, more isolated camps because of increased competition amongst them and superior infrastructure. You can find some extremely affordable lodging if you just focus on the region surrounding Victoria Falls.

4. Group size

Zambia offers very few large group tours, thus all safari experiences here are probably more exclusive than in some other African safari destinations. Still, this entails more expenses.

5. When you want to go

Just as with any other African safari destination, the time of year you visit Zambia greatly affects the cost. Naturally, the peak season, which runs from June through early September, is also when prices are highest. The lowest time to travel is from December to March, which is known as low season. However, since it’s the rainy season, traveling around might be challenging, and a lot of safari camps close. The mid-seasons of April to May and October to November are the best times to see animals at moderate pricing (though October and November can be extremely hot).

6. How you get around

The majority of people fly between parks and reserves in Zambia since there is a lot of terrain to traverse. This is, of course, the priciest mode of transportation, but it also saves a great deal of time, which can help you save money.

7. Where you want to go

Because they have the best infrastructure, the two biggest parks—South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Parks—are also the least expensive to visit. However, it would be a mistake to visit Zambia and skip some of its more untamed areas. Parks like North Luangwa National Park, Bangweulu Wetlands, and Kafue National Park offer a true African wilderness experience that far outweighs any additional expenses associated with traveling there.

8. Add-ons

Walking safaris are very popular in Zambia, and the country’s wildlife guides are regarded as some of the best in Africa. Therefore, you should definitely do at least one walking safari before considering leaving Zambia. These vary greatly in price and range from quick half-day walks to multi-day camp-to-camp excursions.

9. Extensions

It goes without saying that you have to see Vic Falls, the “smoke that thunders,” if you’re in Zambia. Although the falls formally delineate the boundary between Zimbabwe and Zambia, you should view them from both directions because the experiences are different. In general, setting up a Vic Falls extension is inexpensive and simple. View All Victoria Falls Tours & Safaris

10. Specialized interests

Has a bat safari crossed your mind? Not a thought! Millions upon millions of enormous fruit bats settle in Zambia’s far north, in Kasanka National Park, between late October and mid-December. One of nature’s most breathtaking displays is witnessing them turn the evening sky black. All of this takes place in a rural area with inadequate infrastructure, making the safari pricey overall.