Cost of Zambia Safari.
Although it is not as upscale as places like Botswana, Zambia is regarded as one of the most costly safari destinations on the African continent, with the majority of its safaris catering to the “big spender” market. There are several elements that affect the price of a safari in Zambia, as you will discover when we examine it.
We’ll attempt to examine the main elements that influence the total cost of a safari vacation in the Republic of Zambia in this post.
Factors influencing safari prices in Zambia: national park locations
There are many wildlife sanctuaries in the nation; some are easily accessible, like Kafue National Park, which has a lovely highway through it, while others are very remote, like South Luangwa National Park. As a result, the location of the national parks you will be visiting on your safari will significantly affect the total cost of your safari. The cost of transportation to get to these national parks and the cost of lodging—more expensive lodging is available in more remote national parks than in more easily accessible ones—are the main explanations of the price disparity in this case.
The three primary categories of safaris offered in Zambia are luxury safaris, mid-range safaris, and low-cost/camping safaris. Although they can cost up to $200 per day, camping safaris typically cost $150 per day. Depending on how comfortable the tented camps or lodges are, mid-range safaris, which usually consist of mid-range lodging, can cost anything from $300 to up to $700 per day. The cost of a luxury safari can vary from $700 to over $1,200 per day. Therefore, carefully consider the kind of safari vacation you want based on your budget.
The price of safari-related activities
You can participate in a variety of outdoor activities during your safari in Zambia, both of which will impact the total cost of your trip because different activities have varying prices.
| Cost per person | |||
| Activity | citizen or resident (ZK) | Non-resident USD | |
| 1. | Boating | K53 | $20 |
| 2. | Angling | K32 | $5 |
| 3. | Rafting or canoeing | K42 | $20 |
| 4. | Camping | 30 | $5 |
| 5. | hot air balloon ride | $380 | |
Type of Accommodation
In Zambia, safari lodging is largely determined by the national park you are visiting. Accommodations in some of the most well-known game parks, such South Luangwa, range from simple campsites to bungalows, guesthouses, and luxurious tented lodges, which are typically elevated on platforms. In contrast, the Blue Lagoon game park offers a small selection of lodging options, primarily self-catering modest huts.
The Lower Zambezi, which is more off the main path, offers more expensive lodging because travelers must take charter aircraft to get there, which significantly raises the overall cost of lodging. This is the reason you should carefully consider your lodging options while organizing a safari in Zambia.
Park admission costs
As was already said, the nation is home to several wildlife parks where you may engage in various safari activities. Visitors must pay a park admission charge or concession cost to enter each of them, and these vary depending on the table below.
| National Park | Citizens (ZK)
|
Foreign Residents & SADC Nationals (USD) | Internationals(USD)
|
|
| 1. | South Luangwa | K41.7 | $20 | $25 |
| 2. | North Luangwa | K33.6 | $15 | $20 |
| 3. | Lower Zambezi | K41.7 | $20 | $25 |
| 4. | Mosi-oa-Tunya | K25.2 | $5 | $10 |
| 5. | Nsumbu | K25.2 | $7 | $10 |
| 6. | West Lunga | K25.2 | $5 | $10 |
| 7. | Lusaka | K15.1 | $10 | $10 |
| 8. | Kafue | K33.6 | $15 | $20 |
| 9. | Blue Lagoon | K25.2 | $5 | $10 |
| 10. | Kasanka | K25.2 | $7 | $10 |
| 11. | Luambe | K33.6 | $10 | $15 |
| 12. | Lochnivar | K25.2 | $7 | $10 |
| 13. | Other National Parks | K8.4 | $1 | $5 |
| 14. | Victoria Falls | K20 | $20 | $20 |
The length of your safari
Without a doubt, if we look at the cost of a safari in Zambia, the length of time spent there will have an impact on the final cost, especially if the same tour operator or firm is used. A shorter safari will cost more per day, whereas a longer safari will cost less per day. Generally speaking, a 3-day safari is more expensive than a 7- or 9-day safari.
When you go
There are two primary safari seasons in Zambia: the off-peak season and the peak season. The country experiences the dry season from May to October, which is the main safari season. During this period, wildlife viewing is exceptional and the weather is suitable for the majority of safari activities.
There are a lot of tourists in the nation during that time of year, and safari prices are typically high. However, the off-peak travel season, which runs from December to April, coincides with the nation’s rainfall. Also known as the “green season,” safari prices are down because fewer tourists are visiting the nation. For those on a tight budget, now is the best time to visit this nation.
How to travel around Zambia
You can choose to drive across Zambia’s countryside from one National Park to another while on safari, or you can take the more costly domestic charter flights that connect the many safari locations. The road trip is recommended for those on a tight budget because it is more economical. Therefore, it is crucial that you keep this in mind while organizing your vacation in Zambia because it will significantly impact the total cost of the safari.
The ideal time to travel to Zambia
Zambia is a year-round destination since it provides a wide range of safari activities. The best time to go if you want to see game is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. During this period, midday temperatures are usually pleasant, with the exception of September and October, when it’s extremely hot.
Swimming and white water rafting are among the many aquatic activities that may be enjoyed, particularly in the months of August and September, due to the Zambezi River’s low water level, which is where the Victoria Falls are located.
However, the green/rainy season, which lasts from December to April, offers the greatest views of the Victoria Falls between February and May, when the huge Zambezi is flooded with water after the rains.
