Southern Africa Budget Tours and Affordable Trip Packages 2025/2026
Unlock affordable adventures in Southern Africa. Looking for a cost-effective way to explore Southern Africa? Our budget-friendly tours deliver exceptional experiences without compromising on the quality of your journey.
Duration
3 days64 days
Departures
Tour Types
Countries
Activities
Physical Rating
Accommodations
Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
I had an amazing time. Highlights were Kruger national park and the Delta and the nighlty camp fires under the stars. It was a well planned trip mainly due to our tour leader Thabang, Lizzie our cook and Vincent our driver. There were long drives as per the itinerary but it was the only way to see the beautiful southern africa in a timely manner. Thank you for a great trip!
Road tripWildlife
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Sleeper Bus, Home-stay
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, Hw
Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Bulawayo, Moremi Gorge, Blouberg, Kruger National Park, Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Maun, Okavango Delta, Nata, Chobe National Park
I thought every single day was the best day of my life... Until the next day came along and overtook it, and then the next day and the next...
The Okavango Delta is pure magic. Easily the best place to see wildlife in Africa (and I have been to most of them on Contiki's). Its remote, there are barely any other tourists on safari out there and it felt like we were truly in Africa, experiencing it for how it should be and not a tourist destination to see wildlife. The camping set up there is awesome, you arrive and everything is set up from your tents and bedding, to a fire place to sit around at night, to a dining tent and chill tent on the river to watch elephants come downt to drink in the middle of the day - right in front of us! On the Game Drives we saw lions and even Wild Dogs (Painted Wolf) pups as well as the adults on the hunt. The safari vehicles had fridges to keep the beers cold, charge ports for our phones and a roof to climb on to watch the sunset over the Delta's waterways while lions were calling in the distance.
The Meerkats at the salt pans were amazing to see go about their day without even giving us a glance as we got close for photos and the sunset on the pans where you can see the horizon 360 degrees around you was extra special.
And Chobe was out of this world... That sunset on the river when everyone had left the park but we stayed in it at Contiki Special Campsite, plus the leopard in the tree... Goosebumps...
And I nearly forgot the adrendline and pure adventure of Victoria Falls. Bungeeing, rafting, heli flights, walking safaris... It has everything to get the heart racing but also some activity from sitting on safari vehicles. I guess some of the activities are pricey, but I felt super safe doing everything and would always rather pay a higher price for safety on the adventurous activities. I'd reccomend them all! The accommodation here felt so fancy with swimming pool, the spray of the falls in the distance, elephants drinking at the waterhole in front and out the back you could safely walk into town to do some shopping or exploring...
A trip I could VERY easily do again and again. Every safari drive is different with varying chances of seeing different animals doing different things (drinking/eating/hunting/playing with babies etc etc). Every drive felt special and unique...
The Africa bug has bitten me hard - I cant wait to go back
Natural landmarks sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Lodge, Tent
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Victoria Falls, Maun, Chobe Nati
Victoria Falls, Maun, Chobe National Park, Makgadikgadi Pans, Okavango Delta
From the dramatic cliffs of Cape Town to the thundering Victoria Falls, the 25-day Cape Town to Victoria Falls Kruger Camping tour offers families a sweeping adventure through southern Africa’s most iconic landscapes. This trip covers Fish River Canyon, Okavango Delta, Hazyview, and 17 other destinations in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and three additional countries. Inclusive of accommodation, transport, and meals, this guided small group tour allows families to immerse themselves in diverse cultures and abundant wildlife. The standout feature of this tour package is its rich itinerary, connecting world-renowned parks and natural wonders in a single journey, ideal for families seeking the ultimate African overland experience.
ExplorerDesert safaris
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Lodge, Tent
Age Range
18-75 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Livingstone, Maun, Etosha Nation
Livingstone, Maun, Etosha National Park, Cederberg, Windhoek, Okavango Delta, Nata, Kasane, Orange River, Bulawayo, Tshipise, Hazyview, Kruger National Park, Pretoria, Fish River Canyon, Sesriem, Sossus, Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe, Cape Town
Contiki is an amazing company and despite the fog at the top of table mountain it was great to connect with everyone on this tour and a wonderful way to enter Africa. did a great job. Thank you guys.
This trip was a partnership with ECOTraining for 'Learn to Be a Safari guide'. This trip included daily bush hikes, lots of info from excellent guides, very yummy food and awesome game drives to see many animals in the wild. One of the best and most unique experiences.
Travel from Kenya to Cape Town through some of Africa’s most incredible sights on this jaw-dropping 48-day overland journey. Explore Kenya’s bustling capital, keep your eyes open for the Big Five in the vast savannas of the Serengeti, hike through lush mountain terrain and traverse sprawling desert plains in Namibia. Sample unique flavours, meet warm and welcoming local communities, relax beachside in Zanzibar, and prepare for an unforgettable southbound adventure through some of Africa's best.
Road tripWildlife
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Tent, Sleeper Bus, Bungalow
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Nairobi, Cape Town, Stone Town
Nairobi, Cape Town, Stone Town, Mikumi National Park, Iringa, Chitimba, Lake Malawi, South Luangwa National Park, Mto Wa Mbu, Petauke, Lusaka, Harare, Masvingo, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, Serengeti National Park, Bagani, Okavango Delta, Grootfontein, Etosha National Park, Spitzkoppe, Swakopmund, Sesriem, Sossusvlei, Fish River Canyon, Orange River, Usambara Mountains, Dar Es Salaam
What an amazing trip. We saw so many different cultures while visiting. Our tour guide was so enthusiastic about his country. His knowledge was unbelievable. So glad I got to share in the beauty of this country. Every where we went was so interesting and I learned so much. Definitely a trip for your bucket list.
Wildlife
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Resort
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Gqeberh
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Gqeberha, Knysna, Kruger National Park, Eswatini, Hluhluwe, Durban, Drakensberg Mountains, Drakensberg, Chintsa
I really enjoyed the locations. Especially the Roman ruins and the villages we stayed in. It was a really great cultural experience.
Road tripWildlife
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Tent, Sleeper Bus, Bungalow
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Nairobi, Cape Town, Spitzkoppe
Nairobi, Cape Town, Spitzkoppe, Etosha National Park, Grootfontein, Bagani, Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Harare, Lusaka, Petauke, Orange River, South Luangwa National Park, Lake Malawi, Chitimba, Iringa, Mikumi National Park, Dar Es Salaam, Stone Town, Fish River Canyon, Bagamoyo, Usambara Mountains, Arusha, Karatu, Serengeti National Park, Mto Wa Mbu, Sesriem, Lake Nakuru National Park, Eldoret, Kampala, Kalinzu Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kisoro, Gorilla Trek, Mbarara, Jinja, Sossusvlei, Kericho, Masai Mara National Reserve, Swakopmund
Ready to channel your inner explorer? The "Essential Botswana" tour invites adventurous young adults to embark on a 9-day journey from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, delving into the heart of Africa’s wild places. This easy activity safari follows the lifeblood of the continent—its rivers—across the Kalahari Desert, Okavango Delta, Khama Rhino Sanctuary, and Chobe National Park.
Track rhinos across sandy plains, glide in a mokoro canoe past elephants and hippos, and camp on Kwando River floodplains beneath star-studded skies. Spot wildlife on Chobe’s legendary game drives and marvel at the thundering power of Victoria Falls, capping off an adventure like no other.
With accommodation, transport, meals, and expert guidance included, this adventure trip combines comfort with authentic wilderness experiences. The USP? A river-focused safari that maximizes wildlife encounters and delivers the best of Botswana and Zimbabwe in a single, action-packed tour package.
Adventure
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Sleeper Bus, Hotel
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, Kh
Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Maun, Okavango Delta, Caprivi Strip, Kwando River, Chobe National Park
From the thunderous spray of Victoria Falls to the wildlife-rich savannas of Kruger and Hwange, the "Essential African Safari" trip is a 9-day adventure through the heart of southern Africa. Specially designed for young adults craving excitement, this easy activity tour connects Zimbabwe and South Africa’s top highlights with plenty of animal encounters along the way.
Travel from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg, experiencing day and night 4x4 safaris in some of Africa’s most renowned national parks. Spot the Big Five, explore the ancient rock formations of Matobo, and unwind in vibrant cities. With accommodation, transport, meals, and group camaraderie all included, it’s a seamless way to experience Africa’s wild side.
What makes this tour package unique? The blend of three iconic destinations—Victoria Falls, Hwange, and Kruger—guarantees a diverse array of landscapes, wildlife, and cultures, all packed into a single, unforgettable journey.
Adventure
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Sleeper Bus
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, Hw
Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Bulawayo, Tshipise, Kruger National Park
