Safari newbie, info needed, considering options

[Ludijo]

Would love to pick the brains of those who know about safaris in Africa.
I would love to do one with my husband in a couple of years and I know they are usually extremely expensive.
Is there a way to do a less expensive safari holiday, if so how? What country would be best? Happy to travel independently where realistic to do so in order to save a bit.
Any pointers are welcome, thanks

We found rhino ridge in Hluhluwe national park in KwaZulu Natal in South Africa the most cost effective. Also went to St Lucia near there for hippos and crocs.
much less than the big name private reserves.

South Africa’s national park system is extremely well run and gives some good opportunities, especially Addo where you can take organised safaris at different times of day, or even drive yourself around (which is an adventure in itself).There are several private reserve around Cape Town which offer day safari or overnight.

we have been a couple of times to Zambia with Aardvark. Highly recommend.

Look at a self drive option in Kruger National Park.

I second Zambia. Our camping safari at South Luangwa NP was very reasonable (for a safari). No rhinos though.
big plus: you are also close(ish) to Victoria Falls, which are stunning!

We did Victoria Falls, Botswana and Cape Town a few years ago, and really enjoyed it. There were 2 land and 2 water based Safaris in Botswana, and it was a relatively cheap way of doing it.

Some great information, thanks. I'll look in to all these suggestions

I think if cost is a factor South Africa is probably your best bet.

We did 9 days self drive in Kruger- hired vehicle in Johannesburg and drove to the top of the park, and then drove right to the bottom staying in the safari camps (and took a few organised drives out with guides from the camps as well). Needed to book well in advance and took a lot of planning, but it was amazing and great value. This was about 10 years ago, so both the travel situation and prices likely to have changed. (After Kruger we then flew to Cape Town and had an amazing 10 days around the cape)

We also visited Kruger for 4 nights on an organised trip, staying in a game reserve in greater Kruger but also visiting the main park. This including bus transfer to and from Johannesburg. Intrepid, booked via Trailfinders. Again this wasn't too badly priced. We did this first, wanted more and realised self drive was an option.

I love Trailfinders and would have a conversation with them to explore options and prices. Or another travel agent.

I’m looking at a fully independent trip in Botswana and Zambia, staying in a cooperative run lodge near okavango delta who take you on a canoe safari and overland, then onto chobe, where I found other cooperatives then onto Victoria falls which was a locally owned hotel, before flying onto Mozambique. Flights were via Lisbon so we will fly the day before to Lisbon (perhaps 2 days) from the airport just 7 miles from our home, then take the flights, outbound there was a connection but the cooperative pick you up from the airport and recommended shared transport to the next place then it’s only a short taxi to the next location. Haven’t booked yet but I’ve found a few ethical options including a women led cooperative that I’m quite interested in supporting, you stay in peoples homes in okevango

I have just returned from Africa
we did a mobile safari with okavanga expeditions in Botswana which was 8 nights and although you are in a tent you are so well looked after and we saw so much , it was such a surreal experience sleeping in the tent and hearing the lions roaring
we then went to Vic falls
i think the camping experience made it cheaper than staying in lodges but it’s still a pricy holiday
how A very memorable experience

If you book a year ahead, Kruger is fab. It’s brilliant, a second option might be etosha in Namibia. Both self drives, and really reasonable. X

Namibia and South Africa are you're best bets if cost is an issue. Botswana and Zambia are heavy on budget

We did a DIY trip to Kenya last October and loved it. Not exclusively safari - it was a combo of city / safari / beach. Found cheap flights via Skyscanner for £500 pp return with BA, spent 3 nights in nairobi in a cheap Airbnb which was gorgeous and had a pool. Half day safari in Nairobi national park for the 3 of us, with a guide and private jeep was around £300 (including the Elephant orphanage and Giraffe centre). Then took a train to Voi which is next to Tsavo National park - we spent 2 nights there (in a treehouse!!!) and did a full day safari which was amazing. Again around £300 for the 3 of us, with a guide and private jeep. Then continued on the train to Mombasa and uber to Diani beach. Cheap - but absolutely gorgeous - Airbnb for 5 nights. Flight back to Nairobi with Jambojet for one last night and then back to Heathrow. The whole trip wasnt very expensive. I'm shocked when I read how much people pay for safaris etc. It's better to deal with local companies directly on the ground. If you decide on Kenya and need contacts, feel free to PM me x

Self drive in the Kruger. Done it 20 times and it’s my favourite place on earth.

All the Africa trips we have done have been group trips with companies like Exodus or Intrepid. They have all been basic camping trips which keeps the cost down, but I still wouldn't describe it as cheap. We took the kids on a family trip to Namibia last summer, the lodges in Etosha (which all have campsites) have the most amazing waterholes and you can sit and watch animals all night, truly fabulous. Mabaruli safaris run the Namibia and Botswana trips for a Exodus, sure it would be cheaper to book directly with them.