100 Nights in Africa: Budget Travel Tip 3

100 Nights in Africa
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Budget Tip 3:

Saving Money on Safari Drives in National Parks

Going into the National Parks as you travel through Africa can get quite expensive. One of the ways we have learned to get the best deal for the money is to go on two game drives in one twenty four hour period; one in the morning and an afternoon or night safari. These may be spread over two days as long as they are within twenty four hours.

Two of the parks we have visited (Chobe NP in Botswana, South Luangwa NP in Zambia) have the policy one entry fee for a 24 hour period which allows multiple entries. What that means is you can go all in one day or go on a night/afternoon safari one day and a day safari the next.

The reason for going on two consecutive drives in a 24 hour period ist that in some parks there is only one park entry fee charged per 24 hour periods. For each of the safari lodge organized game drives there is a separate game drive charge each time you go on a ride with a camp guide, but only one park fee.

These fees differ for those with their own vehicle, known as self-drive. At South Luangwa NP the fee is higher for self drives and there is a charge for the personal vehicle as well.


Another difference is that licensed guides in some parks are allowed to conduct night drives but self drive visitors must be out before dusk.

We had a discussion with another couple and we both agreed if was better to break up your time at a camp with some safaris and some days to just enjoy the nature and wildlife within the camp rather than constantly going on three or four hour long game drives.




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Mike Waterland -- A Land Rover Safari, "Off Roaaad!"

As always, we are meeting many unique and interesting travelers here in Africa. Earlier in the week we had the pleasure of meeting Mick, an intrepid traveler who is also an English university level sports instructor and referee with a zoology degree. We spend several nights learning about his extensive travels, and had lots of laughs.

Mick's tent was near ours, and day before yesterday another tenter joined us, this one arriving in his very own Land Rover Defender.

Pictured below are, L to R, Mick, Mike, Laura


Mike Waterland has been working in Malawi with Born Free, a conservation organization founded by actors from the famous movie. This was Mike's third trip to the South Luangwa National Park area, and he said at this time of the year he could make the drive from the capital of Malawi where he has been living in 5 or 6 hours!

Mike had stayed at another lodge on his first trip, but this time he returned to Flatdogs where he had stayed with his girlfriend Lillian back in the rainy season. We met Mike at the bar and jokingly said we would be glad to be his road crew on his safari game drives into the park in case he got stuck, and since we did not have a vehicle and we loved to go off road in our own Global Warmer II. Next day we did not see much of Mike since he went on the Flatdog's early morning and night game drives. He did give Robert a lift into town to get some kerosene, called parafin, for our stove.

Next morning the camp workers reported seeing lions right on the 100 yard or so "ramp" that leaves from the main road into Flatdogs Camp. Flatdogs and Mfuwe are surrounded by a Game Management Area just across the Luangwa river from South Luangwa River National Park. Mike had not seen lions on any of his many safari's into SLNP, and he wanted to drive out to look for them. He offered for us to join him, and thus began a real adventure for us, riding with Mike in his personal Land Rover Defender!

Mike is considering adding Safari Guide to his resume, and he discussed with us considerations as if we were his clients. In three game drives with him we saw many amazing sights, and had lots of laughs. Great fun to go with someone with so many safari's under his belt in numerous countries.

We would rec him to anyone who wants a guide!