Africa on budget in 2 weeks
Replies: 15 - Last Post: Dec 19, 2011 4:08 AM Last Post By: nedlah
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Africa on budget in 2 weeks
Hi, I'd really really like to visit some African country (Sub-Saharan Africa), but guess what? My budget is not big:) Not including the flight from Europe, vaccines & insurance, my budget is $700 max. That would be something like $220 on food, $150 on accommodation (I have some couchsurfing friends), $130 for getting around, $200 for attractions.Each time I think I've found some country that would fit my budget, problems always emerge- National Parks in Uganda charge $35 each just for entrance, Ethiopia's churches are expensive too and I would need to fly because the country is huge, Sudan's visa cost is enormous, some countries aren't easily accessible... So, any suggestions?
2
Mali is cheap right now.3
You can live in some comfort (this is always a relative term but I can manage very happily) on $20 a day through most of West Africa. You won't find the excesses of tourism that blight East and Southern Africa but if you like absorbing the "essence" of Africa through music, food, scenery, some animal life and varied cultures without paying a fortune, look West.Dave
4
a budget of $700 for 2weeks would be enough in India (not including flights)5
Where are you flying from in Europe?It doesn't make much sense to exclude your flight ticket (if you are going to pay for the flight).It costs a hell of a lot less to fly on a budget airline to Morocco than flying to Madagascar or Mozambique.
Possibilities for couchsurfing also vary enormously from 1 country to another.
What is your total 2 week budget?
6
700 dollars for two weeks is perfectly doable.Many things in Africa are extremely expensive, but as long as you are willing to sacrifice the luxuries, it becomes cheaper than anywhere else.
Uganda would be a good place for your budget. You wont be able to stay at backpacker hostels or eat western food, but I assume you dont plan on either.
Uganda has a good travelers infrastructure, with lodges (basic hotels. The word "Hotel" often means restaurant) in every town and village. A room here costs from three to five dollars. Food is really cheap if you eat the normal stable in the region you are in. Cassava, Matoka and Posho/Ugali will get you a long way. Dont expect to eat much meat tough.
9
I'm from Croatia, so I have to fly somewhere first- London, Italy, Budapest, Germany... Another thing is that Croatian citizens don't need visa for Botswana only and can get visas on arrival for like 5 more countries.I'll be paying my flight regularly, thank you :-) My total budget is $1500 max. I excluded flights, visas, etc. since these costs in most cases go around $800 in my case. And that $700 is what's left.
Taking the flight costs into consideration, the best options seem to be Senegal & Gambia, since there are very cheap charter flights from the UK to Gambia... Kenya also. I can get ok prices for Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda... Maybe Ghana & Benin too. That's what I've found so far.
What concerns me the most is that the prices of food, accommodation, transport, etc. in Africa seem to go up every minute!
In short, I want to see some wildlife, meet people & experience the culture. I have traveled a lot, but never outside of Europe, so higher hygienic conditions could be important too. Any recommendations and advices now?
10
Ok...so wildlife really leaves out most of North Africa.Your best bets of the places you mentioned are Kenya or Uganda......Uganda is probably more backpacker oriented and cheaper to see wildlife.There is a vibrant culture too and most of the people are friendly and inquisitve.
However...as #6 says...on your budget it will be local food,local rooms(not backpacker hostels which are much more expensive) and local transport.And hygienic conditions are not good by western standards on this budget!
11
"However...as #6 says...on your budget it will be local food,local rooms(not backpacker hostels which are much more expensive) and local transport.And hygienic conditions are not good by western standards on this budget!"Unless you can afford luxury, I don't think one can expect western standards at all, so I'm not expecting them.
I'd choose Uganda over Kenya because from many reports I've read, people in Uganda seem nicer and less corrupted.
14
I had a very bad experience with Cape To Addo Safaris at 75 Loop Street in capetown as their prices looked quite cheap and at least I won't be camping outdoors. Before I arrived in Capetown, I had booked a confirmed departure for a 5 day garden route tour and paid them the deposite. I then booked my airtickets and hotel around the lad tour date and for over a month, I liaised with Candice Jerling who assured me if was a confirmed departure. The night before the land tour, she left a message at my hotel reception to say the trip was cancelled. She did not attempt to provide a reasonable altlernative and I was left stranded. even when I went to their office with the police to ask for compensation, she refused, saying that her boss Gavin o Donohuge was out of town and she can't make any decisions. In the end, I had to book alternative land tours on my own and wasted 2 days doing so. Wehn I returned home and tried to make a complain with SOTA, they also said they could not do anything. So please folks, avoid all these small tour operators who con people by having nice websites and active forummers (they are good at social network marketing to drive up traffic and appear like they are a good company with many positive comments). go with the big players instead. At least you will not be let down by these tour operators. Also avoid Enchantment Tours...they helped me to book through Cape to Addo Safaris and also refused to take responsibility when things went wrong.
