Budget lodges offer simple, functional accommodation focused on affordability and practicality. These properties provide a cost-effective base for exploring a destination without unnecessary extras, prioritising experience over comfort or exclusivity.
Standards vary by location, and what qualifies as "budget" in one country may differ significantly in another, depending on local costs, infrastructure, and how remote the destination is.
In some regions, particularly in Southern Africa, budget options can still offer excellent wildlife experiences. In higher-cost destinations, however, even modest accommodation may fall into a mid-range price bracket, so these categories should always be viewed in the context of where you're travelling.
Not sure how budget lodges compare across different destinations? See our Safari Accommodation Price Guide.
Located in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve within the Greater Kruger, Xanatseni Private Camp has five thatched luxury en-suite rooms with open views of a waterhole and the surrounding bushveld. For families and small groups, there is the option of booking the Tseni Suite, a two-bedroom family suite that comes with a private safari guide and exclusive use of a game viewing vehicle.
With eight spacious suites and a private villa, WaterLovers Beach Resort on Diani Beach along Kenya's tropical south coast offers a perfect setting for a relaxing beach holiday. Lazy and leisurely or adventure-packed with activities, WaterLovers has something for everyone.
Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, adjacent to the Zambezi National Park, forms a large open-plan treehouse among the indigenous trees. From here, guests can enjoy luxury accommodation, as well as a spectacular view of the African bushveld and wildlife. In addition to this wonderful African experience, the lodge is only 4 km away from the Victoria Falls rainforest.
An addition to the well-known Victoria Falls Safari Lodge family, the private and exclusive Victoria Falls Safari Club has 16 club rooms and 4 club suites. Providing endless views over the African bushveld of the unspoilt Zambezi National Park and riverfront, the Safari Club offers the latest in comfort and contemporary African design for an exclusive, personal safari experience.
The Victoria and Alfred Hotel is a luxury 4-star hotel, occupying a prime spot in the heart of Cape Town's vibrant V&A Waterfront, with safe access to excellent retail facilities, restaurants and entertainment. The hotel offers breathtaking views of Table Mountain and Cape Town's historic working harbour.
The PortsWood Hotel is one of the most affordable Victoria & Alfred Waterfront hotels, offering superb 4-star accommodation in one of Cape Town's most popular areas. This hotel is conveniently situated for easy access to all of the city's well-known attractions.
The Elephant Hills Resort offers four star accommodation that overlooks the distant Zambezi River, as well as the majestic Victoria Falls. On the Zimbabwean side, just 4 km from the famous Falls, it offers a wide variety of activities to enjoy including an 18-hole golf course, guests can experience Africa in comfort and style.
The Commodore Hotel offers affordable four-star accommodation in a prime location right next to one of the most popular tourism developments in the world - the V&A Waterfront. The hotel is well-known for its exceptional service and offers excellent facilities.
The Cape Milner Hotel is a convenient and affordable hotel in Cape Town's City Bowl at the foot of Table Mountain, only three minutes from the V&A Waterfront. The hotel offers 57 air-conditioned, en-suite bedrooms, some with a view of Table Mountain.
Very iconic and somewhat quirky, The Ark in Aberdare National Park was built to resemble Noah's creation. It overlooks a floodlit waterhole and salt lick which attracts a wealth of wildlife, especially herds of elephant. There are viewing areas on four different levels as well as a bunker right next to the waterhole where you can watch and photograph the animals so close you can almost touch them, yet remain unseen.
Located within the Skukuza Rest Camp in Kruger National Park, Skukuza Safari Lodge offers a comfortable base for exploring the African wilderness. This lodge provides convenient access to the park's diverse wildlife and natural beauty, making it a practical choice for visitors seeking an affordable upgrade from a Kruger Park bungalow.
With sweeping views over the vast plains of the world-renowned Serengeti, rich with wildlife, this relatively large lodge is bright and cheerful. There is resident game all year round and, if you time it right, you may even catch the Great Migration passing through, a once in a lifetime experience.
Perched upon the banks of the beautiful Rufiji River, this tented camp in Selous Game Reserve offers spectacular views across the hippo-filled river. Visitors are not only treated to game drives but boating safaris, safari walks and fly-camping, too. This is truly wild, untamed Africa, in an area rich with game.
Rouge on Rose is centrally located in Cape Town, within walking distance to the city centre, De Waterkant, Green Market Square and the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). Comfortable, chic and welcoming, Rouge on Rose Boutique Hotel offers a choice of deluxe suites or self-catering units.
Robins Camp offers affordable accommodation and great game-viewing opportunities inside Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. Located in the northern basalt region of the park in an area frequented by enormous buffalo herds, Robins Camp is a two-hour drive or 20-minute flight from Victoria Falls.
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge was the first private safari lodge in Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, Africa's oldest proclaimed game reserve. This Big 5 park is celebrated for its rhino conservation success, protecting both white and black rhino, and is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, from nyala antelope to over 340 bird species.
Situated a few hundred metres from the southern rim of the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, Rhino Lodge offers comfortable accommodation and friendly staff. While not on the rim of the crater itself, the lodge has beautiful surroundings and provides easy access to the road into the crater. Here, one can marvel at Ngorongoro's concentration of wildlife, including the Big Five, and breathtaking scenery.
Perfectly located opposite the Sandton Gautrain Station and the buzzing Nelson Mandela Square, Radisson Blu is an excellent stopover to enjoy the commercial hub of Sandton. About 20 minutes door-to-door (the actual train ride takes about 12 minutes, including stops) from OR Tambo International Airport, it couldn’t be easier to get to.
Situated in Gladiator Street, Rhodesfield, Premier Hotel O.R. Tambo is 1.2 km from the airport and only 800 metres from the Rhodesfield Gautrain (rapid rail) station, with connections to Sandton City taking a mere 12 minutes. The hotel also offers a complimentary airport shuttle.
Set just 12 km from the entrance to Ngorongoro and with easy access to the spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater, Plantation Lodge is the perfect spot to lay your head. With a range of different rooms set in a tranquil garden on a coffee plantation, it's hard not to relax here. Go game viewing in Ngorongoro, meet the local people, go for walks both in and around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area; the options are endless.
Set in beautiful grounds and enjoying the shade of baobab, fig and acacia trees of the Colonial-style Perry's Bridge Trading Post Centre, Perry's Bridge Hollow is an elegant boutique hotel minutes away from the world-famous Kruger National Park and within a short drive to the Panorama Route and its many attractions in South Africa's Mpumalanga Province.
The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel is situated in Sea Point, Cape Town, only 5 minutes away from the famous Cape Town Waterfront, city centre as well as Clifton's beautiful beaches. This luxury hotel offers sweeping views of the Atlantic ocean and promenade from all rooms and is a great base from which to explore Cape Town.
The elegant 4-star Peermont Mondior hotel at Emperors Palace offers you world-class business, conference and leisure accommodation. There are 150 spacious rooms and suites with a contemporary African theme, giving you a great combination of old-fashioned comfort and modern technology.
The modern 3-star Peermont Metcourt Suites (previously the Metcourt Laurel Hotel) is situated within the exciting Emperors Palace casino and entertainment complex, only 5 minutes away from OR Tambo International Airport. A convenient, free airport shuttle service runs every 15-20 minutes.
Why not chat to one of our safari experts who can answer all your questions and help you design your dream trip to Africa.
