Budget Safaris

A safari in East Africa is one of the great travel adventures, but it is seldom cheap. In addition to the cost of air fare to get there, there is the cost of transportation to game parks, admission to the parks, lodging,food and guides

A company called www.adventuredragonsafaris.com offers a number of tours, including some that are quite reasonably priced. For example, a three day, two-night tour from Nairobi to the Maasi Mara Game Reserve in southern Kenya costs as little as $330 per person. This includes adventure camping, hotel or airport pickup in Nairobi, transportation, park admission and meals. If you are a fan of the British television show "Big Cat Diary," it is filmed on this reserve.

The organization also lists volunteer projects, baloon safairs, longer and more luxurious safaris and one program that combines visiting several children's homes with wildlife viewing. It is good to see that some tour operators are making an effort to cater to travellers who can't afford to stay at the traditional lodges.

This company's Website is a little frustrating because it does not seem to list prices for its safaris--you have to ask.

I took a traditional safari a long time ago, and while it was expensive I still consider it money very well spent. Seeing wildlife wandering freely in great numbers is truly an amazing experience.