Flights can be the biggest expense when it comes to your trip, however there are certainly ways to keep the cost as low as possible. Book as early as possible, at least two months in advance, and travel in the low season if you can: September through March, excluding December. Often your best bet is to fly to Europe with one airline and fly on to Africa with another. Countries in Europe generally have the most flights and possibilities of cheap flights to their ex-colonies. Paris flights go to West Africa, while most London flights go to East Africa. Frankfurt also offers good deals to Namibia. If you can't find a cheap flight to the country of your choice, fly to Ethiopia, Senegal or South Africa first, then get a budget flight or bus to the destination country. You should be able to get a return flight for around $1,200 by 2011 prices, or a flight into Morocco in the North for around $900.
It's very easy, when planning a trip on a shoestring, to think just of flights, accommodation, transport and food, but extra expenses must be budgeted as well. First and foremost, check thoroughly for any necessary vaccinations or medications and get all of them. Africa requires quite a few, and it can set you back by a few hundred dollars; don't be tempted to skimp. Also, get insurance to cover all medical costs flight home, if needed. Insurance can be a few hundred dollars, depending on where you go and for how long. Visas cost around $50 dollars per country, though it really depends on where you go. East Africa tends to cost more than West, and visas are usually cheaper to buy en route in Africa, rather than ordering them in advance from home. It can be time consuming to do this, anywhere from 24 hours to longer, so get a money order in advance if time is limited.
The majority of budget options, as well as safer travel options, can be found in Southern, South Eastern, and Northern Africa. Western, South Western and much of Central Africa is more difficult to travel in, though by no means impossible in certain countries. Always check official listings before traveling. It's very possible to travel independently in this area on a fairly tight budget. For adventure and safari, a number of operators run value tours between South Africa and Kenya and in many countries in between. These offer pretty good deals, plenty of variety and optional extras. For beach holiday, a favorite for budget travelers is The Gambia.
Many safari-type tours offered by American or European travel agencies are really expensive, but booking via a reputable tour operator in the country you visit can really cut costs. You can also get a lot more for your dollar by rolling two or three vacations into one and taking a longer trip. For example; a 40-day tour over land from South Africa to Kenya, including visits to Victoria Falls and the Serengeti Plains can be done for $850, as of 2011. The price includes equipment, food, transport and guides.
For a relaxed beach holiday, there are lots of options. When on a budget, though, avoid tourist hot spots like Zanzibar. Kartong, a small fishing village in The Gambia, offers some deals in almost deserted beaches, where family bungalows start at $40 a night by 2011 prices. It's a quiet place on the border of Senegal, but opportunity for getting involved in cultural activities in the village is available.
