How Much More Will Your Safari Cost Next Year?

It’s always tempting to put off a big trip and think, “We’ll go next year.” But did we learn nothing from Covid?  The moral of the story is: cram all your holidays into one glorious smorgasbord.  Want to scuba dive?  No time for the Maldives, just leap into that crocodile-infested river.  Craving European culture?  Fire up The Da Vinci Code on your iPad between game drives.  Dream of climbing Everest?  There’s a stairmaster somewhere at the back of camp.  Problem solved.

Anyway, back to the point.

There’s a rule of thumb in the safari world: assume a 10% annual increase.  Not because it’s accurate, but because it’s expected—like tipping 20% in New York or pretending you love 5:30 am game drives.  Any time we ask for rates more than a year out, 10% is usually added.  Sometimes it’s to soften the blow when the actual quote lands lower.  Other times, it’s because that really is what it’s going to be.

Well, the new 2026 rates are starting to roll in, and here’s where we’re at:

• Singita: around 4-5% up, depending on the country.
• Royal Malewane: went for 6.5%, because why not.
• Morukuru Family Madikwe: apparently misunderstood the brief and came in hot at 18%.  Bold.  In their defence, they are remarkably cheap right now.  I’m going in June, so let’s see if cheap equals value for money.

The steepest increases I’m seeing are in Kenya, where no one’s quoting under 10%, and several are preemptively adding 12% to estimates—just to be safe.  Or profitable.  Or both.  But no one has blinked yet to release their rates.

When are rates usually released?

Around now.  Every year.  If you’re planning for an August 2026 safari, the rates probably weren’t out last month, but they’re trickling in now.  Until they’re officially released, travel agents usually estimate with that friendly 10% bump.  Some properties will lock that estimate in if you commit early, meaning if the actual rate ends up higher, you won’t pay more.  If it’s lower, they’ll adjust.

With all those annual increases, you do realise that compound interest can really suck when it’s working against you.  I stumbled across an email from 2017 where a certain lodge (which today is charging close to $20k a night) was priced at just over $8k.  Sure, it’s partly inflation.  But it’s also what happens when a lodge builds a reputation, improves its product, and realises there’s a waiting list of people happy to spend like it’s still 2021.

I’ve never seen a lodge lower its rates—ever.  What I have seen is a growing number of special offers during shoulder and off-season months.  But if you’re planning ahead, just assume it’s going to cost more.  Because it will.