The phrase "all inclusive" does a lot of work in the safari industry. On a Caribbean holiday, it means unlimited food and drinks and you never open your wallet again. On an African safari, it means something rather more specific — and significantly more useful, once you understand what you're actually paying for.
Here's the straight version.
What a Good All Inclusive Africa Safari Covers
When a reputable operator uses "all inclusive," the core package typically covers:
Accommodation. Your lodge or tented camp for the duration of your stay, including housekeeping and turndown service. At quality properties, this means proper beds, en-suite bathrooms, and often a private deck or balcony.
Meals. All three meals daily — a proper cooked breakfast before the morning game drive, lunch on return, and dinner. Most lodges prepare meals of a standard that surprises first-time guests. Fresh ingredients, skilled cooks, and three-course dinners are common even at mid-range camps. Bush breakfasts (eaten outdoors at a scenic stop during the drive) and bush dinners are often part of the rotation.
Game drives. This is the centrepiece. Typically two per day — morning and late afternoon — in a private open-roof 4×4 with a professional guide. The vehicle is yours for the duration; you won't share it with guests from other lodges. The guide's knowledge of the park is genuinely the most valuable thing you're paying for.
Park fees and government levies. These are significant costs. Serengeti National Park charges conservation fees per person per day; at current rates, this runs to approximately USD $70–$80 per person. A quality all inclusive package absorbs this into the daily rate rather than billing it separately at checkout.
Airport and inter-lodge transfers. Most packages include road transfers from the nearest gateway airport (usually Kilimanjaro or Arusha). Internal charter flights between parks may or may not be included — ask specifically.
What It Usually Doesn't Cover
International flights. These are always separate. Budget your own flights and travel insurance independently.
Alcoholic beverages beyond the basics. Soft drinks, juices, and water are almost always included. Beer and standard wines typically are too, at a quality all inclusive lodge. What usually isn't: premium spirits, fine wines, and cocktails made with top-shelf liquor. This rarely causes any issues in practice.
Hot air balloon safaris. These are a separate activity, usually priced at £400–£600 per person. They are not standard inclusions, but most operators can arrange them. If this is important to you, confirm it before booking.
Specialist activities. Cultural visits to Maasai villages, night drives (where permitted), fly-camping, and multi-day walking safaris often carry additional costs. Ask for the full activity menu and pricing before you sign anything.
Tips and gratuities. Not included. Tipping your guide and lodge staff is standard practice and appreciated. Budget roughly USD $20–$30 per guide per day, and USD $10–$15 per day for lodge staff collectively.
Why All Inclusive Makes Financial Sense
Compare it to building your own safari from components: a private guide and vehicle, accommodation booked directly, park fees paid at the gate, meals at whatever's available nearby. You'd pay more, coordinate everything yourself, and take on all the risk if something changes.
An all inclusive Africa safari simplifies the entire process. You pay one agreed rate, arrive, and safari. No surprise bills. No mental arithmetic every time you order a drink. Just the experience itself.
For first-time visitors especially, this matters. You don't know what questions to ask. A reputable all inclusive package answers them before you arrive.
How to Compare Packages
Don't compare daily rates in isolation. A package at £400 per person per day that includes park fees and charter flights is cheaper than a £350 rate that doesn't. Build the full picture before deciding.
Ask these questions specifically:
Are park fees included or added separately?
Are internal flights included?
Is the game drive vehicle private or shared?
What is the guide-to-guest ratio?
What activities are included, and what carry additional costs?
The answers will tell you more about the package than the headline rate.
Amshar Serengeti Adventures offers fully transparent all inclusive Africa safari packages with no hidden billing. Everything is confirmed in writing before you travel. Get in touch for a tailored quote, or find us on Google to read reviews from previous guests.
FAQ
Is an all inclusive Africa safari good value for money?
Yes, particularly when you factor in what the components cost individually. Park fees, private guiding, all meals, and accommodation at a quality lodge add up quickly when purchased separately. A well-structured all inclusive package typically comes in at or below the total cost, and removes all the coordination burden.
What is the difference between all inclusive and full board?
Full board covers accommodation and three meals. All inclusive additionally covers game drives, park fees, activities, and often drinks and transfers. In the safari context, the two terms are sometimes used loosely — always confirm what's included rather than assuming.
Are children's rates different on all inclusive Africa safaris?
Often yes. Many lodges offer reduced rates for children under 12 or 15, and some are specifically designed for families. Children under certain ages may not be permitted on game drives at some lodges for safety reasons — check the policy when booking.
Do I need travel insurance for an all inclusive safari?
Yes, without question. Ensure your policy covers medical evacuation — air ambulance from remote areas is expensive without cover. It should also cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Standard UK travel insurance often has inadequate limits for remote Africa; specialist safari travel insurance is worth the additional cost.
Can I customise an all inclusive package?
Yes. Most quality operators — including Amshar Serengeti Adventures — build itineraries around your dates, interests, and group composition. "All inclusive" describes the pricing structure, not a fixed product. The itinerary, parks, accommodation level, and additional activities can all be adjusted.
