Most hunters assume Africa costs more than a western elk hunt. Here’s the truth: a full plains game safari often costs less.
We book hunters into South Africa every year, and the number one question we get is the price tag. So let’s break down what an African hunting safari actually costs in 2026 — package prices, trophy fees, and the hidden costs nobody warns you about.
The Short Answer
A quality 7-day South African plains game safari runs $4,000 to $12,000 all-in for the hunt itself, depending on how many animals you take and which species. Compare that to a guided elk hunt out west, where $7,000 to $14,500 is normal for one animal, and you start to see why so many hunters cross the ocean.
South Africa is consistently the most affordable destination on the continent. Industry-wide, full-service plains game hunts start around $4,500 for five days with three to four trophies included, with mid-range packages running $9,000 to $15,000 for seven to ten days.
How Safari Pricing Works
African hunts are usually priced one of two ways:
Package hunts bundle your daily rates and a set list of animals into one price. Our South Africa Plains Game Safari starts at $4,200, and if you’re after one of Africa’s most iconic trophies, the kudu package safari runs $10,750 with multiple animals included.
Daily rates plus trophy fees is the à la carte route. You pay $300 to $500 per day for lodging, meals, your professional hunter, and trackers — then a trophy fee for each animal you take. Rough 2026 trophy fees: springbok around $350, impala around $600, kudu around $2,100, sable from $4,200, and Cape buffalo from $8,900. If buffalo is the dream, our 9-day Cape Buffalo safari is $12,100.
On a budget? A management hunt — taking older or non-trophy animals — gets you to Africa for as little as $2,250.
The Costs Nobody Tells You About
The hunt price isn’t the whole bill. Budget for these:
- Airfare: $1,500–$2,500 round trip to Johannesburg from most US cities
- Taxidermy and shipping: the big one. Dip-and-pack plus crating and import brokerage can run $2,000–$5,000+ depending on how many trophies come home
- Tips: plan on roughly 10% of the hunt cost for your PH and camp staff
- Rifle permits: South Africa’s SAPS 520 permit is free, but many hunters pay a meet-and-greet service ~$100–$150 to speed it up — or just borrow a camp rifle
One more thing that surprises people: almost everything is included once you’re in camp. Lodging, meals, drinks, laundry, your PH, trackers, and skinners — it’s closer to an all-inclusive resort than a spike camp. If you’re wondering what to bring, start with our guide to the right caliber for Africa.
Is It Worth It?
Ask the hunters who’ve gone. On a single week in South Africa you can take three to five animals — species that have been on your list since you were a kid — for the price of one western elk hunt. It’s the best trophy-per-dollar value in the hunting world, and winter in South Africa (our summer) means prime hunting weather in June through August. Even a 15-year-old can pull it off — just read Zoey’s safari story.
Browse our South Africa safaris and all guided hunts, or contact us and we’ll build a safari around your list and your budget — no markup, straight outfitter pricing.
Hunting is not a hobby. It’s an obsession.
