Yes, the off-season is hotter and wetter than the peak tourist season, but the rain is usually brief. To deal with the temperature, pack loose clothes that are made of breathable fabric. By some estimates, you could save 20% to 40% on travel expenses by traveling during the off-season. This makes it one of the most effective ways to stick to a budget!

Kigali, Rwanda Cairo, Egypt Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Cape Coast, Ghana Livingstone, Zambia Marrakech, Morocco Dakar, Senegal

Keep in mind that cheaper flights will probably have more than one stop. The site might show flights with budget airlines like Kulula, Fastjet, Mango, Flysafair, Fly540, JamboJet, Dana Air, Flydubai, or Skywise.

If you’re traveling in Kenya, look for matutus. These vibrant private minibuses cover short and long distances within the country. To get between countries, look into riding the train. A second-class fare usually costs around the same as a similar bus fare. [4] X Research source

Budget hotels are also a great option if you book in advance. Use an aggregator website that searches for hotels at your destination, then ranks them by cost. For example, a South African hostel in the Nqileni Village runs around $10 and includes village visits, canoeing, breakfast, and other great amenities. If you’d rather backpack and camp, you’ve got tons of options. You could camp in Kenya’s Hell’s Gate National Park for around $70 or camp in Namibia’s Naukluft National Park for about $26. Be careful with places that seem too cheap or shady. It’s important to read up a lot about the location you plan on staying beforehand.

For instance, you might do community development in Tanzania for a cost of $200 USD a week or you may give musical instructions to kids in Ghana for around $650 USD a week. You’re sure to find a program that caters to your interests. There are volunteer opportunities for sports coaching, AIDS prevention, wildlife refuges, shark conservation, and more!

Avoid shopping at expat-owned supermarkets. They usually charge a premium. Instead, get the basics where the locals shop. Check to see if your accommodations offer meals. You might be able to eat a filling breakfast and make do with snacks later in the day. Some accommodations might also offer inexpensive dinners. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that you avoid drinking tap or well water while in Africa. Stick to bottled water or water that’s been disinfected. [8] X Research source Be careful when accepting drinks from strangers. Always go for bottled drinks that are opened in front of you.

If your plan has a limit, keep track of how much data you use, so you’re not surprised with charges on your next bill. ATM fees are another way to break your budget. If you use ATMs in Africa, you’ll most likely be charged high international fees for withdrawing cash. Plus, you can’t assume that you’ll be able to easily find one!

Remember, be polite and have fun! Haggling in the market will be a memory you take back with you—especially if you make it fun or make a connection with someone.

For instance, a luxury safari could cost you hundreds of dollars or even thousands if you have to rent a private vehicle. By comparison, you could stay do a safari out of South Africa’s Kruger National Park for $70 a night.

Depending on where you’re traveling, you may be able to spend time at a breathtaking beach. Check out Wimbi Beach in Mozambique or Grand Baie Public Beach in Mauritius for instance. If you love elephants, be sure to visit Chobe National Park which is known as the elephant capital of Africa! The entry fee is only $13. Want to see Mt. Kilimanjaro? Skip Kilimanjaro National Park which costs $70 a day and see the volcano from Amboseli National Park for half the price.

For example, spend an afternoon walking around Morocco’s famous markets in Fez, or enjoy the sounds of street musicians playing in Cape Town. [14] X Research source