Park fees are the number people forget

Park entry fees are a large share of safari cost and are set by government, not by the operator. Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro all charge per person per day, and Ngorongoro adds a crater descent fee per vehicle.

A quote that does not itemise park fees is not a real quote. Ask for the all-in figure.

Budget bands

Camping and budget safaris put you in basic tented camps with shared facilities. Mid-range means comfortable lodges with private bathrooms. Luxury means small camps, better guides and often fly-in transfers.

The guide matters more than the lodge. A good guide finds animals; a nice bed does not.

Kenya or Tanzania

Kenya is generally cheaper to reach and easier to combine with a beach extension at Diani or Watamu. Tanzania's Serengeti and Ngorongoro are larger and less crowded but transfers are longer and park fees higher.

The Great Migration crosses both. Timing matters more than country: river crossings are typically July to October in the Mara, and calving is January to March in the southern Serengeti.

How to avoid overpaying

• Get three itemised quotes with park fees separated
• Confirm the vehicle type and whether it is shared or private
• Check the guide is licensed by the tourism board
• Ask how many people per vehicle — six is comfortable, nine is not
• Book migration season nine to twelve months ahead