Just because Africa is poor doesn't mean it's cheap!

A few years ago, I received a telephone enquiry from a person wanting assistance with planning a 3 week holiday in Botswana in July (peak season). After explaining that he would probably need to budget US$400.00 to USD$800.00 per night, excluding flights and transfers, there was a stunned silence before he indignantly exclaimed, "I travelled through India for 3 weeks on USD$400.00!" and promptly hung up.

I was, needless to say, a bit nonplussed, firstly how rude to hang up on me (!), and secondly, how does anyone think they can spend 3 weeks in Botswana on the same budget that they travelled through India?!

One highly animated and perspective-enhancing debate with my colleagues, and two calm-inducing ego-soothing cups of tea later, I'd begun to understand why Africa may be misconceived as a cheap destination.

Photo: A new found Zimbabwean Billionaire!

Misconceptions

Sadly, I think the most enduring images people have of Africa are ragged clothes, famine and drought, all images of poverty at its most heart-breaking - but this does not necessarily translate to a cheap holiday destination.

Most African countries have experienced a turbulent economy at one point in time, which has resulted in hyper-inflation. To obtain some form of stability they adopted the US Dollar as legal tender. Upon Dollarisation, foreign currencies immediately lose the buying power which they previously enjoyed over the weaker African currency and your accommodation and transport costs immediately increase.

A few points to consider

* Infrastructure out in the bush, for the most part is limited and operating costs of lodges and camps in remote corners of Africa are high because everything from the milk in your tea to light bulbs and fuel for the generators has to be flown into the camp.

* Western standards are expected in Africa, air-conditioning in tents, ice in drinks- all difficult things to pull off when electricity isn't exactly on tap - it all adds up!

* Due to increasingly high demand and limited capacity getting to, from and around Africa is expensive.

* South Africa is one of the more affordable options because of the Dollar - Rand exchange rate and strong infrastructure and stable economy.

I am not saying that the above is in anyway justified, bearing in mind the average African township dweller will never have the opportunity to see an African elephant in the African bush. There are a lot of things not quite as they should be in this world.

So, what can you do to help?

Embrace responsible tourism: support the company that can prove that your money is improving the lives of the surrounding communities, protecting the wildlife and conserving the land.

Remember Africa does offer excellent value for money. The standard of accommodation is high, service is good, food is excellent and of course, where else are you going to see the Big Five their natural habitat?

Photo: Leadwood- A luxury safari Lodge in the Sabi Sands

And is it all worth it? Once you've been humbled by the sight of a herd of elephants, felt the air tremble as a lion roars close by, seen the warmth of the smiles and experienced the all-encompassing hospitality of the African people - you'll know, without a shadow of a doubt, that it's money well spent.

Photo: Warm smiles and fantastic hospitality

In my opinion, a holiday to Africa should be viewed as an investment, in a unique lifetime experience that will create a well of happy memories which will sustain you for the rest of your days, and in the process, you will be contributing to a higher cause.

Now, isn't that something worth paying top dollar for!

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• 1. Loved South Africa, highly recommended!
  

  thomas5454

  March 11th, 2010 at 12:46am

  

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• 2. I agree with you Vanessa, while Africa is rightfully perceived as a 'poor' continent in terms of the economy, it is wrongfully perceived as a cheap holiday destination. But that ALL depends on what you want to do, and where you want to go. Obviously 5 star treatment at the Royal Livingstone just outside Vic Falls is going to cost you, whereas a 10-day self-drive safari around Kruger staying in rest camps or smaller lodges is most likely not.
  But then again, the question is asked: am I willing to pay for the 'top dollar' experience? And the answer is that yes, many people are, which is why Africa still pulls out all the stops for those amazing luxury safaris.
  Maybe it's about biting the bullet and going for it. As you say, it's the memories and lifetime experience that you're going to treasure and remember, not the money you spent.
  

  
  kimberoo

  March 11th, 2010 at 8:32am

  

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• 3. Vanessa you write so beautifully and I think you have encapsulated the essence of Africa's toursism trade
  

  
  Derek Boshard

  March 11th, 2010 at 8:48am

  

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• 4. Great article! Africa is an expensive destination in terms of getting here and accommodation. Although, once you get to South Africa daily expenses such as food and drink are quite reasonable. Another plus when converting Dollars/ Pounds/ Euros in to Rand!
  Speaking of currencies, I have a trillion Zim dollar bill at home! That trumps a billionaire - right? ;-)
  

  
  Kate-Erskine

  March 11th, 2010 at 10:23am

  

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• 5. I totally agree with the last comment. Once you get into the local restaurants and bars, you can get a fantastic meal at a fraction of the price it would cost in Europe or the States. And the top South African wines are also very reasonable.
  

  
  emmagass

  March 11th, 2010 at 2:50pm

  

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• 6. What a fantastic and brilliantly written article which has hit the nail straight on the head.
  

  Roberta

  March 12th, 2010 at 3:25pm

  

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