Cheap hotels in Africa

Most African trips are built around a Nile cruise or a safari, with a night or two in a gateway city on either side. Where you stay matters: a hotel near the airport or the river docks makes early starts easy, while the right lodge region puts you close to the wildlife. Our guides show where to stay in each city and safari area, with live rates from Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo.

Finding cheap rooms in Africa is easier when you know where to look. We compare live hotel rates across the top booking sites and point you to the neighborhoods where hotels are cheap but the location is still great.

Cheap hotels by city in Africa

Egypt

Cheap hotels in Cairo

Giza (near the Pyramids) · Downtown & Tahrir · Zamalek

Egypt

Cheap hotels in Luxor

East Bank Corniche · Near Karnak Temple · West Bank

Egypt

Cheap hotels in Aswan

Aswan Corniche · Elephantine Island · Nubian West Bank

South Africa

Cheap hotels in Johannesburg

Sandton · Rosebank · Near O.R. Tambo Airport

South Africa

Cheap hotels in Cape Town

V&A Waterfront · City Bowl · Camps Bay

Kenya

Cheap hotels in Nairobi

Westlands · Karen · Gigiri

Zimbabwe

Cheap hotels in Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls Town · Livingstone (Zambia) · Zambezi Riverfront

Botswana

Cheap hotels in Kasane

Kasane Town · Chobe Riverfront · Kazungula

South Africa

Cheap hotels in Kruger National Park

Hazyview · Skukuza · Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Kenya

Cheap hotels in Masai Mara

Talek · Sekenani Gate · Mara Triangle

Tanzania

Cheap hotels in Serengeti

Central Serengeti (Seronera) · Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) · Southern Serengeti (Ndutu)

Tips for finding cheap rooms in Africa

• Book a gateway-city night before a safari or Nile cruise — international flights often arrive late and safari flights leave early.
• Safari lodge and camp rates are often per person and may include meals and game drives; compare what is included, not just the headline price.
• National park and conservancy fees are usually charged separately per person per day — check whether your rate includes them.
• Peak safari seasons (the dry months) and Egyptian winter sell out early; book months ahead for those dates.