Have you ever received a quotation showing a price like USD 500 per person sharing, or you’ve seen an advert online of a tour company advertising a destination and the price advertised is per person sharing, and you wondered what it actually means?
If you are planning an African safari, understanding per person sharing is very important because it helps interpret tour prices, compare different packages, and know exactly what you are paying for before making a booking.
In the tours and travel industry, the term per person sharing is a common way of presenting safari and holiday package prices. Therefore, couples, friends, families, and solo travelers understanding these pricing arrangements can help prevent unexpected costs during the booking process. It also makes it easier to determine whether a quoted rate offers good value for the accommodation, transport, and experiences included.
In this guide, Ravina Tours & Travel will help you understand the meaning of per person sharing, how the rates are calculated, the difference between room sharing and vehicle sharing, how group size influences costs, and what solo travelers should know about single supplements. We will also explore common booking situations and practical ways to compare quotations so that you can plan your safari with confidence.
What Does Per Person Sharing Mean in a Safari
What does per person sharing simply mean?
Per person sharing refers to the price each traveler pays when two or more people share accommodation during a safari or holiday. Instead of one person paying the full accommodation cost, the room rate is shared between the people occupying the room. Each traveler is then quoted an individual price based on the sharing arrangement.
In simple terms, when a safari company advertises a package at USD 500 per person sharing, for example, it usually means that each person pays USD 500, provided they are travelling with someone else and sharing the specified room.
Therefore, per person sharing usually refers to the accommodation arrangement used to calculate the advertised rate, but it does not necessarily mean you will share every aspect of your trip. For instance, two travelers can occupy the same room or tent at a safari lodge, travel using the same safari vehicle during game drives, meals may be served at shared dining areas, but each traveler has their own meal according to the package, and some activities may be conducted as a group while others privately.
So, you can book a private safari with your partner, share one room and have a safari vehicle exclusively for the two of you; you will still receive a per person sharing rate.
On the other hand, a solo traveler joining a group safari may share a vehicle with other guests but request a private room. In this case, the tour operator will charge a single supplement for the accommodation. A single supplement is simply an additional amount charged to a traveler who wants to occupy a hotel room, safari lodge, or tented camp alone instead of sharing it with another person, which is usually added to the standard per person sharing rate to cover the extra accommodation cost associated with single occupancy.
Therefore, when requesting a safari quotation, make it clear whether you are comfortable sharing accommodation or you would prefer a private room. This helps ensure that the quotation reflects your actual travel arrangements rather than an assumed per person sharing rate.
Why Safari Companies Use Per Person Sharing Rates
Have you ever wondered why tour operators advertise their safari packages using a per person sharing rate instead of giving the total price of the entire trip?
The per person sharing approach is common in the travel industry because it makes it easier for travelers to understand how much they are expected to pay based on their accommodation arrangements and the number of people travelling together.
You may be aware that safari packages involve several expenses, including accommodation, transport, park entry fees, meals, driver-guide services, and activities. Some of these costs are shared among travelers while others are charged individually.
Therefore, by presenting prices per person sharing, tour operators can break down the overall package cost into an amount that is easier for each traveler to understand.
Here are the main reasons why safari companies use the per person sharing method;
- To make safari prices easier to understand
- To account for shared accommodation costs
- To distribute shared safari expenses among travelers
- To offer different prices based on group size
- To accommodate different budgets and travel preferences
- To make group and private safari quotations easier to compare
Note that every safari booking is different and travelers may choose different accommodation categories, travel dates, room arrangements, activities, and transport options. Therefore, travelers should always request a detailed quotation to establish what exactly the rate includes, how many people can share a room, and whether additional charges apply.
What Affects Per Person Sharing Rate
Have you ever noticed that 2 safari packages covering the same destinations can have different per person sharing rates? For instance, one tour operator may quote USD 800 per person sharing while another USD 1,200 per person sharing for what appears to be a similar itinerary. This difference does not necessarily mean one company is more expensive than the other; several factors influence how safari packages are priced.
Note that a per person sharing rate is not a fixed amount across all safari tour operators.
Here are some of the main factors that influence how much you pay per person sharing.
Number of People Travelling
The number of travelers can influence the per person sharing rate because certain safari expenses are shared among the group.
For example, a private safari vehicle and driver-guide services may cost a similar amount whether two or four people are travelling, provided the same vehicle and itinerary are used. However, when more people share these expenses, the amount allocated to each traveler may decrease. In that, a group of four traveling together may receive a lower per person sharing rate than a couple booking the same private safari.
Note that not all expenses are shared among travelers; some, such as park entry fees, permits, and activities, are charged per person.
Accommodation Category
Accommodation is one of the biggest factors affecting safari package prices. The type of property you choose, its location, facilities, and level of comfort all influence the final per person sharing rate.
For example, staying at a budget campsite in the Masai Mara will generally cost less than staying in a luxury tented camp overlooking the reserve. Both options will offer accommodation, meals, and access to game drives, but the facilities and overall experience can be very different.
Therefore, the accommodation category affects the rate because each property has its own room prices and occupancy policies.
Travel Season
The season you choose to travel can significantly affect your per person sharing rate.
Accommodation prices usually rise depending on the travel season and visitor demand. For example, in Kenya and Tanzania, during the peak season, when most travelers want to witness the Great Migration in the Masai Mara and Serengeti National Park, accommodation rates increase.
Safari seasons are divided into low season, shoulder season, peak season, and festive season. During the low and shoulder season, there are low accommodation rates and special deals, while during the peak and festive season, accommodation rates are higher.
Safari destination and park fees
The destination you choose also influences how much you may pay per person sharing. Different national parks, national reserves and conservancies have different entry fees, conservation charges and applicable visitor categories.
Private vs shared transport
Transport is another important component of safari pricing. The vehicle used, the distance covered, and whether you choose private or shared transport can influence the final rate.
For example, a couple booking a private safari to Samburu National Reserve may have to share the full vehicle cost between themselves. If they join an existing group departure, the transport expenses may be distributed among more passengers.
Note that a private safari does not necessarily mean a more expensive experience in every situation. When several friends or family members travel together, they can divide the vehicle cost among themselves.
Meal Plans
Safari packages may offer different meal arrangements, which include Bed and breakfast, Half board, and full board depending on the accommodation and itinerary. The meal plan you select can therefore influence the per person sharing rate. A full board package will cost more than a bed and breakfast arrangement because more meals are included.
Length of the itinerary
The number of days you spend on a safari directly affects the total package cost and the per person sharing rate.
For instance, a two-night safari will generally cost less overall than a seven-night safari because it involves fewer nights of accommodation, meals, and other daily services.
Therefore, before booking a trip, compare and contrast the listed factors before you make a decision.
Practical Examples of Per Person Sharing Calculations
Let’s break down costs and see how it changes when 2, 4, or 6 people travel together.
We will use a 3-day, 2-night road safari to the Masai Mara National Reserve as an example. Let’s assume all travelers are using the same private safari Land Cruiser, stay in the same category of mid-range accommodation, and follow the same itinerary.
Note that these are not actual package prices.
- Accommodation for 2 nights per person: USD 200 per night
Example 1: Two People Travelling Together
These two people are planning a 3-day Masai Mara safari in a private safari vehicle and one double room at a mid-range tented camp.
Step 1: Calculating the total accommodation cost for one night
One room- USD 200 per night
Step 2: Accommodation per person for 2 nights
= USD 200 *2 = USD 400
Step 3: Dividing the total cost between the 2 travelers
= USD 400 divided by 2 = USD 200
So, each traveler pays USD 200 per person for the two nights, which is equivalent to USD 100 per person per night.
Example 2: Four People Travelling Together
Step 1: Calculating the total accommodation cost for one night
Note: four adults ( couples) need 2 rooms, with 2 sharing each room.
Room 1: USD 200
Room 2: USD 200
Total per night: USD 200 + USD 200 = USD 400
Step 2: Calculating the cost for the 2 nights
= USD 400 *2 = USD 800
Step 3: Dividing the total cost among the 4 travelers
= USD 800 divided by 4 = $ 200 per person sharing
Therefore, each traveler pays USD 200 for the two nights, which is equivalent to USD 100 per person per night.
You will notice that the per person sharing rate remains USD 200 in both examples. This is because each room costs USD 200 per night and accommodates 2 adults. Therefore, when the number of travelers increases from 2 to 4, the number of rooms also increases from 1 to 2.
What is the Difference Between Per Person Sharing and Single Occupancy
The main difference between per person sharing and single occupancy is the number of people occupying a room and how the accommodation cost is calculated.
Per person sharing involves two or more travelers sharing accommodation, with each person paying an individual rate based on the sharing arrangement. On the other hand, single occupancy means one traveler occupies a room alone and pays the applicable single-occupancy rate.
Therefore, per person sharing is the rate based on multiple people occupying the same accommodation, while single occupancy means one person has the room to themselves.
The main difference is that per person sharing describes how a safari package is priced based on accommodation occupancy, while group joining describes how travelers share a safari experience, especially transport and organised activities with other travelers.
How to Read Per Person Sharing Prices on a Safari Quotation
When you receive a safari quotation from a tour operator, understanding how to read a per person sharing quotation helps you know what each traveler is expected to pay, how many people they will share a room with, and whether additional charges apply.
A safari quotation is more than just a price list; it provides details about the accommodation, transport, park fees, meals, activities, and other services included in your trip.
Here is how to read the different parts of a safari quotation.
- Understand what the per person sharing rate represents
- Confirm the number of travelers used to calculate the rate
- Understand the room occupancy arrangement
- Confirm the meal plan details
- Confirm whether the safari vehicle is private or shared
Common Misunderstandings About Per Person Sharing in Safari Packages
When booking a safari, the term per person sharing can be confusing, especially for travelers planning their first trip to Kenya or other African destinations. Some people assume it means sharing everything with another traveler, while others think the quoted price is the total amount they need to pay as a couple or group.
Therefore, understanding these misunderstandings helps you interpret safari quotations correctly, compare prices fairly, and avoid unexpected costs when making a booking.
1. Per person sharing means sharing a vehicle. This is one of the most common misunderstandings. Per person sharing usually refers to the accommodation arrangement, not necessarily the safari vehicle.
2. Another mistake is that the quoted price is for two people combined. No, if a price advertised is USD 850 per person sharing, it doesn’t mean two people pay USD 850 altogether; it means each traveler pays USD 850, making a total of USD 1,700.
3. The per person sharing rate is the same regardless of group size. Safari prices can change depending on how many people are traveling together. This is because some expenses such as vehicle hire, fuel, and driver-guide costs may be shared among the travelers.
4. A solo traveler only needs to pay half of the per person sharing rate. A solo traveler who wants a private room will have to pay a single supplement.
5. Per person sharing and group joining mean the same thing.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, understanding per person sharing makes planning an African safari much easier. It helps you know how safari prices are presented, why the cost per traveler can change depending on the number of people travelling together, and what to expect when booking accommodation.
Therefore, before confirming your booking, take time to review the quotation, check the number of travelers it covers, and understand the accommodation arrangements, inclusions, and exclusions.
