7 Trends Safari Operators in Africa Are Seeing For 2024
Photo Caption: A group of travelers witness a rhino while on a Singita game drive in Southern Africa.
Skift Take
Many safari lovers are looking for immersive experiences, and not just chasing the Big 5 animal species.
African countries are seeing a surge in international travel, fueled by luxury safari experiences with repeat visitors. Returning travelers remain excited by the continent's iconic wildlife. However, they want to mix up their experiences beyond spotting game from the back of a Jeep.
We spoke to a half-dozen operators of multi-day safari tours and safari hospitality brands to find out the latest booking data and guest preferences. We came away with seven emerging trends we expect will shape safari tourism in the year ahead.
1. Increased Spending on Safari TripsAdventure-booking platform TourRadar said Africa has emerged as a major outbound market for North American and European travelers.
Its 2023 search and booking data showed that trips valued over $3,800 (€3,500) had doubled since 2019, fueled by demand for premium safari experiences. The average trip spend for safaris specifically has increased by 65%, said Aziaz Sheikh, TourRadar He
