Safari Tourism Market By Tourism Type (Adventure Safari, Private Safari, Others), By Type (Friends, Families, Couples, Solos), By Booking Mode (Direct Booking, Agents and Affiliates Account, Marketplace Booking), By Region, By Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 32.78 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.36%
Fastest Growing Segment	Couples
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 47.45 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Safari Tourism Market will grow from USD 32.78 Billion in 2025 to USD 47.45 Billion by 2031 at a 6.36% CAGR. Safari tourism constitutes a specialized market segment defined by organized expeditions to observe and photograph wildlife in their natural habitats. The sector is propelled by distinct economic drivers including rising disposable incomes in source markets and a structural shift in consumer behavior toward experiential travel options rather than material goods. Furthermore, the development of improved aviation infrastructure in key African and Asian destinations has significantly enhanced accessibility and supported global demand for these remote tourism products.

A primary challenge that could impede market expansion is the persistence of geopolitical instability and security concerns in major host regions. These issues frequently necessitate travel advisories and result in fluctuating insurance costs that may deter potential travelers from booking high-value packages. Highlighting the resilience of the sector despite these operational hurdles, according to the Tourism Research Institute, in 2024, Kenya recorded 2,394,376 international visitors. This figure illustrates the robust and sustained demand for premier wildlife destinations despite the logistical complexities involved.

Key Market Drivers

The Shift Toward Experiential and Immersive Wildlife Encounters is fundamentally reshaping the market as travelers increasingly seek active engagement over passive observation. Modern tourists prioritize itineraries that offer deep connections with nature, such as walking safaris, conservation workshops, and photography-centric tours, moving beyond traditional vehicle-based game drives. This evolution in consumer behavior drives demand for specialized packages that allow visitors to meaningfully interact with biodiversity. According to the Department of Tourism (South Africa), December 2024, in the 'South Africa’s Wildlife Tourism' report, the country welcomed 907,914 wildlife tourists in 2023, highlighting the robust volume of travelers specifically pursuing these nature-based activities despite global economic fluctuations.

Strategic Infrastructure Investments in Emerging Safari Destinations are further catalyzing growth by unlocking access to remote and pristine wilderness areas. Governments and private stakeholders are aggressively upgrading aviation facilities, road networks, and luxury lodges, which significantly reduces travel friction and enhances the appeal of high-value regions. These improvements in connectivity and accommodation standards directly correlate with increased visitor expenditure and stronger sector performance. For instance, according to the Bank of Tanzania, September 2024, in the 'Monthly Economic Review', tourism earnings surged to a record $3.534 billion for the year ending July 2024, a milestone supported by expanded regional flight capacity and destination development. On a macro scale, this investment climate is underpinned by a thriving industry; according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in 2024, the travel and tourism sector’s global economic contribution was forecast to reach a historic $11.1 trillion.

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Key Market Challenges

The persistence of geopolitical instability and security concerns in major host regions acts as a fundamental barrier to the expansion of the global safari tourism market. Because safari expeditions often operate in remote territories or near national borders, even localized security incidents can trigger immediate and widespread travel advisories from governments in primary source markets. These official warnings instantly heighten the perceived risk for travelers, directly leading to fluctuating and often prohibitive insurance costs for both tour operators and clients. As a result, the overall price competitiveness of these high-value packages is eroded, causing potential tourists to redirect their spending toward destinations perceived as politically stable.

This volatility creates a precarious environment for market growth, threatening the steady influx of international arrivals essential for the industry's economic viability. The impact of this instability places a massive volume of potential tourism revenue at risk. According to 'United Nations Tourism', in '2024', the African continent welcomed 74 million visitors. While this figure highlights the region's vast capacity for tourism, the recurrence of civil unrest or cross-border tensions remains a critical vulnerability that hampers sustained market confidence and prevents the sector from realizing its full growth potential.

Key Market Trends

The Adoption of Electric Safari Vehicles for Silent Game Viewing is revolutionizing the sector by aligning luxury wildlife experiences with urgent decarbonization goals. Operators are aggressively replacing traditional diesel fleets with solar-powered electric vehicles (EVs) to offer guests "silent safaris" that allow for closer, undisturbed wildlife encounters while eliminating noise and air pollution in sensitive ecosystems. This technological shift is becoming a critical competitive differentiator for high-end lodges aiming to attract eco-conscious travelers who demand lower environmental footprints. According to Discover Africa, May 2025, in the 'The Rise of Silent Safaris' article, the integration of a fully electric fleet and solar power at South Africa's Cheetah Plains now mitigates more than 581 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, setting a new benchmark for sustainable operations in the region.

The Surge in Multi-Generational and Family-Focused Safari Itineraries is simultaneously driving a structural reconfiguration of accommodation and activity offerings across the market. As extended families increasingly prioritize shared bucket-list experiences over material gifts, there is a heightened demand for exclusive-use villas and private camps that provide privacy, flexibility, and age-appropriate educational programs for children. This demographic evolution is significantly boosting revenue yields per booking, as multi-generational groups typically command higher overall expenditure compared to traditional couple-based travel. According to TNX Africa, October 2025, in the 'Tourism boost as US families choose Kenya' report, the average spending by American families on travel increased by 20% in 2024 compared to the previous year, underscoring the growing financial importance of this segment for safari destinations.

Segmental Insights

Based on recent industry analysis, the Couples segment is currently emerging as the fastest-growing category within the Global Safari Tourism Market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by the surging popularity of luxury honeymoons and destination weddings in wildlife-rich regions like East and Southern Africa. High-net-worth travelers are increasingly prioritizing exclusivity, seeking bespoke itineraries that offer private lodges and secluded game drives to ensure privacy. Furthermore, the shift towards experiential travel has prompted tour operators to curate distinct romantic packages, thereby fueling the strong upward momentum of this demographic.

Regional Insights

North America holds a leading position in the Global Safari Tourism Market, primarily driven by the high disposable income and significant expenditure potential of travelers from the United States and Canada. The region benefits from a concentration of established tour operators that facilitate comprehensive international wildlife expeditions. Furthermore, a strong consumer preference for experiential luxury travel and eco-tourism drives consistent demand for premium safari packages. This substantial volume of high-value outbound tourism ensures North America remains the dominant revenue contributor to the global sector.

Recent Developments

• In December 2025, Electric Classic Cars finalized a strategic partnership with Electric Safari Vehicles, a prominent South African manufacturer, to supply electric drivetrain conversion kits for the safari tourism market. This collaboration was established to facilitate the scalable retrofitting of existing game viewing vehicles with zero-emission technology. The Chief Executive of Electric Classic Cars noted that the agreement would enable safari operators to reduce fleet running costs and eliminate engine noise, thereby improving the quality of wildlife observation. The initiative marked a technological breakthrough in the effort to decarbonize transport within African game reserves.
• In August 2024, Wilderness officially opened its Mokete camp, a new luxury tented property situated in the remote Mababe wilderness area on the eastern edge of the Okavango Delta, Botswana. The launch showcased a limited-edition product offering, with the camp scheduled to operate for only two years before a permanent structure is developed. The facility featured nine en-suite canvas tents with retractable roofs for stargazing and was engineered to function entirely on renewable solar energy. This expansion provided the company with access to a nutrient-rich wetland ecosystem known for supporting vast herds of buffalo and elephants.
• In July 2024, Great Plains Conservation launched the Mara Toto Tree Camp, a new luxury facility located within the canopy of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. This product launch introduced a specialized accommodation experience featuring four tented suites elevated off the ground, designed to minimize environmental impact while maximizing privacy. The camp was positioned to offer guests exclusive access to the Mara North Conservancy and views of the Ntiakitiak River. The company positioned this opening as part of its Réserve-Collection, targeting high-net-worth travelers seeking immersive and secluded wildlife experiences.
• In April 2024, andBeyond entered into a significant collaboration with the global conservation charity Space for Giants to expand its presence in Kenya. The company secured a long-term lease for an exclusive tourism concession within the 44,000-acre Suyian Conservancy in the Laikipia region. Through this partnership, the luxury travel operator announced plans to develop a new lodge which would serve as the sole high-end accommodation in the area. The initiative was designed to merge exclusive safari tourism with conservation efforts, focusing on the protection of endangered species and the empowerment of local communities through sustainable development.

Key Market Players

• Wilderness Safaris
• Thomas Cook Group
• Singita
• Scott Dunn
• Rothschild Safaris
• Travcoa & Beyond
• Abercrombie & Kent Ltd.
• Gamewatchers Safaris
• Backroads
• TUI Group

By Tourism Type	By Type	By Booking Mode	By Region
Adventure Safari Private Safari Others	Friends Families Couples Solos	Direct Booking Agents and Affiliates Account Marketplace Booking	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Safari Tourism Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Safari Tourism Market, By Tourism Type:

• Adventure Safari
• Private Safari
• Others

• Safari Tourism Market, By Type:

• Friends
• Families
• Couples
• Solos

• Safari Tourism Market, By Booking Mode:

• Direct Booking
• Agents and Affiliates Account
• Marketplace Booking

• Safari Tourism Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE