Blessed with a wide range of safaris all over the country, South Africa remains top safari destination in the world (Photo: India Outbound)
Travellers across the world are seeking newer locations for safaris even though South Africa remains the most popular location for safaris, followed by Tanzania and Kenya, says a report on global safari trends that highlights a growing interest among travellers in moving beyond traditional locations for safari experiences.
The report, 2025 State of Safari Travel Report by Go2Africa, a travel firm, says that another trend is that the customary safari travel period is becoming longer, with an increasing number of globetrotters opting for June or September experiences, extending peak safari travel beyond its normal limits.
These are just some of the top takeaways from Go2Africa’s State of Safari travel report for 2025, a publication that’s based on proprietary search and booking data, combined with global Google search volumes.
The annual report highlights the pivotal trends poised to shape safari planning and the industry across Africa. The report highlights that inquiries for Indian Ocean Island destinations like Seychelles and Mauritius grew by 71 pc and that travellers are spending more on safari with an increase from 36 pc to 59 pc for medium-high budgets.
The number of solo travellers interested in safari has increased slightly by 1 pc while couples continue to be the most dominant group with 44.58 pc of bookings. The report says that while the percentage of traveller inquiries for South Africa decreased slightly year-over-year, now representing 23 pc of bookings, it remains the most popular safari destination, according to Go2Africa.
Traveller inquiries for Tanzania, meanwhile, increased slightly, reaching 19 pc and Kenya accounted for 18 pc of bookings. These three most popular locations accounted for 60 pc of the total interest, a figure that remains unchanged from last year.
There are however, a few regions that are making notable inroads among safari travellers. Interest in Indian Ocean Island destinations like Seychelles and Mauritius grew by 71 percent year-over-year.
It says that travel to Madagascar and Malawi more than doubled from 2023 to 2024. This development is likely a result of tourism to Madagascar being boosted with new airlines and flight routes that now serve the island.
“Travellers appear to be moving beyond traditional safari routes. In tandem with this development, safari travellers are also seeking more hands-on experiences that make a difference. Instead of just observing, guests want to be part of the conservation effort, places like Usangu and Green Safaris offer immersive activities that allow them to contribute directly,” says Liesel Van Zyl, Product Manager and Head of Positive Impact, Go2Africa.
Liesel Van Zyl
There is also a shift away from classic itineraries like Kruger and Victoria Falls, with more interest in hidden gems such as Zambia’s Kafue, Ruaha’s Usangu, Seychelles’ Platte Island, Zimbabwe’s Matusadona, and the pristine waters of Lake Malawi, says Van Zyl.
Safari travel peaks from June to October, with July consistently the most popular month, driven largely by the Great Migration and prime wildlife viewing conditions. Interest in April and May is also growing thanks to fewer crowds and the potential for better rates.
This year’s report showed a continued shift from medium budgets to medium-high budgets for safari travel. For 2023, the average budget sat in between USD 5,500 to USD 6,500, while 2024’s average budget was between USD 5,500 to USD 7,500, reflecting a combination of an increase in desire for premium experiences, longer trips and an increase in the cost of safari travel.
Year-over-year medium budgets decreased from 53 pc to 39 pc, while medium-high budgets increased from 36 pc to 59 pc. The distribution of safari traveler types has remained relatively stable year over year, according to Go2Africa.
Maija De Rijk-Uys
Travelling with a partner continues to be the most popular choice, accounting for 45 pc of those on safari. Solo travel, however, has seen a slight increase, rising from 12 pc to 13 pc. Families are also increasingly turning to safaris for a vacation.
“There has been a noticeable increase in families choosing safaris as their ideal holiday. More lodges and experiences are catering to children and multi-generational travel, making it an incredibly rewarding experience for families looking to connect with nature together,” says Maija De Rijk-Uys, Managing Director, Go2Africa.
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