Safari Tourism Market

Market Overview:

The global safari tourism market size reached USD 35.5 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 55.3 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.06% during 2025-2033. The growing number of travel influencers and enthusiasts, increasing preferences for unique and exotic holiday experiences, and the rising availability of itinerary customization are some of the major factors propelling the market.

Safari tourism refers to a business model wherein tourists are provided with an opportunity to experience adventure or expedition into the forests. It enables individuals to step out of their mundane routine and hectic work schedule and experience rustic life. It also helps tourists relax, enjoy quality time with their peers and family, and indulge in numerous adventure activities. It provides the opportunity to watch a wide variety of wild animals, such as lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, elephants, and rhinoceros.

At present, the increasing demand for safari tourism among the masses due to rising tourism is impelling the growth of the market. Besides this, the growing number of travel bloggers and vloggers sharing travel tips and content about traveling to off-beat destinations are offering a favorable market outlook. In addition, the wide availability of itinerary customization is positively influencing the market. Apart from this, increasing preferences for unique and exotic holiday experiences are contributing to the growth of the market. Additionally, the rising utilization of various effective marketing strategies to promote safari tourism is supporting the growth of the market. Moreover, governing agencies of various countries are undertaking initiatives to strengthen the travel and tourism industry and improve the condition of natural forests to attract more international tourists. This, in turn, is stimulating the growth of the market.

Safari Tourism Market Trends/Drivers:

Rising popularity of adventure activities among millennials stimulating market growth

Adventure activities enable tourists to stay physically active throughout their trip and enjoy quality time with their family and peers. These activities are nowadays getting extremely popular among the millennials, as they provide the opportunity to enjoy exquisite views of nature and wildlife animals, such as tigers, lions, leopards, koalas, and elephants. They also allow tourists to indulge in birdwatching and wildlife photography. Furthermore, safari activities enable individuals to travel sustainably and immerse themselves in pristine natural environments.

Increasing solo traveling catalyzing demand for safari tourism

Solo traveling is gaining popularity among men and women, as it enables individuals to step out of their comfort zone, enjoy their own company, and develop self-confidence. It also gives the opportunity to meet new people and make memories. It provides the chance to enjoy solitude in various exquisite locations and step out of a daily routine and monotonous work life. In addition, solo traveling in forest reserves and jungles is increasing as it facilitates travelers to enjoy the beauty of forests while spending some quiet time away from crowds and noises. Solo travelers can also opt for safari tourism to spend time doing forest walks, birdwatching, or taking a jeep ride in the forest area to enjoy views of wildlife animals.

Growing demand for luxury safari augmenting market growth

A luxury safari enables individuals to enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of forests and jungles without compromising their standard of living. It allows travelers to stay in luxurious lodges that are equipped with modern amenities, including wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), television, and hot water supply. Luxury safari also helps travelers relax in luxurious cottages by enjoying the peacefulness of nature. It enables tourists to enjoy quality time with other individuals by going on hikes, stargazing at night, and creating a bonfire. Furthermore, it offers various exciting activities, such as bird watching and jeep rides, within the forest area.

Safari Tourism Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global safari tourism market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on type, group, and booking.

Breakup by Type: 

• Adventure Safari
• Private Safari
• Others
   

Adventure safari represents the most popular safari tourism type

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the safari tourism market based on the type. This includes adventure safari, private safari, and others. According to the report, adventure safari represented the largest segment. Adventure safari refers to an adventure or expedition into wild jungles or forest reserves. It provides the opportunity to navigate through the jungles and find traces of wild animals, such as tigers, leopards, lions, Bison, deer, rhinoceros, and jaguars. It helps people experience a temporary escape from the hustle of urban localities and enjoy rustic life.

Private safari refers to tailor-made or customized safari experience wherein specific interests, preferences, and travel styles of individuals are prioritized. It involves flexible itinerary planning, along with choosing accommodations in forest lodges and safari activities, such as wildlife viewing drives, jungle walks, and bird watching.

Breakup by Group:

• Friends
• Families
• Couples
• Solos
   

Couples hold the largest share of the market

A detailed breakup and analysis of the safari tourism market based on the group has also been provided in the report. This includes friends, families, couples, and solos. According to the report, couples accounted for the largest market share. Safari tourism offers couples a chance to explore and discover together. It can help them engage in activities, such as wildlife spotting, bird watching, and nature walks, and foster a sense of teamwork among couples.

Friends often plan jungle adventures and safaris to spend time together and make memories while stepping out of the busy city life. Group travel, including adventure trips with friends, is a popular choice among travelers, as it enables them to spend quality time in the wilderness. Furthermore, adventure trips allow groups of friends to enjoy various exciting safaris and forest exploration activities.

Families often opt for safaris and forest adventure trips so that children can enjoy watching animals and indulge in mindful traveling. These trips also enable them to experience exquisite forest lodges, enjoy a bonfire in woods, and stargaze at night.

Breakup by Booking:

• Direct Booking
• Agents and Affiliates Account
• Marketplace Booking
   

Direct booking dominates the safari tourism market

A detailed breakup and analysis of the safari tourism market based on the booking has also been provided in the report. This includes direct booking, agents and affiliates account, and marketplace booking. According to the report, direct booking accounted for the largest market share. Direct booking enables contacting the safari authorities, lodges, and camps and making reservations as per requirements. It does not involve any middlemen and facilitates individuals to enjoy offers or discounts on various occasions. It can be made through the official website or application of the safari authorities, and the payment can be made in advance through different online payment gateways.

Agents and affiliate account acts as middlemen between travelers and safari service providers. It often plans the entire itinerary for the travelers and charges extra by adding other expenses associated with safari trips and their fees.

A booking marketplace is a platform that connects travelers with a variety of travel service providers, such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, safari services, and car rental companies. It provides various options to customers, along with discounts and lucrative offers to save money.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Others
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

North America exhibits a clear dominance, accounting for the largest safari tourism market share

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa.

North America held the biggest market share due to the rising inclination towards exotic and nature-based experiences among the masses in the region. Besides this, the increasing availability of family-friendly accommodations and specialized guides is attracting a large number of international travelers. Another contributing aspect is the increasing awareness about mindful traveling and rising preferences of travelers to spend peaceful time amidst nature away from the noise and crowds in cities.

Asia Pacific is estimated to expand further in this domain, owing to rising investments by governing agencies of various countries to strengthen the tourism industry and increasing traveling activities among the masses.

Competitive Landscape:

Key players are experiencing a rise in the demand for safari tourism due to increasing solo traveling activities among the masses and the growing preferences of individuals to spend quality time away from the crowd of cities. They are also focusing on refurbishing forest lodges with various modern and useful amenities. Top companies are focusing on improving their brand positioning and opting for effective marketing strategies to reach a greater number of customers and expand their business operations. They are also planning lodge circuit expansion to provide accommodations to travelers. Besides this, leading companies are providing lucrative offers and opportunities to customers for customizing their safari trips according to their requirements and preferences.

The report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the global safari tourism market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the global safari tourism market include:

• &Beyond
• Abercrombie & Kent USA LLC 
• Backroads
• Gamewatchers Safaris Ltd.
• Great Plains Conservation
• Micato Safaris 
• Rothschild Safaris Ltd.
• Scott Dunn Ltd. (Flight Centre Travel Group) 
• Thomas Cook Group Ltd.
• Travcoa Tours & Safaris Limited
• Wilderness Safari
• Zicasso Inc.

Recent Developments:

• In May 2023, &Beyond announced that one of its most iconic lodges, the Phinda Forest Lodge, located in &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, will undergo an extensive remodeling process to provide luxury safari experience to travelers.
• In April 2023, Abercrombie & Kent USA LLC is expanding its portfolio in the Galapagos Islands, with its preferred partner, Ecoventura, a leader in sustainable travel.
• In April 2023, Wilderness Safari announced the launch of its new luxe camp in unchartered territory, which will mimic the features of Wilderness Mokete tented Camp.

Safari Tourism Market Report Scope:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the global safari tourism market performed so far, and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the global safari tourism market?
• What is the impact of each driver, restraint, and opportunity on the global safari tourism market?
• What are the key regional markets?
• Which countries represent the most attractive safari tourism market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the type?
• Which is the most attractive type in the safari tourism market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the group?
• Which is the most attractive group in the safari tourism market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the booking?
• Which is the most attractive booking in the safari tourism market?
• What is the competitive structure of the global safari tourism market?
• Who are the key players/companies in the global safari tourism market?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the safari tourism market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global safari tourism market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the safari tourism industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.