South Africa safaris are gaining in popularity
According to the annual African Safari Travel Report by Go2Africa, an African-based travel company specializing in safaris, South Africa is currently experiencing the biggest growth in popularity, although Kenya remains the most popular safari destination in Africa. The report was created using internal data from inquiries and bookings made between January 2021 and December 2022.
By comparing data from this year against 2021, the company was able to track how demand for each destination has changed. While all destinations have seen an increase in 2022 due to the easing of travel restrictions caused by Covid, South Africa and Rwanda have seen the biggest growth in popularity, with Zambia and Zimbabwe also trending above average.
Despite being the most popular destination overall, Kenya has seen the lowest demand growth, suggesting travelers may be looking for new experiences. In 2022, more than 63% of all safari bookings came from the United States, making America the most safari-loving nation in the world. The report also found that the average budget for a safari per person was between $5,000 and $6,000, and that the planning and booking process takes an average of 41 days from initial inquiry to booking.