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Safari Market Size, Share and Forecast 2026-2036

The global safari market is worth USD 12.8 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 25.3 bn by 2036, growing at a 7.0% CAGR. South Africa is the largest country market and Lodge and camp safaris is the largest by type segment.

USD 12.8 bnMarket size 2026
USD 25.3 bnForecast 2036
7.0%CAGR 2026-2036
South AfricaLargest country

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5 segmentation views25 countries2026 to 2036 yearly forecast

Market overview

The global safari market is worth USD 12.8 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 25.3 bn by 2036, growing at a 7.0% CAGR. South Africa is the largest country market and Lodge and camp safaris is the largest by type segment.

ScopeGuided wildlife viewing holidays, including lodge and camp stays, game drives, walking and boat safaris, sold to leisure travellers mainly in Africa and South Asia.
IndustryTravel and Tourism
Value 2025USD 12.0 bn
Value 2026USD 12.8 bn
Value 2036USD 25.3 bn
CAGR 2026-20367.0%
Volume 20264,155 thousand travellers
Volume 20366,082 thousand travellers
Average price 2026USD 3,090 per traveller
Report priceStarts from USD 1,999
PublishedNovember 2026

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Safari market size and forecast, 2026-2036

Exhibit 1The global safari market is forecast to grow from USD 12.8 bn in 2026 to USD 25.3 bn by 2036, a rise of 97%Global market value in USD: 2025 base year, 2026 estimate and forecast to 2036. CAGR 2026 to 2036: 7.0%
Safari market value, 2025 to 2036Market value by year. 2025: USD 12.0 bn; 2026: USD 12.8 bn; 2027: USD 13.7 bn; 2028: USD 14.7 bn; 2029: USD 15.7 bn; 2030: USD 16.8 bn; 2031: USD 18.0 bn; 2032: USD 19.3 bn; 2033: USD 20.6 bn; 2034: USD 22.1 bn; 2035: USD 23.6 bn; 2036: USD 25.3 bn. Compound annual growth rate 2026 to 2036: 7.0%.202512.8 bn202618.0 bn203125.3 bn20367.0% CAGR

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

YearMarket value
2026USD 12.8 bn
2027USD 13.7 bn
2028USD 14.7 bn
2029USD 15.7 bn
2030USD 16.8 bn
2031USD 18.0 bn
2032USD 19.3 bn
2033USD 20.6 bn
2034USD 22.1 bn
2035USD 23.6 bn
2036USD 25.3 bn

Safari market segmentation

By type

Exhibit 2Lodge and camp safaris is the largest segment by type, with 46.0% of 2026 revenueEstimated share of 2026 global revenue, by type
Safari market share by type, 2026Share of 2026 revenue by type. Lodge and camp safaris: 46.0%; Luxury private safaris: 18.0%; Mobile and tented safaris: 14.0%; Self-drive safaris: 12.0%; Group and budget tours: 10.0%.Lodge and camp safaris46.0%Luxury private safaris18.0%Mobile and tented safaris14.0%Self-drive safaris12.0%Group and budget tours10.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Lodge and camp safaris46.0%46.0%USD 5.9 bn7.0%
Mobile and tented safaris14.0%14.7%USD 1.8 bn7.5%
Self-drive safaris12.0%10.9%USD 1.5 bn6.0%
Luxury private safaris18.0%19.7%USD 2.3 bn8.0%
Group and budget tours10.0%8.7%USD 1.3 bn5.5%

By traveller

Exhibit 3Families adds the most revenue by traveller, growing from USD 3.3 bn in 2026 to USD 7.2 bn by 2036Estimated revenue in USD by traveller, 2026 and 2036 forecast
Safari market by traveller, 2026 and 2036Revenue by traveller in 2026 and 2036. Couples and honeymoon: USD 3.9 bn in 2026, USD 7.6 bn in 2036, change +97%; Families: USD 3.3 bn in 2026, USD 7.2 bn in 2036, change +117%; Solo and small group: USD 2.6 bn in 2026, USD 4.8 bn in 2036, change +88%; Other: USD 1.8 bn in 2026, USD 3.4 bn in 2036, change +88%; Corporate and incentive: USD 1.3 bn in 2026, USD 2.2 bn in 2036, change +71%.20262036 forecastChangeCouples and honeymoon+97%3.9 bn7.6 bnFamilies+117%3.3 bn7.2 bnSolo and small group+88%2.6 bn4.8 bnOther+88%1.8 bn3.4 bnCorporate and incentive+71%1.3 bn2.2 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Couples and honeymoon30.0%30.1%USD 3.9 bn7.0%
Families26.0%28.6%USD 3.3 bn8.0%
Solo and small group20.0%19.1%USD 2.6 bn6.5%
Corporate and incentive10.0%8.7%USD 1.3 bn5.5%
Other14.0%13.4%USD 1.8 bn6.5%

By safari style

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Lodge-based game drives46.0%43.0%USD 5.9 bn6.3%
Walking safari8.0%9.0%USD 1.0 bn8.3%
Mobile tented camping16.0%15.0%USD 2.1 bn6.3%
Fly-in luxury safari20.0%22.0%USD 2.6 bn8.0%
Self-drive safari10.0%11.0%USD 1.3 bn8.0%

By booking channel

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Specialist tour operators41.0%36.0%USD 5.3 bn5.6%
Online travel platforms24.0%30.0%USD 3.1 bn9.4%
Direct with lodge or camp22.0%21.0%USD 2.8 bn6.5%
Travel agents13.0%13.0%USD 1.7 bn7.0%

By trip length

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Up to 3 nights24.0%23.0%USD 3.1 bn6.5%
4 to 7 nights48.0%46.0%USD 6.2 bn6.5%
8 to 14 nights22.0%24.0%USD 2.8 bn7.9%
15 nights or more6.0%7.0%USD 770 mn8.7%

Top 25 countries for safari by revenue

Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 88.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 97.4%.

Exhibit 4South Africa is the largest country market at USD 3.1 bn in 2026, and the three largest countries hold 57.0% of global revenueEstimated 2026 revenue in USD and share of the global market, ten largest countries
Safari market, ten largest countries in 2026Ten largest countries by 2026 revenue. South Africa: USD 3.1 bn, 24.0%; Tanzania: USD 2.4 bn, 19.0%; Kenya: USD 1.8 bn, 14.0%; Botswana: USD 1.2 bn, 9.0%; Namibia: USD 642 mn, 5.0%; Zambia: USD 514 mn, 4.0%; Zimbabwe: USD 514 mn, 4.0%; Uganda: USD 385 mn, 3.0%; Rwanda: USD 385 mn, 3.0%; India: USD 385 mn, 3.0%.South Africa3.1 bn 24.0%Tanzania2.4 bn 19.0%Kenya1.8 bn 14.0%Botswana1.2 bn 9.0%Namibia642 mn 5.0%Zambia514 mn 4.0%Zimbabwe514 mn 4.0%Uganda385 mn 3.0%Rwanda385 mn 3.0%India385 mn 3.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

#CountryValue 2026Share 2026Value 2036CAGR 2026-36
1South AfricaUSD 3.1 bn24.0%USD 5.5 bn5.9%
2TanzaniaUSD 2.4 bn19.0%USD 5.2 bn7.9%
3KenyaUSD 1.8 bn14.0%USD 3.5 bn6.8%
4BotswanaUSD 1.2 bn9.0%USD 2.2 bn6.9%
5NamibiaUSD 642 mn5.0%USD 1.2 bn6.3%
6ZambiaUSD 514 mn4.0%USD 1.0 bn7.3%
7ZimbabweUSD 514 mn4.0%USD 960 mn6.5%
8UgandaUSD 385 mn3.0%USD 909 mn9.0%
9RwandaUSD 385 mn3.0%USD 985 mn9.8%
10IndiaUSD 385 mn3.0%USD 808 mn7.7%
11MozambiqueUSD 208 mn1.6%USD 419 mn7.3%
12Sri LankaUSD 175 mn1.4%USD 328 mn6.5%
13EthiopiaUSD 146 mn1.1%USD 296 mn7.3%
14Costa RicaUSD 123 mn1.0%USD 232 mn6.5%
15BrazilUSD 103 mn0.8%USD 194 mn6.6%
16MoroccoUSD 87 mn0.7%USD 164 mn6.5%
17NepalUSD 73 mn0.6%USD 136 mn6.4%
18IndonesiaUSD 62 mn0.5%USD 116 mn6.5%
19MalaysiaUSD 51 mn0.4%USD 96 mn6.5%
20GhanaUSD 44 mn0.3%USD 88 mn7.3%
21SenegalUSD 36 mn0.3%USD 68 mn6.6%
22MongoliaUSD 31 mn0.2%USD 58 mn6.5%
23CameroonUSD 26 mn0.2%USD 48 mn6.5%
24EcuadorUSD 22 mn0.2%USD 40 mn6.3%
25AngolaUSD 18 mn0.1%USD 35 mn7.0%
Rest of worldUSD 336 mn2.6%USD 659 mn7.0%
Exhibit 5Tanzania and South Africa account for 41% of the USD 12.4 bn the market is forecast to add by 2036Forecast revenue added between 2026 and 2036 by country, in USD
Safari market, where the growth to 2036 comes fromRevenue added between 2026 and 2036. Market value 2026: USD 12.8 bn. Tanzania: +USD 2.8 bn; South Africa: +USD 2.4 bn; Kenya: +USD 1.7 bn; Botswana: +USD 1.1 bn; Rwanda: +USD 600 mn; 20 other countries: +USD 3.6 bn; Rest of world: +USD 323 mn. Market value 2036: USD 25.3 bn.Market value 202612.8 bnTanzania+2.8 bnSouth Africa+2.4 bnKenya+1.7 bnBotswana+1.1 bnRwanda+600 mn20 other countries+3.6 bnRest of world+323 mnMarket value 203625.3 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

Competitive landscape

Group 1: Global leaders

  • Abercrombie & Kent
  • Wilderness
  • andBeyond
  • Intrepid Travel
  • G Adventures
  • Exodus Adventure Travels

Group 2: Regional and specialist players

  • Singita
  • Micato Safaris
  • Governors' Camp Collection
  • Nomad Tanzania
  • Elewana Collection
  • Asilia Africa
  • Ker & Downey
  • Great Plains Conservation
  • Londolozi

Group 3: Emerging and niche players

  • Natural Habitat Adventures
  • Lion Sands
  • Sanctuary Retreats
  • Wild Frontiers
  • Rothschild Safaris

Research methodology

Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the safari market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.

The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 7.0% is calculated from the resulting values.

The market is divided by type, by traveller, by safari style, by booking channel, by trip length. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.

Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.

Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.

Read the full research methodology

Frequently asked questions

How big is the safari market?

The global safari market is estimated at USD 12.0 bn in 2025 and USD 12.8 bn in 2026.

How fast will the safari market grow?

It is forecast to reach USD 25.3 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 7.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 12.4 bn.

Which country is the largest market for safari?

South Africa is the largest market by revenue at USD 3.1 bn in 2026, 24.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 57.0%.

Which country is growing fastest?

Among the ten largest markets, Rwanda is growing fastest at 9.8% a year from 2026 to 2036.

Which safari segment is largest?

In the by type split, Lodge and camp safaris is the largest segment with 46.0% of 2026 revenue.

Who are the leading safari companies?

Global leaders include Abercrombie & Kent, Wilderness, andBeyond, Intrepid Travel.

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