Safari Travel Trends into 2026

Surprising Resilience Amid Change

Going into 2026, we’re encouraged to see that demand for safari travel remains impressively resilient even amidst instability, rising costs, and shifting demographics.With higher rates, more crowds and more options, an independent safari specialist, like Next Adventure, stands out as increasingly valuable.

A safari at any level requires significant investments of time, money, hopes and anticipation; working with an expert ensures a tailored experience with reputable operators and direct personal support. Our perspective remains more important than ever: avoid "off-the-rack" safaris and seek out an established, independent, knowledgeable partner. The wonder of a safari deserves thoughtful guidance and personal service.

Key Tips

For us at Next Adventure, we want everyone to fall in love with wild Africa, not just go on safari. Of course, spending quality time with wildlife is the point, but it’s made possible by talented guides and amazing camp staff who take good care of us as visitors in a different world. Over the years, the industry has changed, and we remain totally biased, highly selective and proud of the experiences we recommend for each unique booking.

But, you don’t have to book with us. Here are Key Tips for anyone considering a safari:

• Trust an expert: There are so many great looking options, the costs are all over the place, and moving around wild Africa is complicated.Find a professional who specializes in safaris, let them evaluate your priorities, and benefit from their expertise.

• Don’t be afraid of Shoulder Seasons: Given the rising costs and crowds of Peak Season safaris, more people are looking at traveling during the Shoulder or Low seasons. When is that a good idea, and when is that a recipe for being disappointed?

• Go slightly off the beaten track: For some, Africa is already off the beaten track, but there are incredible safaris in places that deliver without the fanfare. How far off the beaten track is right for you?

• Seek out conservancies: For those of us who love wild places, the goal is to expand protected areas in ways that are sustainable and beneficial to local communities. National parks are a great start, but the impact of tourism to community-based conservancies spreads the love beyond traditional borders.

• Pay attention to where your money is going: Bigger brands have bigger marketing budgets and higher rates, and they have a limited appetite for the twists and turns of operating in Africa’s wild places. Smaller, owner-operated camps and regionalized portfolios have a vested interest in the longterm sustainability of ecotourism in these precious places.

Trends shaping the safari landscape for 2026 and beyond

Higher Rates

Rates for Premier safari camps are soaring: some properties now exceed $5,000 per person per night. While many camps that were under $2,000 pppn in 2019 are trending above $3,000 pppn for 2026, a 75%+ increase at the high end is not uncommon. It’s hard to see where the ceiling will be, but traveler appetite remains strong.

• With global interest in safaris more than doubling between 2022 and 2023, this surge in demand has led to rising costs as limited space and exclusive experiences become even more sought-after.

• Reputable operators are allocating a considerable amount of revenue toward conservation and community initiatives which is crucial to the sustainable protection of wildlife and their shrinking habitats.

• Travelers are seeing safaris as short luxury getaways as well as longer multi-country trips, and exclusive experiences and behind-the-scenes activities contribute to higher overall spends.

As safaris have grown in popularity, there is simply more demand for higher comfort, luxury perks and exclusivity while trying to travel responsibly; people are shouldering elevated costs if it protects wildlife, benefits people and delivers a high value safari.

More Camps and Growing

Despite higher prices, demand keeps rising. Many brands are expanding, adding new camps and building exclusive-use villas and multi-family suites with a growing emphasis on wellness.

• Every day there are more camps, more operators and more portfolios competing for a growing market and a shrinking wilderness. A very Instagram-able luxury lodge in a marginal setting can over-shadow a classic camp in an exceptional area.

• There’s a growing demand for multi-generational families or groups of friends to travel together for more private experiences.

• Space is still limited, especially for boutique camps in prime areas in Peak season.

More camps and camp expansions are servings new demographics with a greater emphasis on privacy, luxury, and sustainability.

More Crowds

A surge in popularity with more camps means more visitors, and overcrowding is especially noticeable in well-known, easily-accessible destinations.

• Escalating crowds justifies premium pricing: People pay more for “exclusive luxury,” and the prices go up.

• Less reputable operators are appealing to budget-sensitive travelers, but they push the limits of sustainability and etiquette at priority sightings.

• Overflow from Policy Changes: Increased park fees in one area pushes travelers into another, and governments and tourism ministries want growth.

More Diversified Booking Channels

Today, safari travelers navigate a market flooded with choices. Newer players lack deep knowledge of seasonality, logistics, and local context, resulting in suboptimal itineraries, plus there’s less attention to value when the motivation is to sell the more expensive experiences.

• Broader demographics attract big business: Solo travelers, families, younger professionals and selfie-seekers, all with different priorities, are increasingly seeking out safaris. Everyone from Costco to Disney to Uber are integrating safari offerings into their portfolios, widening access but making for a landscape of confusing options.

• Booking beyond group tours and custom operators: Influencer-promoted packages, part-time travel agents, big hotel brands, and points programs cater to different preferences, but expertise and personal service aren’t always part of the equation.

• Advancements and integrations of AI: Automated booking platforms, “chatbot experts” and a deluge of questionable advice is available to anyone doing their own research, but safaris are about nuance, personal connection and finding the best possible fit, perhaps the trip of a lifetime, which is different for everyone.