US Travelers Spearhead Global Demand in African Safari Bookings
African safari tourism is witnessing a historic boom in 2026. Leading this unprecedented surge in bookings are American travelers. As per the latest three-year data from luxury safari operator Asilia Africa, US travelers now make up nearly half of all safari reservations across East Africa. This is significantly ahead of the United Kingdom, which holds the second-largest market share at 9%.
The top five source markets, namely the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany, drive over two-thirds of all total bednights.
Elite safari lodges across Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and South Africa are witnessing a 45% year-over-year increase in solo bookings. This trend is driven by independent travelers who prefer hyper-customized experiences over traditional group tours. In response, operators are doing away with historical single-supplement surcharges and offering private safari vehicles and fully customizable daily itineraries.
Such high demand has also led to a sharp increase in prices. Some premier camps now charge more than $5,000 per person per night, a significant jump from under $2,000 in 2019.
The Southern Africa safari tourism market, valued at $14.56 billion in 2025, is projected to nearly double to $29.84 billion by 2033. This represents a growth at a CAGR of 9.3%, according to a report from ResearchAndMarkets.com. Sustainability and conservation continue to be key drivers, with leading operators such as Wilderness Safaris, &Beyond, and Singita setting industry standards in eco-luxury tourism.
Source: Africa.com – African Safari Bookings Surge: US Travelers Dominate Market