Growth of safari sector raises questions on sustainability

Safari tourism in South Africa, and the rest of the continent, is expected to grow as its popularity gains traction, especially among international travellers, and as bush-lovers seek authentic and sustainable experiences.

But while the increased interest and tourism is a boon for South Africa’s struggling economy, it raises concerns about conserving the natural ecosystem.

For the whole continent, the sector is estimated to increase visitor earnings from $17.3 billion this year to $25.7 billion by 2032, while the market is estimated to record a compound annual growth rate of 5.8% during the forecast period from this year to 2032, according to Persistence Market Research.

Sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to witness a compound annual growth rate of 5.4% by 2032 and hold a share of 20.1% this year.

The resurgence in demand for safari experiences is being driven by a recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the international market, which is prioritising outdoor and nature-based activities, the research shows.

The growing interest is also being propelled by better intentions, said Nicky Coenen, managing director of Last Word Intimate Hotels and Safari Camps.

“Guests are asking better questions about ethics, footprint and community impact.

“Demand isn’t the same everywhere — some well-known areas feel ‘full’, while truly wild, well-managed areas with low vehicle density still have space available, provided growth stays low-impact and conservation-led,” Coenen said.

“You also see growth along the “wine–city–safari” axis (Cape Town and the Winelands linking to Greater Kruger and Madikwe). Those sub-regions, with dependable big-game viewing and collaborative governance, tend to attract most new commercial interest.”

The continent has a diverse offering of wildlife — from the Serengeti in Tanzania, the Maasai Mara in Kenya and South Africa’s Kruger National Park — but visitors seek out the Big Five — elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo and rhinos. Beyond these, hyenas, wild dogs, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes and antelope are also popular sightings.

The Serengeti’s Great Migration attracts more than 1.5 million wildebeest annually and brings thousands of tourists from around the globe. Kenya reported a 44% increase in safari bookings in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels, highlighting the rising interest in wildlife, the research notes.

In South Africa commercial lodges “remain competitive in periods of high demand by offering high-quality experiences that in turn generate repeat and referral business”, Francis Vorhies, a conservation economist at African Wildlife Economy Institute told the Mail & Guardian.

“The climate for operating commercial lodges in South Africa actually is probably much better than operating in other countries,” he added.

But experts say the increased interest presents two challenges — operators striving to remain competitive in the market and preserving the natural ecosystem.

“It’s difficult. We have got 200-odd lodges in the country, and especially around [Greater Kruger], we have got a lot of lodges coming up, but I think a market that you always look for is exclusivity, privateness, small and boutique-style,” said Pierre van As, a game ranger and manager at Last Word Kitara in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve.

“If you’ve hit that niche, then that’s what tourists would be after, and that’s how you stay in the game and you try to keep that process there so that it stays comfortable for everybody,” he said.

The Klaserie Private Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga spans 60 000 hectares and overlaps the Kruger National Park and neighbouring reserves, giving wildlife the freedom to roam. Twenty-one lodges and camps operate within the reserve, most of them privately run, with guest numbers kept relatively low to manage environmental impact.

Coenen added that exclusivity also means “better rules per bed”, with strict vehicle limits, off-road protocols and conservation levies to protect the environment while giving guests more space to explore.

Van As weighed in: “It all comes down to the potential game viewing that you’ve got. We have 60 000 hectares and it gets difficult when you start moving into these reserves.”

“[We have to look at] how busy it gets. Is it looking like the Serengeti at the moment where you’ve got 100 vehicles parked at a river, looking at all these wildebeest

crossing the river?

“Or are you the only vehicle sitting and looking at a leopard in a tree and you can sit there for an hour where nobody bothers you … there’s not a queue of people behind you to see the same animal?

“That all plays a factor in that exclusivity,” he said.

Too many people in reserves is a risk to wildlife, the experts warned.

“It affects nature and the environment exceptionally,” Van As said.

“We create a track in and a track out. It’s fine for one vehicle at a time but now, if you’ve got 20 cars going in and out, then the environment will get harmed. Imagine that happens every day, in three to four different places. There won’t be anything left.

“In the end, you want to be conservative around the environment. This is what gives us the ability to do what we do.

“If we don’t look after it, we’re not going to have that experience.”

The research noted that the future of safaris on the continent needs to be focused on developing eco-friendly options, such as low-impact accommodation, wildlife rehabilitation programmes and community-based initiatives.

“This shift not only enhances the travel experience but also fosters greater support for conservation efforts, ensuring long-term sustainability for both the industry and Africa’s rich biodiversity,” it added.

The journalist’s trip to the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve and stay at Last Word Kitara were sponsored by Last Word Intimate Hotels and Safari Camps