North America Safari Tourism Market 2024–2033

Reports Description

As per the current market research conducted by the CMI Team, the North America Safari Tourism Market is expected to record a CAGR of 4.8% from 2023 to 2032. In 2023, the market size is projected to reach a valuation of USD 13.1 Billion. By 2032, the valuation is anticipated to reach USD 20.1 Billion.

The North America safari tourism market offers a diverse range of wildlife experiences, attracting enthusiasts seeking adventure closer to home. While Africa dominates the global safari scene, North America presents unique opportunities, featuring iconic national parks, such as Yellowstone and Denali, showcasing diverse fauna like bears, bison, and eagles.

Tour operators, both luxury and budget-focused, cater to a growing demand for immersive nature encounters. Recent trends highlight an increased emphasis on sustainable practices, technology integration, and curated cultural experiences, reflecting a dynamic market responding to evolving consumer preferences and a heightened awareness of environmental responsibility.

North America Safari Tourism Market – Significant Growth Factors

The North America Safari Tourism Market presents significant growth opportunities due to several factors:

• Rich Biodiversity and Unique Wildlife: The diverse ecosystems in North America, including national parks and wildlife reserves, offer a wide array of flora and fauna. The presence of iconic species like bears, eagles, and bison attracts nature enthusiasts, driving demand for safari experiences.

• Rising Interest in Nature Conservation: Increasing awareness and concern for the environment have led to a growing interest in nature conservation. Safari tourism aligns with this trend, providing an opportunity for tourists to appreciate and support conservation efforts in North America.

• Adventure and Experiential Travel Demand: The growing preference for adventure and experiential travel has boosted the popularity of safari tourism. Tourists seek unique and immersive experiences, contributing to the demand for guided wildlife expeditions and safari adventures in North America.

• Infrastructure Development: Ongoing investments in infrastructure, including improved roads, accommodation facilities, and visitor centers in wildlife-rich areas, enhance accessibility. This development facilitates a smoother and more enjoyable experience for tourists, fostering the growth of the safari tourism market in North America.

• Culinary and Cultural Integration: Integrating local cuisine and cultural experiences into safari itineraries presents an opportunity to enhance the overall tourist experience. Collaboration with local communities to offer authentic cultural insights and culinary delights can differentiate North American safari offerings and attract a broader range of tourists.

• Technology Integration for Enhanced Experiences: Leveraging technology, such as augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR), can provide innovative and interactive safari experiences. This could include virtual wildlife tours, educational apps, and immersive storytelling, enhancing the engagement and enjoyment of visitors and attracting a tech-savvy audience to the North American safari tourism market.

North America Safari Tourism Market – Mergers and Acquisitions

The North America Safari Tourism Market has seen several mergers and acquisitions in recent years, with companies seeking to expand their market presence and leverage synergies to improve their product offerings and profitability. Some notable examples of mergers and acquisitions in the North America Safari Tourism Market include:

• In 2023, &Beyond unveiled plans to reconstruct Phinda Forest Lodge in South Africa’s &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve. Opting for a refurbishment over a complete rebuild, the initiative aims to minimize habitat disruption, retaining the lodge’s ‘Zulu-zen’ concept while integrating modern architectural elements for an enhanced guest experience.

• In 2022, Natural Selection inaugurated a new camp in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, offering luxurious tented accommodations and immersive safari experiences. This addition enhances the portfolio of safari options in the region, providing guests with an elevated and intimate wildlife encounter in the heart of Hwange.

• In 2023, Wilderness introduced the Wilderness Mokete tented camp in Botswana’s Mababe Concession. Covering 124,000 acres between the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, this unique camp provides a remote oasis for wildlife enthusiasts, featuring abundant sightings of elephants, buffalos, lions, and hyenas. It marks the first camp of its kind in this location.

These mergers and acquisitions have helped companies expand their product offerings, improve their market presence, and capitalize on growth opportunities in the North America Safari Tourism Market. The trend is expected to continue as companies seek to gain a competitive edge in the market.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE RELATED MARKET

North America Safari Tourism Market – Significant Threats

The North America Safari Tourism Market faces several significant threats that could impact its growth and profitability in the future. Some of these threats include:

• Environmental Challenges: Climate change and other environmental threats pose risks to the natural habitats and biodiversity that attract tourists to North American safari destinations. Alterations in ecosystems, habitat loss, and changes in wildlife behavior due to environmental factors could negatively impact the safari experience.

• Natural Disasters: The occurrence of natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, or hurricanes in wildlife-rich areas can disrupt safari tourism. These events may lead to temporary closures of parks, infrastructure damage, and safety concerns for both tourists and wildlife.

• Regulatory Changes: Shifts in government policies, wildlife protection regulations, or changes in land use policies can impact the operations of safari tourism. Tighter restrictions, permit changes, or alterations in protected areas could limit access and affect the appeal of certain destinations.

• Global Health Crises: Events like pandemics, as witnessed with COVID-19, can severely impact travel and tourism. Health concerns and travel restrictions can lead to a decline in tourist numbers, cancellations, and disruptions in the safari tourism market.
• Competing Land Uses: The increasing demand for land for agriculture, urbanization, or other economic activities can lead to habitat fragmentation and degradation. This competition for land resources can threaten the natural environments that support safari tourism, affecting the abundance and diversity of wildlife in North America.

Category-Wise Insights:

By Accommodation

• Safari Resorts & Lodges: Safari resorts and lodges in North America offer luxurious accommodations amidst wildlife-rich landscapes. Trends include eco-friendly designs, upscale amenities, and curated wildlife experiences, catering to the demand for high-end safari tourism with a focus on comfort and sustainability.

• Safari Camps: Safari camps provide a more immersive experience, with guests staying in tented accommodations. The trend involves blending comfort with a sense of adventure, offering guided safaris and nature walks, appealing to those seeking closer proximity to nature.

• Treehouses: Treehouse accommodations offer a unique and elevated perspective on wildlife. The trend involves eco-conscious designs, blending comfort and sustainability. Elevated platforms provide panoramic views, and the integration of modern amenities enhances the overall experience, attracting adventurous travelers to North American safari destinations.

• Others: Other accommodations may include boutique lodges, glamping sites, and wilderness cabins. Trends focus on personalized experiences, cultural integration, and eco-friendly practices, catering to diverse preferences within the North America safari tourism market.

By Safari Type

• Adventure Safari: Adventure safaris in North America offer thrill-seekers immersive wildlife encounters in rugged landscapes. Trends include a rising demand for off-road expeditions, guided hiking safaris, and adrenaline-inducing wildlife interactions, catering to those seeking a more dynamic and exhilarating experience within the continent’s diverse ecosystems.

• Private Safari: Private safaris provide exclusive and personalized wildlife experiences in North America. Trends include a growing preference for tailor-made itineraries, luxury accommodations, and intimate encounters with wildlife. Discerning travelers seek privacy, comfort, and customized adventures, contributing to the popularity of private safaris.

• Others: The “Others” category in North America encompasses a range of safari experiences. This may include family-friendly safaris, birdwatching tours, or cultural integration safaris. Diverse offerings cater to specific interests, contributing to the overall inclusivity and appeal of safari tourism in the region.

By Traveler Type

• Friends: Adventure-seeking friends contribute to the North America Safari Tourism Market, seeking group experiences in wildlife-rich areas. A trend involves customizable group packages, emphasizing shared adventures and activities, creating memorable and socially engaging safari experiences.

• Families: Families are a significant segment in the North America Safari Tourism Market, prioritizing educational and family-friendly safari experiences. The trend focuses on tailored itineraries, wildlife education, and accommodations catering to diverse age groups, ensuring an inclusive and enjoyable family safari.

• Couples: Couples in the North America Safari Tourism Market seek romantic and intimate wildlife encounters. The trend involves luxury safari packages, private lodges, and curated experiences, providing couples with exclusive and romantic moments amid breathtaking natural landscapes.

• Solo: Solo travelers are a growing segment in the North America Safari Tourism Market, driven by the desire for self-discovery and adventure. The trend includes solo-friendly safari packages, communal lodges fostering social interactions, and personalized itineraries, catering to the unique preferences and interests of solo adventurers.

By Mode of Booking

• Direct Booking: Direct booking involves tourists directly reserving safari experiences through the safari operator’s website or contact channels. In North America, the trend leans towards increased direct bookings, facilitated by user-friendly websites, mobile apps, and personalized promotional offers. Travelers seek seamless and transparent transactions, leading to a rise in the popularity of direct booking channels.

• Agents Booking: Agents booking refers to safari reservations made through travel agencies or tour operators. In the North America Safari Tourism Market, travelers often rely on travel agents for expert advice, package deals, and bundled services. Collaborations between safari operators and travel agencies enhance marketing reach, offering tourists comprehensive packages and ensuring a hassle-free booking experience.

• Others: The “Others” category encompasses alternative booking methods, including online travel agencies (OTAs), third-party platforms, and emerging technologies. In North America, diverse booking options are gaining traction, with trends leaning towards partnerships with tech-driven platforms, blockchain applications, and decentralized travel networks, providing tourists with novel and convenient ways to secure safari experiences.

Report Scope

Competitive Landscape – North America Safari Tourism Market

The North America Safari Tourism Market is highly competitive, with a large number of manufacturers and retailers operating. Some of the key players in the market include:

• Abercrombie & Kent USA LLC
• Micato Safaris
• Tauck World Discovery
• African Travel Inc.
• Lion World Travel
• Natural Habitat Adventures
• Thomson Safaris
• Wilderness Safaris
• Gate 1 Travel
• African Sermon Safaris
• &Beyond
• G Adventures
• Intrepid Travel
• Cox & Kings
• Frontiers Travel
• Others

These companies operate in the market through various strategies such as product innovation, mergers and acquisitions, and partnerships.

Several new players in the North America Safari Tourism Market have embraced innovation and development to enter the industry. These include tech-driven startups, eco-friendly operators, and those leveraging virtual experiences. Key established players dominating the market include Abercrombie & Kent, Micato Safaris, and Tauck World Discovery.

These leaders maintain dominance through their extensive experience, luxury offerings, and sustainable practices. They often set industry standards, have robust marketing strategies, and adapt quickly to emerging trends, solidifying their positions as leaders in the competitive safari tourism market.

The North America Safari Tourism Market is segmented as follows:

By Accommodation

• Safari Resorts & Lodges
• Safari Camps
• Treehouses
• Others

By Safari Type

• Adventure Safari
• Private Safari
• Others

By Traveller Type

• Friends
• Families
• Couples
• Solos

By Mode of Booking

• Direct Booking
• Agents Booking
• Others

Regional Coverage:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America