The demand for safari travel among luxury travelers is on the rise, according to the latest findings from Virtuoso’s 2025 Global Luxury Traveler Report. This comprehensive survey, which examined wealthy travelers from 17 countries, revealed a significant increase in the willingness to spend over $50,000 on trips, with bookings for safari adventures in this bracket rising by 21%.
Surge in Ultra-Luxury Safari Travel
As travelers increasingly seek premium experiences, the average budget for safari trips is escalating. Data from Go2Africa’s 2024 State of Safari Report indicates that average safari budgets have grown from approximately $5,500 to between $5,500 and $7,500 in 2024. This shift can be attributed to heightened demand for high-end offerings, longer excursions, and overall inflation in safari travel costs.
While these trends signal a robust growth in the industry, they also underscore that accessing safari experiences is becoming more exclusive, requiring deeper financial resources than in the past.
Making Safaris Accessible
In response to the rising costs, Sarah Dusek, co-founder of Few & Far, an eco-hospitality brand, aims to democratize safari experiences. Dusek stated, “I don’t believe that nature should be inaccessible, because nature belongs to us all, and I don’t think prices should ever [keep] people out.”
The Few & Far Luvhondo property, situated in South Africa’s Limpopo province, represents this philosophy. The lodge, which operates within a 247,000-acre conservation area, emphasizes sustainability and biodiversity protection. It charges standard rates starting around $1,800 per night, inclusive of accommodations, meals, and activities.
Balancing Luxury and Conservation
Despite the investment needed to maintain a luxury, conservation-focused lodge, Dusek remains committed to making safari experiences available to a broader audience. “It’s not free to let the wilderness be the wilderness,” she commented. “The conservation work we’re doing requires substantial funding, and that has to come from somewhere.”
Innovative Pricing Strategies
In light of these challenges, Dusek’s establishment has initiated a "Nature Has No Price Tag" campaign to allow travelers to pay what they can afford for luxury experiences. Interested guests complete an application detailing their preferred dates, group size, and proposed payment amount. Dusek personally reviews these submissions, aiming to find candidates whose priorities align with the lodge’s mission.
Dusek encourages those who can afford to pay beyond the standard rate to do so, noting, “The impact that makes in helping us do the restoration work is enormous.” The lodge has already started welcoming guests through this program, and the early reactions have been overwhelmingly positive.
Addressing Potential Concerns
While there is some concern about the potential for guests to exploit this flexible pricing model, Dusek remains optimistic. She believes that the application process will help filter genuine requests from opportunistic ones.
As the luxury safari sector continues to evolve, Dusek hopes this model will encourage a shift towards more inclusive practices. “The reality is that no hospitality operation ever runs 100% occupancy, 365 days a year,” she pointed out. “So why are we not being more creative? Why are we not being more inclusive? I really hope this helps shift the whole model.”
This innovative approach not only seeks to make safari experiences attainable for a wider audience but also to foster a greater connection with nature through conservation efforts.
