South Africa has been recognised as one of the world’s leading destinations for wildlife tourism after a new international survey ranked the country second globally for wildlife holidays, reinforcing its reputation as a premier destination for nature-based travel.
The ranking comes as more international travellers seek immersive outdoor experiences instead of traditional city sightseeing, with wildlife encounters becoming one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global tourism industry.
According to research conducted by adventure travel company Explore, wildlife now plays a major role in travel decisions for millions of people worldwide. The survey gathered responses from 2,400 participants across 12 countries and found that 72% consider wildlife opportunities when choosing where to travel.
Researchers also analysed Google search trends, revealing that searches for “wildlife holidays” increased by an impressive 211% over the past year, highlighting growing global demand for nature-focused tourism.
South Africa’s biodiversity continues to attract global travellers
Australia topped the survey as the world’s favourite wildlife destination, while South Africa secured second place ahead of internationally renowned wildlife destinations including Kenya, Canada and China.
The result reflects South Africa’s exceptional biodiversity and the wide variety of wildlife experiences available throughout the country.
Visitors can explore national parks in search of the Big Five, watch southern right whales migrate along the coastline, observe African penguins in their natural habitat and experience ecosystems that range from deserts and wetlands to forests and mountain landscapes.
The diversity of these experiences allows travellers to enjoy multiple forms of wildlife tourism within a single destination, making South Africa one of the few countries able to offer such a broad range of natural attractions.
Wildlife tourism extends beyond the Big Five
Although South Africa remains synonymous with iconic safari experiences, the survey suggests travellers are increasingly interested in a wider variety of species.
The giant panda emerged as the world’s most sought-after wildlife encounter, with 41% of respondents hoping to see one in its natural habitat.
The survey’s five most desired wildlife encounters were:
- Giant panda (41%)
- Elephant (32%)
- Kangaroo (32%)
- Koala (30%)
- Whale (29%)
Among Africa’s famous Big Five, the elephant was the only species to feature in the global top five, indicating that wildlife tourism is becoming increasingly diverse as travellers seek marine wildlife, endangered species and unique ecosystems alongside traditional safari experiences.
As international demand for authentic nature experiences continues to grow, South Africa’s combination of biodiversity, established conservation areas and world-renowned wildlife attractions is expected to remain one of the country’s strongest tourism assets.
Source: Explore travel survey.