Wild and Untouched Africa: Myth or Fact?

Over-tourism and the Luxury of Space on an African Safari

Over-tourism; the dreaded phenomenon that follows from the rise in popularity of erst-while idyllic and picturesque vacation destinations. Straining the world’s most desired holiday havens, it has now received its own index. The over-tourism index identifies high-risk and low-risk destinations and rates them on a scale from 1 (low risk) to 5 (extreme risk).

The issue with over-tourism? Where the psychological carrying capacity of a location is exceeded, it causes the destination to lose its appeal. The excessive growth of visitor numbers in a given area has profound negative effects like damaged natural spaces, poorer quality of life for local populations, endless waiting times to visit popular attractions, and a deteriorated travel experience for tourists.

Beach, European and urban destinations are at the highest risk of over-tourism. Lucky for us, the luxury of space in Africa is our biggest asset. African safari destinations typically cover a large area and have a balanced distribution of tourist traffic and seasonability throughout the year. While some popular safari destinations have undeniably suffered from overcrowding (Kenya’s Masai Mara Triangle being one of them), there still remains a plethora of alternative, stunning African safari destinations to choose from.  

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Africa: the barefoot luxury of time & space

In a recent blog, we described true luxury on safari as “barefoot”: experiencing your destination to the absolute fullest. Nowhere does this ring truer than in Africa. The luxury of space experienced on an African safari is unparalleled, and hands down beats the traditional definition of luxury as opulent amenities and 5-star dining. In today’s built-up world, space is the ultimate luxury: Africa’s vast wild landscapes unlock the freedom to explore, breathe freely and rediscover what it truly means to experience nature without the crowds. There is a reason why a low bed-to-property-size ratio is so desired amongst safari goers: where fewer people share more land to explore, the opportunities for intimate and personal connection with our environment increase exponentially.

In all our bespoke safaris we plan for our travelers, we prioritise the luxury of space: finding those destinations that offer the absolute best of African safari, without the crowds. So that you can enjoy your African safari the way it is supposed to be: unhurried, immersive, and truly luxurious. A wild and untouched Africa is not a myth. Trust us, we live there!

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How to choose your safari destination & time wisely

60% of all tourists in Africa choose to go to South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania, making these destinations the busiest of all. Yet, if you know where to go, you can still escape the crowds! Time wise, July is the most popular month of the year for an African safari. In most of Southern Africa, July is the middle of the dry winter months, the minimal vegetation increasing wildlife visibility and the lower day temperatures making longer game drives possible. However, depending on your destination, choosing the low- or shoulder seasons actually offer many more opportunities to enjoy your safari to the fullest!

When we are writing this article, we have just come out of the high season in what is called “The Mara Triangle”, where herds of millions of wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River in their circular Great Migration. Those who have witnessed this great spectacle also know that it often comes with hundreds of safari vehicles in the same area, racing around and practically piled on top of each other at the most prime photographic spots. Reports, videos and photos of safari vehicles spilling over with tourists – some even leaving the vehicle without their guide stopping them! - eager to snap a shot of crocs grabbing the crossing wildebeests, are published almost daily.  

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Yet, a safari doesn’t have to be a mad race to get to the best sightings at prime position. Safari in Africa is much more than what we see in the Lion King. Even in the popular Masai Mara region, a tranquil and serene Great Migration safari is very much in the cards. For those looking for a more exclusive classic safari destination, Tanzania’s Serengeti is the place-to-be. And it doesn’t have to be more expensive either! Have a look at our favourite African Destination Dupes to scope out the possibilities. Or explore which destination out of Kenya, Tanzania or South Africa is better for you. Keen to visit South Africa's Kruger Park? The options of private safari reserves are endless!

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Safari Memories: A Kenyan Masai Mara safari done right.

Wild Wonderful World Founder and Private Guide Michelle remembers one of her most peaceful safari memories on her latest trip in October 2023:

“Rising in the dark, we set off across the plains of the Masai Mara toward the launch site of the hot air balloons. As we approached, we could see great shots of fiery gas being blown into four massive balloons to inflate them. A funny sight so early in the morning of men dwarfed to the size of ants holding onto ropes being pulled off their feet as great swathes of balloon material rolled here and there whilst the balloon slowly filled with hot air. A safety brief ensued, complete with a demonstration on how to get in and out the of basket – it’s not as elegant as one would imagine!

Finally it was launch time, and just as dawn broke, we all crawled into the basket, sitting knees to chest horizontal to the ground. A mighty roar of the gas and the balloon rose, lifting our basket upright and off the ground. Safely away, we were invited to stand and off we went, climbing higher to catch the gentle breeze as we floated peacefully above the plains of the Mara. Our pilot pointed out the wildlife as we passed overhead; a hyena lying at its den, giraffes nibbling on a tree and even a warthog that came scurrying out of its hole, thinking we were a very big bird of prey indeed! It was a magical experience viewing the mighty plains from above, giving perspective into the vastness of the landscape.”

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Value for money and the surge of $1000+ hotel rooms around the globe

If you ask us to choose between a 40sqm room in a Highrise building in London, versus an 80sqm free-standing, en-suite in the middle of pristine wilderness – both at €1,000 per person per night – there is no competition... In today's world, spending $1,000 a night for an entry-level room in most big cities has become normal. This doesn't even include the cost of a five-star stay in a popular tourist destination such as the Amalfi Coast or the south of France. The number of hotels worldwide with room rates exceeding a thousand dollars has tripled since 2019. In the United States, the number of hotels charging more than a thousand dollars has almost quadrupled in the last four years, increasing from 22 in 2019 to 80 this year.  

Where would you rather stay for $1000 per night? A city hotel suite or a luxury safari lodge in the pristine African wilderness?

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Curious to explore some options for $1,000 or less per person, per night for African safari destinations? Click to see a small selection of African safari lodges offering just that. And when you're ready to explore the luxury of space in Africa, contact us to plan your very own African safari!

Written by Evelyn Poole