With the main safari season almost upon us, Acacia Africa is releasing five key trends.

(TRAVPR.COM) UK - April 30th, 2025 - With the main safari season almost upon us, Acacia Africa is releasing five key trends. The tour operator claims safaris are being reshaped by a new mindset, with travellers wanting more than iconic sightings—they are looking for journeys with substance. Whether it's the rise of solo female adventurers or families prioritising purpose-led encounters, one thing is clear: African travel is becoming less about escape and more about engagement—with the continent, its people, and the animal kingdom.

Arno Delport, Sales & Marketing Manager, Acacia Africa, comments, “Travellers today are looking for depth, variety, and meaning—they’re not just ticking off the wildlife; they’re collecting experiences. Africa, with its sheer scale and diversity, is answering that call in ways no other destination can.”

Multi-country journeys are on the rise, with travellers satisfying their oversized bucket lists in a single holiday. Longer excursions into the wilderness lasting several weeks, Acacia Africa's adventure tours and small group safaris provide opportunities to explore multiple countries in depth, all without the hassle of logistics. According to Acacia Africa, revenge travel has largely evolved rather than disappeared, with more ambitious escapes being planned and the focus on experiences rather than escapism. Covering eight countries, key stops on the 58-day Gorillas to Cape Town include the Masai Mara, Serengeti, Etosha, and Chobe national parks. Travellers trek gorillas in Uganda, unwind on beaches from Zanzibar to Chitimba, explore the Okavango Delta by mokoro, and enjoy desert adventures in Namibia, with the experience-rich Adventure Camping tour ending in Cape Town. From £8,275pp (no single supplement) + Adventure Pass from £1,069pp + Gorilla & Chimp permit from £820pp, including all highlights, transport, accommodation (49 nights camping in 2-person dome tents, 3 nights in twin share pre-erected ensuite tents, 2 nights in a dorm room, and 3 nights in a tourist class hotel), most meals, and services of a tour leader and driver. Starts Nairobi - ends Cape Town.

"The cost-of-living crisis might well affect how people travel, but based on the 2007-09 financial crisis, people will likely still go on safari," says Delport; bookings during that period skewed to Acacia Africa's camping tours. In terms of "best value" destinations, the tour operator's top pick is Namibia. With the country's Etosha National Park offering roughly eight months of wildlife viewing a year (May to December), it pays to book flights outside of peak season in May or November. Acacia Africa’s 11-day Cape Town to Namibia Camping tour journeys from South Africa’s southern coast into the heart of the Namib Desert. Travellers experience the dramatic contrast of landscapes—from Table Mountain and the Orange River to the towering dunes of Sossusvlei and the imposing terrain of Spitzkoppe. With floodlit waterholes at Etosha, there's also ample opportunity to spy Namibia's iconic wildlife. From £1,525pp (no single supplement), including all highlights, transport, accommodation (8 nights camping in 2-person dome tents and 2 nights in a dorm), most meals, and the services of a tour leader and driver. Starts Cape Town - ends Windhoek.

South Africa remains a firm favourite with families, but Zimbabwe is increasingly stepping into the spotlight when it comes to those with teens in tow. The country's oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Matobo National Park stands out for its fascinating blend of wildlife, conservation, and culture—sustainable travel of increasing importance to the younger generation. Guided walks offer a more heightened sensory experience and packed with real-life teaching moments, children have the opportunity to engage with rangers from the Matobo Rhino Trust and learn about rhino protection firsthand. An outdoor classroom, ancient rock art and sacred sites open up further conversations about Africa’s past and early civilisations.

Delport, comments: "Families are increasingly seeking experiences that matter. They want their presence to have purpose—and Zimbabwe delivers with raw beauty, rich culture, and sustainable impact from supporting grassroots conservation efforts. It’s a destination that turns travel into a meaningful encounter—one that informs, inspires, and connects across generations."

Combining wildlife viewing in South Africa’s iconic Kruger with Zimbabwe’s lesser-known Matobo National Park, the 7-day Kruger and Matobo Rhino Encounter (Accommodated Small Group Safari) costs from £1,735pp (two sharing) + Safari Pass from £304pp, including all highlights, transport, accommodation (twin share rooms with en suite facilities), most meals, and services of a tour leader and driver. Starts Pretoria - ends Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. From 8 years.

An increasing number of Acacia Africa’s bookings are from women travelling alone—a movement the tour operator has championed through its #WomenGoSolo initiative. Growing in popularity, the 2024 Solo Traveler Reader Survey backs up the trend, 90% of respondents (83% of whom were female) indicating that they prefer to join tours some or all of the time. Offering a thrilling cocktail of wildlife viewing, camaraderie, and space to venture solo, Acacia's tours are the perfect mix for women who want to combine their love of travel in a group setting. For example, running from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, the 13-day Kenya & Tanzania Adventure balances structure with freedom. An adventure camping tour that is ideal for first-time visitors who want to kick back and experience a seamless journey across East Africa, highlights include game drives in the Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater; cultural encounters with the Maasai; and downtime on Zanzibar’s beaches. From £3,425pp (no single supplement) + Adventure Pass from £643pp, including all highlights, transport, accommodation (7 days camping in 2-person dome tents, 2 nights bush camping in pre-erected tents at Serengeti/Ngorongoro (equipment supplied), and 3 nights in a tourist class hotel), most meals, and services of a tour leader and driver.

Acacia Africa’s 34-day Zanzibar to Cape Town Adventure Camping tour embraces the rising demand for multi-ventures, with travellers increasingly seeking out tours packed with a wealth of contrasting pursuits. Showcasing six African countries, the itinerary shifts gear with compelling regularity— featuring opportunities to swim with dolphins along Zanzibar’s coast, hike above the cascading waterfalls of the Lake Malawi escarpment, explore the historic streets of Stone Town and fat bike across Namibia’s stunning red sands. Etosha and Chobe deliver classic big game viewing, while the Victoria Falls ups the adrenaline with white-water rafting and bungy jumping. From £4,535pp (no single supplement) + Adventure Pass from £295pp, including all highlights, transport, accommodation (27 nights camping in 2-person dome tents, 1 night in twin-share pre-erected en suite tents, 2 nights in a dorm room, and 3 nights in a tourist-class hotel), most meals, and services of a tour leader and driver. Starts Dar es Salaam - ends Cape Town.

All prices exclude return flights. Year-round scheduled departures. Acacia Africa's Small Group Adventure Camping and Small Group Adventure Accommodated Tours are aimed at travellers aged 18+. Small Group Safaris from 8 years. Acacia offers pre- and post-accommodation and a wide selection of city breaks and short stays. Acacia Africa (020 7706 4700). ABTA No. W4093 PROTECTED.        

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