Travel trends for 2026 are emerging as we approach the end of 2025. Each year seems to bring with it different travel trends from detox and wellness holidays to more adventurous options, and 2026 is proving to be no different. Here we round up five of the key travel trends for 2026 and how that applies to safaris in Africa.
- Travelling out of season
So often we are led to believe that to get the best out of a destination you have to travel in the high season. When it comes to a safari in Africa this is most certainly not the case, and travelling out of the higher priced traditional peak seasons is every bit as rewarding when it comes to wildlife viewing.
Peak seasons are often considered this for two main reasons – they coincide with good weather in a destination country and they overlap with school holidays, or our summer when we traditional travel. This puts pressure on the limited numbers of rooms in any safari area. By travelling out of these times, there are fewer people, which on safari is an ideal combination. Plenty of animals not other people is the aim. This travel trend also often comes with the added advantage of lower rates for the same properties and for flights.
2. Family travel
A holiday in Africa has always been an excellent family holiday, with shared experiences lifelong memories created. The sense of adventure experienced, the wildlife seen and the activities enjoyed all fuse together to offer the ultimate in family escapes.
This is still true in 2026, with two focuses. The first is an increasing number of multi-generational family holidays, creating even more special memories with loved ones. Whether the entire family – grandparents, all children and grandchildren travel, or grandparents and one child and their family travel, this is a chance for all to put down the digital devices and connect meaningfully. We have seen for a few years the idea of ‘disconnect to reconnect’ and this is especially true when it comes to multi-generational holidays to Africa. With a number of exclusive-use properties with capacity for larger groups, there are any number of options of which country to visit.
The second travel trend is one parent travelling with their son or daughter to spend meaningful time with them alone. This could be a shared endeavour – climbing Mt Kilimanjaro or seeing the mountain gorillas, or visiting a long-dreamed of destination such as the Okavango Delta to enjoy it together. These holidays are special and provide cherished memories for all involved.
- Slow travel
We live in a fast-paced world and as travellers we have a wish to see everything possible in the short time we are away. However, when it comes to a safari this can be detrimental to the overall quality of a trip and in my experience you often see more when spending longer observing and waiting for the wildlife to come to you. Spending longer in one destination affords this opportunity.
In addition, you have time to enjoy all activities available more than once and you get to know your guide. More importantly, they get to know you, your likes and interests, what you have seen before and what you would like to try and see or do, enabling them to tailor your activities and wildlife viewing as far as possible.
Traditionally a safari holiday would see you spend three to four nights in each camp before moving onto the next. This gives you two or three full days in a camp and it can feel tiring – packing and unpacking all of the time. This travel trend would see you spending longer in any particular camp, taking advantage of the extra time – with all the wildlife and activities but less travel / planes and airports. In addition, spending longer in one camp often opens up longer stay offers or reduced rates.
- Off the beaten track
As any experienced safari-goer what their top tip would be, and it is often going off the beaten track and with few others around. Africa is blessed with an abundance of wildlife rich national parks and some have become world-renowned due to wildlife events such as the Great Migration in the Serengeti and Masai Mara, or for their unique offerings – the Ngorongoro Crater springs to mind. I love people but when I am on safari I don’t want to see anyone – animals please!
With the amazing wilderness areas throughout the prime safari countries this is easy to achieve. Perhaps visit lesser thought of countries – such as Malawi or Uganda, or visit areas which are more difficult to reach which naturally means there are fewer camps and therefore people. There are plenty of examples of this throughout Africa including in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana or Zimbabwe. Having to work to reach a destination makes the experience even more rewarding when there – and is another reason to slow your travel down. You have spent longer to get here, enjoy it for longer as well.
Some of my favourite safari moments have come from experiences in these lesser-known national parks. Still offering excellent wildlife viewing and comfortable camps with amazing guides, just no-one else around. My idea of bliss on safari!
- Solo holidays
Have you ever wanted to safari but have a partner who isn’t interested? Perhaps you always travel alone but like the idea of like-minded people whilst travelling. A safari lends itself to a solo adventure. With a sense of adventure woven through a safari, and travelling with people who all have a common interest – the wildlife – this is a holiday where you can be as sociable or not as you would like.
With an increasing number of excellent small group safaris available, this is an ideal option for those venturing on a solo holiday, or to Africa, for the first time. Spending the duration of the safari with the same like-minded people and with an excellent guide who has the opportunity to get to know you, you travel through a geographical area to experience and see all that it has to offer.
For those wishing to visit a country where there is no suitable small group trip, or who like the idea of choosing the Camps and areas that suit them, this is also very easy to achieve as a solo traveller. The very nature of a safari means you are usually with others on a vehicle or walking safari etc when viewing wildlife. This gives you company with others whilst also meeting others when you move camp, or as the guests change. If you prefer to eat on your own you can, but in many cases communal dining is offered, so again company is offered.
My tip for this travel trend would be to travel out of high season, choose small group departures or camps which do not charge single supplements (there are a number now) to get the best value for you.
A holiday in Africa really does offer something for every traveller and every generation, and these travel trends highlight how travellers are looking to travel differently in 2026. Whether you would like to investigate one of these travel trends further, or discuss any particular holiday to anywhere in Africa or the Indian Ocean, please contact Lucinda. She will be delighted to help.