We may be a little biased, but it appears that the rest of the world agrees! South Africa is one of the very best places on Earth for a wildlife holiday.
South Africa (10 July 2026) – A new global survey by adventure travel company Explore has ranked South Africa as the second most sought-after wildlife destination in the world, with only Australia placing ahead of us. Kenya, Canada and China round out the top five.
The survey looked at the animals people most dream of seeing in the wild, as well as the countries they’d most like to visit to experience them. More than 2400 people across 12 countries took part.
South Africa’s shining second-pace ranking shows that our wildlife is one of our greatest treasures. How could it not be, when our country is home to the world-famous Big 5? Our top national parks, like the Kruger, give visitors the chance to tick all five off their bucket lists, sometimes in a single trip.
Beyond wildlife you’d expect to see on a typical safari, we’ve also got African penguins waddling along our beaches and southern right whales off the coast of Hermanus! Few destinations can match all of that.
The research also found that South Africans themselves place enormous value on our natural heritage. An incredible 99% of local respondents said it’s important to experience wildlife in their own country, which is the highest of any nation surveyed.
The survey also explored which animals people around the world most want to see in their natural habitats. Interestingly, pandas claimed first place, followed by elephants, kangaroos, koalas and whales. Elephants were the only member of Africa’s traditional Big Five to feature in the new global ‘Big Five’.
Interest in wildlife travel is growing. According to the report, online searches for ‘wildlife holidays’ have jumped by 211% over the past year – happy news that more travellers are looking for meaningful experiences in nature. The more time we spend connecting with nature, the more we’ll want to protect and conserve it.
Just in case you needed the reminder – our country is world-class. Now go and book that safari.
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