Safari Economy

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The ‘Big Five’ is one of the most commonly used marketing slogans in the safari industry referring to the five greatest wild animals in Africa: the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Initially, the term big five was only used by professional big-game hunters, but became popularized in the nineteenth to early twentieth centuries as a result of wealthy amateurs - from European royalty to American presidents - who wanted to bag an African hunting trophy: the more giant and more unpredictable the beast, the better.¹
        A 2017 National land audit from the government² reports that amongst South Africa's nine provinces, Gauteng ranks last in leisure tourism but is by far the primary destination for business travelers. Legalized hunting has made South Africa the biggest game hunting destination globally.³ Due to its location within the country and close proximity to nearby safari parks, Johannesburg has become a central transport destination through OR Tambo International Airport, the principal point from which to visit the big five and wildlife near Kruger National Park, the biggest national park in South Africa.
        The safari industry plays an essential role in South Africa’s economy - the big five contributes to around 80% of the total economic value associated with tourism of South Africa’s ecology.⁴ However, changes in tourism policies and travel conditions have made safaris more affordable for middle-class tourists from Western countries, resulting in an increase of tourists visiting the region that endangers both habitat and wildlife.⁵ Today, lion populations are dwindling and leopards have been declared endangered.⁶

Image source : Hand drawing of the big five by David Cubbins, local South African artist. https://shop.dicraft.com/product/the-big-5-a3-large-embroidery-panel-ready-to-embroider/