The Impact of COVID-19 on Safari Lodges in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

This investigation explores the impacts of COVID-19 on safari lodge operators in the northern districts of Zululand and uMkhanyakude in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The area in which these lodges are located is a renowned leading safari lodge destination. This investigation is structured into four core sections. Firstly, brief insights into current debates concerning the influence of COVID-19 on tourism generally are provided. Secondly, the impact of COVID-19 on visitor profiles of safari lodges is analysed. Thirdly, the impact of COVID-19 on the functioning and operations of these safari lodges is examined. Fourthly and finally, the coping mechanisms implemented by the safari lodges are presented. The research deployed snowball sampling and conducted in-person interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. The study reveals that this tourism subsector, like other tourism subsectors globally, suffered greatly as a result of COVID-19. Various adjustments to its operations had to be implemented in order to survive. These adjustments included scaling back operations, cutting costs wherever possible and drastically reducing staff. Additionally, many lodges tried to compensate for a lack of incoming international tourists by attracting local tourists by offering deep discounts. However, low levels of disposable income among South Africans means that this is not a long-term sustainable strategy. Future uncertainty was a key concern for safari lodge operations.