Luxury goods sales slowing? Safari's next?

[Doug3006]

I am classed as a millennial at 35 years old. I think poor money management is 100% across the board through all generations. I see young 20 year olds that are very responsible and doing well for their age and I see 40 something’s that complain they can’t afford a house and they are broke and they have nothing despite a decent wage job. They spend frivolously or waste it on things that don’t matter. I’ve seen older people I their 70s that could easily go on any hunt they wanted and folks in their 70s still working living pay check to paycheck. It all comes down to priorities.

For me personally I only buy vehicles when I absolutely have to because the old one dies. I’ve never let an auto loan go to full term. My last one I paid off in 6 months. I don’t live beyond my means at all. I know how much I make and we don’t spend that much. I don’t eat out more than once a month. I paid off all my student loan debt within 3 years of graduation because I got a useful degree. I bought my house when interest rates were low and have that locked in. I move money into high yield savings accounts and retirement accounts. And if I want a new rifle I save for it and when we planned our first safari I worked overtime and saved for it so that it would not impact our lives financially in the slightest.

I’m seeing a dip in luxury items at this point. The cost of living is catching up to people. However I think the average person that goes on a safari will probably be just fine because they are they type of person that has learned to manage money decently well even if they aren’t rich. I do think some of the guided North American hunts like elk and such may take a hit because of (in my opinion) how overpriced they are. I could be wrong there though.

Just so. The median net worth of a 65-year-old American is about $400,000. This includes their house, all of their possessions, and their savings less anything they owe. A 65-year-old is solidly in the baby boomer generation. Doesn’t look like us old farts have distinguished ourselves as savers and investors!

 

[uplander01]

The gun business is down at least 15-20% YOY, and its trending further down. After the 50-70 year old generation gets old and dies off I gotta be honest, I think we're all in for a change. There aren't many 20 or 30 somethings out there right now that are motivated to save and scrimp to go to Africa. For most of them a trip to Africa at 10-15k is equivalent to buying a space ship ticket to MARS. All you have to do is look around at the SCI shows, do you see a big "next generation" of hunter or a person that's going to spend 5-10k on a rifle or shotgun? They are there, but not very many. Then look at the tactical sections of the SHOT Show, isles packed with the "Call of Duty" generation.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-24/us-consumer-confidence-retreats-on-broad-economic-concerns

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-27/us-consumer-spending-drops-for-first-time-since-start-of-year

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

I am hopeful that the safari industry is supported by wealthy folks or enough folks that prioritize their passion for Africa versus the general population. The links above show the worst two month consumer sentiment readings the Michigan survey has seen and then today consumer spending was released and was down in May. This follows the worst quarter (1Q25) in consumer spending since before covid.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

The gun business is down at least 15-20% YOY, and its trending further down. After the 50-70 year old generation gets old and dies off I gotta be honest, I think we're all in for a change. There aren't many 20 or 30 somethings out there right now that are motivated to save and scrimp to go to Africa. For most of them a trip to Africa at 10-15k is equivalent to buying a space ship ticket to MARS. All you have to do is look around at the SCI shows, do you see a big "next generation" of hunter or a person that's going to spend 5-10k on a rifle or shotgun? They are there, but not very many. Then look at the tactical sections of the SHOT Show, isles packed with the "Call of Duty" generation.

I am hopeful some of these old dou le rifles come out at a more reasonable price. You can pick up amazing drillings for $3-5k. I'm not saying a double isn't more costly to manufacture but in the end, the market will decide and if supply exceeds demand...

 

[BonUm16]

Safari for the masses has only been a thing for what, thirty years? Maybe forty? In the last five years, the cost to live life has pretty much doubled. The average Joe simply can’t absorb the sudden increase in those costs and still have hope of hunting Africa a few times in his life. At least not when every associated cost of a safari (flights, taxidermy, shipping of trophies, etc.) has pretty much tracked with the same increases in his daily life. It seems the only part of the equation that has remained relatively stable and affordable is the hunt itself.

What the future holds is for others to guess at. My hope is what might be seen as the start of a decline in participation is just a blip and Africa’s wildlife continues to be valued and protected.

 

[3chunter]

Maybe I agree. I have been lucky to have things work out and go on two safaris. I won’t be able to make another one for a while as I am concentrating out west for next 5 years.
I rounded up my tally last night in my 2022 and 2024 safaris and whoof. The shipping and taxidermy really make it a killer. You can find great hunts for a really good price In Africa. Shipping and taxidermy…..very costly though. Still not as bad as figuring per animal outwest but overall everything is just up in price.
I calculate my hunts per animal. With flight, tips, everything involved In the trip minus shipping and taxidermy.
Africa plains game hunt with everything inclusive other than shipping and taxidermy: my trips
2022: $1200 per animal
2024: $1450 per animal
With shipping and taxidermy: double that per animal and it’s right on what the cost is.
Note these hunts were done on the cheap end for what I was able to take animal wise. Could easily be 40% more if I would not have ran into some deals.
Also my taxidermist is probably on the average maybe cheap side of average in pricing.
I researched some taxidermist pricing a few weeks ago and if you go with a well known taxidermist your cost to mount will be atleast 40% more compared to a decent taxidermist you might find in your own state.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Hard to say how it will affect Africa Hunting Safaris. First time Safari goers may not be as eager because everything is expensive right now.

This may mean value for the rest of us. I’m always amazed at what people will finance! Including hunts…

I’ve been pretty good at delaying gratification and I have an idea of how to pay for my hunts so that the money is a non-issue or “not missed”. I’m in my mid 50’s, worked hard, invested wisely and understood sacrifice. I’m still alarmed at inflation.

I don’t know if the later generations understand money management and what is coming…

Disposable income is the money left after taxes are paid, while discretionary income is what remains of that disposable income after essential living expenses are covered. Understanding the distinction is crucial for effective financial planning and budgeting, as it clarifies how much money is truly available for non-essential spending or saving.