Solo Travel In Africa: Top Destinations & Safety Tips

Solo Travel In Africa: Top Destinations & Safety Tips

Travelling to Africa as a solo traveller can be both an exciting and a daunting idea. Thoughts and questions immediately start to run through your head - Is Africa safe? Do  single safari holidays exist? Are there any safe African countries to visit? Can I go on a South African solo tour?

Well Africa Travel have been successfully arranging African safaris for solo travellers for many decades now, and so our answers are definitely yes, yes, yes and yes!

Of course proper planning is important and using a specialist such as Africa Travel is essential – we know the safe African countries to visit, and the right people to look after you so that your solo holiday to Africa is a safe one. We have assisted countless solo travellers to visit Africa, and can offer reassurance to the question of ‘is it safe to travel to Africa?’

Perhaps first though, you need to decide if solo travel is right for you.

Why travel solo?

The first time you decide to go it alone will always be the hardest, but once you have conquered your fears, discovered the safest places to visit in Africa, learnt whether South Africa is safe to travel to, and enjoyed the best African safari for solo travellers, you will more than likely want to do it again and again and again. Of course, even if you decide that travelling solo isn’t for you, at least you gave it a go rather than wondering forevermore what it would be like to head off on your own.

There are many benefits to travelling alone, and here at Africa Travel we have listed our Top 6 Reasons why solo travel has so much going for it.

1. Go anytime you like

If you’re keen to head off on an African safari, travelling on your own means that you do not have to wait around for friends or family to get themselves organised. Rather just pack your bag, grab your passport and head to the airport.

2. Travel anywhere you want

In a similar vein, travelling solo means you can go anywhere that you fancy. Want to go to the Masai Mara when your friends have always fancied the Kruger? Keen to hit the beaches of Zanzibar, but your family are more Mauritius-type of people? It doesn’t matter when you are on your own – it’s you that picks the destination, not other people, so go where you want, not where other people want you to go.

3. Stay as long as you like

There’s no squeezing in a trip between your friends’ commitments, or having to rush back home when your family does when you are solo. You are in complete command and only you decides how long you are going to be away for – what joy.

4. Experience something new

Being solo allows the traveller to really get out there and meet the locals, experience new cultures & customs, and interact with people who you probably would normally pass over or ignore if you were travelling with family or friends. Travelling solo will also mean that you adapt quickly to your surrounds, and will be more proactive than ever. Additionally it will allow you to step out from your comfort zone, prove your independence and undoubtedly boost your confidence.

5. Spend what you want to spend

An obvious one, but being on your own means that you are not dictated as to what you can spend. Different friends often have different budgets, but if it’s just you, you control the budget. If you fancy splurging on a luxury safari stay or gorging on a gourmet dinner then you can, or if you want to have a quick and cheap lunch then just do it. As your trip is all about you, it can be as cheap or as classy as you want it to be!

6. Become a better you

Travelling, whether solo or with others, can sometimes be unpredictable and often calls for knowledge to overcome situations, cancellations or problems. Knowing what to do or who to call can make all the difference and will not only make your trip more enjoyable, but will improve your resilience and ability to meet difficulties head-on. Undertaking a solo trip is also more than just a holiday – it boosts physical and mental health, increasing exercise and reducing stress, and allows you to enjoy your own space and time.

If a solo safari holiday is right for you, you now need to consider the safety element.

The safety of our clients in Africa is of the utmost importance to Africa Travel, and so we have put together our Top Ten Tips for Safe Travel to Africa so that the question ‘Is Africa safe to travel to?’ is answered as comprehensively as is possible.

Solo female travel in Africa will always generate safety fears, and of course common sense is key and certain safety precautions must always be taken regardless of the destination, but do remember that safari lodges, located in remote areas and only accessible to guests and staff members, are very safe places to visit in Africa. 

Top ten African stay safe tips

• Do not display valuables or cash, or wear expensive jewellery
• Be aware of your surrounds
• When self-driving keep doors locked and windows closed
• Keep your valuables and passport in your hotel room safe
• Plan your route when travelling at night
• Avoid walking in quite areas after dark
• Do not visit informal settlements unless accompanied by a guide
• Be super-aware when withdrawing money from ATMs or sitting in restaurants
• Trust your gut feeling and use common sense
• Steer clear of scammers

Which are the safest countries to visit in Africa?

When initially planning any trip to Africa, or anywhere, solo travellers should always consult and respect their relevant travel advisories – Government-issued statements which provide information about the safety of travelling to and visiting specific destinations. At Africa Travel we only recommend those destinations which have no travel warnings issued against them.

Botswana is considered to be one of, if not the safest places to visit in Africa. Tourist activities are centred around the remote towns of Maun and Kasane, and in the game parks of Chobe, Moremi, the Okavango Delta and Central Kalahari. Street crime is also rare.

Zambia is also a safe country to visit, with tourists centred around attractions such as the Victoria Falls and game parks including South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi & Kafue. Any crime there is, is generally found in the capital Lusaka, but this is somewhere not normally found on the tourist circuit.

Tanzania is all about safari and getting away from the hordes, (and from any potential dangers). The game reserves are very remote and safe to visit, and even in the towns and on the magical island of Zanzibar the locals have a well-won reputation for their friendliness.

Neighbouring Kenya is also home to a myriad of wonderful wildlife reserves, where the lucky vacationer can be sure of enjoying a safe and secure holiday. Those who need to stay overnight in the capital city Nairobi should have all their transfer and accommodation requirements made in advance by Africa Travel, and remain vigilant after dark.

South Africa is a relatively safe destination but basic safety precautions should always be taken when visiting. When self-driving, stick to well-trodden tourists routes and travel during daylights where possible. Avoid visiting informal settlement areas unless on an escorted tour, and remain vigilant when in city centres. Do engage with the locals however who are well-known for their hospitality.

Please be assured that Africa Travel have not, and never will send any clients to any region or location where we think that they will be in any danger. Also be aware that all of our most popular destinations, which are the safest places to visit in Africa, are located well away from known conflict zones such as Libya, Sudan & Somalia. Is Africa safe? – in the destinations we recommend, absolutely.

Why book your solo travel to Africa with Africa Travel?

Now that you know which are the safe African countries to visit, and that a solo safari holiday is right for you, it is time to contact Africa Travel.

With over 30 years’ experience in creating the best African safaris for solo travellers, and knowing which African countries are safe to visit, there is no one more qualified to organise solo travel in Africa than Africa Travel. We have a wealth of specialist resources to help you book your solo safari, and we are trusted by more and more customers to create an African safari tour for solo travellers which is not just another holiday, but rather the best trip possible to Africa.

All of our staff have travelled extensively, often on a solo safari holiday, and you can trust that our personal recommendations will deliver the safe African holiday that you have always dreamed of. We know the safe places to travel in Africa, and we can recommend the best luxury African safari lodges for singles.

We organise exclusive and private solo African safaris, and arrange for the finest guides to escort you. Is Africa safe to visit on a solo safari holiday? - absolutely.