Safari experts & storytellers. Since 1991
Travelling solo does not mean you're alone – unless you want to be
“Sometimes, the best way to fully experience a place is alone. There’s a restorative power in these stretches of time spent alone, immersed in some other landscape, lost in another language, absorbed in a new culture. Solitude leads me to a better version of myself.” Marcia DeSanctis
Travelling on your own is one of life’s joys. Not tied down by compromise or limited by the preferences of others, solo travellers are free to safari on their terms. Freedom of choice is the new luxury!
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Our favourite solo traveller safari ideas
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Tailor-made experiential safaris – with love
"Travel in Africa is about knowing what, when and where to go – a few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the Greatest Show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Our crew of passionate safari experts have lived and worked in Africa for most of their lives. Trust us to find you the rarest animals, the most spectacular wildlife events, the remotest landscapes and deeply meaningful cultural encounters!"
Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic
All you need to know about travelling solo
What are the best trip types and lodges for solo travellers?
Small bush camps and lodges are better for solo travellers because it’s easier to join conversations and make new friends than when faced by large groups. Staff at smaller camps and lodges are usually more attentive and observant about these things.
Tailor-made safaris that are crafted just for you, based on your wishes and budget. They can be privately guided or not, depending on the nature of the trip and your needs.
Group scheduled departures – these safaris usually start and end on fixed dates and are designed for a group travelling with a guide. Most people booking these safaris have not met beforehand. Smaller groups (4 to ten people) are better for solo travellers because it’s easier to join conversations and make new friends.
Walking safaris are an excellent option for single travellers. Group sizes are small, and the experience is intimate and social
Do solo travellers want to be completely alone on safari?
Some solo travellers prefer to be totally alone, while others want the option to choose when and what to share with others. Each of these preferences comes with logistical or cost implications. For example:
Enjoying the exclusive use of a game-drive vehicle and guide gives you the ultimate freedom to plot your day, but it will cost significantly more.
Many experiences offered to lodge guests involve sharing with others – for example, a bush or birding walk, mokoro or boat outing and balloon safaris. Asking for a fully exclusive experience will require careful planning if the lodge offers it at no extra cost and is full at the time.
Meals at your lodge can be a communal experience with other guests or an evening at your own table or in your room. The choice is yours, and there is usually no extra cost.
Some safari costs are fixed, so the larger your group, the lower the per-person cost. Examples include drivers, guides, vehicle transfers/car hire and chartered flights.
Do solo travellers pay extra for African safaris?
Solo travellers often pay more per person than those sharing a room. This is probably the biggest downside to solo travel.
Most lodge rooms accommodate two guests sharing, and that is how the owners determine their nightly profitability. If you are on your own, the revenue from the second person is lost, so most establishments will charge you a premium, referred to as a ‘single supplement’, to make up some of the difference.
Consider the following ways to avoid or reduce single supplements:
Travel outside the peak travel season to secure lower rates and even avoid single supplements. Green (off-peak) season rates are lower and sometimes extend into the weeks at the beginning and end of the traditional peak season, offering prime game viewing at lower prices.
Book well in advance to secure early-bird specials or single-supplement reductions (which may be available only for one room).
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As a solo traveller, I felt very safe, and I never felt scared. In all, I could go on and on about how wonderful the trip was. As a solo female traveller, sometimes things can be difficult. However, this was planned well, and I felt so safe ... I can truly say that this has been the best trip that I have taken up to this point. It is going to be very hard to top. I can’t believe I had this wonderful opportunity.
I recently returned from a safari in Tanzania. I am a 65-year-old female travelling solo, and it was an unforgettable experience... [Africa Geographic] took the time to understand my needs and expectations, then tailor-made the entire trip accordingly. The people I met were wonderful, the landscapes absolutely exquisite, and the wildlife sightings exceeded all expectations– often remarkably close up.
As a solo female traveller from Canada who typically enjoys handling my own planning and bookings, I was initially nervous about letting someone else take the reins for such a significant trip... Throughout my trip, I always felt safe, and I could reach out to any team member if I needed assistance. Pick-ups were always punctual, and I was greeted with smiles at every turn... I truly had the safari of a lifetime!
Frequently asked questions
Key takeaways for solo safari travellers
Solo safari travel means exploring Africa's wilderness independently, either through tailor-made itineraries, private guided safaris, or small-group tours.
Solo travellers enjoy complete freedom to choose destinations, timing, and experiences without compromise, whilst still having access to expert guides, lodge staff, and fellow guests for social interaction when desired.
Solo travellers typically pay 10–30% single supplements, but green season travel often reduces or eliminates these fees
Small lodges (under 20 guests) offer better social opportunities than large properties
Africa's safari industry is highly professional, with 24/7 support and excellent safety records
Group scheduled departures provide cost savings whilst maintaining independence
Booking 12–18 months ahead for peak season or 6–9 months for off-peak offers better rates and availability
Every year, millions of tourists from all over the world safely enjoy African safaris. American, European, and Australian tourists, and countless others from around the world, have Africa on their bucket lists because of the high-quality adventures, luxury accommodations, and often breathtaking experiences available on the continent.
Because of this high demand, Africa's safari industry has evolved into one of the world's most professional tourism sectors.
Are African safari tours safe? Absolutely. As Africa Geographic's extensive safari experience confirms, you'll spend most of your African holiday in relatively remote wilderness areas where crime of any sort is extremely rare, if not non-existent. Following the guide’s instructions and maintaining a respectful distance from wildlife are also recommended for a seamless experience.
All partner lodges and hotels we use on our safaris have excellent emergency protocols and evacuation procedures in place, including access to a helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft. Depending on the nature of the emergency, you should be in capable hands surprisingly quickly. It is important that your travel and health insurance policies include coverage for emergency treatment.
Going on safari offers plenty of social opportunities if you are travelling alone – on your terms.
Most activities, such as game drives and bush walks, will be with a small group of fellow travellers, and sometimes other solo travellers, depending on how busy the lodge is at the time. Mealtimes are either at mixed tables or at your own table, depending on your preference and the other guests' preferences.
Advice from our CEO, Simon Espley, who often travels solo: "The great thing about travelling solo is that other guests at lodges expect me to dine on my own but are pleased and welcoming when I request to join their table. I always let the lodge manager know my preferences and let them sort it all out. Often, though, guests at other tables invite single travellers to join them but are not offended when they choose to decline."
Also read "SOLO or solo?" above for further insights
The timing of your African trip depends on your expectations. Each season offers distinct advantages for the discerning traveller seeking unique experiences.
Dry-season drama (May to mid-November): The classic safari season when wildlife congregates around permanent water sources, and predators are in action. Vegetation is sparse, making game viewing exceptional, and the weather is most comfortable for extended outdoor activities. The later in the dry season, the better the wildlife encounters will be, but be aware that temperatures can be very high in October and November.
Migration magic (specific timing varies by region): The great wildebeest migrations in East Africa and Zambia's Liuwa Plain offer once-in-a-lifetime spectacles, as do the zebra migrations in Botswana and bat migration in Zambia's Kasanka, but timing is crucial and advance booking is essential for prime locations.
Green-season tranquillity (November to April): Often overlooked by conventional tourism, this period offers dramatic skies, newborn animals, resident predators, and spectacular birdlife, with the landscape transforming into an emerald paradise. Expect lower prices and fewer tourists.
Photographic considerations: Each season offers unique lighting and compositional opportunities. Dry-season dust and smoke, and wet-season clear skies transform your photos into works of art.
Each safari day follows the rhythms of the bush:
Dawn awakening (5:30-6:00 AM): Soft wake-up calls with steaming coffee or tea and freshly baked biscuits delivered to your private deck. The African dawn is a sacred time – when the golden light begins to paint the landscape and nocturnal creatures make way for the day shift.
Morning game drive (6:00-10:00 AM): The prime wildlife hours when predators are active and the light is a photographer's gold. Your expert guide will navigate you through landscapes where every turn might reveal leopards draped in fever trees or elephants emerging from morning mist.
Midday sanctuary (10:00 AM-4:00 PM): Return to your lodge for an elaborate breakfast on your private deck. The midday hours are for restoration – perhaps a massage, a swim, or simply absorbing the sounds of the bush from your shaded veranda. Some camps offer cultural visits to local communities or guided walks.
Afternoon departure (4:00-4:30 PM): Tea and homemade treats before your evening game drive. This is when the African light begins its legendary transformation toward the golden hour.
Evening game drive & sundowners (4:30-7:30 PM): As shadows lengthen, the bush awakens. Your drive may extend into darkness with spotlights revealing the nocturnal world – a privilege available only in private reserves.
Night's embrace (7:30 PM onward): Multi-course dinners under star-scattered skies, often around the campfire where stories are shared and the sounds of the African night provide an ever-changing soundtrack.
Our safaris typically cost from US$700 per person sharing, per night, depending on the accommodation comfort level and activities. Solo travellers typically pay 10-30% more, depending on location and time of year. This price usually includes accommodation, all meals, game drives, experienced guides, airport transfers, and 24/7 support from our team, but excludes a private vehicle and other exclusive services.
You only make your first payment when you book your holiday. Your second (last) payment is about 90 days before you travel.
Peak season bookings require 12–18 months of advance planning. Trips outside peak season can be arranged 6–9 months in advance, with better rates and availability.
Click here to schedule a no-obligation call with one of our Safari Experts or fill in our 2-minute form with your questions. Our team of experts are here to help! Whether you’re curious about the best time to travel, want to hear first-hand about an experience or need help planning your safari.
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Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
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