Safari experts & storytellers. Since 1991
Solo traveller safaris at a glance:
Solo trip type | Why it suits solo travellers |
Tailor-made private safari | Built entirely around your interests, pace and budget, it can be privately guided or not, giving you complete control of the itinerary. |
Small-group scheduled departure | Fixed dates with a guide and a small group (ideally 4–10 people), making it easy to share costs and meet like-minded travellers. |
Small bush camps & lodges | Fewer than 16 guests and attentive staff mean conversation comes easily, and solo travellers are quickly drawn into the social rhythm |
Walking safari | Small groups, an active pace and an intimate, naturally companionable atmosphere; an excellent fit for those travelling alone. |
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 through Africa's wild places is one of the great pleasures of independent travel. Freed from compromise and the preferences of others, a solo traveller sets the rhythm of each day: when to rise for the first light, how long to linger at a leopard sighting, whether to share a campfire or sit quietly with the sounds of the bush. Freedom of choice has become the new luxury.
Solo travel is also one of the fastest-growing ways to see the continent. We see rising demand from independent travellers across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, many of them seasoned, intentional planners who research carefully and arrive with a clear sense of what they want. Africa's safari industry has matured to meet them, with professional guiding, attentive small camps and round-the-clock support.
The questions solo travellers ask most often are practical: Is it safe? Will I feel lonely? How much more will I pay on my own? This guide answers them, and shows how a well-planned solo safari delivers wildlife, wilderness and genuine connection, entirely on your own terms.
Key takeaways for solo safari travellers
A solo safari means experiencing Africa's wilderness on your own terms, through a tailor-made itinerary, a privately guided trip, or a small-group scheduled departure.
Travelling alone rarely means feeling alone: game drives, walks and meals offer company when you want it and solitude when you don't.
Solo travellers usually pay a single supplement, typically around 10–30% more per person, but green-season travel and early booking can reduce or remove it.
Small camps and lodges with fewer than 16 guests are the most sociable and attentive choice for solo travellers.
Africa's safari industry is highly professional, with strong safety records and 24/7 support throughout your trip.
Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa are the most popular solo safari countries, with Botswana and the Republic of the Congo as standout additions and Indian Ocean beaches as an easy extension.
Book roughly 12–18 months ahead for peak season or 6–9 months ahead for off-peak travel to secure the best rates and availability.
Five reasons we love solo safaris in Africa
Freedom is the whole point. You choose the destinations, the pace and the daily plan, lingering at a sighting or moving on, without negotiating a single decision with anyone else along the way.
Solo never means isolated. Game drives, walks and boat trips are shared with a handful of fellow guests, and dinner can be a communal table or a quiet one. The choice is yours each evening.
Small camps make connection easy. With fewer than 16 guests and observant staff, conversations start naturally, and solo travellers are welcomed into the social rhythm rather than lost in a crowd.
It rewards intentional travellers. Without compromise, you can build a trip around a single passion: big cats, birds, photography or walking, and pursue it fully with an expert guide at your side.
Africa is ready for you. Professional guiding, strong safety records and 24/7 support mean independent travellers are well looked after, from airport arrival to the remotest bush camp.
Solo travel tips
A little planning turns a good solo safari into a seamless one. The advice that matters most:
Book early. Camps that waive or reduce the single supplement often do so for just one room, so the sooner you plan, the better your chance of securing it. Peak-season trips reward 12–18 months' notice; off-peak journeys can come together in 6–9 months, usually at better rates.
Choose your season. Peak-season travel means higher prices, little flexibility on single-person supplements, and more crowds. Green-season travel brings lower prices, fewer vehicles, and, frequently, reduced single-person supplements, alongside dramatic skies, newborn animals, and superb birdlife.
Be candid about your expectations. No detail is too small. Consider the following:
Do you want to join a scheduled departure tour with a group or be fully independent?
Do you want to dine alone or communally?
Do you have a specific goal for your safari, such as finding a particular bird species, seeing the Big 5 or photographing a wildlife event like the Great Migration?
Do you want a private game drive vehicle, or are you happy to share with others?
Are optional activities like hot-air ballooning or cultural interactions important to you?
Do you mind if there are young children around at the lodge?
Do you prefer larger lodges or smaller, more intimate bush camps?
Travel safely. We take care of every logistical aspect of your trip; however, your day-to-day safety will fall on your shoulders.
Share your itinerary and contact details with someone at home
Keep the same safety instincts you would in any unfamiliar city
Lean on our 24/7 concierge service throughout your trip.
Our favourite solo traveller safari ideas
Why book with us?
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
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).
Where to find the best solo safaris
Botswana: the Okavango Delta, Linyanti and Central Kalahari combine land and water safaris. Charter flights here carry no minimum-passenger requirement, removing a common solo cost trap.
Kenya: often called the birthplace of safari, with the Masai Mara's Great Migration, Amboseli's views of Kilimanjaro, Samburu's culture, and an easy add-on to the Indian Ocean beaches at Diani.
Congo-Brazzaville: Odzala-Kokoua's rainforests offer some of Africa's most accessible lowland gorilla trekking for independent travellers.
South Africa: Its variety, good infrastructure, and modern cities make for easy solo travel planning.
Beach extensions: Zanzibar, Mozambique, and the Seychelles pair naturally with a bush safari for a restorative finish.
Solo travel accommodation types
Where you stay shapes the solo experience more than almost anything else. Small bush camps and lodges, typically 16 guests or fewer, are the most sociable choice, because conversations begin easily and staff notice when a guest would welcome company or be left alone.
Most rooms and tents are built for two sharing, so a solo guest occupies a double or twin bed. This is what gives rise to the single supplement, although some camps waive or reduce it under certain conditions.
Accommodation styles run from classic canvas-tented camps and intimate owner-run lodges to mobile bush camps that follow the seasons, and characterful options such as star beds and treehouses in the Okavango Delta. Walking-safari camps deserve a special mention: group sizes are small, the days are active, and the atmosphere is naturally companionable. Whatever the style, ask our safari experts which properties are most welcoming to solo guests and where a single room can be secured.
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Why choose Africa Geographic to plan your safari?
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
Yes. Every year, large numbers of travellers safely enjoy African safaris, and the safari industry is one of the world's most professional tourism sectors. You spend most of your trip in remote wilderness areas where crime is rare. Following your guide's instructions and maintaining a respectful distance from wildlife helps keep the experience seamless. Read more about safety for travellers
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.
Rarely, unless you want solitude. Most activities, including game drives, bush walks, and boat outings, are shared with a small group of fellow guests, and meals can be communal or private. Many solo travellers find that smaller camps make it especially easy to meet others while still protecting their own space.
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."
Most rooms are priced for two sharing, so a solo guest is charged a single supplement to offset the empty second place. It typically adds around 10–30% per person, though at some properties and in peak periods it can be higher. It is the main financial downside of solo travel.
Two approaches work best. Travel in the green (off-peak) season, when rates are lower, and supplements are often reduced or waived; and book well in advance, since camps that waive the supplement usually do so for only one room. A specialist planner will know which properties offer the best terms.
It depends on your goals. The dry season (around May to mid-November) concentrates wildlife around water and offers classic game viewing. The green season (roughly November to April) brings lower prices, newborn animals and exceptional birdlife. Seasonal timing varies by region and rewards early booking.
Tailor-made itineraries give you the most freedom, while small-group scheduled departures (ideally 4–10 people) make it easier to share costs and meet others. Small camps and walking safaris are particularly sociable. The right fit depends on whether you prefer independence, company, or a balance of both.
Very much so. Solo female travellers are a large and growing part of the safari market, and many report feeling safe and well looked after throughout their trips. Meet-and-greet transfers, attentive camp staff and 24/7 support all contribute to a reassuring experience. Read more about women on safari.
Kenya and South Africa are the most popular among solo travellers. Botswana is excellent because its charter flights carry no minimum passenger requirement, while Congo-Brazzaville offers accessible gorilla trekking. Madagascar, Malawi and Zambia are rising quickly in popularity.
Yes, bush-and-beach combinations are among the most rewarding ways to travel solo. Kenya pairs naturally with Diani Beach, Tanzania with Zanzibar, and Southern Africa with Mozambique or the Seychelles, letting you follow an active safari with quiet time by the Indian Ocean.
For peak-season travel, plan 12–18 months ahead to secure prime camps, single-room availability and any single-supplement reductions. Off-peak trips can usually be arranged 6–9 months in advance, often with better rates and more flexibility on accommodation.
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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Handcrafted experiential safaris since 1991.
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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