Solo Safari Holidays: How to Craft Your Journey with Confidence

A new era of travel belongs to women who go alone, but who never feel alone.

Across Africa, more women are venturing into the wild solo. Solo travel is one of the decade’s strongest trends, according to Citizen Femme’s Future of Female-Led Travel: 2025-2030. And solo safari holidays are leading the charge.

From the sweeping savannahs of Tanzania’s Serengeti to the luxury lodges of South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park, women are redefining what it means to travel independently. Supported by better safety standards and bespoke, Africa-based travel specialists, the African safari for solo travellers is becoming a path to finding freedom, connection, and peace in nature’s grandest theatre.

Over the past year, we’ve seen a significant increase in solo female travel requests that have translated directly into bookings, says Alice Lombard, the Head of Sales at Discover Africa. We’ve seen more than 100% growth in solo travel enquiries, with solo travellers accounting for 10% of all bookings so far this year.

Why More Women Are Choosing to Safari Solo

The new generation of explorers is not waiting for companions to chase their dreams. About 70% of solo travellers are women, says Alice. At least half are “last minute”, planning their safaris within three months of departure.

Many solo travellers in Africa have specific reasons for travelling alone. Their motivations include volunteering or extending a business trip. Others are first-timers eager to experience Africa or celebrate special occasions like milestone birthdays.

Even if you’re simply craving solitude, you’re travelling for yourself and on your own terms.

But this shift isn’t just about empowerment. It’s also about trust. The idea of an African safari for solo travellers is no longer intimidating.

The uptick in women taking small group tours to far-flung destinations is driven by confidence in enhanced safety measures and tailored travel services within the industry, says Discover Africa’s Head of Product, Murielle Vegezzi.

With vetted lodges, professional guides, and 24-hour ground support, you can experience the wild with confidence and care.

Safety and Support That Lets You Truly Relax

“We pride ourselves on working with trusted travel partners and designing safari itineraries that address solo travel safety concerns while still stimulating a sense of independence and empowerment for these trips, especially for women travellers,” says Murielle.

Your safety begins before you even board the plane. Your dedicated travel adviser helps you with every detail, from airport pickups to domestic flights, so you’re never truly on your own unless you want to be.

On the ground, our network of local partners provides real-time assistance, ensuring immediate help in the rare event of an emergency.

Travellers like Ann from the U.S., who journeyed to East Africa for a two-week trip and used Discover Africa to plan her entire experience, describe their experiences as seamless:

“I was travelling solo, so having someone to help me in case I had any problems gave me such peace of mind. The trip went smoothly, with accommodations as advertised and an amazing safari experience.”

Ann says she appreciated the prompt responses and having the adviser’s personal WhatsApp number for any queries. Another guest, Mona from Germany, who travelled to Botswana, echoes this: “The tour from the beginning was well organised, super camps, the tents were perfect and cosy. As I was travelling alone, there were no problems, and I was just feeling fine with the great staff.”

The Art of Downtime on a Solo Safari

The best African safari for solo travellers balances adventure with quiet moments. Between game drives, there’s time to slow down, to journal with a view of elephants crossing the river, or to savour a sunset gin and tonic shared with fellow guests.

Solo travellers often find that Africa’s wilderness invites introspection. The rhythm of the bush offers rare solitude, yet never loneliness. Evenings might bring fireside conversations with other adventurers or peaceful reflection under an impossible spread of stars.

Luxury lodges cater to solo travellers with flexible dining, optional shared tables, and experiences designed for one, such as spa treatments, yoga decks overlooking plains, or photography workshops led by local experts.

Managing Costs Without Compromising Luxury

A common hurdle for solo safari holidays is the single supplement, a fee charged by many lodges for single occupancy. Expert planning can make a big difference here.

“We often recommend travelling in the green season,” says Alice, as many lodges offer specials, including waiving the single supplement fee. The landscape is also spectacular – lush, quiet, and full of life.

Alternatively, small-group departures offer companionship without compromise. Joining a curated group tour removes the logistical stress and cost of charter flights or transfers that usually require double occupancy.

Murielle points to the need to pay for two seats with most transfer flights to/from the camps, especially in East Africa. “Even if the accommodation has no supplement, the transport cost itself makes it very expensive to travel on a private basis. A single traveller can then join an existing tour and alleviate the high cost of transport.”

Another trend in the report is “Girl Grouping” – small circles of women friends booking solo safari holidays together, combining privacy with shared experience, often infused with wellness elements like yoga or spa retreats.

Recommended Safaris for Solo Female Travellers

African safari itineraries can be tailor-made for solo travellers, with trusted guides, smooth transfers, and opportunities for meaningful connection. Solo safari trips can also be arranged to lesser-known destinations that can be safe, affordable, and exhilarating.

With transfers, meals, local drinks, and lodge game drives included, you’re free to simply arrive and exhale.

Here are three top curated safari experiences for women wanting to safari solo:

1. Botswana: Chobe, Okavango, and Makgadikgadi (9 Days)

Explore Botswana’s wild heart through a seamless journey that blends river safaris in Chobe National Park, with its extraordinary elephants, quiet and intimate mokoro excursions in the Okavango Delta, and the surreal salt pans of Makgadikgadi, which shimmer silver-white in the sunshine as far as the eye can see.

2. Luxury Highlights Cape Town, Kruger, and Victoria Falls (10 Days)

This cross-border adventure combines vibrant Cape Town culture, thrilling Big Five safaris in Sabi Sands in the Greater Kruger area, and the thunderous beauty of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. It’s ideal for solo travellers wanting variety and a touch of indulgence and the ease of a meticulously planned itinerary.

3. Best of Uganda Small Group Tour (8 Days)

For a more immersive, communal experience, join a guided small group tour through Uganda’s wild landscapes. Trek with gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, spot chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge, and share sightings in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Highlights include a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and sundowners overlooking the Ishasha plains.

How to Prepare for Your Solo Woman Safari

A solo safari begins long before your first game drive. Preparation is part of the adventure – and it’s where we’re invaluable partners.

• Research your destinations: Africa is vast; decide whether you’re drawn to open savannahs, lush wetlands, or coastal escapes.
• Pack light but smart: Neutral clothing, a journal, and a good camera are essentials.
• Stay connected: Keep emergency contacts saved, and ensure your travel consultant has your live itinerary.
• Plan downtime: Build in time to rest, reflect, and simply be.

Travelling as a solo traveller as part of a scheduled group tour combines independence with a safety net: seamless logistics, shared experiences, and moments of quiet freedom that define safari solo travel.

Safety Tips to Consider for a Solo Woman Safari

No matter where in the world you decide to travel, keep these tips in mind:

• Be mindful of pickpocketing and theft in crowded areas and tourist hotspots.
• Keep your valuables secure in lodge safes and consider using a money belt.
• Be cautious when sharing personal information and don’t leave items unattended.
• Carry digital copies of your important documents and leave them with a trusted friend or family member.
• Be aware of your surroundings in airports or cities.
• Trust your intuition; if something doesn’t feel right, step away.
• Keep communication open with your travel adviser or lodge host.

Remember: travelling solo doesn’t mean travelling unprotected. Africa’s luxury safari network is built on reliability, discretion, and guest care.

The Transformative Joy of Travelling Solo

Solo safari holidays aren’t just about seeing wildlife; they’re about seeing yourself differently. Many women describe their experience as a reset: building confidence, finding clarity, and connecting deeply with the world around them.

You’ll come home with more than photographs. You’ll return grounded, inspired, and – perhaps for the first time – completely in tune with yourself.

Ready to find out for yourself? Chat to our Africa safari experts today, and let’s start designing your solo African chapter.