ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF
ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF

What are you looking for?

ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF
ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF
Hello traveller!

It's in Cape Town now.

We're sorry. Our safari planners aren't available now. Our office hours are 08:00 - 19:00 (GMT+2).

Call us to speak to an experienced safari planner.


Alternatively, we recommend...

video-call-icon

Schedule a phone or Zoom call with one of our safari planners

SCHEDULE A CALL
travel-form-icon

Complete our travel enquiry form to connect with a safari planner

ENQUIRE TODAY
Email us
(optional)

Going Chobe Solo

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

View 19 Chobe Safaris
View Photos

Going Chobe Solo

Solo travellers looking to safari in Chobe National Park are spoilt for choice – especially those who have a little more to spend. The only limit to consider when enjoying Chobe’s delights? The prospect of self-driving within the park. Even highly skilled local 4×4 drivers, used to the lonely
routes, deep sand and unexpected elephant encounters might not consider driving too far alone; if planning any park transects it is highly advisable to set out in company and with the right equipment. The exception may be main routes in the Chobe Riverside area. This gets so busy in season that should a vehicle run into trouble, rescue won’t be too far away. For anyone unfamiliar with the bush, it will be infinitely more relaxing to join a tour, hire a guide, or book in at a lodge that caters to all needs and offers game drives.

Photographic safaris in Botswana can be arranged by road, water or even air

Solo travellers can indulge in the specialist activities they are passionate about. Trips that focus on birding and photography besides game viewing are available, a Discover Africa travel specialist can advise on suitable expert outfits and guides. Trips to the glorious, deep blue Chobe River in the north of the park can include time on a safari boat that’s been kitted out for photographers. Some even provide the gear and lenses to make that perfect shot, so there’s no need to lug cases across the world – and small charter flights limit one to 20kg. The unusual vantage point of the Chobe River allows close-up encounters with splashing herds of elephant, strings of weighty buffalo, charismatic water birds like kingfishers and –with luck – African skimmers. The guides are tech-savvy and there to teach and help. Dedicated photo trips that combine time on the plains (in a vehicle with bean bag mounts) can also be booked. This is an all-seasons activity: even if the herds are sparser in green season, there are dramatic skies and deep green vegetation, plus tottering babies that make for irresistible shots. Elephant babies, just by-the-by, weigh a healthy 100kg at birth.

Elephant rule the land in Botswana

Solo travellers are welcome on mobile safaris for all budgets and are placed in an appropriately sized group. Some may feel lodge-based safaris are a better option. Lodges need not be lonely places. Guests tend to be allocated a guide on arrival, and activities such as game drives and cruises take place with other travellers. These groups can become firm friends thanks to the intensity of the shared encounters with wildlife! Dinners too are often communal and lively. Again, your Discover Africa advisor will be able to pinpoint the lodges best-placed for soloists. Happily, there are options in all areas: Chobe Riverside, Savuti and Linyanti, at various budget levels from simple to sumptuous.

In many ways, a Chobe safari is perfect for solo travellers. Set entertainment – from boat cruises to the thrill of game drives – is part of the experience, and as any safari regular can attest, if you do both daily activities and all meals, there isn’t actually all that much down time! Lodges often have lounges full of private nooks, expansive decks and daybeds for dreaming and reading on. Some have libraries and an excellent selection of books on the area; some provide newspapers. Should a little bit of privacy be welcome, private dining or breakfast in your room are options at the better lodges.

Boat cruises are a great excursion for solo travellers

Travel Tips
  • Travel for individuals is often considerably more expensive thanks to the dreaded single supplement. And Botswana is in any case especially pricey as government has committed to high-income, low-volume tourism. The quality of the game viewing and unspoiled wilderness, of course, make up for this. But to help bring costs down for singles facing a 50% surcharge, consider travelling during shoulder season (May and November, when weather and animal movements are less easy to predict) or the “green season” (December to March). Rates can fall quite dramatically, by as much as 40%. A handful of lodges also waive or lower the single supplement at various times; enquire about which outfits are most likely to have such specials.

  • Trips that have set-date departures are also good options as solo travellers can join a group without extra costs.

  • The smaller and more intimate the lodge, the more likely it is to be a favourite with honeymooners and couples. And just as some lodges are genuinely more child-friendly than others, one can find lodges that support and welcome singles. A travel expert’s advice will be invaluable here.

How it Works

2

Contact us or fill out an enquiry form and one of our travel experts will help you tailor make your perfect safari

3

Enjoy an authentic African experience, with peace of mind

Travel with Confidence

With over 20 years of experience, our team will help you choose the perfect African safari for your adventure.
24/7 Support
Flexible
Authentic
Personalized

Why travel with us?

Recent reviews from travellers who planned and booked their Africa trips with Discover Africa Safaris
Awesome Vic Falls & Okavango Delta safari trip thanks flawless planning and...

Safari Tour in Botswana Review

Lea & Jonas, Germany
27 Nov 2022
The travel arrangements and accommodation all worked as planned!

7-Day Tanzania Safari Review

Richard M, United Kingdom
05 Oct 2022
An amazing Kenya and Uganda Safari Experience!

Gorillas and Migration Safari Review

Scott, United States
22 Sep 2019
Excellently planned custom trip that included Kilimanjaro, safaris and beach time.

Climbing Kilimanjaro Review

Beth - 56 year old adventurer, United States
29 Jul 2019
It was very smooth and organized.

African Experience Review

Jane N, United States
04 Feb 2019
Fantastic Service and profesional presentation , Nothing was too hard to organise...

Botswana & Victoria Falls Safari Review

Mark, Australia
09 Nov 2018

Ready to plan your tailor-made safari?

Free safari planning advice from destination experts

HELP ME PLAN MY TRIP
Copyright © Discover Africa Safaris | Going Chobe Solo | Last Updated: 15 Sep 2022