Want to travel through Africa but unsure about being a solo traveller? Don’t be! Travelling solo but on a group tour is a great way to see the continent without having to worry about the logistics. On our group tours you will be travelling onboard our customised trucks – which have African terrain in mind! We will travel large distances in safety and comfort through East and Southern Africa stopping at the best sights of Africa along the way. All of our group tours in Africa are accommodated – meaning there is no need to bringing a sleeping bag! As a solo passenger you will be sharing your hotel room or permanent tent with someone of the same gender, giving you a chance to make new friends too. All of our group tours in Africa have a dedicated Tucan Travel Tour Leader and truck driver, so if you are nervous as a solo traveller, they will be on hand to help with any questions including border crossings, food recommendations and optional excursions.
Travelling alone in Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our group tours include the biggest highlights of the continent, from trekking with the mountain gorillas in Uganda to spotting the big five in the Masai Mara Nature Reserve.
From the wild national parks of Kenya to the beautiful coast of South Africa our tours include many top bucket-list experiences that you can experience if you travel solo on one of our group tours in Africa.
Watching a pack of lioness hunt zebras across the savannah or seeing the iconic wildebeest migration across the Mara River is surely one of the top bucket-list moments for a solo traveller to have in Africa. Take a safari into the Masai Mara, one of the most famous national parks in the world home to the big five.
Every person on solo vacation in Africa should opt to do the Gorilla Trek in Uganda. This once-in-a-lifetime experience involves trekking through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of a wild family of mountain gorillas. Come face to face with giant silverbacks and babies swinging in the trees for an unforgettable experience.
Neighbouring with the Masai Mara, the Serengeti National Park should not be missed on a solo travel adventure in East Africa. Spot lions, cheetahs and leopards as well as the elusive rhino if you are very lucky. Our tours even combine your visit with the Ngorongoro Crater, a wonderful reserve where animals roam wild.
Taking a solo trip to Tanzania cannot be complete without visiting the paradise isles of Zanzibar where Freddie Mercury from Queen was born! Home to beautiful beaches and the turquoises waters of the Indian Ocean it is also where you can find a huge seafood markets in the historic centre of Stone Town.
For a truly wild experience head to the swamp Okavango Delta in Botswana where you can explore the reed-fringed waterways, on-board a traditional mokoro canoe. Keep an eye out for hippos as you glide through the water in this remote corner of the world.
.Travelling through Africa on a solo tour means you will see some fantastic wildlife. If you head to Zimbabwe you can visit Matobo National Park where you have the chance to take a walking safari to spot endangered black and white rhinos.
The largest curtain of water in the world, Victoria Falls is a sight to behold for anyone planning a singles vacation to Africa. Bordering Zimbabwe and Zambia, travellers can admire the magnificent waterfall that falls into Zambezi River.
If you want to travel solo in South Africa, you must stop at Cape Town and see the iconic Table Mountain. You can take a trek or enjoy a cable-car to the top for beautiful views over the city and the Atlantic Ocean.
Travelling as a solo female in Africa will push you out of your comfort zone and be an incredibly memoriable experience. If you are nervous about travelling alone as a woman, doing a group tour is a great way to start your solo travel adventures. Over 60% of people who book with us travel alone and you will be sharing a room with someone travelling solo, of the same sex.
The people you meet in Africa are some of the friendliest in the world. Learn about endangered mountain gorillas with your guides on the Gorilla Trek or visit a local school in a Pygmy Village and help teach English. For solo female travellers who love wildlife than a tour in East Africa is perfect. Enjoy safaris through the Masai Mara and Serengeti National Parks home to big five. Like any destination, people travelling alone should take normal safety measures like not wearing valuables or venturing out alone in the dark in unfamiliar places. Women should avoid wearing skimpy clothing especially in Stone Town, Zanzibar where it is a predominantly Muslim area.
If you have any questions about travelling alone as a female through Africa please speak to our Adventure Specialists.
If this your first time taking a solo trip in Africa make sure to see some of our handy top tips below to help plan your adventure of a lifetime.
1) Check your vaccinations before you go
In some parts of Africa it is necessary to have certain vaccinations to enter the country such as yellow fever. Check with your doctor before you travel about what vaccinations you need to keep you protected.
2) Embrace the experience
When travelling solo in Africa you may find things are slower or different to what you find back home. Air-con may not work, wi-fi can be bad in some areas and roads and border-crossings can be slow. On our Africa tours we want you to embrace the slogan ‘this is Africa!’ – go with the flow and like the Lion King quotes ‘Hakuna Matata!’. Leave your worries at home and embrace the adventure. You will have a much better experience travelling in Africa this way.
3) Pack appropriate clothing
If you are doing a safari or the Gorilla Trek on your solo tour in Africa, make sure you pack appropriate clothing. Do not wear bright colours when searching for wildlife and make sure to bring hiking boots if you are doing trekking on tour. If you are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, make sure you pack warm clothes as it will get very cold on the way to the top.
4) Book in advance
Africa in high season between June and September can book up fast. People want to visit Kenya and Tanzania to see the wildebeest migration and the Gorilla Trek permits can book up fast. Make sure you leave at least three months so you are not disappointed.
5 ) Work out your budget
In general Southern Africa tends to be cheaper than East Africa. If you are on a budget as a solo traveller, but still want to see fantastic wildlife, consider a tour in Botswana and Nambia. You can still visit amazing wildlife reserves but at a cheaper price than the Masai Mara or Serengeti.
We are passionate adventure travelers who want to share the world and our travel experiences with everyone…
