Are you tired of convincing people to take an African wildlife safari? Are you feeling compelled to travel to Africa on your own because you’re done waiting for someone to join you? It sounds daunting but solo travelling in Africa can be a fun and fulfilling experience.
You have the freedom to decide your schedule, exploring the magnificent African continent at your own pace. You have control over your finances and don’t have to worry about accommodating other people. You’ll learn to rely on and take care of yourself. In the process of travelling solo, you might end up discovering who you are. Solo travelling can indeed have a profound impact on you.
But as great as solo travelling is, it has a few setbacks. The security risks are higher, especially in Africa. However, it is very possible to travel solo in Africa and stay safe.
In this article, we share tips to help you stay safe in Africa and the five best African countries for a solo trip.
Let’s get started.
Top Tips For Solo Travelling In Africa
Here are a few tips to ensure your safety and comfort when solo travelling in Africa.
Do Thorough Research Beforehand
Before you buy a ticket and fly out of your country, it is important to do research on any safety issues. First, look up the safest countries in Africa. After you have narrowed down your list, look up everything that a tourist needs to know. This includes the sights to see, the best hotels, the safest neighbourhoods, the languages spoken, the national currency, etc. This type of knowledge protects you because it ensures you’re not taken advantage of. It also helps you prevent any unfortunate circumstances by avoiding certain places. You also have an idea of what you will do when you arrive in the country.
It is important that you also teach yourself some words in the local languages. Communicating with the locals is important in keeping you safe and ensuring you enjoy your African adventures. Plus, speaking to locals in their language will usually endear you to them.
Choose Your Destination Wisely
Once you’ve done your research, it is time to choose your destination carefully. Africa is one of the most beautiful continents in the world. It is rich with wildlife, culture, and lush scenery. Africans are hospitable people to visitors and are open to sharing their knowledge and cultures.
Unfortunately, not all countries are safe to travel through much less on your own. Even countries that are not dealing with war can be hotspots for violent crime and terrorism.
Keeping this in mind, you can begin sifting through the countries to find one that is perfect for you. Consult travel guides and take a look through your government’s travel sites. Read blogs, reviews, and travel sites.
Everyone has a different level of safety they’re comfortable with. Keep that in mind while reading other people’s experiences. For example, some people might travel to a country that you would never think to visit. Don’t push yourself too hard out of your comfort zone to match them.
Register With Your Government
This is an important step to take regardless of the country you’re travelling to. Registering with your government entails giving information about yourself and your trip abroad. This is so that your government’s embassy or consulate can assist you in the case of an emergency.
Should you encounter trouble as you visit Africa alone, you can receive legal, medical and even financial assistance to help solve your problem. You’ll also receive advisories that could help you while you travel. The embassy or consulate can also notarize your documents and issue passports.
Not to mention should something happen to you, your government will know immediately where you are and begin communications with the government of the country you’re in.
Be Aware Of Your Surroundings
As a solo traveller, you are responsible for your safety. Do not let your guard down. Keep your valuables secure by using a secure bag, make sure your luggage is in your line of sight, and make photocopies of your I.D and passport.
You should also pay attention to the people around you once you step out of your hotel. If you feel uncomfortable, walk to a public area. Try to strike up a conversation with a group of people or walk alongside them.
Don’t drink too much and make sure to watch your drinks at all times. If someone asks if you are travelling alone, tell them that you’re with a spouse, a relative, or a friend, who you are about to meet up with.
Share Your Solo Travel Plans With Someone
Once you have chosen your destination and registered with your government, you start making your travel plans. Create a travel itinerary and share it with a friend and/or family member. Your travel itinerary should include:
- Flight dates
- Arrival time
- Your destination
- Duration of your entire trip
- Your entire African safari cost
- You schedule (places you intend to visit and the activities you intend to do)
- The hotel/s you’re staying at
- Your contacts.
This itinerary is important for two reasons: it allows you to plan well ahead of time and it allows your loved ones to keep track of you.
You can expect your loved ones to get worried when you tell them that you’ll be solo travelling in Africa. So to keep both you and them at ease, sharing your travel plans is highly recommended.
Stay connected to your friends and family throughout the trip by chatting with them whenever you have an internet connection. Using social media to contact them works fine. Don’t forget to tell the hotel staff where you’re going every time you step out.
Have An Emergency Plan
Before you start your solo trip, you should plan for the best but also expect the worst. In addition to researching your destination, you should also learn how to get to the nearest hospital and police station. You should also know the way to your country’s embassy or consulate. Teach yourself emergency phrases in the local languages.
Have photocopies of your documents ready and keep them in a different bag from the ones containing your actual documents. That way, if either gets stolen, you’ll still have a way to prove your identity.
Carry cash with you as credit cards and cheques can cause complications you can’t deal with during emergencies. You can use the cash to buy a cheap phone, pay for taxis, etc.
Before you leave your country, make sure you have your vaccinations in order. Vaccinations are vital especially when travelling to Africa during a pandemic, like the Covid-19 virus that hit the entire world.
Bring any prescription drugs you need, along with painkillers, bandages, insect repellants, wipes, and sunscreen. Make sure that you’re aware of the food and water health standards of the country you’re staying in. For example, can you drink tap water? Can you eat the street food? This will prevent illnesses that will derail your entire trip.
You can also check out our complete Safari Packing Guide.
Buy Travel Insurance
Travelling, whether alone or in a group, and no matter the destination, comes with a couple of risks. You could miss a connection flight, lose your luggage, or worse still get in an accident abroad. This is why buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy is crucial.
Getting travel insurance ensures that you don’t get hit with losses should something unexpected happen. Travel insurance can help with trip cancellations, natural disasters, sudden political upheavals, etc. You can also get emergency medical assistance, personal accident cover, and compensation for travel delay and loss of property.
5 Best African Countries For An African Solo Trip
To help you get started as a solo traveller in Africa, here are five African countries you should visit.
1. Zanzibar
Zanzibar is the one African travel destination that should be on EVERYONE’s travel bucket list. It’s indeed the ultimate tourist destination. Located off the coast of Tanzania, it offers a unique sightseeing, historical, and cultural experience.
The merging of multiple cultures from Europe, Asia and Africa, makes this African destination one of the most unique places in the world filled.
Known as the spice town, Zanzibar will thrill you with its gorgeous virgin beaches, lush vegetation, sprawling spice farms and ancient structures. You'll never struggle to find something to captivate you while visiting the spice island.
See more: 6 Reasons Why You Must Visit Zanzibar Once in Your Lifetime
2. Uganda
A Uganda safari tour is one of the best solo adventures you’ll ever have. Uganda is pretty crowd-free thanks to its status as an underrated tourist destination and its people are very friendly and welcoming. Uganda has breathtaking scenery with 15% of the country covered in forests.
It’s home to the endangered mountain gorillas, some of the last in the world. The country has 10 national parks and several game reserves. Here you’ll see zebras, lions, elephants, and many types of birds.
Lake Bunyonyi is located near the border with Rwanda. The lake is surrounded by lush scenery and the water is safe for swimming. Bunyonyi is famous for being the third deepest lake in the world making it a popular tourist destination.
Other attractions in Uganda include Bwindi National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, and Ndere Center.
3. Namibia
Namibia is one of the safest countries in Africa. You can visit the Sossusvlei, a famous tourist attraction site in the country. It is located in the southern part of the Namib Desert, one of the oldest and largest deserts in the world.
Sossusvlei is famous for its beautiful large, red dunes which are some of the largest in the world. The best time to visit is between May and September when the temperatures are a bit lower.
Other tourist attractions in Namibia include the Etosha National Park, Fish River Canyon, Cape Cross, and Spitzkappe.
4. South Africa
South Africa is known for its great tourism infrastructure and accommodation. It is filled with breathtaking experiences available throughout the year.
In South Africa, you can visit Cape Town, a vibrant city that is a favourite for tourists, especially those travelling solo. You can go hiking and dine in high-quality restaurants. The city’s beaches are very lovely as well. You can also visit Cape Winelands, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Kruger National Park, the Sun City Resort, and not forgetting the infamous Table Mountains.
5. Botswana
Botswana is one of the safest countries on the continent. It’s considered one of the best travel destinations in Africa thanks to its safaris, wildlife, and sceneries. Botswana is also one of the least crowded countries in the world which is a boon for solo travellers.
You’ll get to stay in secluded lodges if you choose to go for an African wildlife safari in the Okavango Delta (UNESCO World Heritage Site), with its sprawling plains that flood seasonally. You can travel through the delta using a traditional canoe and see the wildlife. Other tourist destinations include the Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, Kasane, Francistown, and Jwaneng.
Thanks to the country setting aside 45% of its land for conservation, Botswana’s most famous safari hot spots are always teaming with wildlife.
The best time to go is between May and August which are the dry months.
You don’t have to miss out on the many African adventures just because your friends pull out of the group travel plans at the last minute (what a bore!). Travel alone—yes you can do it! Solo travelling in Africa, though scary, can be super fulfilling. With careful planning and vigilance, you can enjoy the best Africa has to offer.
Not sure where to get started with your Solo African safari? Contact us via the form below and we’ll help you plan the safest, most adventurous African safari!