10 TIPS TO BEGIN A SOLO SAFARI

Don’t let the thought of solo traveler intimidate you. Instead, learn how travelling alone can be rewarding and use some tips to help you on how to begin a solo safari. Here are some of the tips to make sure that you have the most memorable safari experience when you’re travelling alone:

1. Use a Tour Company with a great record of delivering incredible services

If you want to know about the Tour Companies with great track records, you need to look at places like TripAdvisor and SafariBookings for you to get proper suggestions and reviews. Looking at these places during your research will help you to pick the best Safari Tour Operator. It’s very great to use a company with good recommendations and reviews from their clients because it will help you to choose the right Tour Company.

2. Travelling solo helps you to meet and make more new friends

You will get the opportunity to meet new people than if you were with a travel partner. It’s known that if you travel alone, you’re far more likely to strike up a conversation with fellow safari-goers than if you had travel friends. And they’re more likely to try and include you in the conversation. This will give you an opportunity to know people and make more friends in that particular place. Making new friends will make your safari an unforgettable experience. 

3. Select smaller, more welcoming lodges

Some lodges are way more welcoming and any good travel consultant will take pains to book you into these.  Straight off, the lodge staff will go out of their way to make sure you’re looked after and feel comfortable and at home.  Choose smaller lodges because many of them have a communal table-at dinner and breakfast- so you won’t have to sit alone and eat. Most likely, you’ll be seated with your hosts and an interesting mix of guests that will make you feel as if you are at home with your favorite friends.

4. Think about walking safari

Walking safaris are a great option for solo travelers. The group sizes are tiny by nature and it’s an up-close-and-personal experience where you’ll have plenty of time to get to recognize your group members as well as encounter the bush and wildlife like never before.Take a comforting walk and discover the exhilaration and ancient secrets of the African wilderness. Walking safaris provide a good opportunity for travelers to identify tracks and insects, bird watch and learn about habitats and ecology as they walk through the bushveld.

5. Visit different destinations

Different destinations offer you completely dissimilar safari experiences if you are travelling on your own. For instance, at some of the safari lodges in Southern Africa, you’ll be going on bush walks and open vehicle drives as part of a group-even if it’s just one other person.  In some of the eastern African safari destinations, you’ll most likely have your own personal safari guide during your stay. You’ll have plenty of time to absorb all their safari knowledge and stories.

6. Consider Tour companies that offer small group, scheduled departures

This way, you’ll be able to save on costs and be sure to meet up new people on your trip. Young and solo travelers often book on overland tours where they meet and make friends for life. Some tour operators also specialise in arranging tours and itineraries particularly for solo travelers. Small group safaris are perfect if you are looking for an inclusive holiday experience. Travelling with small groups gives you an opportunity to get to more secluded areas and become more involved with the local culture, while still enjoying Africa’s best-loved destinations. 

7. Pay attention to safety matters

Usually, your travel consultant will organize for you to be met at the airport and transport you to the hotel where you’ll spend a night before your safari begins. Of course, a little street knowledge and common sense goes a long way. Don’t go hiking in deserted areas. Don’t stroll alone at night. Also make conversation to the local people and take note of their safety commands.

8. Be flexible and open-minded

Keep in mind that your trip is not about taking pictures of yourself, posing in front of famous animals. It’s all about the journey. Touring is about creating stories you can say again later, and you’ll get a heck of a lot more stories that are appealing from an independent trip than a restrictive guided tour. You will make some mistakes. And you might end up being in the wrong place without a clue about how to return to your hotel. But keep an open mind, enjoy every new experience, and think about the stories you can tell your friends and family when you return home. I promise that once you’ve traveled independently, you’ll never look back.

9. Gather Information

If you are planning for a solo safari, the most important thing to do is to gather the information about your destination. Start to collecting relevant information about your safari. Also use travel guide book, resources online and web forums where you can ask other travelers for information from their own experiences in your destination. Come to a decision about how long you can travel for and the ideal time-span of time to stay in different parts of your destinations. Gather information about the prices, places, tour operator companies and the type of transport you are going to use for your safari.

10. Go with smaller groups

As with anywhere you go on your own, fewer numbers are friendlier and more comfortable. Just as you’d hesitate to eat out in a vast 200-seater restaurant on your own, you’d probably think nothing of doing so in a cosy 12-seater one? A safari is no different. And you’ll find that game viewing is an excellent ice-breaker. Joining smaller groups will also help you meet and make new friends.

We hope that the tips above will help you to have a memorable experience on your next solo safari. You can travel alone. Never be afraid to travel alone.

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