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.
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.
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.
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.
