The BEST Things About Travelling Alone in Africa
What would you guess is the best thing about travelling alone in Africa?
What isn’t great about solo travel? For me, the answer is simple – and predictable – nothing!
I can plan to travel fast and furious and see as much as possible. I can take it slow and really get to know the places I visit.
Or I can not plan at all and play it by ear. This is my favourite. If I wake up in the morning and just don’t feel like it, I don’t.
Maybe I want to keep to myself and take the road less travelled. That is, instead of going to the most popular market, leopard hang-out or beach – that’s what I do.
And, let’s face it, I’m an introvert. I’m all for off-season, off-the-beaten-path, the-fewer-people-the-better adventuring.
Aside from enjoying the freedom, I always end up seeing stuff no one else seems to know about.
This is what I love – to travel to a place I’ve never been, to learn, absorb, feel a part of another world. I’ll travel until I can’t anymore.
Travel Tip: Take pics of your passport, visas, and ID, and email them to yourself so they’re accessible from everywhere.
One Of My Favourite Solo Trips In Africa
A couple of years ago I took a self-drive safari in South Africa. I’d spent the previous month as a volunteer with a South African animal conservation organization.
I’d been spending all of my days with a group of other volunteers. It was an amazing experience and I learned so much, but I was ready for some solo time.
I rented a car – a stick shift, which I drive at home. But, everything was on the opposite side of the car than I’m used to – yikes!
Not to mention that cars also drive on the opposite side of the road than they do where I’m from.
That actually turned out to be surprisingly easy to get used to. However, I turned a lot of corners with my windshield wipers on instead of my turn signal.
I found the locals to be friendly and helpful, just a little incredulous sometimes that I was a single woman.
And that I was travelling on my own. And that I had no children. They would laugh like I was a little crazy, but they loved it!
I don’t advise advertising that you’re travelling on your own right away. But if you have the chance to get to know people, trust your instincts about how much to share.
English is one of the 11 official languages of South Africa. This makes it one of the easier African countries to visit. It is also easier to chat with people from the area.
You can find out a bit about the local culture, and get advice on where the best sightings have been.
As a solo traveller in Africa, you may find that some people will seem a little protective of you. They’re happy to share the best parts of their country with you.
My Favourite Time To Go
I’m a fan of the off-season, which is from mid-August to the end of October in South Africa.
I spent the month of September touring mainly through the northern camps in Kruger National Park (KNP).
These are typically less touristed than those in the south end of the park. I had my choice of accommodation – booked in advance. There were few other cars around, and I had the BEST sightings!
Apparently, the wildlife is more plentiful during high season – probably the reason, yes, that it’s the high season.
But to this girl driving through the African bush, there were animals absolutely everywhere.
After spending a month with a group, on a dictated schedule, I revelled in the freedom of being on my own.
The wildlife is most active early in the morning when it’s cool. I’m not a morning person. However, if there’s a chance of seeing lions and leopards, I’m very willing to get up with the sun.
I spent my days driving through the bush, combing the trees and grass for animals. I saw lions hunt, relocate their cubs, and get chased off by elephants and buffalo.
There were warthogs running through the grass followed by a string of piglets, tails up.
Elephants, wildebeest, hippos, rhinos, oryx, nyala, badgers… and the occasional leopard, always a coup.
This is what my dreams are made of.
Solo Travel – Best Places to Go
KNP is an excellent place to solo if you haven’t been to Africa and you’re a bit nervous.
There are cafes and small shops for food and supplies, and different levels of comfortable accommodation.
There are also campgrounds if you prefer tenting.
You can also fly directly into the park, and rent a vehicle at the airport. It couldn’t be easier.
And, if you feel like you need to ooh and aww about your day, it’s easy to find people very willing to join in.
I’d stop at the market, or a cafe when I got hungry, and boom – people! Not crowds, but a few true wildlife spotters like myself.
They were as excited as I was to swap leopard sightings. Or to share stories about a lioness with her 3 hilarious cubs.
Even as I was watching these cubs, there was another car that I could exchange amazed looks with. Or not, if my cloaking device was activated that day.
There’s a feeling of camaraderie between the people you’ll see here. Even if your goal is to travel solo, you’re never really alone unless you want to be.
KNP also has guided day and night safaris. You can spend a couple of hours with an expert local guide and a small group of people.
These are great for learning where to look for wildlife, and what the animal and bird sounds you hear are. They’re also nice if you need a brief break from your own company.
I find the best experience is a walking tour. It gives you the chance to see the bush up close and personal. There’s absolutely nothing that compares.
Or, if your goal is to take home some excellent photographic proof, a photographic safari is also an option.
One of my favourite souvenirs is the enormous lion photo mounted in my great room. I’m back in the moment every time I look at it.
Staying at Kruger National Park
To see the different accommodation options at Kruger National Park and to make reservations, always go directly to the SANParks (stands for South Africa National Parks) website.
One downside is, you do have to book as far in advance as you can. There are also third-party sites you can book from. However, they aren’t going to have up-to-date availability and information.
You might want to have an International Wild Card, the national park pass in South Africa. If you’re staying in the park for longer than 6 days, you’ll save enough to make it worth the purchase price.
You can buy one while you’re at the website.
You don’t need to have the physical card with you. As long as you have the confirmation email, you’re good to go.
This way, you don’t have to worry if you haven’t received the card by the time you leave home. You can even buy it while you’re in Africa like I did.
I Can’t Stay Away
Every country in Africa has exponentially fewer animals now than in past decades.
Even still, driving through the brush and scrubby acacia trees, no other humans in sight, the feeling is that it’s a wild place.
It belongs to the big cats and the elephants, the baboon spiders and the hyenas.
The feeling here is that it’s the people who are confined, and the leopards that are free, looking in.
I’ve sat alone, watching an elephant browse with her tiny calf. He’s no more than a couple of weeks old, squealing as he tries to nurse, but mama keeps moving.
As a pride of lions gathering, one by one, coming in from the trees and greeting each other playfully.
In front of my tent in the evening, with the baboons running past with their babies.
In the heat of the day, or in the glow of the setting sun. Everything is more beautiful in Africa.
Summing It Up – Travelling Alone in Africa
A solo journey through Africa is an unforgettable experience. The continent is full of cultures, landscapes, and adventures that are ideal for the independent traveller.
While it’s essential to plan and prepare, don’t let apprehensions hold you back! Trust your instincts, follow your heart, and embrace the unexpected. Africa’ is waiting for those willing to tread their own path.
So, if you’re considering travelling alone in Africa, take the plunge! Have an adventure that will leave a lasting mark on your soul.
Happy travels!
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