Many people travel alone on safari, and it can be a rewarding experience: you meet other travellers at camp fires, share vehicles with like-minded people and follow your own interests. The main challenges are the cost of single supplements and a few practical safety considerations.
Avoiding single supplements
Lodges often charge a supplement for single travellers, sometimes 30% to 100% of the sharing rate. Ways to reduce it:
- Travel in the green or shoulder season, when many lodges waive supplements.
- Look for lodges with no single supplement or designated single rooms.
- Join small-group safaris, which often have lower supplements or offer room sharing.
- Choose a “willing to share” option with tour operators that match same-gender travellers.
- Self-drive in South Africa or Namibia, where rest camps and self-catering accommodation are good value.
Best destinations for solo travellers
- Kenya and Tanzania: many group safaris and shared vehicles.
- South Africa: easy logistics, self-drive in Kruger and affordable rest camps. See our Kruger guide.
- Uganda and Rwanda: gorilla and chimp trekking groups make it easy to meet people.
- Namibia: self-drive or small overland groups.
Safety tips
- Book with reputable operators and share your itinerary with someone at home.
- Follow lodge rules, including being escorted to your tent at night.
- Keep valuables secure and use lodge safes.
- In cities, take registered taxis and avoid walking alone at night.
- Buy travel insurance with emergency evacuation cover. See our travel insurance guide.
Making the most of it
- Sit at shared dinner tables at camp.
- Chat with guides: they are often the highlight of a safari.
- Keep a journal or photography project.
- Consider a volunteer programme with a reputable conservation organisation.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to go on safari alone? Yes. Lodges and guided safaris are well organised, and many solo travellers, including women travelling alone, go on safari every year.
How can I avoid the single supplement? Travel in low season, choose lodges without supplements, join group tours or opt to share a room.
Will I feel lonely? Rarely. Safari camps are sociable, with shared meals and game drives.
What is the cheapest way to go on safari alone? Group camping safaris in East Africa or self-drive trips in South Africa.
Related guides
- How much does a safari cost?
- Self-drive vs guided safari
- First African safari planning guide
- Animal profiles: Lion, Plains zebra
Cover photo: xorge, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons