5 amazing solo travel experiences in Africa

1.  Road trip through Namibia

For anyone negotiating the frenetic pace typical of big cities, Namibia is the ideal place to unwind.  Solo travelers would need to be 4×4 savvy, but a road trip through this ancient desert could be one of the most gratifying and serene travel experiences of your life.  Vast tracts of untouched land await, with the warm wind blowing through your hair and your favorite soundtrack playing in the background.  Make stops at Sossusvlei, Spitzkoppe, and Damaraland for jaw-dropping landscapes, then head up to Etosha for incredible wildlife.  For the truly wild at heart, continue to the Caprivi Strip and the lush Kavango River and stay in the unfenced campsites of Mamili.

2.   Group game drives in the Serengeti

Serengeti National Park is an iconic African safari destination.  During the Great Migration, its vast tracts of savannah entice wildebeest to wander north and south in constant search of sustenance. For solo travellers exploring the Serengeti, choosing the right camp will ensure an experience balancing social time with solitude.  When flying in, most of the game drives are led by highly experienced guides in six-person open air game viewers, so the adventure is shared.  Dinners at these small camps are communal, so you also share stories over a drink by the fire and a delicious supper.  For the rest, there is ample leisure time to catch up with a good book and an afternoon nap.  Solitary travel heaven!

3.  Group climbs on Mt. Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa, and the tallest free-standing single peak in the world.  It’s no wonder that active travellers flock from all corners of the globe to conquer Kili.  The mountain has an incredible diversity of landscapes, starting with a lush lowland are and eventually ascending to a barren and often snowy peak at 5,895 meters.  Kilimanjaro has the unique benefit of offering several routes so climbers can choose according to their level of fitness.  For solo travellers, most of the guiding companies offer group fixed departure dates, so the costs and the experience are shared and perhaps a few new friends can be made from diverse backgrounds.