Travelling solo is not the same as travelling alone. Every year, more women choose to experience Kenya and Tanzania independently. They’re drawn by the freedom to travel at their own pace, with the reassurance of expertly planned itineraries, experienced guides and warm, welcoming camps.
With Asilia, solo female travellers are looked after from the moment they land. Friendly airport meet-and-greets, coordinated transfers, and small, intimate camps and with guides who quickly become companions. While you’re travelling on your own, you are always completely supported.
This guide covers everything you need to know – how safety works on the ground, which camps are best suited to solo travellers, and honest advice from three women who’ve recently done it themselves.
Why More Women Are Choosing Solo Safaris
Women now make up the majority of solo travel bookings worldwide, and East Africa is one of the destinations where going alone can seem daunting at first, but invariably fails to disappoint.
Without the distraction of a travel companion, you tend to notice more on safari. You pay more attention to the way your guide reads tracks in the dust; you notice that moment of stillness before a lioness moves. As Claudia, a Swiss guest who has travelled solo for over 20 years, puts it:
“I am travelling solo because I am strongly convinced that you see and learn much more when you are travelling solo. Your eyes and ears are more open if you are not distracted with another traveller.”
Women choose solo safaris for all sorts of reasons: the freedom to build an itinerary entirely around their own interests, uninterrupted time for photography, a milestone birthday, a reset after a big life change. Sometimes it’s as simple as guest Susan says, “If I waited for someone to travel with, I would never get out of my own town.”
Is East Africa Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
This is a common question, so we’ll get into it in some detail.
Travelling to East Africa as a solo female traveller is safe with the right operator. In fact, East Africa is a safe and genuinely welcoming destination for women travelling alone. The real key is how much of your journey is planned, escorted, and accounted for. On an Asilia safari, that’s all of it:
- Airport meet and greet. An Asilia representative meets you on arrival in Nairobi, Kilimanjaro, Entebbe, or Dar es Salaam. You’re never left to find your own way in an unfamiliar city.
- Every transfer is arranged in advance. Domestic flights, road transfers and overnight hotels are booked and coordinated before you leave home.
- Escorted at every stop. From the airstrip to camp, and within camp after dark, someone is always with you, or nearby.
- Camp security is provided around the clock. Staff escort you to and from your tent in the evenings and check you’re safely settled in each night. You can radio the team at any time.
- Experienced, professional guides. Asilia’s guides are among the best in East Africa.
Don’t take our word for it. Caitlin, a first-time visitor to Kenya, describes her arrival:
“Someone was there to meet me upon my evening arrival in Nairobi, transported me to an overnight hotel booked by Asilia, and transported me to the airstrip the next day. Not having to figure out or arrange transportation upon arrival in a new country makes the process much more comfortable and safer.”
And her time in camp: “The staff always made sure I was safely zipped into my tent before leaving at night. I also liked knowing that I could radio the staff at any time should I need anything.”
Susan’s answer to whether she ever felt unsafe? “No. From the time I stepped off my flight, I had an escort to assist and guide me.”
What Makes a Solo Safari Different?
While safety might be the threshold question, the experience itself is what makes a solo safari worth doing.
Freedom to Travel at Your Own Pace
Book a private vehicle, and the day is entirely yours. Want to linger a little longer at a leopard sighting? No problem. Want to dedicate your morning to photographing elephants at a waterhole? Sure! The option to focus on whatever fascinates you is always there. No compromises, no decision by committee.
Claudia experienced this on her most recent trip: “I had my own guide at all three destinations. This was absolutely wonderful.”
Opportunities to Meet Other Travellers
Prefer company? Shared game drives are one of the simple pleasures of not booking a private vehicle, offering relaxed camaraderie as you spot wildlife together. Back in camp, communal dining tables and fireside drinks make it natural to swap stories with fellow guests. Asilia camps are small, typically eight to ten tents, so the atmosphere is less like a hotel and somewhat more familiar. Often, solo guests arrive alone but leave having made new friends.
Why Guests Choose Asilia for Solo Travel
The difference isn’t one thing – it’s how everything joins up.
Your dedicated travel specialist plans the whole journey, from international arrival to final departure, and checks in throughout. Susan describes it as being “made aware that safety was of utmost importance,” while being “treated like an intelligent, independent, self-sufficient person” – which is exactly the balance solo travellers want.
Caitlin compared several operators before booking: “Simone reached out and made planning the details of my trip totally seamless…including airport meet-and-greets, transfers, and hotel reservations before and after my stay.”
Asilia employs a growing number of female safari guides and is a member of the Namiri Group, which is B Corp-certified – both of which matter to many of the women who travel with us.
Recommended Camps for Solo Female Travellers
Every Asilia camp welcomes solo travellers, but some are particularly well-suited:
Rekero Camp, Maasai Mara, Kenya – An intimate camp with a social atmosphere on the banks of the Talek River, right in the path of the Great Migration. Warm, attentive staff and superb guiding make it an ideal first solo safari. Caitlin stayed here: “I felt totally comfortable as a female solo traveller at Rekero Camp. The camp staff, my guide, and the camp security were all respectful and kind.”
Dunia Camp, central Serengeti, Tanzania – Run entirely by women, from camp manager to guides, there’s no more reassuring or inspiring place to stay for solo female travellers. The central Serengeti location delivers exceptional year-round game viewing.
Sayari Camp, northern Serengeti, Tanzania – this elegant and spacious camp is situated near the Mara River crossings when they happen. It’s the perfect option for travellers who want a touch of luxury with their wilderness.
Ubuntu Migration Camp, Serengeti, Tanzania – A classic mobile tented camp that moves twice a year to be near the migrating herds. Small and authentic, the camp offers communal dining that makes solo guests feel part of the family from the first evening.
Jabali Ridge, Ruaha, Tanzania – For the returning African traveller seeking a wild, uncrowded safari. Ruaha’s predator density is remarkable, and the lodge is a luxurious destination in its own right.
Rubondo Island Camp, Lake Victoria, Tanzania – for the truly independent spirit: an island wilderness of forest, chimpanzees, and lake shore, perfect for reading, walking, and switching off entirely.
Real Stories From Solo Female Guests
We spoke to three women who recently returned from solo safaris with Asilia: Susan and Caitlin from the US, and Claudia from Switzerland. Their experiences shaped this guide – here are moments that stood out.
Feeling Safe From Arrival
“In my experience everything was done right…The team explained to me why certain protocols were performed to ensure my safety.” – Susan.
That transparency is crucial to solo travellers. It’s not just about knowing that you’re being looked after, but understanding the ‘why’ and the ‘how’. This turns nervousness into confidence before you’ve even boarded your flight.
Why They Chose Asilia
“[Simone] emphasised that Asilia has some of the best guides, which is important to me as I am very keen on getting as close to wild animals as possible but also want them to be respected,” – Claudia.
Claudia’s recommendation came from a guide in South Africa’s Sabi Sands – and in the safari world, a guide’s endorsement of another company’s guides is about the highest praise there is.
Advice for Other Women
“I would definitely recommend Asilia camps for first-time solo female travellers. There are camps at every safari experience level. The guides and camp managers have the experience to gauge your comfort level so they can provide you with a fantastic, memorable experience.” – Susan.
Caitlin’s advice is practical: book with an operator who handles everything. “I essentially only booked my flight into and out of Kenya, with the rest of the transport and lodging booked on my behalf by Asilia.”
Solo Safari Tips Before You Travel
A few practical things worth sorting before departure:
- Let your travel specialist arrange all transfers – including airport pickups and overnight hotels either side of your safari.
- Take out comprehensive travel insurance, including medical evacuation cover.
- Pack light and soft-sided – domestic flights have a 15kg limit, and camps offer laundry.
- Bring your camera gear – and consider a private vehicle if photography is a priority.
- Communicate dietary requirements early – camps cater beautifully to allergies and preferences when they know in advance.
- Check connectivity expectations – most camps offer Wi-Fi in the main areas, but let people back home know you may be off-grid at times.
- Ask about tipping guidelines before you travel so you can bring the appropriate amount of cash.
- Confirm health requirements – yellow fever certificates, malaria prophylaxis and any visas.
Is a Solo Safari Right for You?
If you recognise yourself in any of these, the answer is probably yes:
- First-time safari travellers who want everything expertly handled
- Repeat visitors to Africa are ready to explore wilder, quieter corners like Ruaha or Rubondo.
- Photographers who want the flexibility of their own schedule (and vehicle)
- Retirees with the time to travel slowly and deeply
- Anyone craving a digital detox – few places disconnect you as completely as the bush.
- For someone wishing to mark a certain celebration, a solo safari makes an unforgettable 40th, 50th, or 60th birthday.
- Women navigating a new chapter – after a divorce, a career change or a loss- the space and perspective of the wilderness can be quietly transformative.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solo Female Safaris
Yes. With a reputable operator, every stage of your journey is planned, escorted and overseen. Our guests consistently report never feeling unsafe on the ground in Kenya or Tanzania.
Increasingly so. Women make up the majority of solo travellers globally, and East Africa is one of the fastest-growing destinations for solo travellers. You won’t be the only one.
Very unlikely. Between your guide, camp staff, and fellow guests at communal meals and shared drives, safari is one of the most naturally sociable ways to travel alone – with plenty of solitude available when you want it.
Often, single supplements apply in peak season. However, Asilia waives the single supplement during green and secret season, offering great value in this blissfully quiet time on safari.
Rekero, Dunia, Sayari, Ubuntu Migration Camp, Jabali Ridge and Rubondo Island Camp are all excellent choices.
Yes, shared drives are a standard at most camps and a great way to meet other travellers. A private vehicle can be arranged if you’d prefer your own schedule.
Soft-sided luggage under 15kg, neutral layers, sun protection, binoculars, camera gear and any personal medication. Camps provide most other comforts.
Yes – Asilia actively trains and employs female safari guides, and Dunia Camp in the Serengeti is run entirely by women.
Any time, but green season (April-May) and secret season (November to March) come without the single supplements, and offers lush landscapes and fewer other tourists.
Six to twelve months for peak season (July-October); shorter-notice trips are often possible in green season and sometimes in shoulder season.
Considering a solo safari and not sure where to start?
