How to plan the perfect solo safari: four expert tips

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Words by Jenney Hewett for Escape.com.au.

I’ve been fortunate to safari in Africa on four occasions, two of which have been on my own. On that first safari a devout religious American couple and I were the only guests staying at an intimate, three-tent luxury camp in Botswana.

It was a beautiful space with gorgeous staff, and on our first evening we were treated to a leopard and her cub sleeping on the pool deck.

But from the moment we arrived the couple complained. The lodge was too small; there were not enough tents. The landscape didn’t look how it did in the photos.

Out on safari, they behaved like petulant children, vocally upset that our guide was trying to divide his time between their interests (hyenas) and mine (wild dogs).

I saw how difficult it was for him. Safari as a solo traveller can be tricky to navigate, but here’s some advice to make it stress-free.

1. Pay extra for a private vehicle

Most safari holidays are a significant financial investment, and for some reason this can make people behave badly. Guests want to know they’re getting what they paid for, and every now and then you get a bad apple who is aggressive about it.

At most safari lodges, you’ll be paired in vehicles for game drives with other travellers, be it couples, families or solos. Certain operators will allow you to pay extra for a private vehicle and guide, or they may just have the availability to allocate you one.

Check with your travel agent or the lodge when booking to see how they navigate this.

2. Stay patient

Remember what’s important is the wildlife and the experience of being out in the African bush. There is nowhere else like it.

When you’re sharing a safari vehicle with other strangers, especially those with strong personalities or from other cultures, there can be all sorts of dynamics at play. The guides are professional and trained in how to manage this, so trust them.

There are no guarantees in the bush, but it’s their job to make sure each guests’ interests are being acknowledged, so speak up and let them know yours. Their knowledge is vast and they are generous with it.

3. Choose a silent safari

During a recent safari in South Africa, I was paired in a vehicle with a family of four from Hong Kong. It was heartwarming watching them and their 20-something sons chat, laugh and bond, but by the end of it, my ears were bleeding; there was not 10 seconds of silence in that vehicle.

For guaranteed peace and quiet, book a silent safari. Londolozi in South Africa’s Sabi Sabi Game Reserve offers wellness packages featuring silent game drives.

The Outpost in Kruger National Park by Rare Earth Retreats has just launched “sound safaris” using headset technology that amplifies animal communication signals and calls.

4. Make friends

One of the best parts of safari is that it can be quite social. Guides typically join their guests for dinner, and often you get chatting to people you’re sharing a vehicle with.

During my recent stay at Sabi Sabi’s exquisite Earth Lodge I met a gregarious older gent from the US at the bar. He had a cutting sense of humour and was also travelling solo. We made friends with the American couple I was sharing a vehicle with, and then we all had dinner together over two consecutive nights. We laughed, ate and drank, and it was brilliant. What with the guides, the wildlife and the amazing staff, you’ll never feel alone on safari.

This article originally appeared on Escape.com.au as 4 tips for planning your solo safari in Africa.