Safe Travel Ideas in Africa for Solo Female Travelers

August 15, 2018 - 6 minutes read

For some women, traveling alone is a liberating experience — that’s sometimes curtailed for safety or economical reasons (those single supplements can be a killer!).

However, a number of EcoTraining programs were recently recommended in an article called 20 of the best group trips for solo travellers  published by The Guardian newspaper in Britain.

Writer Rachel Dixon makes a number of recommendations for solo woman travelers including EcoTraining’s “week-long tasters for nature lovers who want to experience life in the bush.”

Dixon goes on to say that “the Wilderness Trails Skills course for adventurous travellers is great value, offering a stripped-back safari at a fraction of the usual cost. The setting is the Makuleke Concession, a remote part of the Kruger National Park in South Africa, or the Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana; sightings may include lions, leopards, elephants and rhinos. Guests walk up to 10 km a day, carrying their own supplies, and learn to track animals, navigate, set up camp, make fires and leave no trace. Nights are spent wild camping under the stars.”

EcoTraining Guides and Guardians offers a variety of nature programs ranging from five to 14 days that are suitable and safe for women traveling alone. During all of these adventures, participants are fully immersed in nature while staying at un-fenced wilderness camps. Each day is packed with learning, game drives, nature walks and wildlife encounters, perfect for reconnecting with the natural world.

The courses comprise small groups not exceeding 20 people, which means you have plenty of opportunities to get to know other nature lovers. Although the courses are for both men and women, accommodation is shared (two per tent of the same gender) unless booked as a couple beforehand.

Among the programs that are well-suited for solo women travelers are:

ECOQUEST

(7 or 14 days)

Participants learn about the infinite variety of living organisms that exist in nature and the underlying elements that support this variety

of life — such as geology, soils and climate. The program is perfect for those who want to be more than just spectators of nature, but want to truly learn its importance and processes. Click here to learn more.

WILDERNESS TRAILS SKILLS

(6 days)

The course may challenge some personal boundaries, as participants sleep in the open wilderness under the stars, track and stalk game, and travel light with minimal supplies. It’s more about the depth of experience than the distance, as you learn to make a fire, find water from natural sources, and leave a light footprint behind. This immersive nature experience is designed to develop a lifelong culture of conservation. Click here to learn more.

ECOTRACKER

ANIMAL TRACKS AND TRACKING

(7 or 14 days)

A vast amount of information can be gathered about mammals, birds and reptiles without ever having seen them. Through the ancient art of tracking, participants are taught how to “reconstruct” the scene and understand what could have, would have, and should have happened. This course teaches track and sign identification, animal trailing, and hunter-gatherer techniques. Click here to learn more.

WILDERNESS PHOTOGRAPHY

(6 days)

Our wilderness photography course revolves around the equipment needed to become a versatile wilderness photographer. Participants also learn about the various elements that combine to make good wilderness photographic compositions. This course gives existing and aspiring photographers the time and opportunity to put these skills into action in the field under the guidance of an experienced wilderness photographer. Click here to learn more.

BIRDING IN THE BUSH

(7 days)

Birding enthusiasts learn how to identify a great variety of species by sight and sound, as well as learning about their biology and ecology. Participants don’t have to be a veteran “twitcher” to attend. The course caters to those who wish to learn about the basics of bird identification or improve their existing identification skills. Click here to learn more.

MASAI MARA ECOQUEST

(5, 7 or 14 days)

Based on the same foundation as the South African and Botswana EcoQuest, this course takes place in Kenya’s famed Masai Mara. Participants gain knowledge on game drives and nature walks, and also learn about the three-way relationship that exists between the local communities, wildlife and conservation efforts. The course is a great fit for wildlife enthusiasts craving a greater understanding of nature while experiencing East African wildlife. Click here to learn more.

You can also contact Leana Oosthuizen for more information at enquiries@ecotraining.co.za; calling us on +27 (0)13 752 2532; or visiting our website.

Tags: africa, African bush, EcoTraining, solo traveler, women traveler