Sep 25, 2026 · 18 min · 8 segments
What is it really like to go on safari as a solo female traveller? In this episode, Shelby shares her firsthand experience of travelling and experiencing safari as a woman travelling on her own. She…
One of the first things I'd say is actually think about what makes you feel comfortable when you travel.
And I don't mean in a dramatic way.
I think women are just quite used to adapting.
Like we'll be in a hotel room and think, well, it's only for three nights and we'll be hungry and think it's fine, I'll eat later.
We'll be uncomfortable somewhere and just put up with it because we don't want to make a fuss.
And I think a safari is one of those experiences where you should probably stop doing that.
If you're cold, say you're cold.
If you're tired, then take a break.
If you don't want to rush from one thing to the next, then you don't have to.
And I think that starts before you even leave home.
So when you're planning your safari, be honest about the kind of traveler you actually are rather than the kind of traveler you think you're supposed to be.
Because there's this idea of safari as being this very specific type of experience.
You know, you've got the khaki clothes, the binoculars, the early mornings, the adventurous personality, and everyone is supposedly thrilled to wake up at 4.30 every morning and then sit in a vehicle for hours on end.
And maybe you are that person, but if you're not, that's completely fine.
You know, you can love beautiful hotels.
You can love your skin care.
You can hate getting up early.
I mean, I'm one of those people for sure.
You can be very particular about your coffee.
I mean, that's me too.
You can enjoy having a bath at the end of the day.
None of that makes you less of a safari person.
And actually, I think one of the biggest mistakes people make when planning a safari is trying to fit themselves into what they think a safari is supposed to look like.
And this is something that we think about a lot when we're designing a safari for someone.
We're not just asking, where are you going to see the most animals? Obviously, that does matter, but we're also thinking about where you're going to feel comfortable, what kind of lodge suits you, how much activity you actually want, and how you want your days to feel.
One of the first things I'd say is actually think about what makes you feel comfortable when you travel.
And I don't mean in a dramatic way.
I think women are just quite used to adapting.
Like we'll be in a hotel room and think, well, it's only for three nights and we'll be hungry and think it's fine, I'll eat later.
We'll be uncomfortable somewhere and just put up with it because we don't want to make a fuss.
And I think a safari is one of those experiences where you should probably stop doing that.
If you're cold, say you're cold.
If you're tired, then take a break.
If you don't want to rush from one thing to the next, then you don't have to.
And I think that starts before you even leave home.
So when you're planning your safari, be honest about the kind of traveler you actually are rather than the kind of traveler you think you're supposed to be.
Because there's this idea of safari as being this very specific type of experience.
You know, you've got the khaki clothes, the binoculars, the early mornings, the adventurous personality, and everyone is supposedly thrilled to wake up at 4.30 every morning and then sit in a vehicle for hours on end.
And maybe you are that person, but if you're not, that's completely fine.
You know, you can love beautiful hotels.
You can love your skin care.
You can hate getting up early.
I mean, I'm one of those people for sure.
You can be very particular about your coffee.
I mean, that's me too.
You can enjoy having a bath at the end of the day.
None of that makes you less of a safari person.
And actually, I think one of the biggest mistakes people make when planning a safari is trying to fit themselves into what they think a safari is supposed to look like.
And this is something that we think about a lot when we're designing a safari for someone.
We're not just asking, where are you going to see the most animals? Obviously, that does matter, but we're also thinking about where you're going to feel comfortable, what kind of lodge suits you, how much activity you actually want, and how you want your days to feel.
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