Single supplements have long stymied individual travelers seeking African safari adventures. But as demand for solo travel experiences grew and the cruise industry set a precedent of eliminating single supplements, the African safari industry began to slowly and cautiously change course.
By 2024, solo travel is on the rise and driven by younger generations. According to American Express Travel's 2024 Global Travel Trends Report, 69% of respondents are planning to travel alone this year, and three-quarters of those planning to travel alone are millennials or Generation Z. Appeared.
Heavy single supplements are a major stumbling block for travelers looking to explore Africa alone.
Some major companies are driving change. Wilderness Safaris is waiving single supplements for part of the 2024 and 2025 seasons to encourage individual travelers to experience the wild beauty of Africa.
Craig Glatthaar, Wilderness' director of sales for the Americas, pointed out that safari accommodations typically include the cost of two guests sharing a room or tent.
“We have waived single supplements at certain times of the year to make it easier for more solo travelers to experience African safaris and take advantage of seasonal benefits,” he said. “The optimal safari experience is not determined by peak season alone. The green or off season (generally November to March) offers a greater range of wildlife sightings and is cheaper, making it ideal for solo travelers.”
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Other players such as Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge in South Africa, Great Plains Selinda Camp in Botswana and Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp in Tanzania have also waived single supplements for certain periods of time. Serena Lodges and camps do not charge single occupancy rates during the April/May period, while Kwando Camp in Botswana offers great discounts for solo travellers.
Sherwin Banda, president of African Travel, said the company decided to offer some departures without a single supplement after discovering a large number of independent travelers interested in the company's LGBTQ+-focused pride safaris. “The safety needs of solo travelers are similar to those of the LGBTQ+ community,” Banda said. “Both groups appreciate traveling in small groups with like-minded guests, fostering camaraderie through fun and adventure. We offer select departures at no additional cost, allowing independent travelers to explore without spending extra money. It provided a great opportunity.”
However, the remote and exclusive nature of many luxury tented camps has made this a trickier proposition for some, although some larger operators have begun to abandon single supplements on a case-by-case basis. The nature of these lodges, which often have limited rooms, makes it difficult to cover the cost of a single traveler occupying a double room.
“Many lodges run small, non-mass market camps that they subsidize during the quiet months of the peak season,” said Raza Visram of AfricanMecca, a US-based tour operator that works with small lodges (as well as larger lodges). “The cost of one traveler per room is 50% of the revenue, and if you have 5 to 25 rooms, the cost would be too high for the camp owner to cover without a single additional fee.”
Why Safari for Singles?
Single supplement or not, operators believe that the private travel movement is perfectly aligned with the spirit of adventure that draws people to Africa. Visram said Africa is a great experience for solo travelers. Because they can participate in small, scheduled group safaris so that they never feel lonely.
Glatthaar said it's easy to see why Africa is a great destination for solo travelers. “African safaris are usually planned with all services booked and confirmed in advance, from meeting to transfers, accommodation and activities – from start to finish,” he said. “But this does not detract from the sense of adventure and discovery. Africa’s diverse landscapes and experiences not only offer iconic wildlife and cultural experiences, but also opportunities to reconnect with nature and yourself.”
Singita strategist Lindy Rousseau agreed with Glatthaar.
“Staying in a luxury safari lodge is quite different from being in a city hotel,” says Russo. “It’s very comforting for guests traveling alone.” “Life in the bush is leisurely and less rigorous. We are seeing a rise in confidence among solo travelers who simply want to get into the rhythm of the experiences on offer.”
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And it's not just millennials and Gen Z travelers who want to explore Africa in small groups. According to Jim Holden, president of Holden Safaris, there is a growing population of mature, single female travelers looking to join safari tour groups.
Of course, when traveling alone, you are bound to have concerns about safety. However, Visram emphasizes that reliable regional airlines make it easy for individual travelers to travel to many African countries, and most safari operators offer seamless transport and 24/7 support.
Loneliness can also be a worry for travelers, but Mefi Alapat of Journeys to Africa argues that this rarely happens in Africa. “You are never alone,” Alapat said. “All transfers are taken care of, we have a safari guide and a camp crew to keep you from feeling lonely. I know this because I love traveling alone on safari when visiting new places or returning to other countries. Check out the ones I use look.”
While the challenge of eliminating single supplements persists, the trend towards more inclusive pricing is clearly gaining momentum on the continent.