Traveling Solo In Africa

If you’re questioning whether or not you should be Traveling Solo in Africa, my advice would be to question which part of it you want to see most, not whether you should do it. This is one huge, big continent of such diversity that the options of what you can do and see are seemingly endless. It carries so much beauty in its differing landscapes and people that you need to see the veritable feast with your own eyes and doing it all by yourself is totally ok.

The Media

A British friend asked me if it feels dangerous in Africa.  She said, “it’s drilled into us from a young age that Africa is really dangerous so it’s always made me scared to go there.” I remember going to Northern Ireland in the 90’s with family members freaking out because it “wasn’t safe”.  The media has a job to do, sometimes they over-do-it and sometimes old news remains in peoples minds long after the fact.  There are wars, fighting and crime going on all over the world, all of the time because unfortunately, the human race is all over the world, all of the time.

Research

If you are concerned about coming to Africa, do your research about what is happening currently and make sure you dig that extra bit deeper in your research. You want to get the news from all the different angles to gain something closer to actuality.  Don’t just take the headlines as gospel, make use of this amazing social media age that we live in. Find some in-country forums created by the people that are actually living there.  Websites, Facebook, and Twitter can be great sources to use to find out what is happening in the moment. It’s worth noting that you should be wary of dramatising in all types of media, however.

How to Travel

Heading out alone doesn’t mean you have to stay alone.  Backpacking is a fantastic way to meet new people.  Ok, it can mean having to sleep in the same room as 15 strangers, putting up with snoring and people coming and going at all hours. But the hostels usually have male/female only dorms which could help reduce the snoring issue.

A Better Alternative In A Hostel

If the thought of a dormitory really doesn’t appeal, hostels usually also have single rooms with or without ensuites. It means you get the advantage of having a better nights sleep with the benefit of the hostels communal areas to make use of. Where who knows, you might strike up a conversation that leads to the start of a great travelling partnership or group. Otherwise, you will at the least find honest, on-the-ground information about what’s good, where to go, what to avoid.  I’ve never met a fellow backpacker that hasn’t been keen to have a chat, pass on tips and also be open to receiving any information you have to impart.  It feels good to be part of the same, carefree adventurous “herd”.

Finding Other Travelers

There are also online networking resources that can help you find fellow travelers.  Things like Travello (renamed from Outbound, the Lonely Planet forum where you might find a “match” in regard to someone going the same place, at the same time as you.

Organised tour groups are another option. Organisations like Intrepid,  Nomads run tours along with something called Overlander Tours, here is an example of one of them. They all lay out the experience of Africa, complete with safety, security and without the stress of having to organise it yourself.  It can be a good introductory way to get a feel for a country/the continent with a view to coming back again on your own, or not.

Safety

There’s the old saying that there’s more chance of getting run over by a bus than there is of dying in a plane crash. Perhaps the same analogy can be used regarding being the victim of crime in Africa.  It does happen, but as we all know it happens everywhere. The chance is, you are just as likely to be the victim of crime in Sydney, New York or London. It’s probably simply a matter of luck that you don’t become a victim if you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, wearing, or carrying the wrong thing anywhere in the world.

Losing The Stress

As I mentioned above under Media, do your homework. Find out the “lay of the land” on a city before you get there.  There is no reason in this digital age that you need to go anywhere not pre-armed with knowledge. Use the media, especially social media platforms to be prepared for what’s ahead.  Being prepared in whatever you do equates very simply to less stress.

Ripe for the plucking?

Realistically, there’s probably no way you’re going to be able to disguise the fact that you are a traveler.  You’re going to be peering about, checking out your surroundings and you’re going to be pulling out your camera at some stage. They’re givens and they’re also a give away to potential thieves. But that’s what you’re there for, to see and record the memories but there are ways to not make yourself not appear so “ripe for the plucking”.  You may not think of yourself as being wealthy but wealthy is actually what you are compared to the majority of people in Africa.

Try to avoid wearing any jewelry.  Even what you think of as a cheap necklace can be seen as a chance to make some quick, easy money to a thief.  And remember, the value of a possession compared with the value of a life can be viewed very differently. Is your necklace worth your life? A thief might have a completely different view on that. Question whether you really do need to take your Smartphone out on that walk with you, whether you need to wear all your expensive brand clothing.

Taking The Basics

Basically, don’t take out anything you’re not willing to lose!  If you’re carrying all your credit cards, be prepared to lose your only access to money all at the same time and hope there’s someone around that’s going to help you out. Instead, have your options for obtaining money in different locations, one tucked in your bra and one in your day-pack, for example.

Don’t go walking in a city in the places where its advised not to walk.  Especially at night, but then don’t assume you’re safe just because its daylight, some places can be just as bad during the day. Catch the public transport or use taxis etc it might work out more expensive but in the long run, it could actually end up being the cheaper option.  You never know when your stroll might end up, by mistake in the “no-go” area.

Do use your common sense and listen to your instinct. More often than not, your gut lets you know what you should do.