For Africa Addict, a Victoria Falls-based Destination Management Company (DMC), 2025 has been the year of intrepid ladies stepping out of their comfort zone and embarking on Solo Safaris.
We have had five individual, amazing ladies who tentatively contacted us and shared their safari dreams. Three had never left their country of residence!
All five were “middle young” (we don’t like that word “aged”) and all of them had one statement in common.
I need to do something with my life!
Their reasons for choosing to travel varied.
I am recently widowed.
I have recently gotten divorced, and I have lots of money!
I recently retired and I am bored.
My children have all left home.
My husband left me for his secretary.
I cannot spend one more weekend on the sofa watching football with my partner!
We at Africa Addict realized that we were onto something really special here. We recognized a demand and a need, and we set out to create exclusive experiences for these ladies that fitted their expectations perfectly.
The first question from all of them was “is it safe?”
Our initial knee-jerk response is “of course Zimbabwe is safe! We are the nicest people in the world, and our hospitality is world class!”
But one needs to remember, these ladies have never left their country, village or office! Reassurance is key. We also had to make sure that every single box was ticked so that at no time were they left unsure, bewildered or vulnerable. Their itineraries had to be individually tailored to be adventurous, jam-packed and flawless with no time to feel lonely.
Zimbabwean hospitality made sure that this did not happen! Every single one of them commented on how warm and kind everyone was. The guides in Mana Pools and Hwange were particularly outstanding. Kaz commented “I was treated like a Queen!”
We encouraged our ladies to repeat the mantra
“I am not travelling by myself – I am travelling with myself.”
And with that – they all made friends wherever they went.
All five of them bravely stepped out of their monotonous comfort zones with nervous trepidation. In turn, they discovered personal growth, confidence and reconnection. They all said that it was a time for reflection and reassessment. They all left Zimbabwe feeling empowered and enlightened.
Two of them have rebooked trips for next year to neighboring Botswana.
There is definitely a gap in the market for this kind of solo adventure. Africa Addict is working on an “app” (with the help of the clever millennials) called Safari Buddy. It’s almost like a Safari Tinder but classy and more for travel companionship and company.
It's specifically for ladies but if a gentleman wants to sign up – well that’s great! Watch this space …. throw away the aprons and get out the Khakis! We cannot wait to host more fabulous solo ladies!
Africa Addict is a Victoria Falls-based Destination Management Company and travel agent specialising in tailormade, personalised safaris in Southern Africa to suit every pocket.