Solo Travel Destination: Tanzania
We are pleased to present a new Solo Travel Destination Post from Emily, a member of the Solo Travel Society. Emily is from the United States, and submitted the following report about Tanzania. Do you have a solo travel destination that you would like to recommend? Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!
Solo travel rating: 1.5 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Languages spoken: Swahili, English
Maasai Tribe.
Reasons to go: The animals are what bring you there, but the people and landscapes are what make you want to return. I feel that once one visits Africa, our soul always yearns to return to this mesmerizing land. Perhaps it is because our original ancestors are said to have come from this land? I don’t know really, but my heart yearns to return to this country…and others.
I booked this $2300 safari (single supplement waived) through ET African Journeys, which I highly recommend. This covered airfare, safari, 5 star lodging, English-speaking safari guide, all meals, all transfers….literally EVERYTHING. Unbelievable!!! My safari outfitter was Ranger Safaris, again highly recommended. Initially, this trip started out as a solo trip, but at the very last second, a friend from California heard about the single supplement being waived and decided to go as well. I really had planned to go alone, though….and to be honest, once I got on the trip, I was wishing I had stuck with my original plan of solo traveling in Tanzania. Still, even though someone went with me in the end, I would recommend this trip for solo travelers, and would absolutely have done it myself.
In April 2011, I did an 8-day safari where I visited the Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and the Ngorongoro Crater. After that, I worked with orphans in the Lake Manyara/Kibaoni area for 3 days. This was, by far, the highlight of my trip. I was also able to see Mt Kilimanjaro while there, and one day plan to go back and hike up to the summit.
Tanzania has been one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited to date and words just cannot do the country justice.
Lions at the Ngorongoro Crater.
The sweet orphans I worked with in the Lake Manyara region.
Elephant crossing.
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety - 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language - 2 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 1 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 2 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 1.5 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult)
