I am a 43yr old mother of 3 grandmother of 2, I have always been fascinated by Africa. I thought for a start, I would take a package holiday to Kenya, I have decided to go alone... does anyone have any hints or tips of do's and dont's and personal safety... I wasn't the slightest bit worried untill I told my friends, they think ive lost the plot.. when I saw this site I thought I would ask.. I am going in november and looking forward to it very much.

There are many threads in this forum which will help you (try some simple search phrases like 'travel safety africa' or more specific things like 'drinking water' and 'health precautions') and no doubt others will reply in detail regarding a lone woman. But my general advice would be to take the same sensible precautions that you should take in any strange country or city, or dubious part of a familiar city: examples, don't go anywhere alone, don't flash money, jewellery and other valuables. I assume that even as a lone traveller, once you reach your destination you'll be in a group and/or with a guide. Stay together on excursions and stick to your guide/operator/camp rules. Forget your friends' reaction...you will enjoy yourself beyond expectations.

pentway:

There are a few of us gals on Fodors who regularly safari solo in Africa. I will be leaving on my 10th trip the end of this month.

The first thing is get a reputable African travel agent to set up your trip. You can use a US one, but many of us have found using a Kenyan agent advantageous. They are more up to date on everything in the country. I use www.southerncrosssafaris.com in Mombasa, but you will find many others posted on Fodors. Your agent will see that you are picked up at the airport and transported to your city hotel and see that you get to the parks, lodges, tented camps that you have chosen. The only time you'll be alone will be in your room or tent. Perfectly safe.
Many companies have set safaris. You join a group and can't deviate from the itinerary. Some of us choose where we want to go on our own, and the safari company makes all the arrangements for us. Doing it either way is safe. Just decide in your mind what you want to see, which parks you want, whether you want lodges or tented camps or a mixture of both, and whether you want to drive or fly to them and then contact some of the safari companies and ask them for a price. You can work from there.

If you individualize your safari with a Kenyan company you will need to obtain your own air tickets from U.S. to Kenya and return, see a travel medicine specialist, get a passport, travel insurance and some other easily do-able things.

Follow your heart and tell you friends you haven't lost it - it is they who are afraid to face new challenges. If I can do it alone at 66 years, so can you at only 43!

Don't let your friends fears effect your dream. Follow it!

Jan

Sorry, I just noticed the U.K in your email address. You would, of course, need to arrange your flight from U.K to Kenya and return.

Hi Pentway,

I’ve been to Kenya 3 times and, except on safari with a guide or when I happen to come across some people, I go everywhere alone. The only personal safety tip I can think of is to always take a taxi at night in Nairobi. Though I sometimes walk at night and am still alive. The biggest danger by far is the dreaded single supplement. I’m not that much younger than you and I don’t even feel mature enough to become a mother. Being a grandmother is a plus in Kenya and not even having any children is a big minus.