Solo traveller looking for a good tour company

Hi

I'm looking to do a tour in Africa for up to 2 weeks - although I don't mind if its a shorter trip, as long as I get to go see Victoria Falls and the big 5 :)

Does anyone know of a good company to travel with? I'm travelling on my own so would like to find a tour company that does group tours which would include other solo travellers. I don't mind if it's a camping tour or Hotel accommodation tour.

Also I would like to go when its warm / hot and I'm not to sure of the rainy seasons. I can go any time of the year, I was thinking about going in January 2016 but when I looked at the weather for that time it looks like it is their wet season so now thinking it may be this year I go.

Any advice would be amazing :) thanks

Two weeks in one country ?

Michel

Even with a limited time, the DIY is possible in Zimbabwe.
You can go to Vic Falls for the Falls. You are close to Hwange NP (4 of the Big 5) and Matobo Hills NP for the rhinos.
It's very easy to move around and it's not too time consuming.

Michel

Thanks for the advice Michel.

Oh no not 2 weeks in one place, I'd like to do more if possible but the falls and the big 5 are what I'd like to be included :-)

Then Zimbabwe is a real possibility.

Michel

Firstly, don't worry about the 'big 5' (do you even know what they are? Elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo) - it's a marketing thing, initially it was the 5 most dangerous animals to hunt. But I guess what you're saying is you want to see some cool African wildlife - elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, cheetahs, rhinos.... etc. right?

Anyway, to get back to your question - you have a number of options with 2 weeks including both safari and Vic Falls.

First, you could, quite easily, as Michael suggests, travel independently by yourself in Zimbabwe - you'd meet other travels and getting around isn't hard. But assuming you specifically want a tour then with 2 weeks I'd suggest you look the following options.

A tour that focuses on Botswana, most of these will include Vic Falls as it's so close.
A tour that focuses on Zimbabwe
A tour from J'burg to Vic Falls (or vice-verse)
A tour from Windhoek to Vic Falls (or v-v)
A tour from Lilongwe, Malawi to Livingstone, Zambia (Vic Falls)

As for companies, you could have a look at
Exodus Travels
Intrepid Travels
G Adventures
Sunways Safaris
Nomad
Africa Travel Co.

All of the above are good companies - some of the trips are more safari style, some are overland truk style.

If you have the money for it - I'd also recommend you look into doing a walking safari in South Luagua (my favourite park in Africa) and then just do Vic Falls add on.

Thanks for all of this its great advice, I will look into it all :)

Is it easy enough to travel on your on - is it not dangerous? that's my main reason of going with a company. I have solo travelled before and met so many people so I am happy to do it again but I thought it would be safer to travel Africa with a company?

It's easy to travel on your own, even as woman, even in Africa, even for a first time visit.
Using your common sense will be enough.
It's not dangerous and not more than NYC...
Using a company is a choice but not an obligation...

Michel

One place is not a country.
Two weeks for one place can be too much but two weeks even in Malawi (one of the smallest country of Southern Africa) will be not enough...
Then if you choose a huge country like Zambia, Zimbabwe or Tanzania you can only visit a little part of the country...

Michel

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.