Africa’s game lodges are slowly removing single supplements to make safari travel more attractive for solo travellers.
Solo travel has been identified by many experts as a key trend for 2024. The cruise industry, in particular, has seen a rise in travellers choosing to cruise alone, and in response, many cruise lines have responded with special packages and removed the single supplement fee.
The African safari industry’s single supplements are deterring travellers who would like to take solo safaris, reports Travel Weekly.
Wilderness, which operates in Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, has waived single supplements for parts of 2024 and 2025 outside the high season.
“Optimal safari experiences aren't solely determined by high seasons. Green or low seasons (typically November to March) offer different wildlife sightings and more affordable rates, making them ideal for solo travellers,” said the company.
Other lodges, including South Africa’s Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, Botswana’s Great Plains Selinda Camp and the Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp in Tanzania, have also waived this fee according to African safari providers Ker & Downey. Kwando Camps in Botswana goes as far as to offer heavy discounts for single travellers.
The safari industry is not a travel sector that can be easily adjusted for single travellers, with limited rooms that make it difficult to absorb the cost of a single traveller staying in a double occupancy room.
