I've been solo travelling for over 20 years, so I know a thing or two about going it alone. Much of my travel has taken me across various African countries—Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco. Outside Africa, I’ve explored Indonesia, Bali, Perth in Australia (great backpack hostels), Tenerife, the Canary Islands, and more.
I was born in Zimbabwe but grew up mainly in Wales. After Wales, Africa is where I feel most at home. My solo journey began around 2002, after my husband and I parted the ways. I've had various male partners since then, but for different reasons, they couldn’t join me. Back then, I kept in touch with loved ones via Skype—usually from an internet café. These days, of course, it’s all about WhatsApp.
I actually prefer travelling alone. I love that feeling of arriving at an airport and seeing people from all over the world, all nationalities, heading off to different destinations. I’m not beholden to anyone—I can browse the shops, sit in a café and read my Kindle, or pull out my laptop. I always travel with my 11 or 12-inch laptop.
When I travelled through Africa, I’d send email updates to friends and family and post stories on Facebook. (You can find some of them on my website ameryt.com—click the ‘Travel Writing’ tab.)
In the early days, I'd find the nearest internet cafe, click
on to their wifi and sit there with my laptop, writing. I have also travelled
to the Philippines, Turkey, Portugal and America (New York). Turkey doesn't
have backpack hostels(cheap apartments) and I'd be dubious in America (hotels are best) with all the gun crime.
Some European countries don't do backpack places - then it's over to
Airbnb.
Then there's the UK - I have often driven down to the south
coast from London to escape city life and take in the sea and countryside. I
generally stay at Youth Hostels (YHA) - cheap, comfortable, warm (in winter)
and safe for lone females. The advantage of the UK youth hostels (and
don't be put off by the word 'youth', you get all age groups at the YHA) -
there are plenty of male and female travellers who go for many reasons, not
just holiday breaks. And if you're thinking, 'Oh no - big dormitories',
forget it. Female (and male) dorms usually have 4-6 beds. In dorms, I've bonded
with many women over the years, while we swap travellers' tales or life
experiences. YHA hostels also have single rooms you can book or outside
cabins, campsites and parking for camper vans. Sadly, many YHAs have
closed down for cost-cutting reasons in the last couple of years and some have
stopped taking solo travellers - only groups.
The best thing about all hostels, whether here or abroad, is that they have shared kitchens and microwaves - you can cook up a stew or a stir fry with your own ingredients (in the UK, I take a cooler bag) or put a ready meal in the microwave. Nowadays too, YHA's usually provide basic cooked meals if you don't like cooking. There's also a communal lounge and bar if you want company in the evening.
For me, Cape Town is my favourite place for backpacker
hostels. In Cape Town alone, there are about 26 to choose from and
because labour is cheap in South Africa (unlike here), their reception desks
are usually open 24/7. They're safe for lone travellers - usually have
12-foot fences and sturdy gates and full-time security staff - so while it's
fine to walk around the main beaches and shopping areas (The Waterfront is the
main one - full of bars restaurants, shops) during the day, it's probably best
to be in your hostel by nightfall - unless you get (a very cheap) Uber to where
you want to go. Or you can sit in the bar or lounge and talk to fellow travellers.
Everyone is very friendly.
- Do
some research about your destination: It's fun finding out the local
customs .... but also check out laws, and areas it's better to avoid.
Backpack hostels usually have group day trips too, you can book when you
get there. It’s always safer in a strange place to go with a group.
- Share
your journey plans before you leave with those at home: Check in every
few days by WhatsApp or SMS.
- Pack
light: As a solo traveller, I usually bring a minimum amount of
clothes - a few shorts, and a couple of T-shirts, plus a couple of wraps,
one warm sweatshirt, 1-2 pairs of cotton trousers, underwear, a
couple of swim things and a lightweight towel. A sun hat, sun
glasses. You can buy your toiletries there. Don’t bring big
suitcases of stuff – the trick is to have only bags(wheelies or backpacks)
that you can carry on your own. You’re independent then.
- Trust
your instincts: If something feels off, remove yourself from the
situation and walk quickly to the nearest hotel, security guard, shop,
whatever.
- Here's
an example, I was in a small seaside town not far from Cape town, walking
down the main street. A man appeared on my right asking me the
time. I glanced to the left and another man was keeping pace with
us. I also saw I was about to pass a petrol station - they always
have security guards on duty - I turned and walked quickly in and over to
the guard. I looked behind - the two guys had melted away. I
explained what had happened to the guard and asked him the way to the
internet cafe. He insisted on taking me there in person. I gave him
10 Rand (about a pound or a dollar).
- Keep
copies of important documents: Passport, ID, insurance—digital and paper
printed.
- Blend
in: Dress appropriately (in moslem countries that means women wear
long trousers or skirts, NEVER shorts and keep their arms and shoulders covered –
otherwise they think youre a Western loose woman). And keep a low
profile in public areas.
- Be
open to meeting people: I'm someone who talks to anyone anywhere - you
can open a conversation easily by commenting on the weather, the area, the
time, ask directions - anything. Social interaction is important - but sometimes you
have to make the first move.
- Have
backup plans: For transport, money, and communication.
❌ Don'ts for Solo Travelling
- Don’t
ignore safety precautions: As a solo in Africa, I’d say don’t go out at night, unless you’re with a
group and going by taxi. Stay in your hostel after dark otherwise.
- Don’t
overshare personal details: Be cutious with strangers and on social media. Protect your privacy.
- Don’t
rely solely on your phone: Carry a physical map or guidebook. What if
there’s no Wi-Fi?
- Don’t
carry all your money in one place: Split it between bags and pockets.
Keep an emergency credit card hidden somewhere.
- Limit alcohol while on your own: A friend of mine had a traumatic experience in Turkey after drinking alone at a bar and walking back to her hotel alone. She didn’t feel safe reporting it t and ended her trip early. It was a stark reminder to stay alert and limit alcohol when travelling solo.
- Stay alert and in control.
- Do not ever skip travel insurance: It’s essential for emergencies even if youre fit and healthy, accidents happen - what if you broke an ankle or had a scooter or car accident and had to be airlifted home?
- British
people often feel compelled to be polite: But as a solo female traveller, you’re not obliged to talk to everyone who approaches you. Some people are expert “tourist groomers”—trust your instincts.
- Be sensitive and careful about local traditions and etiquette. In many Muslim countries, it’s respectful for women to dress modestly which helps avoid unwanted attention. I've seen this flouted by European women - locals will judge you harshly and give you scant respect.
· Best not to leave valuables unattended. Even in seemingly safe places. In the UK, I might ask a sensible-looking person nearby to watch my laptop while I pop to the loo. Abroad, I follow my instincts and chat briefly first. Remember, in places where poverty is extreme, tourists are easy targets.
- Don’t rush: Give yourself time to absorb the experience. Constantly snapping photos means you're seeing everything through a lens. Look around first, enjoy the atmosphere, then take pictures. Staying alert also helps you avoid opportunistic crime.
In 20+ years of solo travel, I’ve only had two serious incidents:
Mugged in Zimbabwe (2003): A man leapt from an alley. No one helped—later I learned locals feared retaliation from gang leaders. I was with two local women, one carrying a baby. We fought him off and he fled.
Scammed at a cashpoint in Hermanus, South Africa: I’d been browsing a market and wasn’t alert. They followed me, stole my card, and withdrew £300. I got it back eventually, but it was a palaver.
Aside from those incidents, I’ve travelled safely by staying alert, choosing secure hostels, shopping in malls, and walking where others are around. I’ve had incredible adventures, met amazing people, and made lifelong friends across the globe. I’m still travelling—and I can’t wait for the next journey.
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