Travel expert Richelle Lavin shares tips for female solo travelers

Traveling solo is understandably intimidating for many women, with the main concern being safety. Other issues include having to be the sole decision maker with no one else to collaborate with, navigating directions on your own, being uncomfortable about asking for help, paying single supplement fees, and of course, not being able to share those memorable moments with someone else.

Those who are familiar with the experience, though, find there are many rewards to going it alone. And they often prefer this style of travel because of the opportunities to focus on their surroundings, reflect internally, gain knowledge without distraction and form new relationships with others. 

Travel expert Richelle Lavin has traveled solo many times, all over the globe, for business and pleasure. As owner of Soul of Africa Travel, she frequently goes on her own to Africa and other remote locations to explore new destinations to share with her clients. 

Lavin, who had previously worked in the corporate world, started her boutique travel company in 2013 after visiting family in South Africa. She stayed in the bush at a safari camp and fell hard for the “organic” African Experience. “I knew right away,” says Lavin, “that I needed to share my passion for travel, nature and animals with others and that I wanted to focus solely on Africa.” She adds, “I established my business not to necessarily compete with the big established travel companies, but rather to re-define bespoke travel to make a special connection between clients and Africa.”

Soul of Africa crafts unique travel experiences in Africa for multi-generational families, couples and singles, who are mostly based out of North America. The company does not do mass group scheduled itineraries. For Lavin, an African safari allows her clients to witness the untamed side of Mother Nature, up-close and personal. 

Over the years, Lavin has worked with numerous women who opt to travel solo. Interestingly, she finds that older women are more likely to travel in this manner than young “wanderlusters.” She has also seen how COVID has affected this type of travel. “Some travelers have been forced to travel solo because their typical travel partners are averse to traveling in a pandemic,” explains Lavin. “COVID has caused people who have never traveled before to now do so as a result of cabin fever. Both instances have led to more solo female travelers.”

For Lavin, solo travel has allowed her to gain and display independence as a woman. It motivates her to take action and make decisions based on what is important to her and not others. She adds that it’s all about “controlling your destiny in life through travel and adventure.”

As for advice and tips regarding solo travel, Lavin emphasizes that safety is an element of a successful travel adventure and needs to be planned for, just like airfare and accommodations. Share your full travel itinerary with someone back home in advance so they know where you are daily. And make sure they understand the potential time differences when trying to get hold of you. Schedule check-ins with this individual throughout your trip. And if you are traveling to the bush, definitely investigate the Wi-Fi capabilities in advance to better plan your communications. 

Other suggestions include booking a trip with a reputable tour operator. Lavin notes that even if such trips cost more, you can’t compromise safety. She advocates guided tours, or even better yet, a private experience, adding, “Not only does it provide access to unique places and people, but it supports the local economy and encourages communities to value tourism.” Guided tours ensure that you are in the right places and not in situations where your naiveite could be taken advantage of by some unsuspecting person.

Lavin advocates forgoing the larger hotels and resorts and opting to stay at smaller boutique/owner run properties. She believes you will get a more attentive experience from the staff and feel like you are part of the family. She says, “You may feel safer and more secure in this environment and that the property is looking out for you. In big hotels, it’s easy to become lost in the crowd.”

Another of her tips is to consider scheduled road transfers that are booked through a reputable operator versus using Uber or another ridesharing mode. Or when available, use public transportation.

“There is no substitute for experience and common sense,” emphasizes Lavin. “I have come to learn over time that following certain protocols ensures that you can travel alone and be safe and adventurous at the same time.”

Photos Courtesy of Richelle Lavin