South Africa solo tours

It’s completely up to you. Rooming on our trips is organised on a twin-share basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on their passports.

However, if you'd like your own space, you can pay for an individual room on most of our trips. Just let us know when booking and we'll arrange it for you.

As a responsible tour operator, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. If your gender identity differs from what's indicated on your passport, please contact us so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

On a small selection of itineraries some accommodations are booked on an open-gender, multi-share basis (e.g. on a felucca in Egypt or an overnight train in Vietnam). In those instances, it will be stated in the Essential Trip Information.

The beauty of travelling with Intrepid is that we encourage travellers to explore at their own pace. When you get to a destination, your leader will offer options on what you can do, and some of the group will do one activity while others may opt for something completely different.

The amount of free time depends on the trip style you've chosen. You're welcome to ask your leader for a few tips, then head out alone or hang out with the group and see where the day takes you.

Travelling with Intrepid is a little bit different. We endeavour to provide travellers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible. 

When travelling with us in South Africa you may find yourself staying in a homestay.

Experience the ultimate in African hospitality while staying with a local family in Zululand. Pick up some local language, be exposed to new customs and sample traditional cuisine on a homestay to remember.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

If you're visiting for tourism purposes for up to 90 days, you may not need a visa to visit South Africa. For more information, please visit South Africa's consular website or the Essential Trip Information section of your itinerary.

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.

You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.

Some Overland trips in Southern Africa have a smaller group size of 16 people maximum while others will have a maximum of 22 people of all ages and nationalities, from all walks of life. That’s what overland travel is all about, sharing experiences with like-minded adventurers from around the world. On our longer combination trips, your crew and group may change halfway through. Be prepared to spend a lot of time with each other and to make some new friends; it happens a lot.

We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Every destination is different – so do your research before you set off – but here’s some general safety advice for solo travellers:

• Ensure your loved ones are aware of your plans.
• Get a cab from the airport/station taxi rank – touts tend to hang out in the arrivals area and, while they promise cheaper rates, they can be dodgy. For peace of mind, you can usually book a private transfer with your hotel. If you're travelling with us, we can also book transfers.
• Have a rough idea of where you’re going before heading out. Depending on where you are, it may be best to duck into a shop or café instead of walking with your phone.
• Dress like the locals and leave blingy jewellery and designer clothes at home.
• Keep track of travel times so you’re not caught out after dark.
• Solo travel is all about confidence and being aware of your surroundings. If you’re relaxed on the street, you’re more likely to blend in. The popular tourist areas are usually the most well-lit and secure, but they’re often a bigger target for pickpockets and scammers. And remember: if it feels wrong, it probably is.