Have you ever thought about travelling solo? Even for the seasoned traveller, booking a ticket for one can be daunting.
People always assume that solo travel is a Plan B or a last resort. The collective thought is that travelling with a group of friends, family, a significant other, or even some random person you met on the internet is better than going solo.
We get it; travelling on your own is scary. But that is precisely why you should do it. The most enriching experiences are when we push ourselves out of our comfort zones, and where better to do that than in a foreign country? Anyone who is sceptical of their ability to go it alone and needs a nudge should keep reading to find out why Livingstone is the ideal solo travel destination.
Budget accommodation in Livingstone
Livingstone, Zambia, has a wide array of accommodation options, from campsites to luxurious riverside lodges. The town also boasts some of the best backpacker style accommodation in Africa.
Far from being old-school hostels with curfews and creaky beds, the backpacker’s lodges in Livingstone boast private rooms, air conditioning, travel offices and funky décor. There are always other solo travellers milling about in the common areas. The general ethos of backpacking is about meeting new people from all over the world, so it won’t take you long before your social calendar will be overflowing with ideas.
Luxury accommodation in Livingstone
If you’ve got the finances to splurge, then treat yourself to one of Livingstone’s premier boutique lodges. Most high-end lodges in Zambia quote on a per person sharing basis. However, you will have more chance of getting a better rate if you book direct and come in off-peak season. You can relax alone in your own deep bubble bath overlooking the Zambezi and then join others on river cruises, safaris and excursions to Victoria Falls.
Be spontaneous
Travelling solo means that you can pretty much do what you want when you want. You aren’t limited to other’s timelines, so if you decide at the last minute that you want to be spontaneous and jump off Victoria Falls Bridge today instead of going to the museum, no one is going to make you stick to the itinerary. Solo travel makes it more straightforward to take advantage of opportunities as they arise and forge fantastic memories when you least expect them.
All of the activities and safaris on offer in Livingstone can be booked on an individual basis. While it is true that there are minimum numbers for some tours to depart, you’ll likely find plenty of other solo travellers in Livingstone. Moreover, groups travelling together will often split and go on different excursions. Microlight flights are ideal for solo travellers since it is just you and the pilot up in the air gliding over Victoria Falls and watching out for elephants and other animals down below.
Zambia is regularly deemed one of the most peaceful countries in the world. In fact, the 2020 Global Peace Index ranked Zambia as 44th most peaceful country in a study comparing 23 different qualitative and quantitative indicators. Compare this with the United Kingdom closely-ranked 42nd and the United States of America, which is ranked down at number 121.
It is recommended that every traveller have comprehensive medical insurance when travelling in Zambia. Livingstone does have excellent private health clinics and links swiftly with medical evacuation services if the need arises.
Solo travel in Livingstone, Zambia, is about setting your own pace and focusing on your own needs for a while. If spending an entire day gazing at Victoria Falls is what your soul needs, then no one is going to urge you to move along. You’ll get a chance to recharge and give yourself some much-needed ‘me time’ while also meeting some of the friendliest people and forging lifelong friendships.
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PICTURE: Supplied
