Slower Journeys for Solo Travellers

The reasons for travelling alone vary from person to person, but the desire for something slower, more personal and intentional is driving the solo travel trend. Whether at Masiya’s Camp, Farmstead and Birkenhead House (or any of our other properties), the chance to lose yourself – and find yourself – is all part of showing up.

Whether it’s solo female travel, wellness getaways, a “me-only” trip after a family holiday, or simply the need for soulful moments in nature, demand for independent travel is on the rise. Our properties across South Africa suit independent travellers who enjoy the freedom of travelling alone.

Letting it Flow

Over the past five years, Google searches by UK audiences for “places to solo travel” are up by 160 percent, with interest in “solo female travel” increasing by 40 percent, according to an article in Condé Nast Traveller. Along the same lines, global travel search engine Skyscanner reported an 83% year on year increase in the use of their “solo” search filter, reflecting a significant shift in global travel behaviour.

Solo travellers are also spending more time in chosen destinations (gone are the days of “it’s Tuesday so it must be Paris” type travel). As Forbes reports, trips are a bit longer, more deliberate, and with a lot “more time on the ground”.

Nature, Wellness & Connection

Connecting with nature and wellness are key touchpoints for solo travellers seeking adventure. According to UK-based Hotel Fitness & Wellbeing Agency Oyogo, experience-led wellness travel is no longer a nice-to-have – and finding both in a single destination is increasingly what solo travellers are looking for.
Birkenhead House delivers just that: fresh sea air, delicious healthy meals and a range of wellness experiences whether it’s a private yoga sessions overlooking the Atlantic Ocean or boating/kayaking excursions to Dyer Island to see the marine life. The town is very walkable with the Hermanus Cliff Path being a highlight – it’s a 12 kilometre coastal trail with incredible views and a great spot for land-based whale watching. While the town of Hermanus is growing it still has a village-y feel with art galleries, studios, markets and pubs where visitors can merge with local life.

Erika Hobart is an international photographer who has visited South Africa a number of times (and taken exquisite pics of most of our properties).

She says “One of the things I love most is the sense of rhythm to daily life. Simple moments like getting a great cup of coffee, lingering over a meal, or striking up a conversation with someone new. People are incredibly warm and open, and there’s a real pride in the country’s culture and natural beauty (and incredible food). That warmth and pride make it an especially welcoming place to travel alone.”

Freedom, Structure and Adventure

No stranger to The Royal Portfolio properties, freelance writer Jane Broughton stayed at Masiya’s Camp in The Greater Kruger National Park, with just six suites, each with a private wooden deck and heated plunge pool, it’s perfect for the solo traveller seeking freedom and the opportunity to take it all in.

Jane says, “Between game drives, there’s no rigid schedule pressing you to be somewhere at a certain time. Everything is flexible, depending on what you want to do and when. The beautiful tented suite deserves to be enjoyed to the max.”

There are also a number of activities to enjoy that offer the opportunity for connection with others, or just spending time alone in the calm of an incredible wilderness setting.

For Jane, going on safari might be the perfect solo trip she says, giving enough structure but also allowing that feel of a proper adventure.

“In a camp environment, you’re never truly alone, but you’re never obligated either. It’s that rare sweet spot. And no clockwatching – somebody else is doing that. The luxury of being completely taken care of – meals, laundry, a bath drawn quietly before you return to camp – is, for a perpetually busy woman travelling alone, nothing short of a gift,” she says.

Another popular choice among solo travellers visiting Royal Malewane is Farmstead – a beautifully restored homestead with just three suites – it’s farm life on safari with loads of space and complete seclusion. As with Masiya’s, there’s also the opportunity to spend time on a game drive or enjoying a bush dinner with other guests – or taking part in exciting excursions bringing you closer to nature and our work in conservation.

A World of Choice

After visiting the bush and beach, there might be a yearning for the buzz of city life or the slower pace of the Cape winelands.

In terms of prime location, The Silo Hotel, perched above the Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary African Art) is inspired by all things African and offers easy access to the V&A Waterfront and The Mother City. With restaurants, shopping, beaches, attractions – it’s all there waiting to happen. Our award-winning concierge team will only be too happy to point you in the right direction.

For a slower space, another great spot is Franschhoek in the Western Cape winelands, the elegant art-filled suites at La Residence are spacious and comfortable, with views of the mountains and vineyards. With over 30 acres of private estate to roam, it’s a good base from which to explore the village of Franschhoek – the boutiques, wineries and restaurants, as well as the wellness offerings, and the spectacular Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve.

Did anyone say road trip?

South Africa offers a vast and varied experience for evert traveller, like Jane and Erika, writer and editor Heather Richardson continues to travel solo through South Africa, and has spent some time road tripping through the country.

She says, “The benefits of solo travelling in South Africa are the same as anywhere: freedom, spontaneity, time to yourself. Living in a city, I often crave quietness, and spending a couple of nights in a rural guesthouse affords an opportunity to reset, with no pressure to do anything and valuable time to just let the mind wander. I also love an overpriced room service dinner in my hotel dressing gown – perfect at the end of a work trip where I’ve had to be ‘on’ for a few days.