One of the things I love about solo travel is the freedom. But if I’m honest, Africa can sometimes be a lonely place to travel on your own.

You’ll often meet people in hostels or on the road, but you can’t always guarantee you’ll find people heading in the same direction, or someone to share every safari, sunset or long bus journey with.

I’ve done a few solo safaris myself. Sometimes I’ve joined a great group of travellers, other times I’ve ended up exploring alone. I genuinely enjoy solo travel, but as quite a social person, I usually prefer having other people around to share the experience with. Plus, splitting the cost of things like safaris often makes them much more affordable.

I’m fairly outgoing and don’t usually mind striking up conversations with strangers, but I know that isn’t the case for everyone. If you’re naturally a bit shy, travelling alone can sometimes feel intimidating.

Joining a small group tour means you’ve got your own little travel family from day one. There’s always someone to share the excitement of spotting your first elephant, someone to laugh with when things don’t quite go to plan, and someone who’s got your back throughout the journey.

Sometimes, sharing those moments is what makes them unforgettable.

One of my favourite things about running tours isn’t actually the destinations.

It’s the people.

When you join a group tour, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people who are just as passionate about travel as you are. And if you don’t already have people like that in your life, it’s such a breath of fresh air. Finally… someone who gets it (and gets me)!

I’ve watched complete strangers arrive at the airport feeling nervous, only to leave two weeks later already planning their next adventure together.

Some of my closest friends today are people I originally met on group tours, and I’ve seen the same thing happen time and time again on Rock My Adventure trips.

Guests who’ve met on tour have gone on to travel together again (with me, with Rock My Adventure and without me), celebrated birthdays, been to each other’s weddings and supported one another through some pretty big life moments.

There’s something about travelling together that creates friendships incredibly quickly. Whether it’s spotting your first gorilla, peeing behind the same bush in the middle of nowhere, laughing over a travel mishap or watching the sunset after an unforgettable day on safari.

Whatever it is, shared adventures have a way of turning strangers into lifelong friends.

For me, that’s one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

I absolutely LOVE planning trips.

Researching the best routes, finding unique accommodation, discovering hidden places, tweaking itineraries year after year… I genuinely enjoy all of it.

Which means you don’t have to.

You don’t need to spend weeks comparing safari companies, wondering whether you’ve chosen the right national park, figuring out transport schedules or worrying whether you’ve booked the best lodge.

I’ve already done that.

All you need to do is book your flights, pack your bag and turn up ready for adventure.

For many people, Africa is a dream destination.

It’s also one they’re slightly nervous about.

Questions about visas, vaccinations, safety, money, border crossings, travel insurance, packing… there’s a lot to think about, especially if it’s your first time visiting Africa.

That’s where joining a small group tour can make all the difference.

Long before you board the plane, I’ll help you prepare with detailed pre-departure information, packing advice, practical tips and plenty of opportunities to ask questions. Whether you’re wondering which malaria tablets to take, how much cash to bring or whether you really need hiking boots, I’m only ever an email or message away.

Then, once the adventure begins, you can relax knowing there’s always someone there if anything unexpected happens.

I like to think of it as having someone in your corner from the moment you book until long after you arrive home.

Some of my favourite moments in Africa haven’t happened at famous landmarks.

They’ve happened sitting around a campfire with local friends. Visiting tiny villages that don’t appear in guidebooks. Swimming beneath hidden waterfalls. Spending the afternoon with community projects we’ve supported for years. Camping beneath some of the darkest skies I’ve ever seen.

After travelling in Africa for nearly two decades and running tours there for over ten years, I’ve been lucky enough to build genuine friendships with people across the continent.

People like Josh in Uganda, who welcomes our groups to his home and introduces us to his beautiful family. Local guides who have become close friends. Lodge owners who greet returning guests with hugs. Community leaders who open their doors because we’ve built relationships over many years.

Those personal connections often lead to the most memorable experiences of the whole trip.

Travelling as part of a small group also makes many of these experiences much easier – and sometimes only possible – to arrange. Whether it’s accessing remote places, organising private activities or sharing the cost of logistics, some adventures simply aren’t practical for one person travelling independently.

People are often surprised to learn that travelling as part of a small group can actually work out to be excellent value.

Sharing the cost of safaris, private vehicles, guides, boats and transfers often makes experiences much more affordable than arranging them on your own.

For example, on one of my Sierra Leone tours we visited the remote Turtle Islands. The logistics of getting there independently are expensive and complicated, but sharing transport and boats across the group made the trip much more accessible.

Of course, when you join a tour you’re also paying for something that’s much harder to put a price on: experience.

After nearly two decades of travelling in Africa and more than ten years running tours, I’ve spent countless hours researching routes, testing accommodation, building relationships with trusted local operators and learning what genuinely offers good value – and what doesn’t.

Could you organise some parts of the trip yourself? Absolutely.

You could book many of the same lodges and national parks, hire a safari vehicle and piece together a similar itinerary.

But what makes our tours special isn’t just where we go – it’s the people we meet along the way – both the other travellers and our local guides, friends and fixers.

Over the years, we’ve built genuine connections across Africa. They’re the reason we’re welcomed into Josh’s family home in Uganda, why local guides proudly introduce us to their families and favourite cafés, and why lodge owners greet our guests like old friends.

Those moments don’t happen because we’ve paid for them. They happen because of relationships that have been built over many years.

To me, that’s where the real value lies. It’s not just about seeing Africa – it’s about experiencing it through the people who call it home.

Because the best value isn’t always about spending the least money. It’s about spending your money wisely.

Most of us only get a couple of weeks off work each year, so you want to make the most of every day.

When you’re travelling independently, a surprising amount of time can disappear working out transport, comparing safari companies, finding somewhere to stay or simply figuring out where you’re supposed to be next.

With a small group tour, all of that has already been taken care of.

Instead of wandering around Arusha trying to find a group safari to join – only to discover the next available departure isn’t for another three days – you can head straight into the Serengeti.

Instead of spending hours navigating bus stations, negotiating with taxi drivers or researching the best route to your next destination, you’re already on your way to the next adventure.

That doesn’t just save time – it saves mental energy too.

Rather than constantly thinking about the logistics, you can focus on what you came to Africa for: the wildlife, the landscapes, the people and the incredible experiences.

After all, you only get one chance to experience your first safari, your first gorilla trek or your first African sunset.

I love independent travel, but I’d much rather spend those moments making memories than worrying about bus timetables.

If you’ve never travelled before, Africa can seem like a pretty daunting place. In fact, I know plenty of seasoned travellers and even other travel bloggers who’ve admitted they’re nervous about travelling in Africa alone – or even visiting at all.

Travelling on a small group tour is a fantastic introduction to the continent and can give you the confidence to do so much more in the future.

That was certainly the case for me. On my very first trip to Africa, I joined a group tour and it gave me the confidence to keep exploring. It laid the foundations for my blog, a lifetime of adventures and, ultimately, Rock My Adventure.

I’ve seen the same thing happen with so many of my guests. People arrive feeling nervous because they’ve never travelled solo before, or they’re worried they won’t be able to cope in Africa.

By the end of the trip they’re confidently crossing borders, chatting with locals, trying new foods, spotting wildlife before everyone else and already planning their next adventure.

Sometimes all you need is one great trip to realise you’re far more capable than you ever imagined.

One of the questions I’m asked most is, “How much does it cost to travel in Africa?”

The honest answer is… it depends.

You could stay on a basic campsite for $10 a night or spend over $2,000 per person (per night) on a luxury safari lodge. There are so many different ways to experience Africa that budgeting can feel overwhelming.

One of the great things about joining a group tour is that you know most of your major costs before you even leave home.

Accommodation, transport, safaris and many activities are already included, so it’s much easier to plan and save for your trip. You’ll usually only need extra spending money for things like some meals, optional activities, drinks and souvenirs.

I don’t know about you, but I always find travelling much more enjoyable when I’m not constantly worrying about my budget.​

Yes, you’ll experience incredible bucket-list moments.

But it’s often the unexpected ones that become the stories you’ll tell forever. The travel mishaps. The ridiculous inside jokes. The random dance parties. The moments you could never have planned.

Shared adventures create shared memories, and those memories create incredible bonds.

That’s why so many of our guests come back. Some have now travelled together across multiple countries. Others simply return because they know they’ll be surrounded by kind, adventurous people who just “get” them.

That’s what Rock My Adventure has always been about.

Not just seeing amazing places.

But finding your travel family along the way.

Our tours probably are if you:

• Love wildlife, landscapes and authentic local experiences.
• Enjoy meeting friendly, like-minded people.
• Want the freedom of adventure without the stress of planning every detail.
• Prefer small groups over large coach tours.
• Like being active, curious and open to new experiences.
• Want to come home with stories you’ll still be telling years later.

If that sounds like you, I’d love to have you join us on one of our African adventures.

Who knows?

The people you meet on your next trip might just become your friends for life.

If you’d like to join our Rock My Adventure travel family, you can find all our group trips here.