African Safari Diaries: Our favourite Solo Safariist shares her experience

In this week’s African Safari Diaries we have a special piece by our favourite Safari client, Margaret Lamont, who is lovingly known as Samburu Mags by her friends in Samburu. She has shared her experience and tips on going on a solo safari, and we hope it inspires you if you have been debating taking the plunge on solo travel!

I AM A SOLO SAFARIIST!

Firstly I would like to say that I am not, sadly, employed by Somak Holidays. I am just one of their many regular clients. I got the taste for Africa and safaris in 2000 when my husband and I and our two good friends first visited Kenya. We had a wonderful holiday, staying at several lodges and terminating our holiday with a week in Mombasa on the beach. After that holiday I travelled with my husband on at least two further Somak holidays to Kenya until my husband became quite unwell and could not envisage further long trips.

Once bitten by Africa I yearned to return and in 2010 I took the plunge. Why not go it alone?  I had never felt intimidated by the journey so why not. We had moved in 2007 to live in France, so I booked a “Tailor-made” safari with Somak, flying from Toulouse to Heathrow, and stayed at an airport hotel one night and flew onwards with Kenya Airways to Nairobi the next day.  I was met at the airport by my Somak rep who took me to my hotel and put me on a plane the following day to Ol Pejeta for a stay at the beautiful Sweetwaters. I travelled on from there to Samburu and on to the Masai Mara.  Believe me when I say it is as simple as getting the bus from A to B!

Photo credit: Margaret Lamont

Going solo is a great experience. I can feel initially a little shy but once in situ I am happy to either join in, if asked, or simply enjoy my surroundings. I have never felt out of place or threatened in any way. I have shared safari vehicles with much younger people, some of whom have seen me approaching the vehicle and have obviously thought “Oh damn we have an old biddy coming with us” but as soon as I introduce myself and share my experiences with them we end up the best of friends and many are amazed “you are so brave to do it on your own!” 

One of the bonuses of  being on my own, however, is that on several occasions I have had a vehicle all to myself which is great because I can tell the driver/guide that my passion is the big cats and if we find them we can spend a couple of hours with them rather than driving around as shared vehicles often do.

I have had wonderful “Jambos” on my last evenings in lodges, where the lodge staff all sing and parade from the kitchen after dinner to say goodbye. It can be quite moving and it’s all for the old biddy on her own, who loves Africa and all it has to offer.

Photo credit: Margaret Lamont

So yes, if you have ever considered it DO IT, you will never regret it. I just hope I can do it again even with arthritis and old age slowing me down and talking of restricted movement such as difficulty in  walking etc just ask for assistance at the airport (it’s free) and ask Somak Holidays to arrange accommodation near to the bar/reception/restaurant and you can be assured they will do all in their power to deliver.

If anyone wants more information from the mouth of the old biddy you are welcome to email me at

ma*************@gm***.com











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