Solo Female Overlanding in Africa: Discovering Connection in the Wild

The call of Africa is strong, and reverberates deep within the soul. However, for the solo female traveller, it can be daunting. The idea of exploring this vast and diverse continent can be both exhilarating and perhaps a little overwhelming. But what if I told you that even when embarking on an epic overland journey, you are never truly alone?

From Heartbreak to Horizon: Gina’s Nomadic Calling

Like any good story, Gina’s path to exploration and choosing the nomadic lifestyle came about because of a significant life lesson we all know too well, a broken heart. While she often navigates the world independently, her experience with an overland tour through Namibia and Botswana offers a powerful insight into the surprising sense of community found on such adventures.

The idea of travelling on an overland truck across rocky terrain may evoke feelings of loneliness. You might share the same initial concerns that many travellers have — from bugs to the state of the restrooms. These are valid considerations for anyone venturing into the unknown. But as Gina’s experience reveals, one of the most powerful aspects of a guided overland tour is the instant sense of belonging — from the moment you set off, you become part of a tribe.

“Overlanding is not something I had done a lot of, just purely because of budgeting time when I’m traveling, but because I had a solid two-week chunk of time that sounded like a really great way,” Gina explains, particularly in a place like Namibia where driving through the “weird, crazy, beautiful landscape” offers a unique experience. The shared journey itself becomes a bonding experience, even though it’s not your usual leisurely vacation—it involves long days in the truck and early mornings.

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Built-in Camaraderie: The Structure of Overland Tours

Imagine waking up at 4:30 AM with a bunch of other adventurers who are all excited about going on a safari drive. Sharing the thrill of spotting a giraffe around a bend. Experiencing the wonder of a desert mirage together. These moments, big and small, weave a tapestry of shared memories, connecting individuals from different backgrounds through a common experience.

In order to embrace the liberty of a nomadic lifestyle, Gina sold her belongings and made the first lifestyle change on her own. She nevertheless finds connection through her social media despite travelling alone. “I enjoy telling people what I’m doing because it makes me feel a little less alone because I share what I’m doing and then people comment and we start talking.” An overland tour is a perfect fit for this innate human need for connection. Even though you may be a female traveller setting out on this adventure alone, you are immediately surrounded by a supportive group of people who are sharing your journey.

Moreover, the structure of an overland tour often fosters interaction. You share meals, participate in activities, and support each other through the challenges that come with exploring new and sometimes demanding environments. As Gina’s positive experience with Kiboko Adventures coupled with the guidance from her African Overland Tours consultant, Celia, demonstrates choosing a tour operator that aligns with your travel style, perhaps prioritizing a slower pace and downtime, can further enhance this sense of community and personal well-being.

“Do It Scared”: Discovering Connection in the African Wilderness

The misconception that solo female travel, especially in a region like Africa, equates to constant vulnerability is also addressed by Gina’s broader philosophy: “people are mostly good”. She recounts numerous instances where kindness and helpfulness from locals proved this to be true, even during a significant personal health crisis in Mexico. This underlying belief in the goodness of people extends to fellow travellers on an overland tour, who are united by a shared spirit of adventure and discovery.

Therefore, think about taking an overland tour if the lure of Africa appeals to you but the thought of being totally alone seems intimidating. It’s an opportunity to see amazing scenery, get up close and personal with amazing wildlife, and experience different cultures. Even though you may have set out on this adventure alone, the companionship and shared experiences of an overland adventure guarantee that you are never really alone in the African wilderness. Sometimes you just have to “do it scared,” as Gina wisely suggests, echoing the sentiment of motivational sayings. You might be surprised by the relationships you make along the way.

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Key Lessons from Four Years of Digital Nomadism by Gina

Four years of working remotely and full-time traveling have taught Gina crucial lessons about herself and the world:

• People Are Mostly Good: Despite media warnings, Gina found that strangers are overwhelmingly kind, helpful, and that people are not as different as we are often convinced.
• Balance Prevents Burnout: As a “bucket list traveler,” Gina had to learn to slow down. She realized trying to do everything at once leads to burnout, stressing that it’s okay to have down days and leave items on the wish list—it’s just an excuse to return.
• Flexibility is Freedom: A self-proclaimed planner, Gina has learned the immense value of flexibility. She now intentionally books only the first couple of weeks in a new location, leaving room to pivot based on new friends’ suggestions and spontaneous discovery.
• Pack Less (Seriously!): She confirmed the cliché: you truly don’t need as much “stuff” as you think you do.

Mastering the Remote Career

Gina successfully transitioned her corporate role at a software company into a remote-first job. Her tips for aspiring digital nomads looking to pitch a remote work arrangement:

1. Be Indispensable: Be excellent at your job and provide high value; they’ll want to keep you happy.
2. Pitch Smart: Don’t go from zero to 100 instantly. Gina first pitched Latin America for its time-zone alignment with the US to minimize perceived impact on her team and clients.
3. Address Concerns Upfront: Work backward from all the potential challenges (tax, IT security, time zones) and present a comprehensive proposal that mitigates every concern.
4. Start Small: If full-time nomadism is a shock, ask for a “workation” (one week every quarter working from a different location) to prove the model works for both you and the company.

Budgeting for the Long Haul

Gina emphasizes that a strong financial ecosystem is key to long-term success. Her top financial tips for travelers:

• Build Savings: Aim to use the experience to build savings, not deplete them, by avoiding overly expensive or luxury accommodations.
• Budget for Pre-Booking: Be prepared for months when expenses spike due to pre-booking flights, accommodations, or excursions.
• Prioritize Function over Aesthetics: Choose accommodation that has what you need (a good workspace, a washing machine) over what’s simply “cute” and aesthetic.
• Use the Right Tools: Use international bank/ATM cards that reimburse ATM fees, and get local SIM or eSIM cards instead of paying expensive daily international roaming rates from home carriers.

The Most Memorable Experience

While her recent gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and Rwanda was an absolute highlight, Gina’s most memorable—and humbling—experience was undergoing emergency spinal surgery alone in Mexico City in 2021. This event truly reinforced her belief that when the biggest “what-if” happens, you will figure it out, and people (complete strangers) are mostly good. It proved that fear should never be an excuse; you just have to “do it scared.”