Solo Africa Travel, Wildlife & Why I Keep Coming Back

I’ve been lucky enough to travel across Africa many times, and it still feels impossible to fully explain why I keep going back. Part of it began with the wildlife, of course — like so many people, I was first drawn in by the documentaries, the animals, and the idea of seeing those landscapes for myself. But once I started travelling there, I realised it was never just about the animals. It was about how Africa makes me feel.

There’s something about being there that makes me feel more alive, more grounded, and more connected to myself. The pace is different. The energy is different. And the way people connect with one another feels deeply human in a way I don’t always find elsewhere. Every time I return, I remember why I fell in love with it in the first place.

Why I Keep Returning

Africa has a way of staying with you. People always say you leave a piece of your heart there, and for me that has absolutely been true. It isn’t just the beauty of the places, though there is plenty of that. It’s the feeling of vastness, of space, of being part of something bigger than yourself.

I’ve often felt that when I’m standing in a national park, or looking out over a landscape that seems to go on forever, I’m reminded how small I am in the best possible way. It’s humbling, but also comforting. Africa has a way of putting things into perspective, and I think that’s one of the reasons I find myself drawn back again and again.

The Wildlife Moments You Never Forget

Of course, the wildlife is still a huge part of the magic. Some of the most extraordinary moments I’ve had in Africa have been completely unexpected — and those are often the ones I treasure most.

One of the best sightings I’ve ever had was in the Serengeti, where lions were in the foreground and elephants appeared in the background. It turned into an incredible standoff, and eventually the elephants chased the lions away. We were in the truck, and the lions came so close that they were almost beneath the window. It was one of those moments that feels unreal even as it’s happening.

Then there are the quieter but equally unforgettable encounters. In Botswana, I once spent ages looking for a leopard and saw nothing at all — until we were literally pulling out of camp and there was a male leopard sitting in a tree right outside. I dropped my camera, and for a moment I simply watched. And honestly, that was the right choice. Not every moment needs to be captured to be remembered.

Travelling With Respect

The more time I spend in Africa, the more aware I become of the importance of travelling responsibly. It’s become much more accessible over the years, which is wonderful in many ways, but it also means we all need to be more mindful of the impact we have.

For me, ethical travel begins with respect. Respect for the land, for the wildlife, for local people, and for the experience itself. That means travelling light where possible, avoiding plastic, buying locally, staying in locally run places when you can, and trying not to behave like a demanding tourist everywhere you go.

We are guests. That simple idea matters to me a great deal. If I wouldn’t want someone behaving a certain way in my own home, then I should not behave that way in theirs. Travel should never be about taking without giving anything back.

What I’d Tell A First-Time Traveller

If someone is thinking about travelling to Africa for the first time, I’d tell them to go with an open mind and realistic expectations. It is not a two-week break in the sun. It is an adventure. It can be tiring. It can be dusty. It can be uncomfortable. And it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

Overlanding in particular is a journey that asks something of you. You may be up early, on the road for long stretches, pitching a tent, and living a little outside your normal comfort zone. But that is also part of the charm. You are more present. You notice more. You become part of the rhythm of the place.

I’d also say: do your research. Learn about the places you’re going before you get there. Read about them. Watch a documentary. Ask questions. The more you know, the more meaningful the experience becomes. Africa is not a place to rush through with your camera out the whole time. It’s a place to immerse yourself in.

Camping, Comfort, and the Season

I’ve done both camping and accommodated trips, and I genuinely think each has its place. Camping can bring you incredibly close to nature in a way that a room simply can’t. You hear everything. You feel everything. Sometimes that means a little discomfort, and sometimes it means a truly unforgettable experience — like hearing a leopard right outside the tent at night, or having an elephant wander through camp.

But I’m also very realistic about the downsides. Camping in the wrong season can be miserable, and people often underestimate how cold it can get at night, even in places they assume will be warm. Accommodation has its own advantages: a proper bed, a shower, a chance to recharge, and the comfort of knowing you don’t have to put a tent up after a long day.

So for me, it depends on the trip, the weather, and the kind of experience you want. There isn’t one right answer. There’s just the experience that suits you best.

The Routes I Love Most

There are a few routes that stand out for me. Cape Town to Victoria Falls is one of the classics for a reason. It gives you such a strong introduction to southern Africa, from South Africa through Namibia and Botswana, and then on to Victoria Falls. It’s a route with real variety, and I love that.

I’ve also done East Africa, starting in Nairobi and travelling through places like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Zanzibar, Lake Malawi, and Zambia. It’s a completely different experience, with its own rhythm and highlights. And then there’s western South Africa, which surprised me in the best way. It was so isolated, so peaceful, and so unlike the busier routes that many people know better.

Botswana remains my favourite, though. If I had to choose one place to return to again and again, it would probably be there. The Okavango Delta, in particular, is extraordinary.

Why Guides Matter So Much

One of the things people don’t always realise is how important guides are to the whole experience. A good guide changes everything. They don’t just keep the trip moving — they interpret the landscape, explain what you’re seeing, tell stories, and help you understand the place in a deeper way.

I’ve met guides who were quiet, guides who were brilliant storytellers, and guides who became friends over time. The best ones are not just knowledgeable. They’re present. They care. They work incredibly hard to make sure everyone on the trip gets the best possible experience.

And honestly, they deserve a huge amount of respect. They are carrying a lot, often for a lot of people at once, and they do it in very demanding conditions. A good guide is worth their weight in gold.

Why Africa Keeps Teaching Me

What I love most about Africa is that it keeps surprising me. Just when I think I’ve seen something extraordinary, something else happens that is even more remarkable. It’s a place that rewards patience, openness, and curiosity. It asks you to pay attention.

That is probably why I keep going back. Not just for the wildlife, not just for the landscapes, and not just for the adventure, but for the feeling that I’m part of something real and alive. Africa reminds me to slow down, look properly, and appreciate what’s in front of me.

And every time I leave, I already know I’ll return.

Summerised from a great interview with the amazing traveller Sinead Rocks and Mishka Ramdas.