Picture this: a woman, staring out of a dusty overland truck, and gazing out over Etosha National Park’s sun-scorched plains in Namibia. Her head torch dangles from her pack, and a deck of cards sits tucked in her pocket for those inevitable campfire nights. It’s a scene that's easy to conjure up—countless female travellers fuelling their wanderlust on these raw, soul-stirring adventures.

When you look back and remember how it felt to be out there in the wilds with just the essentials, you realise travel’s power to reshape how you see the world—and yourself. It strips things down to what really matters—courage, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. And yet, for so long, solo female travel has been framed as something risky or out of reach.

That’s why, on International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2019, Acacia Africa launched the #WomenGoSolo initiative—to challenge those outdated narratives and celebrate the women redefining what it means to explore alone. Less of a gimmick, but more a quiet revolution, it was about the fairer sex seizing the chance to celebrate travel on their terms, a push to rethink how and why we should travel solo.

The Courage to Go It Alone

“Thousands of women go travelling every day and come back having achieved their dreams and enriched their lives. Sending the message to women that it’s too dangerous to travel limits their horizons and prospects…I urge you to travel with empowerment and stay curious and strong.” Victoria Philpott, Editor of Vicky Flip Flop

Back then, solo female travel was already trending—think Instagram feeds full of desert sunsets and jungle treks—but it came with baggage: the “Am I safe?” question, the planning overwhelms, the occasional loneliness. Our aim was to change that picture and write a new story.

The word spread; 23 of us, bloggers, writers, journalists and travel industry players—women who’d already conquered the solo road—teamed up to share our stories. We took to Twitter (pre-X days), dropping wisdom that ricocheted across feeds, proving women weren’t just dreaming of adventure—they were living it.

Our conversation resonated with women who crave stepping into the unknown – the global collaboration bringing stories, tips, and unfiltered love for solo travel to the virtual table. Deirdre Mullins, award-winning broadcast, print and online travel writer, sums up the reason to take the road alone perfectly: “Solo travel is one of the greatest gifts I’ve given myself. It’s strengthened my intuition; I’ve made friends… connected locally at a deep level… Pack a sense of curiosity and openness, and soon you won’t want to roll any other way.”

Travel Doesn’t Always Have to Be a Lone Wolf Gig—Sometimes It’s About Finding Your Pack

Of course, not everyone is ready to jump headfirst into the world of solo travel, and #WomenGoSolo wasn't only focused on turning women into lone rangers—it was about choice.

In a recent 2024 survey, 90% of respondents who identified as independent travellers (83% of whom were female) indicated that they prefer to join tours some or all of the time. Acacia’s data backs this up: 42% of their small group adventurers were solo women by 2019, a number that’s only climbed since. Why? Because adventure travel offers a cocktail of safety, camaraderie, and that delicious edge of pushing your limits.

An alternative stepping stone—small groups where women are able to test their limits without wrestling with logistics or safety concerns alone but with a crew in tow. It’s the ideal mix: independence combined with meaningful encounters.

For example, a trip threading through Kenya and Tanzania—13 days from the Masai Mara’s migration madness to Ngorongoro’s wildlife-packed caldera, winding down on Zanzibar’s spice-scented shores. It’s the kind of journey solo women enjoy: a tight group, bunking in lodges or tented camps that feel less like hostels and more like home. You’re not wrestling maps or haggling taxis—just soaking up the plains with a few others along for the ride.

What’s Next for Women's Travel

“Some people, when they’re broken, dig into a huge tub of Häagen-Dazs. Others, when they’re feeling sad, go shopping…Me? Whenever I feel tired, stale or simply need a little better balance and perspective in my life, I turn to travel. Knowing that I can just leave and go exploring gives me a wonderful sense of freedom.” Kaye Holland, Travel Journalist & Presenter

The mood’s shifted since 2019. Post-pandemic, women aren’t just travelling—they’re chasing something deeper. Social media’s part of it, sure, with influencers proving you don’t need a partner to tackle a safari.

#WomenGoSolo was just one of many seeds planted along the way. Now, solo travel is thriving, as is the solo/small group adventure craze. It’s about agency: go alone, roll with a crew, or weave between. The mood’s changing too—with women swapping city escapes for savannah nights and spa breaks for something rougher. Within that space, Africa’s voice is loud, but it’s the women answering who’ll steer the path and determine how travel will evolve.

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Siobhán is usually found sharing other travellers' stories and diving into travel trends. Drawn especially to the rich rhythms and wild beauty of Africa—she echoes Karen Blixen’s words: “I think it will be truly glorious when women become real people and have the whole world open to them."

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