Lovely mosques, rolling sand dunes, lush inexperienced forests, unique animals — the listing goes on in Africa! With greater than 50 nations, the continent is overflowing with variety that may make it troublesome to resolve the place to go and what to see. Plus, if you happen to’re a solo traveler like me, getting ready to go to Africa for the primary time can appear daunting as a result of there are such a lot of totally different opinions and proposals. who am I kidding It was VERY scary!
Some stated it was too harmful for ladies to go alone, others stated it wasn’t an issue in any respect, and much more have been hesitant about what was protected relying on the actions. Truthfully, my thoughts was racing and I had no thought what to assume. I am a seasoned traveler and I do know that recommendation is commonly over-cautious, however since I had nothing concrete to do, what may I do?
As a primary cease, North Africa appeared like a very good place to start out because it already boasts a stable vacationer infrastructure as a typical European tour vacation spot. I used to be nonetheless anxious as a result of Egypt was my first nation in an entire new continent and I had by no means been to a Muslim majority nation earlier than. Too many unknowns to really feel utterly comfy, and since I had nothing however the web and the information (admittedly very simply skewed frames of reference), I jumped on a small group tour.
Which one did I select? Wonders of Egypt and the Nile 12 day journey and I can safely say that I’m very completely satisfied that I trusted my intestine and booked an organized expertise. Here is why:
Educate your self about scams
A number of days earlier than the tour, I arrived in Cairo alone so I walked across the metropolis to discover it. No surprises right here: I have been duped. Fortunately, I did not get damage or lose some huge cash, however I want it had by no means occurred. After I joined my tour, our Chief Expertise Officer (CEO) gave us an summary of all of the totally different scams we might discover at every location. With out fail, each individual in our group was approached by scammers at totally different occasions, however all of us knew higher.
Really feel protected in small numbers
As a solo traveler, I do not need to journey with a horde of different individuals. However in a small group with a neighborhood information, it was greater than sufficient to deflect undesirable consideration. Many native males will stare at you in case you are alone. Sure, stuffed with appears to be like. Even when it is you and one other girl on the tour, they stare like a deer caught in headlights. There’ll usually be banter, however while you’re with a bunch, that goes away. Effectively, a minimum of kitties work. Do not get me unsuitable, this isn’t meant to scare you. Now that I’ve visited as soon as, it will not be an issue for me to go to it alone and not using a tour. However experiencing this sort of consideration was overwhelming at first, so I am grateful that I had a consolation group.
Study from native Egyptologists
After all, one of many foremost causes to go to Egypt is the sheer quantity of historical historical past. I can’t overstate how extremely educated our CEO was about every website. Even after the tour, I want I may hearken to it endlessly. He alone made becoming a member of a small group worthwhile, and the remainder was only a completely satisfied bonus. The issues he knew weren’t on the indicators and hieroglyphs we noticed at each attraction. Okay, okay, possibly they have been in hieroglyphs, however I positively did not have the interpretation abilities to verify.
Go away navigation to an knowledgeable
Final however not least, it was an enormous aid to have our complete transportation organized by somebody within the know. I attempted to take Uber a couple of occasions and it was positively extra irritating than it ought to have been. The drivers have been uncommunicative and generally I might wait an hour to be picked up. Taxis are equally difficult as it’s important to negotiate the worth earlier than getting inside and the haggling will get tiresome each time. Much more so once they attempt to persuade you to go someplace you do not need to go. With a neighborhood director and transportation deliberate, I simply sat again and loved the view.
All in all, do not be discouraged in case you are a solo traveler who desires to expertise all of the wonders of Africa. Touring solo would not at all times imply touring utterly alone. From Egypt, I collected 4 extra African nations.
There will probably be bumps within the highway, however there are many methods to easy out the primary expertise so you’ll be able to construct confidence. The tour helped me to seek out my far more simply in a brand new tradition and setting with out the extra stress that comes with all of it. Take dangers and step outdoors your consolation zone, however do not let it get to the purpose the place you are not having enjoyable anymore.
Prime 5 issues I skilled:
– Sundown on the Nile
– The colourful tomb of Ramses V and VI
– Cute stray puppies enjoying collectively having fun with life
– Actual mummies within the Nationwide Museum of Egyptian Civilization
– Camels cool off subsequent to the pyramids in Giza
Prime 5 experiences for my subsequent journey:
– Discover the Nice Egyptian Museum
– In a single day in a Nubian village
– Swim within the Crimson Sea
– Staying in a number of cities on the Mediterranean
– Verify the Suez Canal
Getting there
Are you able to fly solo and benefit from the historical historical past of Egypt as a part of a small group? Listed below are just some of our high ideas:
Wonders of Egypt and the Nile
Sights of Egypt
The very best of Egypt