Small-Group Women-Only Safaris in Africa
A women-only safari is a small-group African journey created exclusively for women. Guests follow a planned itinerary, travel with an experienced host and share the journey with a limited number of other women, many of whom join independently.
Travelling to Africa should not depend on finding someone whose budget, annual leave and appetite for adventure happen to align perfectly with yours.
Girl in the Wilderness creates hosted, women-only safaris for women who are ready to go. Join a thoughtfully planned small-group journey through Africa, travelling with an experienced host and a limited number of women who are there for much the same reason: to see extraordinary places, experience proper wilderness and stop postponing the trip.
Come alone, bring a friend, travel with your sister or finally book the journey everyone else has been promising to take “one day.”
Small, carefully considered groups
Solo Women are Welcome!
Hosted by an Africa-based safari expert
Planned using first-hand destination knowledge
What Is a Women-Only Safari?
A women-only safari is a planned small-group journey through Africa created exclusively for women. Guests follow a set itinerary, travel with an experienced host and share the journey with a limited number of other women. Many participants join independently, while others travel with a friend, sister, mother or daughter.
These are not large coach tours with hurried stops and a name badge slowly peeling off your shirt. Group sizes are kept intentionally small, allowing for a more personal journey, easier group dynamics and better access to guides, wildlife experiences and the places you have travelled so far to see.
The important details—including accommodation, transfers, activities and day-to-day logistics—are arranged before you arrive. You get the companionship of a group without having to organise the group yourself, which is generally where otherwise excellent ideas go to die.
Explore Our Women-Only African Safaris
Our scheduled women-only safaris are designed for women who value good guiding, honest advice and experiences with more substance than a decorative gin station. Each departure has its own character, pace and level of activity, allowing you to choose a journey that genuinely suits the way you want to travel.
Women-Only Kenya Safari November 2027
Kenya brings together exceptional wildlife, vast landscapes and a strong sense of place. This hosted small-group journey is designed for women who want to experience the country beyond a hurried checklist, with time for wildlife, photography, cultural connection and the pleasure of allowing somebody else to manage the logistics.
Dates: November 2027
Duration: 8 nights / 9 days
Group size: Minimum 6 & Maximum 12
Starts in: Nairobi
Ends in: Nairobi
Price: US$ 4,508.00
Availability: Open for bookings
Women-Only Botswana Safari
March 2027
Botswana offers exceptional wildlife, intimate camps and vast wilderness with remarkably few crowds. This hosted small-group safari is designed for women who value excellent guiding, meaningful wildlife encounters and the quiet pleasure of travelling through some of Africa’s wildest places.
Dates: March 2027
Duration: 9 nights/10 Days
Group size: 6 Guests in Shared Accommodation
Starts in: Johannesburg
Ends in: Johannesburg
Price: US$ 9,925.00
Availability: Open for bookings
Women-Only South Africa Safari 2027
South Africa combines outstanding wildlife, varied landscapes and straightforward safari logistics. This hosted small-group journey is ideal for women seeking a comfortable first safari, meaningful adventure and plenty of time to experience the country without being hurried through it.
Dates: April 2027
Duration: 7 nights/8 Days
Group size: 5 Guests in Shared Accommodation
1 Single Spot Available
Starts in: Johannesburg
Ends in: Johannesburg
Price: US$ 3,200.00 per person Sharing
50% Single Supplement
Availability: Open for bookings
Why Do Women Choose a Women-Only Safari?
Women join our safaris for many different reasons. Some have always dreamed of travelling to Africa but do not want to make the journey alone. Others are experienced solo travellers who simply enjoy the dynamic of a small women-only group. Some arrive with a friend or family member, while others are marking a birthday, a retirement, a divorce, a new beginning or the entirely reasonable decision that life is too short to keep waiting.
You can be sociable when you feel like it and retreat with a book when you do not. There are no compulsory trust exercises, matching T-shirts or demands to describe yourself as a goddess before breakfast.
Arrive Alone Without Feeling Like an Afterthought
Many women join without knowing anybody else. You do not need to arrive with a partner, and you will not be treated as the awkward spare person attached to a collection of couples
A Group Small Enough to Feel Personal
Smaller groups make it easier to hear your guide, get to know one another and adapt when circumstances change. They also reduce the logistical performance involved in moving a small civilisation through an airport before breakfast.
Shared Experience Without Forced Friendship
There is time to talk, laugh and share the journey, but nobody is required to participate in compulsory bonding or reveal her deepest emotional wounds before the first gin and tonic. Connection develops naturally.
Things we get asked about Women Only Safaris in Africa
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Can I Join an African Safari as a Solo Woman?
Yes. Women travelling alone are welcome on our small-group departures, and many guests join without knowing anyone else before the safari begins.
Joining independently does not necessarily mean travelling privately or spending the journey alone. You become part of a hosted group from the agreed meeting point and follow the planned itinerary together.
Before departure, you receive practical information about the journey, meeting arrangements, accommodation and what to expect. You will know where to be, who will meet you and what happens next—considerably more useful than being told simply to “look for someone holding a sign.”
What Is It Really Like to Join a Group of Women You Have Never Met?
Joining a group of strangers can feel intimidating. That is entirely normal. Most women wonder whether they will fit in, whether everybody else will already know one another and whether they will be trapped beside someone who provides a live commentary on every meal.
In reality, everyone begins with something in common: they chose Africa, they chose this particular journey and they were willing to come. The first conversations tend to begin naturally—at the airport, over dinner or when somebody spots the first elephant and all remaining social formality leaves the vehicle.
A good group does not require everyone to be the same. Some women are outgoing; others need quiet time. Some want to photograph every bird; others remain unconvinced that there need to be quite so many species of small brown thing. The aim is not to manufacture identical personalities. It is to create a respectful group in which different women can enjoy the same journey.
Read about the Personalities you will encounter on a Women-Only Safari
What Makes a Girl in the Wilderness Safari Different ?
Girl in the Wilderness is based in Africa and led by Antje Mouton, who has been travelling with and leading women through Africa since 2011.
why we stand out
Every journey is approached using first-hand knowledge of safari logistics, wildlife, accommodation and group dynamics. That means looking beyond whether a lodge photographs beautifully and asking more useful questions: Is the route sensible? Is the experience worth the cost? Does the lodge suit this group? Is there enough time to enjoy where we are, or are we simply moving women and luggage around the continent with impressive efficiency?
We do not believe that adding women to a standard itinerary automatically creates a women-only safari. The pace, support, accommodation, activities and group size all matter. So does honest communication about what a journey involves.
We will tell you when a safari is active, when the transfers are long, when the mornings are early and when a famous lodge may not be right for you. You deserve enough information to make a good decision—not a brochure full of adjectives and a small-print ambush later.
Is a Women-Only Small-Group Safari Right for You?
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A women-only small-group safari is ideal if you want to explore Africa with the support of an experienced host and the companionship of other women—without disappearing into a large tour group where everyone is issued a lanyard and expected to move as one organism.
These journeys may be right for you if:
- You want to travel to Africa but do not have the right travel companion.
- You enjoy meeting women with different backgrounds and life experiences.
- You value expert planning and clearly organised logistics.
- You want companionship while still having space to be yourself.
- You are comfortable following a planned itinerary.
- You enjoy wildlife, nature and experiences that occasionally begin before the sun has shown any interest in participating.
- You can approach group travel with flexibility, curiosity and a sense of humour.
You do not need to be particularly outgoing, experienced in group travel or capable of making friends before breakfast. You simply need to be respectful of other women, open to the experience and willing to share the journey.
A Group Journey May Not Suit You If…
A scheduled departure may not be the right fit if you want complete control over every day, prefer to make decisions as you go or need the itinerary to revolve around your individual interests. Group travel requires some flexibility around departure times, activities, meals and how long the group spends at a particular sighting.
It may also feel restrictive if you prefer complete privacy, find prolonged social interaction exhausting or strongly dislike sharing vehicles, meals and communal spaces with other human beings. While there is room for quiet time, you will still be part of a group and your choices will occasionally need to accommodate the women travelling with you.
Specific dietary, medical, mobility or accommodation requirements do not automatically exclude you, but they should be discussed before booking. Some remote camps have limited facilities, fixed activities and very early mornings, while others may involve light aircraft, uneven terrain or climbing into safari vehicles with rather more determination than dignity.
None of this means Africa is not for you. A privately designed solo safari may simply give you the freedom, flexibility and privacy you would enjoy more.
How Safe Are Women-Only Safaris in Africa?
Women-only safaris are generally highly structured, with accommodation, transfers, activities and guides arranged before departure. This removes many of the uncertainties associated with travelling independently through unfamiliar destinations. However, no responsible safari company should claim that any journey is entirely without risk
Girl in the Wilderness considers safety when selecting routes, accommodation, transport providers and activities. Guests receive clear meeting information, practical pre-departure guidance and contact details for the people responsible for their journey.
On safari, wildlife activities are conducted according to the rules and procedures of the relevant reserve, park or operator. Guests must still follow guide instructions, exercise ordinary travel awareness and disclose any medical or mobility considerations that could affect participation.
Our approach is straightforward: give women enough honest information to feel prepared, supported and confident. Reassurance is only useful when it is based on reality.
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Are Women-Only Safaris Always Guided by Women?
No. A women-only safari means the guest group is exclusively female; it does not necessarily mean every guide, tracker, pilot, driver or lodge employee will be a woman.
Girl in the Wilderness journeys are hosted by Antje Mouton where specifically stated. Throughout Africa, we also work with experienced local professionals—both women and men—chosen for their guiding ability, destination knowledge and the quality of the experience they provide.
Each departure page will clearly state who hosts the journey and how the guiding arrangements work. There should be no mysterious transformation between what you believed you booked and who appears beside the vehicle on day one.
Simply put, Antje's extensive network of guides, selects the best local lodge guide for the group. We do not discriminate between Male & Female Guides. Instead Antje chooses the best guide for the location based on experience, personality and special interests.
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Are These Safaris Suitable for Women Over 50 or 60?
Yes. Women in their 50s, 60s and beyond regularly enjoy African safaris. Suitability depends far more on the itinerary, mobility requirements and preferred pace than on age alone.
Some journeys involve flights between camps and wildlife viewing from vehicles. Others may include walking, climbing into 4×4 vehicles, uneven ground or long travel days. Every departure should state these requirements clearly so you can decide whether the journey suits you.
We do not assume that women over 50 need to be placed near a daybed and discouraged from unnecessary movement. Some prefer a relaxed pace; others will happily walk into the mountains while considerably younger travellers complain about the Wi-Fi.
If you are uncertain, speak to Antje before booking. The aim is to find the right safari—not to persuade you into the wrong one.
Will I Have to Share a Room or Pay a Single Supplement?
Room arrangements and single supplements vary between departures because African lodges price accommodation differently.
Some journeys may offer:
- A private room at a single supplement.
- Twin-sharing with another woman.
- Roommate matching where appropriate.
- A limited number of single rooms.
- Reduced or waived supplements on selected departures.
The itinerary will state the available room options and additional costs clearly. If you don't want to pay a single supplement, we can attempt to match you with a roommate.
No woman should discover the true cost of travelling alone only after developing an emotional attachment to the itinerary.
What People Say About us...
I joined the journey alone and felt welcome from the beginning. The group was small, relaxed and wonderfully easy to travel with. I never felt like the spare person or that I had to fit into somebody else’s friendship.
Jenna - Dortmund
Antje’s experience and honesty gave me enormous confidence. She prepared us for the early mornings, long travel days and realities of safari life, while her humour and wildlife knowledge made every day richer.
Hillary - Chicago
I had postponed Africa for years because I could never find someone ready to come with me. Joining a women-only group gave me the confidence to finally book. It was one of the best decisions I have made for myself.
Pam - Florida
Frequently Asked Questions About Women-Only Safaris
Can I join a women-only safari on my own?
Yes. Many guests join independently and meet the rest of the group at the designated starting point. You do not need to bring a friend or travel partner.
How many women are in a small safari group?
Group sizes vary between departures, but they are deliberately limited to preserve a personal experience. The exact minimum and maximum number will be shown on each itinerary page.
Are women-only safaris suitable for first-time visitors to Africa?
Yes. A hosted group safari can be an excellent introduction to Africa because accommodation, transfers and activities are planned in advance. The best departure will depend on your interests, budget and preferred pace.
What age are most women on your safaris?
There is no fixed age range unless a specific departure says otherwise. Women join at different stages of life, and suitability depends more on interests, mobility and attitude than age.
Do I have to share a room?
Not necessarily. Some departures offer private rooms for a supplement, while others offer twin-sharing or roommate matching. Room options are stated on each itinerary.
Are the safaris hosted by a woman?
Girl in the Wilderness departures are hosted by Antje Mouton where specified. Local guides, drivers, trackers and lodge teams may include both women and men.
Are flights included?
It depends on the itinerary. Some journeys include regional or internal flights, while international flights are generally excluded. Every departure contains a detailed inclusion list.
What level of fitness do I need?
Most vehicle-based safaris require only moderate mobility, but some journeys include walking, uneven ground, stairs or climbing into safari vehicles. Physical requirements are explained on the individual departure page.
What happens if the minimum group size is not reached?
The booking terms for each journey will explain the minimum group requirement and what happens if it is not met. Guests should avoid purchasing non-refundable international flights until the departure has been confirmed.
Can I travel with a female friend, sister or daughter?
Yes. Women are welcome to join independently or travel with other women they already know, subject to any minimum-age requirement stated for that departure.
Is travel insurance compulsory?
YES! Comprehensive travel insurance is be for all departures. It should cover medical treatment, evacuation, cancellation, interruption and the activities included in the itinerary.We have partnered with RedPoint Travel Insurance and can advise on the best policies
How far in advance should I book?
Small-group departures have limited places, and single rooms may be particularly scarce. Booking early gives you the best chance of securing your preferred room arrangement and flights.
