For many solo travellers, an East Africa safari is the ultimate bucket list adventure. Whether you’re researching the best solo travel destinations in Africa or looking for a safe, fully hosted small group tour, Kenya and Tanzania consistently rise to the top — and for very good reason.
But there’s far more to an East African safari than most people realise before they go. Let us introduce you to three lists that will completely change the way you experience the African bush.
The Big Five: The Icons That Started It All
When people dream of Kenya, the conversation almost always starts with the Big Five. Lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo earned their legendary status not for their size, but for how difficult — and dangerous — they once were to hunt on foot. Today, they are the ultimate wildlife prize for photographers, nature lovers, and adventurous solo travellers seeking something truly unforgettable.
Kenya delivers on the Big Five in spectacular fashion. Watching a lion stretch lazily in the golden grasses of the Maasai Mara, spotting the elusive leopard draped over an acacia branch, or standing quietly as a herd of elephants moves slowly across the plains — these are the moments that make solo travel in Africa feel both deeply personal and profoundly moving.
But the magic of an East Africa safari doesn’t stop with the Big Five — and it certainly doesn’t stop at the Kenyan border.
The Little Five: Safari Secrets for the Curious Traveller
Often overlooked, the Little Five reward those who slow down and look closer — something that solo travellers often do best.
Inspired by their larger, more famous namesakes, the Little Five include:
- Elephant Shrew — a tiny, long-nosed insectivore with enormous eyes and extraordinary speed
- Ant Lion — the larva stage of a delicate flying insect, famous for its cunning pit traps in the sand
- Leopard Tortoise — Africa’s largest tortoise, with a beautifully patterned shell that echoes the spots of its big cat namesake
- Buffalo Weaver — a gregarious bird that builds enormous communal nests in acacia trees
- Rhinoceros Beetle — one of the strongest creatures on earth relative to its size, capable of carrying 850 times its own body weight
Your local safari guide will know exactly where to find them. And there’s something deeply satisfying about spotting a rhinoceros beetle trundling across a dusty track while a real rhino grazes a hundred metres away.
The Noisy Five: The Soundtrack of the African Bush
If the Little Five reward patience, the Noisy Five ensure you never truly feel alone — even on a solo safari.
The lion, hyena, elephant, hippo, and cicada create the unmistakable soundtrack of the African night. Yes, the lion appears in both the Big Five and the Noisy Five — impressive, powerful, and extraordinarily vocal. Few experiences in travel compare to sitting around a campfire as darkness falls and hearing a male lion release a roar that rolls across the plains, fading slowly into the silence.
Then the hyenas begin. And the hippos grunt from the waterways. And the cicadas fill every gap with their extraordinary, relentless chorus.
And here’s a fun safari fact your guide might share: some species of cicada spend up to 16 years underground before emerging for just a few short weeks above the surface. Imagine waiting that long for your moment — and then filling the entire savannah with sound. It’s one of those extraordinary details that makes an East Africa safari endlessly fascinating.
On a small group tour designed specifically for solo travellers, these sounds often form the backdrop to evenings spent sharing stories around the fire with fellow adventurers — that perfect blend of independence and connection that makes solo group travel in Africa so uniquely rewarding.
A Big Five Safari Across Kenya and Tanzania — for Solo Travellers
What makes a Two’s a Crowd East Africa safari so powerful is its scale and variety. From Kenya’s iconic Maasai Mara to Tanzania’s vast Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater — where the highest concentration of wildlife on earth lives within a single volcanic caldera — and the turquoise beaches of Zanzibar, this is Africa at its most extraordinary.
One day you’re marvelling at a Big Five sighting at dawn. The next you’re laughing as your guide points out a tiny rhinoceros beetle in the dust while the distant call of a hyena echoes across the landscape. And the evening after that, you’re floating on the Chobe River in Botswana as hundreds of elephants wade across in front of your boat.
Two’s a Crowd’s East Africa Solo Safari is designed specifically for solo travellers seeking a fully hosted African experience — the ideal balance of comfort, safety, and genuine companionship. You travel solo, but never alone. Your own private room or luxury tent every night. Expert local guides. Carefully selected safari lodges. And a group of like-minded solo adventurers to share every extraordinary moment with.
Because a safari in East Africa isn’t just about what you see. It’s about what you hear, what you notice, and the connections you make along the way.
Ready for Your Own Solo Safari Story?
If an East Africa safari has been on your list for years, this is your moment. Our June 2027 departure takes in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar over 13 extraordinary days — with the Great Migration in full swing and the dry season delivering peak game viewing conditions.
👉 View the full East Africa Solo Safari itinerary →
Places are limited. Don’t leave it too long.
