Traveling alone in Tanzania

You only want to go on vacation but can't find a friend to travel with?

Nobody is available at the same time as you? The destination you have decided does not delight your loved ones? Your friends or those around you do not travel in the same way as you?

Stay calm, you can go alone to the end of the world. In fact, traveling alone can be really profitable so don't hesitate and take the plunge.

Why travel alone?

Traveling alone may scare some at first, however, it may end up making you happy.

Is there a more relevant way to be free than by traveling alone? Going alone is the origin of real freedom.

You have no one to listen to, no concessions to make. It allows you to see and do whatever you want at your own pace without having to feel obligated.

There is no constraint and no obligation. You don't have to rush or wait for someone when you travel.

However that's not all, traveling alone will give you the means to get to know yourself and teach you a lot of details about yourself.

Also, traveling alone gives the possibility of reaching others more easily and consequently of making great encounters.

In recent years traveling alone has become a fashion because many personalities have embarked on such an experience.

As a result, many questions have arisen following this success of the solo stays.

"Is it dangerous to go alone?" "," Can we travel alone in each country? "," What about leaving alone as a woman? "...

How to travel alone when you are a woman?

In our current society, more and more girls want to travel alone. It is true that at the time, just a few decades ago, it was inconceivable to travel alone as a woman.

Today, many young ladies set off to explore the world alone with their bags on their backs.

I am one of these examples, I have indeed gone on an adventure alone in several states around the world, in Africa, Oceania, Europe or even in North and South America.

It would be lying to you to reveal to yourself that no matter which country you discover traveling alone is the same thing.

Keep in mind that wherever you go you need to be extra careful when traveling with other people.

As a woman it is obvious that one can be a simpler target for anything that is theft or even assault.

In order to put all your chances on your side to go on vacation alone in the most important security, you must already:

  • Be careful and on your guard at all times: do not confuse "being careful" with "being paranoid". When traveling alone you may not have friends to watch your back and your belongings, so it is very important to be careful. For example, do not leave your belongings unattended, keep your bags next to you, do not walk late at night in neighborhoods or cities that are not very safe, etc.
  • You adapt and respect the customs and traditions of the nation in which you are traveling: it starts with the way of dressing (hiding the shoulders, knees, hair depending on the country) ...
  • Depending on your personality, prepare your trip as little as possible in order to make yourself comfortable: select the correct hotels or youth hostels, select places to discover by inquiring in advance
  • Remain reachable as much as possible: so as not to alarm friends and relatives as well as to be able to contact the right people if necessary.

Traveling alone in Tanzania

Traveling alone in Tanzania can scare some people. 

I traveled to Tanzania on my own for three months, and believe me, I was greeted by the local people in a wonderful way. 

Contrary to what some may imagine Tanzania remains a poor country. So yes, there are big cities with a certain wealth, but most of the population lives in rural areas and far from cities.

There are several things to keep in mind when embarking on a solo trip to a country like Tanzania.

Religion and traditions when traveling alone in Tanzania

Religion in Tanzania is diverse because several beliefs coexist: Islam, Christianity, animist beliefs. 

As a single woman it is especially important to respect the traditions and customs of Tanzania. I advise you to dress properly and hide your shoulders and knees, especially in the Muslim parts of the country but also with the most remote populations and tribes so as not to shock them and not to attract the eye too much.

A Western woman inevitably arouses interest in this country. Because the locals potentially see it as a chance to leave their country, so be careful and stay on your guard. 

When I arrived in the country, one of the first questions I was entitled to was "are you married?" "Or" do you have a boyfriend? », To answer it I quickly learned my first sentence of Swahili, namely« nime olewa »which means« I am married ».

I advise you to learn some basics in Swahili in order to show your interest in their culture and that makes the locals very happy. 

Safety when traveling alone in Tanzania

In Tanzania, some cities, the largest, are the sites of some attacks against tourists (theft, assaults, etc.). Among these cities I will mention Dar Es Salam or Arusha. 

Be careful, especially as a single woman. Avoid walking alone in the streets of big cities at night, use a taxi, for example, to get around.

However, don't get paranoid, Tanzania is a very welcoming and pleasant country to visit. During my three months there I had no problem and I never felt in danger. 

Traveling alone: ​​what does it bring?

For my part, traveling alone:

  • Provides the possibility of going out to meet oneself, to get to know each other better, (our fears, our deep desires, our way of moving forward in the face of many situations, of making the right decisions, of following our presentiment etc ...), discover new sides of your personality, experience real personal development
  • Offers the opportunity to learn to love solitude: to be fond of being alone in front of yourself
  • Pushes you to surpass your limits, your fears, your lack of confidence, do violence to yourself if necessary, find your inner strength
  • Gives the opportunity to gain freedom, to experience complete freedom
  • Lets forget the daily life which is punctuated by a certain routine
  • Pushes to meet great people: it is easier to turn to others when traveling when you are alone. It will bring you a lot, and you will have the opportunity, I am sure, to meet remarkable people.