The Solo Traveller
Your independence, passion, and lifelong memories.
Departures
Murchison Falls, Uganda. Image courtesy Activentures Africa Safaris.
Experiencing Africa’s ‘indescribable sensations’
Briefly …
Mrs Dianah Najjombwe leads Activentures Africa Safaris, crafting eco-friendly, tailor-made safari adventures, offering intimate wildlife encounters, cultural connections, and meaningful experiences designed to leave lasting memories.
There’s an unmistakable alchemy in Africa that happens when you go alone – when the horizon opens, the tracks lead somewhere yet to be experienced, and the only company is your own thoughts and the wild. “Nothing but breathing the air of Africa, and actually walking through it, can communicate the indescribable sensations”, wrote the 19th-century explorer William Burchell.
In Kampala, Uganda, where the rhythms of the city meet the call of the wild, that alchemy is central to how Mrs Dianah Najjombwe sees solo travel. As head of Activentures Africa Safaris, she builds journeys not simply of places, but of self-discovery. “Our negotiated rates are pocket-friendly, often eliminating single supplements without compromising on service or experience,” Mrs Najjombwe tells The Solo Traveller. “We design perfectly tailor-made safaris to meet each traveller’s specific needs.”
Her company offers eco-friendly adventures across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. Her mission is simple: to create experiences that stay with travellers long after the dust has settled on the savannah. From game drives in the Masai Mara, Serengeti and Murchison Falls to gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania, every experience is designed to connect travellers with nature and culture. Those seeking a slower rhythm can unwind on beach escapes in Mombasa or Zanzibar, or swim with whale sharks off Mafia Island between October and March.
Left: A baby gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda – famous for its mountain gorilla population; and a chimpanzee in Kibale National Park. Photography: Ronnie Mulindwa, Activenture Lead Guide and Driver.
For solo travellers, Activentures Africa Safaris offers something deeper than itineraries. “When it comes to activities like nature walks or treks,” Mrs Najjombwe tells us, “we offer the opportunity to join other guests carrying out the same activities, which turns out to be great for companionship, sharing the wonder of the experiences, and making new friends.” Mrs Najjombwe recalls one woman who came to Uganda on a five-day safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. “She went gorilla trekking and visited the local community in Buhoma. She met people who didn’t have much but were smiling and happier than those who had more. Our guest had been going through a few challenges before the trip, and when she returned, she was in a much better place mentally and appreciated life in a new way.”
Her passion for travel and guest experiences was shaped by the mentorship of her former boss, Ms Monique Beckers, who “always tasked us to push all the buttons until the guest got their money’s worth plus experiences they couldn’t equate to in monetary terms.” Today, Mrs Najjombwe finds providing meaningful experiences for solo travellers deeply rewarding. “It’s important because that is value for money. The traveller gets to experience what they paid for, and more. Lifelong memories often lead to word-of-mouth referrals, and sometimes those travellers return, this time with family or friends”.
Travelling East Africa is especially magical during the quieter shoulder seasons, the times of year when the landscapes breathe a little deeper and travellers can experience the wild at its most personal. “It’s less crowded, with less noise, giving more intimate experiences at more friendly prices,” Mrs Najjombwe tells us. For Uganda, that means March to May and October to November; in Kenya, June, then October to November; in Tanzania, April to mid-June and November; and in Rwanda, May and September to November.
Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda. Image courtesy Activentures Africa Safaris.
Mrs Najjombwe’s advice for those heading out solo is simple and wise. “Plan and book your trip with a knowledgeable tour operator,” she says. “Share your itinerary with your family or a point of contact back home and make sure each party has the other’s number, just in case. And travel light, be aware of your surroundings, and avoid moving around late at night.”
Beyond business, she believes travel itself is a teacher. “Travel encourages personal growth, and after their safaris, most clients return to us with stories of self-discovery, growth and clarity on where they want to go in life. So let’s break the monotony of the nine-to-five, go on safari and reinvent ourselves.” At the heart of Mrs Najjombwe’s vision is her passion for, and commitment to, environmental protection; “It’s the most meaningful gift we can offer the generations to come.”