Recently, we received a last-minute booking inquiry from a single gentleman who dreams of witnessing the Great Migration in Northern Tanzania. A bold move, travelling solo to see one of nature’s greatest spectacles.
I reached out to a friend who runs a fabulous camp in the north and asked, as I always do, “What’s the single supplement rate?” His answer was glorious. “None. We do not discriminate against solo travellers.” I was stunned, to be quite frank.
Because too often, the answer is different. Too often, solo travellers are penalised. The single supplement, often as high as 20% or more, is a standard industry practice. From a business point of view, sure, we understand. Lodges would rather sell a double than a single.
These travellers are brave, curious, and independent. They gift themselves something sacred, time in nature, unfiltered. They should be welcomed, not charged extra for the luxury of going alone.
We’re asking for recognition. Flexible rates, creative rooming solutions, low-season options, there are ways to honour the solo spirit without punishing the pocket. Why not allocating a certain amount of annual bed nights to the solo traveler without this outdated surcharge.
We invite our industry peers to look again at this outdated surcharge. Let’s reward the ones who go alone and let’s start the conversation.
So, who agrees?
