IOL
TRAVEL AUGUST 2022
Solo travel Discover your Eat Pray Love journey
“It seemed an advantage to be travelling alone. Our responses to the world are crucially moulded by whom we are with, we temper our curiosity to fit in with the expectations of others.” Alain de Botton
Editor’s Note IT’S Women’s Month and this issue of IOL Travel is aligned with the celebratory mood as we unpack solo travel with suggestions of the places that are safe to visit as well as tips on what you should be mindful of. Since Covid-19 struck, I’ve mostly done couple’s weekends away. That said, I’ve done my fair share of solo trips as well as girls’ trips. There is something so liberating about being out in the world, being adventurous and not having to worry about pleasing anyone but yourself. If you feel like dining at a specific spot, agreeing to an activity that gets the adrenaline going or simply want to be pampered with a spa treatment, you can do just that without having to cajole someone else or your entire family into agreeing to join. In this issue, we interview two women who share their travel experiences. One of them is now a mother with a toddler who hasn’t let having a family and a career to become a setback in her love for travel. Now it simply evolved into more of a family experience. And our other interview is with a marketing professional who, in wanting to venture into the tourism industry, started her own luxury bespoke tour company. The best part of it is that she learned how to do it all from researching on the internet instead of turning to people she knew in that sector for advice. Talk about impressive. Of course, if Julia Roberts has taught us anything, it is to have your Eat Pray Love experience your way. We hope that this edition inspires you to grab your passport and explore with unbridled passion and adventure in your heart. Happy reading!
Debashine
In this issue Going solo: The safest countries for the solo female traveller A fine vintage Culture vultures 5 safety tips for solo female travellers 10 destinations to visit if you are a solo traveller Cover image | Tobias Bjørkli/Pexels Page 2 | Michael Block/Pexels Page 3 | Nina Uhlíková/Pexels
CONTACT US PUBLISHER Vasantha Angamuthu vasantha@africannewsagency.com ACTING EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE EDITOR/TRAVEL Debashine Thangevelo debashine.thangevelo@inl.co.za DESIGN Tanya Fynn tanya.fynn@inl.co.za
PRODUCTION Renata Ford renata.ford@inl.co.za BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Keshni Odayan keshni.odayan@iol.co.za SALES Charl Reineke charl.reineke@iol.co.za ENQUIRIES info@anapublishing.com
Going solo
The safest countries for the solo female traveller BUHLE MBONAMBI
WITH more women choosing to travel solo, there is still a threat of great danger that they face in some countries.
I RECALL being in Beijing, China, a few years ago and my colleagues asking if it was safe for them to go for a walk outside the hotel. It was just after dinner and we didn’t have anything to do. I texted a friend who was studying in the Chinese capital at the time. His response: “You’re not in South Africa. Please explore.” The “you’re not in South Africa” quip was in jest, but it stung because that’s partly why my colleagues had asked if it was safe for us to take a walk in the evening. Them being women added to their stress. After all, coming from South Africa, it is rare to feel safe while walking in a city at night. We laughed, bitterly I might add, about it. Had we become so accustomed to being alert all the time in our cities back home, that we were afraid to venture out into the street? I recalled downloading Didi, which is a Chinese e-hailing app, just to take precautions in case we found ourselves in trouble. There was no trouble. For the several days we stayed in Beijing, and also the week we spent in the south of China, we frequently took evening walks and felt very safe. As we prepared
to return home, one of the women remarked how odd it was going to be to not be able to walk at night and feel carefree. This came back to me this week after reading the harrowing story a Nigerian traveller told about her experience at a resort in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Zainab Oladehinde took to Twitter to share the incident, which she says happened on April 16 last year, when she travelled to Warere Beach Hotel in Zanzibar, alone. She had decided to travel to the popular island destination to celebrate her birthday. However, she found herself having to fight off someone who was trying to rape her. Despite having locked the door to her hotel room, a man made his way into her room and attempted to molest her. It was only when she lied, saying she was HIV positive, that her attacker backed off. She relayed how she did not get any assistance from either the hotel or the police. She had to leave the hotel to go to another as she was not safe. Plus, she added, $1 100 was stolen from her bag.
SINGAPORE is a top destination for women travelling solo.
It has made us once again think about the threat to women’s safety when they travel solo. Which countries are the safest for women travelling alone? There are various lists compiled by various sources. The Women's Danger Index, which was created by travel writers Asher and Lyric Fergusso and whose blog is focused on travel safety, has been releasing its list of the most dangerous countries for women travelling alone. They use data gleaned from official reports by countries and agencies to rank the top 50 countries with the most international tourists to deduce which are the safest for women to visit. On their website, they write: “We’ve gathered data from a variety of trusted international sources to create a ‘Women’s Danger Index’ that will help you find the worst (and safest) countries for solo female travel.” Criteria include how safe it is for women to walk alone at night. South Africa topped the worst list in 2019 and 2021. Another trusted source is the Safety Detectives. Forbes reports that last year, Safety Detectives
analysed 78 countries to determine which were the safest and the most dangerous for women in terms of the number of crimes committed against them as well as the laws protecting them. Some of the things they looked out for were the number of crimes per 100 000 women, including sexual abuse, murder, domestic violence and rape (non-exhaustive). Tourism bodies still remind solo travellers to trust their gut, to not venture off too far from places they recognise and take precautionary measures. Using the two sources, plus other lists, here are five countries, in no particular order, rated as some of the safest for female solo travellers and why they are a great tourism destination. Iceland For more than a decade, Iceland has topped the lists of travel destinations and is widely considered to be one of the best places in the world to be a woman. Add the country’s natural beauty and stunning sights, and it makes sense why women choose to travel solo there more than any other country.
CHRISSY Teigen in Iceland. | Instagram
Japan Beyond just the culture of Japan that has made it one of the most popular destinations, it’s the fact that women feel safe, thanks to visible policing. There are mobile police stations scattered in towns around the country. Japan ranks as one of the countries with the lowest crime rates worldwide.
Poland Poland’s cities and remote villages towns have made it one of the must-visit tourism destinations in the world. Warsaw is regarded as one of the safest cities for solo women. It is not unusual to see lone women calmly strolling in the middle of the night. The safety element is also a huge factor in how the
Rynek, Wrocław, Poland. | Instagram
country attracts a large contingent of solo women travellers. Spain Spain, especially Madrid and Barcelona, are famous for having low crime levels. The safety of tourists, especially women, is paramount. Add the friendly nature of locals and Spain ranking as one of the top 10% of the safest countries in the world, it’s a top destination for women travelling solo. Singapore It’s no surprise Singapore is on this list as it’s regarded as the safest country in Asia and one of the safest in the world. The high safety rates, including 92% of women feeling safe when walking alone at night, has made it a top destination for women travelling solo.
EL RETIRO Park in Madrid. The garden area is amazing to see. | Unsplash
Afine
vintage
TRAVEL REPORTER
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CULTURE
VULTURES
THE serenity of Bali has made it a soughtafter tourist destination. This is a temple at Lake Batur. | Unsplash
THE Pont Neuf bridge in Paris. | Unsplash. Right: A GIRLS’ trip to Paris with friend Sandra Wilmot. | Supplied
With this being Women’s Month, we’ve decided to ask these women about their travel experiences By Debashine Thangevelo CHLOE-ANN CLARK
THE South African-born singer and songwriter lives in The Netherlands with her husband and toddler. However, prior to getting married and becoming a mom, travelling was one of her favourite things to do. She shares some of her travel memories, especially those solo trips and as a new mom. When did you first embark on your solo travel trip, where did you go, how old were you and how would you describe the experience? When I was 27 years old, I booked a trip to Mauritius and booked a small tour around the island (I’m a jazz singer). While I was on the island for 10 days, I managed to meet a delicious pilot and this was the beginning of a wild adventure of a solo duo and now family adventures! One of my first solo trips was to Paris to eventually meet up with the said pilot. I caught the night flight
out of OR Tambo to land in Paris the next morning. Using rebate travel has its perks but you also don’t always know up until the last second if you’ll get on the flight due to availability! I landed early and set out to discover the streets and pastries. The experience was magical, I discovered the gorgeous little areas (I didn’t book a hotel in the best area) and so when I went back a few months later to do a little girls’ trip with my cousin, I booked us a spot in the quaintest area surrounded by all the sights and feels of Paris! What are the positives of taking a solo travel trip? Solo travelling, I feel is dependent on your personality. I have loved my one or two days alone on an adventure, but I much prefer to share the experiences and joys with loved ones. The positives of solo travel are that you can do
CHLOE-ANN Clark now lives with her husband and little one in beautiful Amsterdam. | Unsplash
what you want when you want. If you’re a free spirit, you can go with the flow and not have to worry about schedules and other people’s agendas. It can also be an incredible way of meeting other people and getting to know yourself better! You've also done a few girls’ trips. Tell us a bit about that, where did you go, how difficult/ easy was it to co-ordinate and what were the things you were most mindful of? I did the most incredible girls’ trip to Bali and Hong Kong when I was 26, with two of my favourite humans. When doing a girls’ trip, I would say it’s best to travel with ladies who have similar interests to avoid drama. The three of us were very compatible travellers and we were keen to adventure, see different places, hike up volcanoes and explore as much as possible. We had booked a couple of places and earmarked a few different spots that we wanted to explore so we left some space for adventure but had an overall plan. Flexibility is the key when it comes to travelling in a group. I have also done a girls’ trip with my darling
cousin to Paris (as mentioned earlier) and Rome. My sister lived in South Korea for several years, and I had the privilege of visiting her twice while she was there; we explored different parts of Korea. My last girls’ trip to mention would be travelling with another great friend to New York for a couple of days. We checked into the YMCA (yes, that became the theme song for our trip and was one of the only spots that our lovely rand could afford). Tell us about your top destinations to travel to, from a safety perspective There are so many amazing destinations to consider if you are looking at doing a trip whether it be solo, duo or group. If you want to stretch your rand there are brilliant options in Asia, whether it be Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, etc. I have had several friends do solo travels around Sri Lanka and have loved every moment. I think wherever you go, you will need to be wise and do some research as there can be better/worse areas depending on your destination. Always read the reviews of the places you’re staying,
CHLOE-ann Clark in Venus, Italy. | Supplied
send the hosts any questions if you have any and make sure you put your safety first at all times. There are often lovely guided tours that you can join with local tour guides if you want the feeling of a group or feel a little uneasy about doing something by yourself. A great example would be when we hiked in a guided group up a volcano in Bali. We met some amazing people from across the world while on the hike. The host even allowed us to try the ‘cat poo’ coffee as part of a stop on the way to the adventure. I am living in The Netherlands and have the privilege of travelling extensively through Europe while being on this side of the world. Italy is one of my favourite all-time destinations. If you have the ability to travel through Europe definitely make a stop in Italy. The history, the food, the culture and the beauty are top of the list! I am in a little rural town in Italy, sitting in the middle of a vineyard with my little 18-monthold, while we wait for my husband to finish one of his work tours. Travelling alone with a little toddler, I have found people most helpful, whether it be helping with a pram, offering to carry your bag when your flight lands in the middle of the night and you have a sleeping baby in your arms. I would also highly recommend learning a little new language (The app Duolingo has been a tremendous help just to get around and know what I am ordering). Having travelled with your little one, what was that experience like? Would you encourage moms to consider this as an option in these Covid-wary times? The initial thought of leaving home and packing for a trip can be overwhelming, but the memories we have made as a family are worth their weight in gold. We did our first trip when our baby was 6 weeks old. We set off back to South Africa as we were pining for family and for the grandparents to meet our new addition. We have since been to Italy, Greece, Portugal, Sardinia and the UK in the last 18 months. I say to moms who are reluctant and have the means, just go. While your child is under 2 and flights and accommodation are still free, just go. In these Covid-19 times, it’s often easy to stop living. Let’s keep being wise and safe but also not forget that life goes by so quickly and we need to live every moment. Carry your masks, sanitisers, wet wipes and pack your bags for your next adventure.
ONE of the tours provided by MmaKamo Tours provides is to the Elephant Sanctuary. | Supplied
MPOTSENG “MMAKAMO” LEBENTLELE FOUNDER of MmaKamo Tours, Mpotseng “MmaKamo” Lebentlele offers bespoke 5-star experiences in Lesotho and South Africa. That said, before she launched her company, she gleaned all she needed to know about the tourism industry and on starting a tour company, on the internet. Her larger-than-life personality combined with her background in marketing held her in good stead for what can best be described as a bold move. She shares her journey with us. What inspired you to start your tour company? I was inspired to start my company by my love for travel and my experience having worked on the South African Tourism brand doing their advertising in 2008. My core markets at the time were the following: Domestic market (South Africa – Sho’t Left) Australia, Asia; SADC; Kenya and Nigeria. I was tasked to delve deeper in each market and under
the different nuances that appeal to each market instead of using a blanket approach in our communication. Understanding what resonates with each market was imperative to be able to lure the target market to visit South Africa. Tell us about your company. My company is called MmaKamo Tours and it was established this year. Our unique selling point is that we create bespoke trips for people who love to travel and we give them experiences worthy of the money they spend. We are giving Joburg travellers an experience to travel and explore Lesotho’s heritage sites and indulge in the beauty that is the Kingdom in the Sky. The same applies to Lesotho citizens who have money to spend. Trips are organised for them to explore what South Africa has to offer. The focal point in terms of the pillars is shopping, safari, music concerts, rest and relaxation and scenic beauty. How has the business been doing since you opened?
The concept sells itself because people are looking for an experience and they want to be wowed, so it has been great. Are you getting a lot of traction from the international market as more are looking at South Africa/Africa as a destination? At present, the focus is only on Africa because my vision is to explore Africa and this beauty that is our continent. The next trips in November and December are to Kenya and Ghana. How important is social media as a tool when it comes to promoting a tour business? Social media is a powerful tool that helped me to build this business and that is all I’m currently using. I will be starting a YouTube channel to promote the different deal offerings but the content will be driven by visuals. As a female in this sector, what are your words of inspiration to others looking to make their mark?
So for me when I started this business, the idea was driven by my love for three things: travel, music and connecting with people. My background is in marketing and advertising and all of these collide because for me to create bespoke trips, there is a thought process and concepts I need to put together. For example, I’m taking people to Maletsunyane Falls in Semonkong in Lesotho. The word Semonkong is derived from the word “Smoke” of the impact of the waterfall when it hits the ground … it creates smoke. So my travellers will have yoga on their first day as part of the itinerary then a long elaborate lunch with a table set up on top of the mountain. A chef will curate meals and I have two female DJs entertaining the guests with mellow tunes. All this will happen on top of a mountain, in a stretch tent, so guests can take in the scenic beauty of the place and be closer to God in the Kingdom in the Sky.
MPOTSENG ‘MmaKamo’ Lebentlele’s passion for travel, music and socialising led her to start MmaKamo Tours. | Supplied
ZAMANDOSI CELE
5 SAFETY TIPS FOR SOLO FEMALE TRAVELLERS
TRAVELLING solo is on the rise with more people opting to explore alone. The textbook definition of a solo traveller is an individual who visits any particular destination and enjoys the tour on his or her own. They are commonly known as a backpacker, solivagant, and vagabond traveller. There’s just something about taking a bold step out of your comfort zone and setting yourself on the path to learn and experience a different place and culture. Travelling makes you happier, lets you disconnect and recharge, and relieves stress and anxiety while also exposing you to new things or ways of thinking. Here are five tips for women solo travellers to keep safe. Plan and research Before you get on a plane and explore, always do your due diligence and research on the place, you are going to. Read reviews and google the place to have a fair picture on the people, culture and the local cuisine. That will lead you to make the necessary plans and travel arrangements. Also, a lot of fear and insecurity of travelling alone comes from not having an idea of what you are doing and where you are going. Plan out your day, where you’re staying and how you will move around. Opt to land at a foreign place during the day and not late at night. Remain inconspicuous It’s important to try and remain as inconspicuous as possible. You don’t want to draw unnecessary attention or make yourself an easy target. Read up on the country’s laws and regulations so you don’t find yourself in trouble or doing what is foreign to locals. If the country is conservative, respect the laws and cover up. The main point of this is to try and blend in with the locals. Be vigilant Successful solo travel hinges on common sense and trusting your gut or intuition. Stay vigilant, especially when out partying. Leave expensive jewellery at home and don’t flash your cash in the streets.
It’s also important to not trust strangers easily. Don’t compromise your safety Don’t compromise your safety trying to save a quick buck. An example of this is electing to walk a small distance at night instead of paying for a cab. It’s also important to always be in a sober state so you’re aware and cognisant of your surroundings. This also means purchasing travel insurance because anything can happen. Keep friends and family informed It’s a good idea to keep your friends and family updated on your whereabouts. Send them your itinary, where you’ll be staying and important numbers on how they can contact you or trace your whereabouts. Have the contact information of your embassy and how you can get a hold of it in case things don’t go according to plan. Also keep your passport, your cards and valuables safe.
10 destinations to visit if you are a solo traveller The Netherlands The Netherlands is one of the most progressive places around on quite a few topics, and along with scoring well on safety lists, the locals are known for being laid back and polite. Amsterdam is easily one of the coolest cities in the world, and it’s the perfect place to wander and explore to no end. There are few things better than biking around solo every day to tick off your bucket list in record time. USA There’s very little in terms of climate and scenery that the USA doesn’t offer, and its backpacking, camping and road tripping culture have made for such a normalised view of solo travellers of any gender. Getting around is easy, language is never a barrier, and there’s so much to see and do. Big spots like Hawaii, Las Vegas, New York City and LA are popular among solo travellers. Croatia There are few places in the world where we’d rather get lost than in Dubrovnik. Explore an old town to your heart’s content. The history of the area is equally fascinating, and it’s such a refreshing change from the rest of Europe that you may be used to. Add in some quality beach time and a little sailing, and you can’t go wrong. Canada The people are notoriously friendly and accommodating, it’s safe, progressive, and perfect for exploring. Quebec offers the European flavour, the west coast gives you your epic dose of outdoor adventure, and everything else is just so pleasant in typical Canadian fashion. Switzerland Super safe, picturesque, easy to get around, and one of the most delicious places in Europe. It may not be the cheapest European country,
Kele Scheppers, Marketing Manager for The Travel Corporation, shares Contiki’s top 10 destinations
but you’re paying for quality, and treating yourself to a bit of luxury is necessary now and then. From shopping to hiking and skiing, Switzerland has all of the good things, including enough castles to bring out the royalty in us all. Jordan While you may have to dress conservatively in this country, peeling back the layers of this destination will reveal experiences that a solo traveller will find fulfilling. One such experience is a visit to the Iraq Al-Amir Women’s Co-operative near Amman, a female-run organisation that offers business training opportunities to empower women to grow businesses. Spain Spain has a little bit of everything, and when it comes to Europe, few places offer as much diversity all in one beautiful package. The cities are walkable, the history is vast and fascinating and the beaches and party scene are superb. Plus, Spanish tapas make for the perfect cheap meal option for one. Iceland Not only is Iceland one of the most popular places to go du jour, but doing it alone is a breeze. Reykjavik is the perfect size to get around on your own, and the locals are friendly and speak English as well. It’s a great stopover location if you’re looking to add on more of Europe to your trip, and the geothermal spas are the ideal place to spend some pampering time. It’s also one of the safest countries in the world, and one of the most progressive in terms of attitudes to women. Sweden Sweden consistently ranks close to the top of every list when it comes to women’s rights and safety, and its progressive nature falls in line with many other Nordic countries, making it an ideal area to explore solo. The epic seafood, sightseeing, adventure activities and Northern Lights make Sweden even sweeter, and their love for quirky music festivals will provide the perfect soundtrack for your trip. Ireland It’s pretty hard not to fall in love with Ireland. The pubs are magnetic and make you feel right at home, whether you’re alone or not. It’s perfectly OK to grab a pint or a meal solo, and there is tons to explore on foot, bike or by car. The sightseeing is nothing short of breath-taking, it’s small enough to explore in entirety without going too far, and it’s one of the safest and friendliest places in Europe, making it the ideal place to travel alone.
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