Single-minded escapes

You’ve made up your mind, downloaded your apps and packed your positive attitude. Now, where to go?

Botswana

Mobile participation safaris are becoming more common in Botswana. They are a neat way for solo travellers to keep down the cost; also, the sense of everyone pitching in, doing the washing up, putting up tents and packing up the gear together is liberating and bonding. It helps create a real sense of camaraderie in the group, as you wind through the wildlife-packed waters of the Okavango Delta or spot the Big Five in the national parks of Moremi and Chobe.

Zealand, Denmark

Flat Danish roads and ample cycle paths (390km, no less) make peddling out of Copenhagen, island-hopping past coastal forts and whizzing past shifting sands a delight. Cycling tours are common here, or just hook up with a hospitality exchange network such as Warmshowers. org (which caters solely for cyclists) to stay with friendly locals while picking up some tips and advice along the way.

Nepal

Hiking trails are great places to find friendly faces at the end of each day. Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit, for example, can take around three weeks or be done in easy sections, but it’s the inclusive vibe along the way that makes it ideal for solo travellers. Whether you go with a group or hire a porter, you’ll find teahouses bustling with trekkers all swapping stories, while homestays guarantee a cheery welcome. ⊳

Komodo Islands, Indonesia

Active escapes often mean you have a ready-made community to dip in and out of. On the outskirts of Komodo National Park, scuba-diving classes or snorkelling trips are a good way to gain either a new skill or explore the coral triangle in the company of those in the know. Together with visits to see the park’s eponymous lizards – a true hissing, breathing dinosaur – it’s Bali without the crowds.

Belize

Make it easy on yourself. Central America’s Belize is not only one of the few Englishspeaking countries in this neck of the woods, its comparatively petite size makes it pretty easy to squeeze in a lot of the sites in one go, from the great jungle-swamped Maya temples of Lamanai and Caracol to the largest barrier reef outside Australasia. A trip here can help build your confidence before exploring neighbouring Guatemala, too.

New Zealand

Few destinations cater to the last-minute whims of solo travellers quite like New Zealand. Feel like walking an epic trail? Go do it – it’s much easier to get a last-minute hut or camping space on its famous walks if you’re on your own. Want to hurl yourself off a cliff? Practically every rock has a bungee cord attached. Or maybe you want to paddle to an active volcano or cycle an old railroad? Sorted. It’s the perfect solo escape.