Until last year, Lycie went for exploration ventures with friends-literally waiting for them to decide when and where they’re going to tag along. At the time, the experiences were exhilarating, before she decided to dare herself to something unusual-travelling solo.
Lycie’s first escapade was trekking Rwanda’s third highest volcano-Muhabura, together with its fifth largest town-Gisenyi, particularly the beaches that harbour the fresh waters of Lake Kivu. To her, these thrilling adventures were eye openers to all the enjoyment she had been deprived of in the past, henceforth becoming a lone adventurer.
Travelling solo can be one of the most enriching experiences in life-offering unparalleled freedom, the chance to discover new places at one’s pace, and the opportunity to learn more about yourself.
However, it comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. Lycie’s trip to Muhabura was not flawless. In fact, during our conversation, she recounted it as one filled with many adversities that to date are vivid in her recollection.
“I can never go back to Muhabura,” she echoed. The drive from RDB (for the clearance) to the start point was wearisome, same applied to the hike up the volcano”.
Post Muhabura, Lycie embarked on other solo voyages within and outside of Rwanda: Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Burundi-Kampala being distinctive as it commenced with impediments.
“I missed the bus to Kampala and was required to perch at the bus park for twelve hours before I could jump onto the next ride. Besides the waiting that seemed like an eternity, the language barrier, episodes of boredom, and absence of someone to assist me with the luggage, only aggravated it.”
Whilst one would expect this wanderluster to call her globetrotting quits given the misfortunes, it may require pigs to fly before that happens.
For Lycie, travelling solo comes with a bountiful amount of relishment that outweighs any mishaps she has so far encountered. “I used to travel in the company of my peers, but was never free. They say “let’s go here, do this, and sometimes you don’t really want to, but oblige just to please them.”
The experience is however different when you’re by yourself, she exclaimed; “During my staycation in Gisenyi, I called the tune-could wake up when I feel like, did things at my pace-go to the beach, swim, eat, name it”.
Like Lycie, Kessy Faustine plumps for solo voyages, saying they are least costly and daunting.
“With solo travels, you’re able to stick to the budget-basically, everything is done within one’s reach, from ticket booking, to accommodation, meals and extras,” she stressed, recounting irksome incidents of group outings where one companion would order expensive drinks expecting to split the bill with the rest.
Moreover, seldom do friend trips leave whatsapp groups-just the true definition of; ‘if you’re waiting for someone to travel with you, you may end up waiting a lifetime’, leaving her with no choice but to travel solo.
Kessy’s major challenge during solo trips is not having someone to take her pictures, and even when she finally finds a random person to perform the task, a ‘what-if they run away with my phone’ thought is always lingering in her heart, limiting her full shutterbug expressions.
Safety precautions during solo travels
Travelling solo means you have to manage your own luggage hence packing only essentials is highly recommended. Much as that’s the case, a first aid kid should come in handy in case of uncertainties. “I always move with a first aid kit containing painkillers, antibiotics and bandages,” noted Lycie.
In the same way, a thorough research of one’s destination-local customs, potential risks, and the safest neighbourhoods to stay in, before setting off is vital.
During the trip, travellers are encouraged to embrace technology; download travel apps for navigation, translation and finding local attractions. These not only enrich one’s vacation, but also make it more convenient.
Ultimately, it is ‘harmless’ to share your travel itinerary with a trusted friend or family member and check in regularly, said Kessy whose mom is always ‘in the know’ about her movements.
“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us”
Whether travelling solo or as a group, research indicates proliferous benefits–mental and physical attached to the act. For instance, people who travel regularly are at a lesser risk of acquiring heart diseases compared to their counterparts who seldom engage in the same activity.
Similarly, Frequent travelling reduces the risk of depression. Stephanie, a devoted tourism lover, proclaims that travelling helps one to discover a different side of themselves they may not know.
In 2019, she, together with friends, planned a trip to explore Barcelona–Spain. At the last minute, they all backed out, citing professional reasons. Given her initial excitement about the trip, she declined cancelling and travelled solo, a thing she doesn’t regret doing.
“The experience was worth the ‘risk’ I took. I was able to visit all the historical and tourist places at my convenience, my favourite being ‘la sagrada familia’–a Roman catholic basilica designed by Antoni Gaudi,” she explained.
In addition, “I was able to do things at my convenience, which helped me to immerse deeply into the host culture hence discovering a new side of me that I didn’t know existed.
This summer get out of your shell and live more. You don’t need to be rolling in dough,start with places within your vicinity that you have never been to, and elevate as time goes on.
For those in Rwanda, you can join SENS tested and approved community of domestic tourists—tourism lovers 250. This group offers affordable travel experiences around the country, from hikes, camping, safaris and cycling escapades.
