Solo traveler advice
I have an upcoming trip to Tanzania in June to celebrate my 35th birthday. A friend is joining me for the first half of my trip where we have a trek up Kili booked already. She recently found out she won't be able to join for the remainder of the trip but I have the week after off for a safari.
I am overwhelmed by all of the choices. It seems that most companies prefer to offer private safaris but I don't know how I would feel about booking a totally private safari as a solo traveler. Has anybody done this and did you enjoy being on your own? The perks of a totally custom itinerary are not lost on me but it also sounds...lonely?
The other (and I think more preferred option I am leaning towards so far) is joining a pre-existing group but I have had a hard time finding this so far other than the bigger well known companies like G Adventures. I tend to prefer supporting smaller, local businesses (extra bonus points for women owned/led) but the convenience of joining a group with dates that I know work for my itinerary is high.
Curious if you have traveled either of these ways and what your experiences were or if anyone has any beta on joining safaris/companies they've traveled with they loved. Thank you!