Danielle booked her spot on our South Africa trip at 2:00 AM on a Tuesday. She told me later that she'd been sitting in her car in her office parking garage after a fourteen-hour day, scrolling Instagram, when she saw our trip announcement. She booked before she could talk herself out of it.
"I didn't tell anyone for three days," she said. "I was terrified. I'd never traveled internationally alone, and I definitely didn't know how to explain to my family why I was spending that kind of money on a trip to Africa."
Here's what happened next.
The Fear That Almost Won
Danielle is a partner at a consulting firm. She manages teams across three time zones, makes decisions that affect eight-figure budgets, and has been described by her colleagues as "unshakeable." But booking a luxury group trip to South Africa as a solo traveler? That shook her.
The fears were real and common—I hear versions of them from women every week:
- What if I don't connect with anyone?
- What if everyone already knows each other?
- What if I'm the awkward one?
- What if this trip isn't worth the investment?
At Caviar in the Air, we design our experiences specifically for women like Danielle. Women who have achieved extraordinary things in their careers but haven't prioritized themselves. Women who are ready for something more than an all-inclusive resort but don't know where to start. Women who want luxury without having to plan a single detail.
Day One: The Exhale
I always tell solo travelers the same thing: by dinner on day one, you'll have at least two new friends. Danielle exceeded that estimate. By the time our group sat down for dinner at The Saxon, she'd exchanged numbers with three women, discovered that one of them lived twenty minutes from her in Atlanta, and was deep in a conversation about wine with a retired judge from Houston.
"I don't know how to explain it," she told me later. "It was like everyone in the group was someone I already knew. We just hadn't met yet."
This isn't accidental. Our groups attract a very specific kind of traveler: accomplished, curious, warm, and ready to be present. The common thread isn't age or profession—it's a shared understanding that luxury is about quality, not just price tags.
The Safari Shift
Danielle's transformation happened on safari. She'd been texting work updates for the first two days (I told you—type-A energy). But something about sitting in an open vehicle watching a herd of elephants cross a riverbed at dawn made her put her phone down and leave it down.
"I realized I hadn't just been on my phone," she said. "I'd been hiding behind it. If I was answering emails, I didn't have to think about why I was so exhausted, or why I couldn't remember the last time I felt genuinely happy."
By the bush dinner—our candlelit feast under the stars in a dried riverbed—Danielle was a different person. Not different, actually. More herself. The version of herself that existed before the eighty-hour weeks and the performance reviews and the relentless pressure of being excellent in a world that demands perfection from Black women.
The Sisterhood That Stuck
The group—twelve women from across the country—became something that transcended a trip. They created a group chat before we left South Africa. They've had three virtual wine nights since returning. Two of them have booked our Ghana Experience together. And Danielle flew to Chicago to spend a weekend with a woman she met over breakfast at The Silo Hotel.
"I came to South Africa for the safari and the wine," Danielle said on our last night in the Winelands. "I'm leaving with sisters."
Why Solo Travelers Choose Caviar in the Air
Over 60% of our travelers book as solo travelers, and there's a reason for that:
- No single supplement penalties — We believe solo travelers shouldn't be punished financially for traveling alone.
- Curated group chemistry — Every group is thoughtfully composed to ensure a mix of personalities, backgrounds, and energy.
- Built-in connection points — From welcome dinners to shared game drives to communal wine tastings, the itinerary creates natural moments for bonding.
- Your own space — Solo doesn't mean "never alone." We build in free time so you can recharge, explore independently, or simply enjoy the silence.
Danielle's Advice for Women on the Fence
I asked Danielle what she'd say to someone sitting in their car at midnight, considering booking but not sure they should:
"You already know you need this. The fact that you're even looking at this trip means you've outgrown whatever you're currently doing for yourself. Stop asking permission. Stop waiting for someone to go with you. Book the trip. Future you is waiting on the other side."
Ready to Find Your Travel Family?
Our South Africa Experience welcomes solo travelers with open arms—and open wine bottles.
Browse Our South Africa Trip →
Claire B. Soares is a 5X Condé Nast Top Travel Specialist and the founder of Caviar in the Air.
