Travelling in a group allows you to share suggestions, experiences and fascinating stories. But, there may come a time where you just want to travel alone – whether it’s a quick getaway or a spiritual self-discovery journey. If you’re a solo female traveller, it can be unnerving.
Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes, head of Workaway International South Africa, shares 5 important safety tips that you, as a female traveller should keep in mind while travelling by yourself.
Always carry emergency contact details with you
You may never know what can happen, especially when you are headed somewhere foreign on your own. Always have reliable emergency contact numbers of friends, family or trustworthy people that you can get in touch with when the need arises. You should also ensure your local police station and a close-by medical practitioner’s contact details are saved on your phone for easy access.
Don’t go anywhere with strangers
One of the greatest parts of travelling is meeting new people. There is, however, a very fine line between meeting trustworthy new friends and those who want to take advantage of you. Always trust your gut instinct and rather practice caution when it comes to new acquaintances. Do not go anywhere with someone you do not know, but rather meet in a public place to ensure your safety in this type of situation.
Look purposeful and confident
When you’re in an unfamiliar location and out of your usual comfort zone, try your best not to stand out from the crowd and draw too much attention to yourself. This way, you’ll fit in and look less vulnerable.
Be cautious
It’s better to be cautious rather than being naïve to what is going on around you. A few cautionary measures to take in to account include being street-smart, not keeping large amounts of cash or valuable items with you, avoiding dangerous or high-risk areas, and implementing general safety practices at all times.
Let someone know where you are at all times
Never go anywhere by yourself if you haven’t let at least one person know where you are going and what time you’re expected back. Send an SMS, make a quick phone call, or even leave a note for your boss, neighbour or friend, so that they know where to start looking for you should something go wrong.
