Friendship Travel is reporting growing demand for adventurous, experience-led holidays as mature solo travellers increasingly look beyond traditional European breaks in favour of immersive adventures centred around wildlife, culture and shared interests.
As the UK’s leading specialist in holidays exclusively for solo travellers, Friendship Travel has seen more guests choosing bucket-list experiences that combine the reassurance of hosted group travel with opportunities to connect with like-minded people.
Rather than simply seeking sunshine, today’s solo travellers are investing in meaningful journeys – from African safaris and luxury expedition cruising to literary-inspired cultural tours – reflecting a growing appetite for travel that offers both personal enrichment and shared experiences.
For 2026 and 2027, Friendship Travel is highlighting three standout departures across Africa, Asia and Europe.
Kenya Safari & Beach
Departures from September 2026 | 9 nights | from £2,955
Kenya remains one of the world’s original safari destinations, and Friendship Travel’s hosted Safari & Beach holiday combines unforgettable wildlife encounters with time to relax on the white sands of Diani Beach.
Following an overnight stay in Nairobi, guests travel aboard Kenya’s first-class Madaraka Express train into Tsavo National Park, where four days of game drives and wildlife experiences offer the chance to see elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, crocodiles, hippos and, with a little luck, lions and leopards in their natural habitat.
The itinerary includes stays at three distinctive safari properties – Kilaguni Serena Lodge, Voyager Ziwani Tented Camp and Ngutuni Lodge – each offering a different perspective on Kenya’s spectacular landscapes and wildlife. Highlights include a visit to the crystal-clear Mzima Springs, a guided lakeside nature walk and an exciting night game drive to spot some of Africa’s nocturnal wildlife.
The adventure concludes with three nights on an all-inclusive basis at the recently refurbished Papillon Lagoon Reef Hotel on Diani Beach, allowing guests to unwind beside the Indian Ocean before returning home.
Throughout the holiday, Friendship Travel’s Kenyan-based hosts and expert wildlife guides accompany the group, sharing their knowledge and ensuring solo travellers enjoy every aspect of the experience.
What’s Included
• Return flights from Heathrow (regional connections available)
• All transfers and transport within Kenya
• One night at Eka Hotel Nairobi with breakfast
• Four nights in safari lodges and tented camp with meals included
• Three nights all-inclusive at Papillon Lagoon Reef Hotel
• Four days of game drives and wildlife walks
• First-class Madaraka Express rail journey
• Domestic flight from Mombasa to Nairobi
• Friendship Travel hosts and expert wildlife guides throughout
Sri Lanka Reading Trip
Departing February 2027 | from £4,395
New for 2027, Friendship Travel has partnered with Books in Places to create a unique literary journey through Sri Lanka, combining cultural discovery with shared reading experiences exclusively for solo travellers.
Limited to just 12 guests, the private-style tour offers a more relaxed and personal alternative to larger escorted holidays, with plenty of time to explore Sri Lanka’s remarkable landscapes, ancient temples, tea plantations and vibrant cities alongside an experienced local guide.
Throughout the journey, guests come together for informal literary discussions inspired by The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Booker Prize-winning author Shehan Karunatilaka. Set in Colombo, the novel provides a fascinating backdrop to exploring Sri Lanka’s history, culture and identity while creating opportunities for guests to connect through a shared love of books.
Hosted in partnership with Books in Places and led by experienced book club organiser Paul Wright and his team, the holiday blends exceptional sightseeing with meaningful conversation, making it ideal for curious travellers looking to experience a destination from a different perspective.
Guests stay in a carefully selected collection of hotels across Colombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala and Beruwala, each chosen to showcase a different side of Sri Lanka’s diverse landscapes and warm hospitality.
What’s Included
• Small-group tour with a maximum of 12 guests
• Accommodation throughout in carefully selected hotels
• Breakfasts and selected meals
• Dedicated local guide throughout
• Literary discussions hosted by Books in Places
• Guided sightseeing and cultural experiences
• Friendship Travel host throughout
• Flights and transfers
Le Boréal PONANT Explorations Cruise
Departing August 2027 | 9 nights | from £4,795
Friendship Travel is also introducing an exclusive hosted voyage aboard PONANT’s elegant Le Boréal, offering solo travellers the opportunity to experience boutique luxury cruising around the Iberian Peninsula.
With just 264 guests onboard, the small expedition-style ship delivers an intimate and sociable atmosphere, combining luxury accommodation, exceptional dining and included shore excursions with Friendship Travel’s hosted support throughout.
Beginning with an overnight stay in Lisbon before embarking the ship, the itinerary visits a collection of historic ports across Portugal and Spain, including Portimão, Cádiz, Valencia, Peñíscola, Tarragona and Menorca before finishing in Barcelona.
Guests enjoy spacious balcony cabins for sole occupancy alongside PONANT’s renowned all-inclusive service, creating an effortless way to experience some of the Mediterranean’s most captivating coastal destinations.
What’s Included
• One night’s accommodation in Lisbon with breakfast
• Welcome dinner in Lisbon
• Balcony cabin for sole occupancy
• Nine-night all-inclusive PONANT cruise
• Included excursion in every port of call
• Friendship Travel host throughout
• Flights and transfers
Colum McLornan, Managing Director at Friendship Travel, said:
“We’re seeing solo travellers becoming much more adventurous and increasingly choosing holidays that are centred around experiences rather than simply destinations.
“Many of our guests have already travelled with us in Europe and are now looking for something more ambitious, whether that’s spotting wildlife on safari, discovering a country through its literature or enjoying the luxury of a small-ship cruise. Travelling long-haul or organising a big trip alone can feel daunting, but our hosted holidays give people the confidence to experience these incredible destinations while sharing the journey with like-minded travellers.”
From unforgettable African safaris and literary adventures in Sri Lanka to luxury boutique cruising around the Iberian Peninsula, Friendship Travel continues to expand its collection of hosted holidays that enable solo travellers to explore the world independently while never travelling alone.
Images supplied. Some images courtesy of unsplash.com
