Pangolin Drops Supplement For Solo Travellers
Kasane, Botswana – Pangolin Photo Safaris has announced that it will waive single-supplement charges for solo travellers staying at the Pangolin Chobe Hotel on all new bookings for travel in 2026, 2027 and 2028. This initiative responds to the sharp rise in demand for experiential solo travel and the growing number of guests choosing to travel alone for more “focused” safaris.
Global interest in solo travel has surged over the past decade, with specialist safari and adventure operators reporting that solo travellers are now among the fastest-growing and highest‑spending guest segments. In the African safari sector, more lodges are reducing or removing single supplements to better serve this market and make tailor‑made wildlife experiences more accessible to independent travellers.
“We’ve seen a significant increase in solo guests who are not just ticking off a safari, but coming specifically to deepen their wildlife photography skills and connect with like‑minded people,” said Gerhard “Guts” Swanepoel, Co‑Founder of Pangolin Photo Safaris. “Waiving the single supplement at the Pangolin Chobe Hotel is our way of recognising their commitment and making it even easier to say yes to a dedicated photographic safari in Botswana.”
Wildlife photography has long been seen as more niche than mainstream, but that is no longer the case, as sophisticated digital camera systems have become cheaper and more accessible over the years.
Purpose built for photographers, the Pangolin Chobe Hotel overlooks The Chobe River and offers twice daily photo safaris on custom designed boats and vehicles. Professional hosts provide tuition, and high quality camera gear is available to use at no extra cost if required. “Surprisingly, nearly 40% of our clients arrive at the hotel without a camera, wanting to give wildlife photography a go for the first time,” says Swanepoel. “Within a couple of days, we are able to teach people the basics of wildlife photography to a point where they're taking amazing photographs that they will treasure forever.”
The hotel’s intimate layout, shared photo safari activities, and communal dining foster a relaxed, club‑like atmosphere in which solo travellers can easily mingle with other guests who share a passion for wildlife and photography.
Under the new policy, solo travellers booking a three-night package at the Pangolin Chobe Hotel for travel in 2026, 2027, and 2028 will pay the same per-person rate as guests sharing, with no single supplement. The offer applies to all new reservations made through authorised trade partners, subject to standard availability and booking conditions.