As a bloke, I should probably pipe down but this thread has played on my mind since I first read it a week ago.

Why does someone come to a website called Horizons Unlimited and promote staying in North America? Sure, there are risks associated with travel and I'm also sure those risks can be felt more acutely by female travellers, yet there's risk in almost everything we do.

Manage the risk, don't avoid the risk.

I'm a solo female rider going to Africa this autumn, and the only thing I'm worried about is visas - too lazy to get them all sorted in advance:)

Getting raped is sadly still a risk all women face everywhere in the world, but I don't see how this risk increases in Africa particularly? I think the general rule is, don't behave like you wouldn't at home anywhere else in the world and you'll be fine.Like, getting shitfaced/high on drugs and hitch hiking to your hotel in the middle of the night wearing a bikini and flip flops. Pretty simple methinks.

I was a bit unsure about countries where islam is the dominant religion, but apparently as a foreigner you just have to cover your head, and you're not allowed in some mosques on your own. Again, simple enough.

I've done 2 continents on my own and so far no trouble at all, except getting my stuff stolen twice in Ecuador but looking back I think I should have done more to prevent it, so...

Just go!:)