Choosing to travel alone shouldn't mean choosing less.
A personal frustration, a chance encounter in Bali, and the belief that independence should never come at an unfair price.
The Meaning Behind Tukki
Tukki means “to travel” in Wolof, a language spoken in Senegal. These Senegalese linguistic roots are at the heart of our name and our belief that travel should give you the freedom to choose your own path.
At the heart of the brand is a philosophy expressed through the words:
It is the freedom to move through the world on your own terms, to embrace solitude without restriction, and to choose connection without depending on it.
That belief shapes Tukki: individual access to experiences at shared prices, with the freedom to travel independently. Sharing a price never requires sharing your trip or becoming friends.
Why I Created Tukki
As someone who has been traveling solo since 2021, some of the loneliest moments I've experienced have been when I've requested an experience for one, only to be told I'd have to pay for two.
I'm not much of a haggler, but even if I were, I wouldn't have much leverage. Tour operators often explain that it simply wouldn't make financial sense to accommodate one person at an individual rate. And I've always understood their perspective. We all have to eat.
Despite having taken over 30 solo trips, it only recently dawned on me just how much being single is taxed.
I remember trying to book a temple tour in Chiang Mai this past spring and being quoted four times what each person in a group would have paid. Fortunately, the experience wasn't terribly expensive, but the principle still bothered me. Why should I have to pay four times as much for the same experience simply because I'm alone?
Bali presented a similar frustration. Beach chairs are often sold in pairs, meaning that even if you're alone, you're expected to pay for two.
I remember one afternoon when I'd paid for a pair of beach chairs despite needing only one. Another solo traveler approached me and asked how much the chairs cost. That's when an idea occurred to me.
I asked if she'd be interested in splitting the cost with me. She agreed.
What began as a practical arrangement turned into an entire afternoon spent together. We even ended up seeing each other a few more times during our travels. Our connection began purely out of convenience, but it developed into something more, even if only temporarily.
That experience stayed with me.
It made me realize that there was a way to make solo travel more accessible without changing the very thing I loved about it: my independence.
I believe human connection is important, but I don't travel alone because I'm looking for companionship. I travel alone because I genuinely enjoy it. I value the freedom to move at my own pace, make my own decisions, and experience the world on my own terms.
I don't want to have to choose between that freedom and the experiences I want to have. And I certainly don't want to be financially penalized for choosing to travel independently.
That's why I created Tukki.
For women who love their solitude but refuse to let it limit their experiences.
For women who want the freedom to go alone without having to pay for two.
For women who understand that sharing an experience doesn't have to mean sharing an entire journey.
Go alone. Miss nothing.