The Dutch Alex[andr]ine Tinne was the first European woman to travel Central Africa. Well, in fact, so was her mother who travelled with her. posted by Too-Ticky at 8:46 AM on July 30, 2014
Arlene Blume led some of the first all-women expeditions to major mountains, including leading an all-woman ascent of Annapurna, which was also the first American ascent of the mountain. This climb is documented in the book Annapurna, A Woman's Place. posted by bondcliff at 8:55 AM on July 30, 2014
The amazing Isabelle Eberhardt: polyglot wanderer, Islamic convert, brilliant writer, war correspondent, activist and adventurer -- all before the age of 27, when she died in a flash flood in Aïn Séfra. posted by deathmarch to epistemic closure at 9:13 AM on July 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
Mary Kingsley is an important explorer of West Africa.
I will mention two other females, though I know this does not really apply to what you are asking. Technically, two of the greatest exploration achievements in 20th Century were both achieved by females, though they get no credit because both of these females also happened to be dogs. Lika was a Soviet dog who was the first Earthling to go into outer space. Etah was a Norwegian dog who was the first Earthling to reach the South Pole. Both were females. posted by Flood at 9:30 AM on July 30, 2014
posted by KokuRyu at 8:40 AM on July 30, 2014 [3 favorites]