The Safest Countries To Visit In Africa

For some, travel to the beautiful continent of Africa means transcending to a realm of unparalleled adventure. Planning for any trip overseas can be quite hectic and exciting, but remember — safety comes first!

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Based on the State Department’s travel advisories, we’ve come up with a list of the safest countries to visit in Africa. The State Department’s ranking of countries from most dangerous to safest to travel to involves assignment of levels as follows:

1 – Exercise Normal Precautions
2 – Exercise Increased Caution
3 – Reconsider Travel
4 – Do Not Travel

At the time of this writing, 21 African countries have an overall Level 1 travel advisory, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions while there and that they are considered safe to explore!

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Angola

Some Areas Have Increased Risk: Exercise increased caution in urban areas.

Travel to Angola and visit the Kalandula Falls — one of the largest waterfalls in Africa — or travel to the growing city of Luanda. If you want a peaceful getaway from the bustling city, escape to Mussulo to view the serene beaches and stay in a secluded bungalow.

Benin

Some Areas Have Increased Risk: Reconsider travel to Park Pendjari, Park W, and adjacent hunting zones due to terrorism and kidnapping. Exercise increased caution in urban areas.

Visit the birthplace of the Vodun, or Voodoo religion. Visit the historic memorial arch, La Porte Du Non Retour (The Door of No Return) while in Benin. This historic site remembers the enslaved Africans who were taken from the Ouidah slave port to the Americas.

Botswana

Areas Have Normal Precautions: Exercise normal precautions.

While in Botswana, enjoy a three-day camping safari at the Chobe National Park — known for its large herds of Cape buffalo and elephants. While visiting the park, you should consider setting sail on a sunset cruise on the Chobe River.

Cape Verde (Cabo Verde)

Areas Have Normal Precautions: Exercise normal precautions.

Visit a nation located on a volcanic archipelago — Cape Verde. You can venture to Sal Island while in Cape Verde (Cabo Verde). If you head east of Sal, you can swim in the therapeutic salt lake in Pedra de Lume, which is the former site of a salt mine.

Djibouti

Areas Have Normal Precautions: Exercise normal precautions.

This is a mainly French- and Arabic-speaking country in Africa. Book a stay at the luxurious and top-rated Djibouti Palace Kempinski, and take a trip to the calm Lake Assal.

Equatorial Guinea

Areas Have Normal Precautions: Exercise normal precautions.

Take a trip to the Malabo National Park while in Malabo — the capital of Equatorial Guinea. You can also admire the spanish colonial architecture of the neo-gothic Santa Isabel Cathedral.

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Areas Have Normal Precautions: Exercise normal precautions.

In Eswatini, travel through the Mantenga Nature Reserve and get ready to be amazed by the 95 mile high Mantenga Falls and a village that exhibits Swazi culture and traditions.

Gabon

Some Areas Have Increased Risk: Exercise increased caution in Libreville and Port Gentil due to crime.

While in Gabon travel east of the city of Lambarene to scenic Kongou Falls in the Ivindo National Park. Also, consider adding Loango National Park to your itinerary to see a diverse array of wildlife.

Gambia

Some Areas Have Increased Risk: Exercise increased caution in Gambia’s southern border area with the Casamance region of Senegal due to landmines.

Experience affordable lodging, such as the Kerr Serign Holiday Home, or swing for some of the most relaxing accommodations on earth, such as the Ngala Lodge, on your trip to Gambia. View interesting wildlife at the River Gambia National Park in Banjul and dig your toes into the sand at Kotu Beach.

Ghana

Some Areas Have Increased Risk: Exercise increased caution in urban areas and intercity highways after dark due to crime, as well as parts of the Brong, Ahafo, Northern, and Upper East Regions due to civil unrest.

When visiting Ghana, venture to Kakum National Park to walk over the rainforest on the treetop canopy walkway. Also, admire the colonial buildings and castles that have been turned into museums, such as the Cape Coast Castle.

Lesotho

Areas Have Normal Precautions: Exercise normal precautions.

While in Lesotho, view ruins on the Thaba Bosiu plateau that date back to the 19th century. You can even check out igloo-shaped mud homes in the Ha Kome Cave Village. And be sure to make the trek to the stunning Maletsunyane Falls in Semonkong!

Liberia

Some Areas Have Increased Risk: Exercise increased caution in urban areas and public beaches due to crime.

While in Liberia you can visit the Sapo National Park and view indigenous and endangered mammals, including pygmy hippos. You can also stop by the Liberian National Museum to browse information about and artifacts from Liberia’s history.

Malawi

Some Areas Have Increased Risk: Exercise increased caution in rural areas due to sporadic civil unrest.

Explore Malawi on horseback, foot, or boat. This African destination is home to nine national parks and wildlife reserves including Lake Malawi National Park, which is the perfect getaway for those who enjoy water activities. The Majete Wildlife Reserve is a great destination to visit in southwestern Malawi.

Mauritius

Areas Have Normal Precautions: Exercise normal precautions.

Mauritius is one of Africa’s wealthiest destinations. Visit the bustling capital city, Port Louis, and explore the waterfront or market. Stay in luxury hotels in the town of Flic-en-Flac and scuba dive into the coral diving areas.

Mozambique

Some Areas Have Increased Risk: Reconsider travel to some northern districts in Cabo Delgado Province due to violent extremism. Exercise increased caution in Maputo due to crime.

Mozambique is a southern African country that has a coastline full of popular beaches perfect for deep relaxation. By visiting llha de Mozambique, you can see preserved colonial-style buildings dating back to the 16th century.

The country is also a voluntourism destination where writer Tam Warner Minton worked with elusive manta rays through All Out Africa.

Namibia

Areas Have Normal Precautions: Exercise normal precautions.

Namibia Is home to a large cheetah population. While visiting, take your adventure to the capital and largest city in Namibia, Windhoek. Several people groups, including German immigrants, are responsible for building up Windhoek, and tourists are able to tour German colonial buildings like the Christuskirche, or Christ Church.

Rwanda

Areas Have Normal Precautions: Exercise normal precautions.

See mountain gorillas and golden monkeys at Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. You can also explore Nyungwe Forest National Park, which is home to several species of monkeys and chimpanzees.

Sao Tome And Principe

Areas Have Normal Precautions: Exercise normal precautions.

Sao Tome and Principe is an African island close to the equator. Here, you can see the needle-shaped Pico Cao Grande, a natural landmark that rises over 2,000 feet above the surrounding area. You can also relax on the scarcely populated Ilheu das Rolas islet.

Seychelles

Areas Have Normal Precautions: Exercise normal precautions.

Creole is the primary language in Seychelles, but don’t worry because English is also widely spoken. The country is an archipelago made up of 155 islands. Sailing, diving, and fishing are some of the water activities tourists can enjoy, and popular islands include Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue.

Togo

Some Areas Have Increased Risk: Reconsider travel to the northern border region adjacent to Burkina Faso due to potential for terrorism and kidnapping. Exercise increased caution in areas north of Kande due to potential for terrorism and the cities of Sokode, Bafilo, and Mango due to civil unrest.

Togo is a West African country located on the Gulf of Guinea. View clay huts that date back to the 17th century at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Koutammakou. Also visit the fetish market in the country’s capital city, Lome, where you can purchase talismans and remedies relating to the Vodun religion.

Zambia

Areas Have Normal Precautions: Exercise normal precautions.

Zambia is a southern African country full of rugged terrain and diverse wildlife. The border that Zambia shares with Zimbabwe is home to the famous Victoria Falls.

Hopefully this list can be helpful to you on your trip planning to Africa. Now that you know the safest countries to travel to in Africa, are you curious as to what the most dangerous countries are? Learn about countries with Level 4 travel advisories, plus the most dangerous countries in Africa for travel.

Photo Credit: Lesotho / mbrand85 / Shutterstock

Photo Credit: Seycehlles / leoks / Shutterstock