Africa is a treasure trove of spectacular wildlife, breathtaking natural landscapes, and astonishing culture. Nobody can deny that Africa is an amazing continent. Destinations in Africa are set on a lot of people’s bucket lists as they dream of an adventure of a lifetime. However, travel comes with different risks and dangers. Petty crimes like pick-pockets to alarming dangers like natural hazards make travelers craft their plans very carefully. Therefore, choosing safer destinations with low crime and violence risks is a smart move. Get the best out of Africa without having constant sweat about safety measures by checking out these 7 safest places to visit in Africa. Not only they are safe, they are also incredibly exciting to explore!
Safest Places to Visit in Africa – Summary
1. Morocco
Morocco is one of the easiest and safest places to visit in Africa. Most people there speak English and French (or even German in tourist areas) so it will be easy to communicate. Moroccans are also very friendly and in case you have any questions, or need help with something, they will always try to help you.
Violent crimes, especially to tourists, aren’t that big of an issue in Morocco. As long as you understand cultural customs and roam around in major cities, you will be safe and sound. However, you need to watch out for petty crimes like pickpocketing or scamming, which occasionally happen to tourists in prominent destinations like Marrakesh’s bazaar. Nonetheless, it is one of the safest places to visit in Africa, even ranking number one.
2. Seychelles
Did you know that Seychelles belongs to Africa? Located in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is one of the smallest and safest Islands in the world. You probably already know Seychelles for its beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and nature reserves. Seychelles are the perfect place for your tropical holidays. While flights might be more expensive than to other African destinations, the stunning beaches definitely make up for it! You can relax the whole day at the beach or go on some fun activities with your friends – there is a lot to explore. There are over 100 islands that belong to Seychelles, with Mahé being the most popular one for tourists. If you have enough time, I suggest visiting multiple islands, for example, Praslin and La Digue.
3. Egypt
Welcoming around 14 million visitors per year, Egypt is one of the safest country to visit in Africa. The country is the mecca of history and culture, as the mighty Ancient Egypt empires once reigned on the land. With its inexpensive flights from Europe and affordable prices for accommodation and activities it definitely has to be on your bucket list of places to visit once in a lifetime!
If you’re unsure what places to visit I suggest you choose some of the well-known tourist spots like Hurghada or Sharm El-Sheikh. There you will find many other tourists and resorts to stay at which will make you feel safer there. You can do a lot of water activities like diving, snorkeling, boat rides and if you’re lucky even spot some dolphins. There is also always the possibility to get a guide there to show you around the city or traveling with a local which makes it an even better and safer experience!
4. Kenya
If you love animals, Kenya is the place to go! Kenya has over 40 national parks and nature reserves where you can find zebras, lions, giraffes, and more! Going on such an organized wildlife safari will be a safe and absolutely amazing activity for you and your friends. Kenya is also a great place for cultural encounters as you can still find a huge amount of different tribes – some tribal villages are even open for tourists to visit.
Traveling within Kenya is safe, only the Somalia border and some coastal areas aren’t safe to visit due to terrorism. If you’re planning on traveling to Kenya check out Mombassa and Watamu, you won’t regret it!
5. Gambia
Gambia is the smallest country on Africa’s mainland and is located in the west of Africa surrounded by Senegal on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As the country is not big it’s very easy to get around by taxi or bus. If you travel to The Gambia, I highly recommend visiting Senegal as well as it is easy to travel there by land, very safe as well, and you can go on a wildlife safari there. The official language is English which makes communication easy and especially all the tourist spots are very safe. Similar to Morocco there might be some pickpocketing or people trying to sell you some of their tours or goods. Something very special you can do in The Gambia is touching a crocodile inside the sacred Kachikally crocodile pool. If you’re nervous about traveling to Africa, definitely go with a bigger group to feel safer.
6. Mauritius
Are you down for a beach vacation? Then, look forward to Mauritius! This small island country is tucked off the coast of South Africa, floating on the Indian Ocean. Mauritius is a relaxed tropical country fringed with flawless white-sand beaches, high-end seaside bungalows, and jungle-cloaked hills. It is a relatively safe place with only 1.2 million people living in the country. The citizens of Mauritius come from different cultural backgrounds and nations, making them a highly diverse community. For that reason, they are friendly and welcoming towards tourists.
Mauritius is one of the safest places to visit in Africa. The country has fairly low crime rates. However, travelers need to watch out for burglary and pickpockets, especially in public bungalows or beaches. Other than that, you just need to sit back and relax. Let the tropical sunshine kiss your skin and the dreamy ocean vibes of Mauritius sweep you off your feet.
7. Tanzania
This East African nation beckons with the thrill of an African safari. Imagine witnessing the wildebeest migration, a thundering spectacle of nature, or coming face-to-face with a majestic lion. Beyond the wildlife, Tanzania boasts stunning landscapes like the Ngorongoro Crater and the volcanic peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro. But Tanzania offers more than just adventure; it also provides peace of mind.
Tanzania is frequently recognized as one of the safest places to visit in Africa. Tourists tend to spend most of their time in national parks and private reserves, where security is a priority. The well-established safari industry employs qualified guides who prioritize your safety.
Traveling to countries that have been recognized for their safety is a smart move for travelers. However, we need to stay cautious and be aware of our surroundings whenever we are traveling – both solo or with a group. At the end of the day, we all want a safe, stress-free, and exciting experience.
Are you ready to travel to Africa? Here is our idea to scale up your safety: Group Trips! By traveling in a group, you have travel buddies to stick together with and help each other during the journey. There is safety in numbers. Besides that, traveling in a group means doubling the fun and cutting the cost. Look no further than JoinMyTrip, which offers tailor-made travel experiences in small group trips that are perfect for wanderlusts and solo travelers. Introverts or extroverts, backpackers or splurgees – traveling with JoinMyTrip ensures the perfect amount of joy and memories you need.