The very thought of traveling to Africa conjures up thoughts of adventure, acquaintance with a unique, unusual culture. The multitude of national parks, ecological abundance, local culture and, of course, African wildlife promise to fulfill it all.
Choosing a country to visit in Africa can be tricky because in addition to the country's beautiful nature, there is a myth about the continent's high crime rate. In fact, most of Africa is free from crime, and we will list the safest countries in Africa to visit.
Botswana
Botswana is the safest country in Africa, safer than the UK or Spain. Land of the Okavango Delta, Kalahari Desert and Makgadikgadi Salt Baths, Botswana is one of Africa's hidden gems, famous for blooming wildlife and extraordinary views. Crime is at a record low here, the popular cities of Francistown, Gaborone, Maun rarely face serious crime, but safaris are expensive here.
Ghana
Ghana is located in the center of the mainland: there are not many attractions here, but a cultural heritage that dates back to the 18th century has been preserved. The capital city of Accra has a negligible crime rate and is always crowded with locals and tourists. Among the activities for tourists: surfing the beaches of Accra, getting to know Jamestown, Cape Coast castles, visiting several national parks.
Zambia
The US Department of State has rated Zambia the first level of safety for travelers in its annual report on tourism. In some areas of Zambia, Copperbelt and Lusaka provinces, crime rates are higher, but none are considered “unsafe” by international standards.
Victoria Falls, Kafue National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park are must-sees, all relatively crime-free. Safari in Zambia is "wild", the number of safari camps is limited.
Sierra leone
The tiny coastal country (71.7 km²) is another refuge for tourists for whom safety is their main concern. More than 60% of the country's population lives below the poverty line, and, as they say, “poverty breeds crime”, so it is slightly higher here than in the top 3. Sierra Leone is renowned for its nightlife, parties and tourist traffic at Christmas and Easter. Most of the crime occurs in urban areas, while the rest of the country has relatively low crime rates.
If you are visiting the country for a short time, avoid walking after 22:00 and travel in groups.
Tanzania
Tanzania is a favorite destination for African safari. The country offers a wide variety of travel experiences in Africa - from safaris in the Serengeti to hiking in the Kilimanjaro Mountains, wildlife and bird watching in Ngorongoro to relaxing beach holidays in the Zanzibar archipelago, and travel to the country has been made easier thanks to political initiatives from the government.
Tanzania is generally considered safe - approximately 1.8 million tourists visited the country in 2019, and very few reported any crimes.
Be careful in hot spots:
- Arusha is a densely populated city and a stopover for tourists visiting the Northern Route. Tourists are advised not to wear obviously expensive clothes and accessories, not to leave the hotel after dark.
- Stone City is the central part of the Zanzibar archipelago. Tourists are advised to stay away from this city outside of office hours.
However, most tourists almost never visit these places. Bonus - there is an inexpensive safari here.
Madagascar
Madagascar is considered one of the safest countries in Africa: the island state has many friendly residents, and the country's natural resources make it very attractive for vacationers. The recent spike in unemployment has led to a rise in crime rates, but overall, the island remains in the top ten friendly places in Africa.
Baobab Alley - a huge trail of baobab trees - a strong candidate to become one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Africa. Tsingy de Bemaraha and Ranomafana National Parks can be visited without worrying too much about safety. The islands of Saint-Marie, Ifaty are popular beach destinations: the crime rate is negligible here, unique events are held. You can take a boat trip, see the humpback whales of the Indian Ocean, if you have already met land animals in the numerous national parks of Madagascar.
Senegal
Thefts and robberies with the use of weapons do occur in Senegal, but these cases are quite rare - the situation with crime in the country is better than in France.
One of the biggest problems tourists face is language. The locals speak almost exclusively in French, few in broken English.
Senegal has a lot of attractions that tourists can fearlessly admire: Lake Pink, the city of Casamance, Madeleine Island, La Somone lagoon and Jouge National Park.
Stay away from Dakar, avoid night walks on the beaches and protests: although most of them are peaceful, some result in clashes with the police.
Namibia
The crime rate in Namibia is relatively low compared to other African countries, but it remains the most unsafe on this list: tourists can very well become victims of petty crime. Namibia is quite picturesque and safe, with low population density in places other than cities, which is an effective deterrent to crime. The country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the world's oldest desert to the east, and the vast plains make it a great travel destination.
Liberia
Liberia offers travelers the opportunity to experience the vibrant culture of West Africa in person. The vibrant capital of Monrovia has dozens of markets where artisans sell the finest handicrafts, the National Museum tells the story of Africa's oldest republic, surfers from all over the world flock to the palm-lined beaches of Liberia to catch the perfect wave, and the jungle is home to leopards, elephants, chimpanzees. , pygmy hippos. Liberia may seem like a dream destination, but security measures need to be taken into account before applying for a Liberia tourist visa.
Petty and violent crime is common throughout Monrovia, especially in densely populated areas. Most crimes are crimes when possible: pickpocketing, car thefts, robberies by taxi drivers. Traveling to unsafe areas and walking alone at night is highly discouraged.
Gambia
Tourism is thriving in the Republic of the Gambia and it's easy to see why. The Gambia is renowned for its hospitality, sunny beaches, and diverse wildlife. Inexpensive safari tours give travelers the unique opportunity to observe leopards, monkeys, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, rare birds in their natural habitat, and the world famous Kotu Beach is the perfect place to unwind after a long day exploring Banjul. Fishing, boating and horseback riding are popular beach activities in The Gambia.
Violent crime is rare in The Gambia, with the biggest threats being pickpockets and homeless people. Tramps approach tourists, offer to be their guide or promise to introduce them to life in the Gambia, some target older women, offering romance in exchange for a new life in America or Europe. Fraud is common - beware of investment offers.
