Africa tends to get a bad rep when it comes to safety, causing many Americans to avoid traveling to the continent altogether. In reality, many of Africa’s 54 countries are perfectly safe for travel and offer unique cultural experiences and landscapes unlike those seen anywhere else in the world.
These countries have been deemed safe for American tourists, according to frequent travelers and current US Department of State travel advisories:
1. Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) consists of ten volcanic islands. Off the coast of West Africa, if you book a flight to this island country, you’re solidly committing to a beach vacation. Relax on soft beaches with sparkling blue water, go kite-surfing, or hop on a dune buggy for a tour.
The country currently has a “Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions” advisory from the State Department deeming it safer than countries like the United Kingdom and Italy.
2. Madagascar
Madagascar is way more than an animated movie. Visiting the African island means lush rainforests, terraced rice fields, and bright blue beaches. Baobabs, the national tree of Madagascar, are unlike any in the United States and can be seen in grand splendor on the Avenue of the Baobabs.
Madagascar has a “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution” advisory, which is the same status as France and Germany.
3. Mauritius
Mauritius isn’t one of Africa’s cheapest countries, but it’s certainly one of its most beautiful. The island nation in the Indian Ocean is known for its crystal-clear blue waters, sea life, and lush parks.
You can enjoy your trip with peace of mind, as the US Department of State has given Madagascar a Level 1 travel advisory.
4. Kenya
Kenya’s Diani Beach is often hailed as one of the most stunning in Africa for its shimmering, soft white sand and turquoise water. The coast isn’t all this African country has to offer: Maasai Mara Reserve, Nairobi National Park, Giraffe Center, and Tsavo East National Park are among the continent’s most exceptional destinations for wildlife watching.
Safety in Kenya can be summarized by a Swahili proverb, “Siku za mwizi ni arobaini,” which translates into “The days of a thief are forty.” Basically, if you break the law, your days are numbered—either the police or community will stop you. If you need more assurance, the State Department gives Kenya a Level 2 travel advisory.
5. Zambia
If you’ve never heard of Zambia, maybe you’ve heard of Victoria Falls, the country’s biggest tourist attraction. Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world, spanning 1,708 meters wide, with up to a staggering 500 million liters flowing through it per minute, according to UNESCO.
Visiting this natural feat is perfectly safe. Zambia has a Level 1 travel advisory from the State Department.
6. Tanzania
There are few countries in Africa with scenery that rivals that of Tanzania. The country boasts two major natural attractions: Serengeti National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world above sea level, according to National Geographic.
At Serengeti National Park, all five of the “Big Five” game animals can be found: elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino. Meanwhile, Zanzibar offers blue waters that rival those in French Polynesia.
Currently, Tanzania has a Level 2 travel advisory.
7. Senegal
Beaches are among the leading reasons to visit Senegal. For the best, go to Ngor Island, one of four original Lebu (fishing community) villages on the Cap-Vert Peninsula. Here, beaches are generally clean and have waves suitable for surfing.
For some color, head to Lake Retba, a pink lake with a rosy hue due to its high salt content.
Senegal presently has a Level 1 travel advisory.
8. The Seychelles
Seychelles’ breathtaking blue waters make it a haven for luxury tourists in Africa. Often compared to the Maldives, which is not far away, the island nation is a little more built up than its competitor, with beaches better suited for swimming.
There’s no denying that Seychelles is exceptionally safe. The US Department of State gives it a Level 1 travel advisory.
9. Namibia
Some tourists cite lions as the biggest danger in Namibia. Located in Southwest Africa, Namibia is most known for being a top country for African safaris, having a large cheetah population, and having the breathtaking Namib Desert along its coast.
Presently, Namibia has been given a Level 2 travel advisory.
10. Ghana
Ghana is often dubbed the best country for first-timers in Africa for its incredibly friendly people, safety, and well-rounded balance of things to do. Wake up early to witness local markets or go for a hike at Kakum National Park. For dinner, there’s hardly a better meal in the country than Ghanaian curries and Jollof rice.
Ghana currently has a Level 2 travel advisory.
11. Botswana
Like Namibia, many tourists cite the biggest threat in Botswana as not being the people but the wildlife. Crocodiles, hyenas, hippopotamuses, giraffes, cheetahs, and elephants aren’t uncommon to see in the country, which is mostly covered by the Kalahari Desert.
For wildlife watching, head to the expansive Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Alternatively, the Moremi Game Reserve is another prime spot for wildlife, especially when the Okavango Delta floods seasonally.
Botswana has been given a Level 2 travel advisory by the US Department of State.
12. Morocco
Compared to other countries on this list, chaotic Morocco might seem dangerous for its tourist scams and attitudes towards women. Still, the country is safe enough to welcome huge crowds of tourists from Europe and the United States each year, who come to witness its magical souks, flavorful culinary scene, and remarkable landmarks in cities like Marrakech, Fes, and Chefchaouen, among others.
Morocco has a Level 2 travel advisory.
13. Rwanda
Rwanda is so safe that many solo female travelers report walking around the country without hesitation. The small country is teeming with things to do, like Nyungwe Forest National Park. Surrounded by tea plantations, the park offers the only canopy walkway in East Africa. You can experience picking tea leaves for yourself at Gisakura Tea Estate.
Don’t leave Rwanda without going gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park, where you may see endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
Rwanda currently has a Level 1 travel advisory.
14. Malawi
Malawi is under the radar for most tourists around the world, but it shouldn’t be. The narrow country offers beautiful highlands and a large number of lakes. Spectacular Lake Malawi, one of the African Great Lakes, is the most notable of them, known for its enchanting blue water and sandy shores.
With a Level 2 travel advisory, you’ll likely have a safe trip, but you should watch out for the overwhelming traffic. As one of Africa’s poorest countries, Malawi requires more coordination than some of the countries on this list for its disorganization.
15. Lesotho
Known as the “Kingdom of Sky,” Lesotho is the only country in the world that exists entirely above 1,000 meters. Its lowest point of 4,593 feet (1,400 meters) is the “highest lowest point” of any country, states The Telegraph.
A tiny country surrounded entirely by South Africa, the best thing to do in Lesotho is well, to take to the sky. Drive up winding mountain passages, stopping at waterfalls and taking in all of the spectacular views along the way.
Currently, Lesotho has a Level 1 travel advisory.
16. Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone probably isn’t for your average tourist. It’s a lesser-traveled country in Africa, but not one without something to offer. Tourists can experience verdant rainforests, go wildlife watching at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, or stroll through Freetown to learn about the country’s history of difficulty and resilience.
Sierra Leone has a Level 2 travel advisory.
These countries are the opposite of safe
The US Department of State has issued “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisories for several countries. Luckily, they all have alternatives so similar, you might not be able to tell the difference.
9 Countries Too Dangerous for Travel, According to the US State Department (and Where to Go Instead)
African safaris are a once-in-a-lifetime experience
Your local zoo could never rival the experience of seeing zebras, cheetahs, lions, and more in the wild.
15 Magical African Safaris to Experience
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
