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Writer's picturePaige Lancelot

safest countries in Africa

I've yet to go to Africa, however it's become heavy on my heart to go, so I did some research. These are what I found to be the 'safest countries' to visit! Like anywhere in the world (including your hometown) you always have to take precautions and use common sense.


Looking at the news, this may not look like the safest country, however if you look closer it's actually one of the friendliest countries in Africa. There is plenty of street theft however that can happen in any country, don't let it stop you from seeing this amazing place. See the longest river in the world (The Nile) or climb the highest volcano in East Africa at Mt. Elgon National park. There's lots of hidden gems in this country.




The country where you can climb the famous Mount Kilimanjaro, go on a safari in the Serengeti, snorkel in Zanzibar and even go to the place where Freddy Mercury from Queen was born. Of course you never want to walk alone at night especially as a female and find a taxi driver you can trust.



So, it might seem like an oxymoron to suggest Kenya as the safest place in Africa to visit given that the East African country has come under terror attacks multiple times in the last few years. However, so has the states and numerous European countries. See thousands of flamingos at Lake Nakuru, lay in the white sand beaches at Mombasa, spend the night with giraffes at giraffe manor and see some of the coolest animals in the numerous safaris they offer.





The only real significant danger here is the animals as none of the reserves are gated. It’s, therefore, best to drive only during daylight hours and follow locals’ advice if you’re camping in the bush. That being said, people come to Botswana to do self-drive safaris and see all the animals Africa has to offer.




You hear Rwanda and you just hear the word 'danger', lucky the genocide was 25+ years ago so it is definitely a safe place to be. Spend time in the vibrant city if Kigali, explore the numerous national parks or go on the popular gorilla trek.




Like any country, I recommend using common knowledge. There is no danger in booking tours with local companies or with street agencies. However, don’t forget that it is a Muslim country, so wear modest clothes covering your shoulders and knees- that’s the way you can avoid unnecessary attention. No need to wear hijab, though- Egyptians are used to tourists. Egypt is a place to explore historical landmarks like the Luxor and the Pyramids of Giza, as well as doing a desert tour.




Like Egypt, it's best to dress modest just to respect the culture and draw less attention to yourself. There are so many neat and unique experiences to have in this country. Stay at a Riad (similar to a palace), camp overnight in the Sahara Desert, drive through the windy roads of the Atlas Mountains, go find an oasis and explore the madrasas. The list is endless.





Malawi is known as the 'warm heart of Africa' and has an extremely low crime rate. With that being said I still advise taking the usual precautions in cities, especially at night. After dark, it’s best to take a taxi rather than walking, even for short distances. It's not the most touristy country, however there are still a few things to check out like Lake Malawi, climb Mount Mulanje, stay in a village and get to know the culture, or volunteer at a wildlife conservatory.



If you’re looking for a more stable country in Africa that is tropical, exotic, AND very safe, then you don’t need to look any further than Seychelles. The Seychelles is a group of 115 small islands in the Indian Ocean that are home to just under 100,000 people. The islands are the epitome of a tropical paradise, with pristine white sand beaches, warm turquoise water, towering palm trees, and even giant tortoises. Need I say more?




Like many of the surrounding countries, Mozambique has emerged from the dark past of its civil war and has had issues shrugging off that stereotypical dangerous image of Africa. Now, it's become a luxury travel spot! Crystal water, white sand beaches, markets and abandoned ships, there's heaps of things to see and enjoy.




Known for the slogan 'No stress', this island always gives a warm welcome. Beware of petty theft, and avoid flashing your belongings. There's heaps to do rather than just lazy-ing out on a beach you can go go horseback riding in Santa Maria, hike pico de fogo, jump on a dune buggy in Boa Vista, explore Santo Antão island or learn to kite surf.




The people in Zambia are known for being very peaceful, the economy is slow and unemployment is high however the violence is very low. People come to Zambia normally for Victoria falls but there are other landmarks you don't want to miss out on like, Mosi-OA-Tunya National Park or the Zambezi river.




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