Africa is not a popular destination for digital nomads. I think that’s a shame. The continent offers stunning natural beauty, loads of culture, friendly people, and adventure. The internet infrastructure is improving. Some African countries have also started offering digital nomad visas. Of course, there are some drawbacks. The cost of living can be surprisingly high. Healthcare infrastructure is poor. Visas can be complicated. Safety is also an issue in some regions. If you’re looking for a unique place to work abroad, Africa is definitely worth considering. This guide outlines 23 of the best places to be a digital nomad in Africa.
In this guide, I’ll cover the top digital nomad destinatinos in Africa including Nairobi, Cape Town, Kampala, Zanzibar, and many more. I’ll outline the cost of living, internet speeds and reliability, co-working spaces, safety, culture, quality of life, the visa situation, entertainment, food, and more. I’ll also share a few benefits and drawbacks of each destination. I’ve spent a good amount of time living in Africa as a digital nomad. My favorite destinations are Kampala, Nairobi, and Cape Town. In this guide, I’ll share my experience.
Table of Contents
1. Nairobi, Kenya
- Region: East Africa
- Population: 4.4 million
- Monthly cost of living: $1000-$1400 per month
- Language: English, Swahili
- Internet speed: 20.70 Mbps
Nairobi is one of the best digital nomad destinations in Africa. The city is surprisingly modern and metropolitan. There are plenty of things to do. The locals are friendly. There are lots of good restaurants to enjoy. Nairobi also has excellent nightlife. It’s a great choice for those who love city life. As an added bonus, you can literally go for a safari in the city limits in Nairobi National Park. For these reasons, Nairobi is my favorite city in Africa.
Nairobi is also one of Africa’s largest tech hubs. This also makes it a great choice for digital nomads. The internet speeds are fast and the connection is pretty reliable. It’s easy to get a 20 Mbps connection. Data is affordable. Co-working spaces are also widely available.
The cost of living in Nairobi is relatively low as well. Expect to spend around $1000-$1400 per month. This budget includes rent, food, accommodation, entertainment, and transportation. You could live on less than $1000 per month here if you’re willing to cook for yourself and live outside the city center. Renting a decent apartment in the city will cost you around $400-$700 a month. If you want to live a bit more luxurious lifestyle, with a higher-end apartment, expect to spend closer to $2000 per month.
There are lots of things to do in Nairobi. If you enjoy shopping, there are lots of malls and markets to explore. Nairobi is also a good food city. You can find great local and international cuisine. Kenyan food is delicious. Nairobi has several interesting museums to explore. Westlands is a great place for nightlife. If you’re looking for adventure then Nairobi National Park or Maasai Mara are both great places to go for safaris. You spot some amazing wildlife including elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebra, hippos, and more.
Nairobi offers an extremely comfortable climate due to its high elevation and location near the equator. The temperature usually ranges between 17°C (62°F) and 25°C (77°F). This is perfect for digital nomads who like warmer climates but don’t want it too hot during the summer months.
Public transportation in Nairobi is decent. The main mode of transport is matatus (shared minibusses) and motorcycle taxis. Uber is also available and is affordable. You could get around the city for $40-$50 per month.
For most nationalities, Kenya is easy to visit. They offer an easy-to-use e-visa program. You can apply for your online and stay in Kenya for up to 90 days on a single entry visa, multi-entry visa, or an East Africa Tourist Visa. It is also possible to extend the visa. There is no digital nomad visa at this time.
It’s also easy to speak to locals and make friends. Kenyans are extremely friendly people. Most people are fluent in English. The official language of Kenya is Kiswahili. It’s a fun language to learn.
One potential drawback of living in Nairobi as a digital nomad is that it’s not the safest city. Crime is a serious issue. It’s not called ‘Nairobbery’ for nothing. Muggings are common in some neighborhoods. It’s not safe to walk around alone at night in Nairobi. Petty theft and pickpocketing are also issues. Particularly on matatus and in crowded parts of the CBD. You need to take some precautions when you’re out and about. Avoid carrying valuables. During the day it is relatively safe to wander around but you have to stay alert.
2. Cape Town, South Africa
- Region: Southern Africa
- Population: 4.6 million
- Cost of living: $1200-$1800 per month
- Internet speed: 42.21 Mbps
Cape Town is often considered to be the best city in Africa for digital nomads. The city offers excellent infrastructure. It has some of the fastest internet speeds on the continent. The median download speed in Cape Town is around 42.21 Mbps. The city also offers plenty of co-working spaces and coffee shops where can get some work done. According to coworker.com, there are 51 coworking spaces in Cape Town. It’s also a coastal city with stunning natural beauty. There are great beaches nearby. There are also lots of outdoor adventure activities to enjoy. It’s also got a nice city center.
The cost of living in Cape Town is reasonable. Expect to spend about $1200-$1800 per month. An average studio or one-bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood costs about $600-$700 per month.
Most people can enter South Africa on a tourist visa and stay for up to 90 days. The visa is extendable for up to 6 months. If you want to stay longer, it may be possible to apply for temporary residency. South Africa is also planning to introduce a digital nomad visa in the near future.
Cape Town is a great choice for those who are into adventure activities. You can go hiking, fishing, surfing, kayaking, swimming, rock climbing, paragliding, sailing, camping, and more. There are also several game reserves within a few hours of Cape Town where you can go on a safari. There are dozens of stunning white sands along the coast. You could try cage diving with sharks in nearby Gansbaai. There is also some great whale watching nearby. A few points of interest to visit while living in Cape Town include Wander Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Table Mountain National Park, V&A Waterfront, the Cape of Good Hope, and Chapman’s Peak Drive.
Cape Town also has a large expat community. This makes it easy to meet other digital nomads. It’s also easy to meet travelers because Cape Town is a major tourist destination. It’s easy to meet locals as well. Pretty much everyone speaks English.
Cape Town is also a pretty decent food city. You can find traditional South African, vegan food, fast food, and international cuisine. It’s also a great place for wine lovers. There are a number of excellent wineries in the nearby region of Stellenbosch.
It’s important to note that Cape Town is one of the more dangerous cities on this list. Theft and robberies are common. You have to be cautious while out and about. Security is a pretty serious concern here. While I was walking to a restaurant one night, a masked man ran up to me and started demanding money. I walked into the restaurant and he waited for me outside for a few minutes. Luckily, he had left by the time I was ready to go home. It was pretty sketchy. Cape Town is not a safe place to walk around at night. This is by far the biggest drawback of living here. It’s a dangerous city.
3. Kampala, Uganda
- Region: East Africa
- Population: 3.8 million people in the metro area.
- Cost of living: $900-$1200 per month
- Language: Luganda and English
- Internet speed: 26.07 Mbps
Kampala, Uganda is probably my favorite digital nomad destination in Africa. It’s a great option for those looking to explore a traditional, lively, and upcoming African city. It is a bit of a hidden gem.
One of the main benefits of living in Kampala as a digital nomad is the low cost of living. You can comfortably live in Kampala on less than $1000 per month. It’s possible to get by on as little as $600-$800 if you’re frugal and watch your spending. Kampala is a cheap destination. If you want to live a little more luxurious lifestyle, expect to spend closer to $2000.
It’s possible to rent a comfortable one-bedroom apartment for $400-$600 per month. If you’re willing to live outside of the city center, you could rent a decent place for $150-$300 per month. Food is also incredibly affordable if you shop at the local markets. Eating out can get kind of pricey.
Uganda has an easy-to-use e-visa program. Most visitors can stay for up to 90 days on a single-entry, multi-entry, or East Africa tourist visa. The visa can be extended for an additional 60 days. This allows you to stay for up to 150 days.
Another nice thing about living in Kampala is that there are plenty of outdoor activities available nearby. Uganda is a relatively compact country. You can travel pretty much anywhere in the country in less than a day by bus. This makes it easy to go sightseeing.
You could take a weekend trip to Jinja to view the source of the Nile and enjoy some adventure activities such as rafting or riding ATVs. There are several beautiful lakes to visit including Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Victoria. You can go boating, fishing, or simply relax on the beach. There are also some nice waterfalls to visit including Sipi Falls and Murchison Falls. If you have room in your budget, you can go mountain gorilla trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. There are also several game parks where you can take a safari including Queen Victoria National Park. Check out my list of things to do in Uganda for more ideas.
There are plenty of restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops to enjoy in Kampala. There is some great nightlife as well. Ugandans love to party. Check out the neighborhoods of Lugogo and Kololo for some of Kampala’s best nightlife. It’s easy to mingle and make friends when going out.
Kampala is also considered a safe city by African standards. During the day, you can safely wander around the city and explore. You have to keep an eye out for pickpockets and petty thieves but violent crime against tourists is rare. At night, it’s best to take transport rather than walking as robberies and muggings can happen.
Another major benefit of living in Kampala is that English is widely spoken. Almost everyone speaks at least basic English. Most people are fluent. Most locals speak Luganda.
One potential issue for digital nomads is that internet speeds are pretty slow. The average download speed is around 8.5 Mbps. Faster connections up to around 26 Mbps are available in certain neighborhoods. Wifi is not available everywhere. If you plan on working remotely then it’s best to buy a MiFi hotspot for data. MTN and Airtel are the two main telecom companies.
There are a few coworking spaces in Kampala. A couple of popular ones include Design Hub Kampala and Hive Colab. If you need a fast and reliable connection, a coworking is your best bet.
Data is fairly expensive here. If you’re using 4G, you’ll pay around $0.50 per gigabyte. Unlimited Wifi is available at co-working spaces as well as some hotels, Airbnbs, and restaurants. If it’s available, an unlimited home internet connection costs around $40-$50 per month.
I have been living in Kampala as a digital nomad for the past 5 months and have really enjoyed my time here. My visa is expiring soon but I’m already planning to come back next year.
For more info, check out my guide to living in Kampala as an expat.
4. Cairo, Egypt
- Region: North Africa
- Population: Over 10 million
- Cost of living: $800-$1200
- Language: Arabic
- Internet speed: 22.71 Mbps
Cairo offers loads of ancient history, unique culture, great food, and a convenient location relatively close to Europe and the Middle East. This ancient city isn’t for everyone but it does have a lot to offer.
One of the biggest benefits of Cairo is the low cost of living. It’s one of the cheapest major cities in the world. It’s possible to live comfortably in Cairo on $800-$1000 per month. If you’re on a tight budget, you could get by in Cairo for as little as $600 per month. If you want to live a little more luxurious lifestyle, expect to spend closer to $1500-$2000 per month.
Most visitors can enter Egypt with a visa on arrival and stay for 30-90 days depending on their nationality. The visa is extendable.
For history lovers, Cairo is the best destination on the continent. You can explore sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphynx. There are museums, monuments, and ruins. You can take a train south to explore more famous ancient Egyptian temples and monuments.
Cairo also has a growing digital nomad community. There are meetups where you can meet other digital nomads and like-minded people. Many cafés and restaurants have free Wi-Fi. Cairo offers decent internet speeds. Expect average download speeds of around 22.71 Mbps. Co-working spaces are becoming increasingly common. Egypt has a growing tech scene.
Cairo is also a relatively safe city. Violent crime against tourists is rare. You do have to keep an eye out for pickpockets and petty thieves. You’ll also encounter many aggressive salespeople, con men, and hustlers while you’re out walking around. This gets extremely annoying. I have had guys follow me around begging me to just take a look inside their shop. Solo female travelers sometimes get harassed by locals.
One potential drawback is that the internet in Cairo is heavily censored by the government. You may need to use a VPN to get your work done. Some websites are blocked. Cairo is also a very loud city.
5. Dahab, Egypt
- Region: North Africa
- Population: 15,000
- Cost of living: $800-$1200 per month
- Internet speed: 4-10 Mbps
Dahab is a small beach town located on the Southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula on the Red Sea. It has a population of around 15,000. This is one of the most popular digital nomad destinations in Africa.
The biggest benefit of living in Dahab is the low cost of living. This is one of the world’s cheapest digital nomad destinations. You could get by on $800-$1000 per month here including accommodation, transportation, food, and entertainment. For a little more comfort, expect to spend $1200-$1500.
Most visitors can enter Egypt for 90 days with a visa on arrival. This visa costs $25 and is extendable. There is a special visa for the Sinai Peninsula only or you can get the regular visa that covers all of Egypt.
The digital nomad infrastructure is decent. There are plenty of cafes and co-working spaces. Internet speeds are good. Many digital nomads use a MiFi hotspot. Data is cheap.
The biggest attraction of Dahab is the outdoor activities. Dahab is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers. The Red Sea offers some incredible coral reefs and spectacular Blue Hole. Fishing is also a popular activity. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are also popular. There are also some great hiking opportunities in the desert. I hiked Mt. Sinai while staying in Dahab. Of course, you can always lay out on the beach and soak up some sun.
Dahab is a small town with a laid-back atmosphere. The culture is completely different from the larger cities in Egypt. People dress casually. You can walk or cycle anywhere. It’s a great place for digital nomads who want to work and relax. You don’t have to worry as much about scammers and hustlers as you do in Cairo. Nobody will bother you here.
The town could get boring if you’re not into water activities or if you prefer large cities. There isn’t much of a nightlife scene. Everything is pretty laid-back and casual. There are a couple of nice bars to explore. It’s a small town. You can walk across it in 20 minutes.
6. Zanzibar, Tanzania
- Region: East Africa
- Population: 1.3 million on the island. The largest city, Stone Town, has a population of around 200,000
- Cost of living: $1000-$1500 per month
- Internet speed: 17.63 Mbps
Located just off the coast of East Africa, Zanzibar is an archipelago of islands with beautiful white sand beaches. It’s a great choice for digital nomads who are looking for an exotic tropical island paradise. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania.
Zanzibar offers surprisingly decent internet speeds. The internet isn’t as fast as on the mainland but it is fast enough to get most jobs done. Expect download speeds of around 16.63 Mbps. Most bars, restaurants, and cafes offer free wifi. There are also a few good co-working spaces in Stonetown that offer fast and reliable internet.
Living in Zanzibar is pretty affordable. You could live comfortably for $1200-$1500 per month. You can rent a decent one bedroom apartment for $500-$600 per month. If you want to live a more luxurious lifestyle with a beachfront apartment, expect to spend closer to $2000. It would be possible to live on less than $1000 per month here if you’re willing to live in more basic accommodation.
Most visitors can visit on arrival for Tanzania for 30-90 days. The visa is extendable for an additional 90 days. The visa costs $50-$100 depending on your nationality.
Zanzibar is a great food destination. There are great seafood, Indian food, Middle Eastern, and African options. This is due to the diversity of the island. Zanzibar is home to a mix of Arabians, Persians, Indians, and Africans. The majority of people are Muslim. Zanzibar is naturally beautiful as well. The island has some of the world’s best beaches including Nungwi, Bwejuu, and Paje. It’s also got some decent nightlife. There are plenty of beach bars and clubs.
Zanzibar is also relatively safe. Violent crime against visitors is rare. You do need to be careful with your belongings. Petty theft and pickpocketing are common. You may also encounter scammers and hustlers. On the beaches, you’ll meet beach boys trying to sell tours and other things.
One potential drawback is that Zanzibar is an island. To travel to the mainland, you’ll have to take a ferry or fly. There are regular ferries between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. This can make it more difficult to explore other parts of Tanzania. It’s fairly remote. Flights here are expensive.
7. Kigali, Rwanda
- Region: East Africa
- Population: 1.25 million
- Cost of living: $1300-$1800 per month
- Internet speed: 16.55 Mbps
Kigali is a great option for digital nomads who are new to travel in Africa. The city is safe, clean, and relatively compact. It feels a lot more modern than many other destinations on the continent.
Kigali offers decent internet speeds. Expect an average download speed of around 16.55 Mbps. There are a number of co-working spaces and cafes with reliable Wi-Fi where you can get your work done. It’s important to note that wifi isn’t available everywhere in Kigali. You will need to buy a Mifi device to get internet access wherever you go.
Kigali is considered to be the safest city in Africa, according to Statista.com. You will see police and security everywhere while you’re out and about. You can safely walk around and explore the city without having to worry about getting robbed. It is important to keep an eye on your belongings to avoid theft.
The cost of living in Kigali is a bit higher than other locations on this list. Expect to spend about $1300-$1800 per month. You could get by on $1000 if you’re frugal. A decent apartment will cost around $500-$700 per month.
Visas are easy for most travelers. A visa on arrival is valid for 30 days. Single-entry and multiple-entry visa options are available. If you want to stay longer, the East Africa visa is valid for 90 days.
The infrastructure in Kigali is much better than most African cities. The roads are well-maintained. There is a decent public bus network. The buses use a card system that you can top up. The city is also incredibly clean.
Kigali feels much more developed than many other cities in the region. Kigali is an up-and-coming city. The nation has plans to turn Kigali into a major world city. Rwanda’s goal is to become the Singapore of Africa.
Rwanda is also a small country. You can travel pretty much anywhere in the country in less than a day by bus. This makes sightseeing easy. You can visit the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. You can go relax by one of Rwanda’s beautiful lakes. Lake Kivu is an excellent place to go boating, fishing, or just relax on the beach.
8. Mombasa, Kenya
- Region: East Africa
- Population: 1.4 million
- Cost of living: $1200-$1500 per month
- Internet speed: 17.13 Mbps
