With all of the shocking news reports of violent crime, war, disease, and various atrocities occurring in Africa, many travelers assume that the continent is dangerous to visit. The reality is that there are plenty of safe African countries to visit. Of course, there are also some risks. This guide answers the question, Is Africa Safe?
In this guide, I’ll outline some dangers you may encounter while traveling in Africa and explain how to avoid them. I’ll also share some useful safety tips to help you avoid violent crime, disease, kidnapping, wild animals, and scams while traveling in Africa. I’ll also list some of the safest countries in Africa and some of the most dangerous.
I will start off by saying, Africa is, by far, my favorite travel destination. I’ve spent over a year traveling on the continent. So far, I’ve visited about 14 African countries. I plan to return early next year. The only issue I ever had was getting pickpocketed on a minibus in Tanzania.
Africa is spectacularly beautiful, the people are friendly, and travel is relatively affordable. Unfortunately, there are a few dangers that must be taken into consideration that you don’t have to worry about as much in other parts of the world.
Is Africa Safe?
Yes, Africa is safe for tourists to visit. As long as you take some basic precautions and avoid certain areas, you can safely travel to Africa. Especially for safaris. The game parks are very secure.
In Africa, the dangers vary greatly by region. After all, Africa is a massive continent consisting of 54 countries and over 1.4 billion people.
Most African countries are perfectly safe for tourists. Others are active warzones. This guide outlines the main dangers of travel in Africa. Some of the safest countries in Africa include Mauritius, Ghana, Rwanda, and Namibia.
A few potential dangers to be aware of while traveling in Africa include:
- Mugging and robbery
- Pickpocketing and petty theft
- Disease
- Armed Conflict/War
- Terrorism
- Kidnapping
- Homicide
- Natural disaster
- Organ harvesting
- Rape
Unfortunately, all of these dangers exist somewhere on the continent. The good news is that you can avoid these dangers by doing your research, avoiding certain regions, and taking some basic precautions. The vast majority of the African continent is perfectly safe to visit. Over 50 million tourists visit Africa each year and most don’t have any safety issues.
Table of Contents
- The Safest African Countries
- The Most Dangerous African Countries
- Violent crime in Africa
- Sickness and disease in Africa
- Petty theft in Africa
- Scams in Africa
- Transportation Safety in Africa
- Food and Drink Safety
- Wild animal safety in Africa
Violent Crime in Africa
As a travel destination, Africa gets a bit of a bad rap. Over the years, you’ve probably read shocking stories in the news about terrorism, kidnappings, genocides, assassinations, kidnappings, piracy, and robberies in Africa. The continent has its fair share of crime. Violent crime rates in Africa are some of the highest in the world. The media sometimes makes it sound like the whole continent is a war zone.
The reality is that, while these violent crimes do happen, they are usually pretty localized. The continent is generally pretty peaceful. Violent crimes against tourists are pretty rare in most countries. If you stick to African countries that are at peace, you can significantly reduce your chance of encountering any type of violent crime.
Africa is a massive place and risks vary greatly by region. Some countries are perfectly safe to visit but there may be specific regions to avoid. Security conditions can also change quickly so it’s best to research your specific routes and destinations before and during your trip to make sure your itinerary is safe.
To help you get started in your research, check out the travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State. Read about each country you intend to visit and the current risks. Travel advisories aren’t always perfectly accurate, but they are a good place to start.
A few violent crimes to be aware of while traveling in Africa include:
Robbery in Africa
When it comes to violent crime, mugging and robbery are probably the biggest concerns for tourists. There is some level of risk in every big city.
Robbers can work alone or in a gang. Muggers can wait and hide in isolated areas. They could hide next to vehicles, down dark streets, or in the bushes next to hiking trails. When someone walks by, they attack and rob them.
Gangs of robbers can also create roadblocks. They stop vehicles on the road and rob the driver and passengers. Carjackings can occur in some countries.
In some places, home break-ins are a problem. Robbers wait outside until come home or open your front door then they force their way in and rob the occupants.
Sometimes motorcycle taxi drivers can also rob their passengers. They may drive to a deserted area then demand that you hand over money or your belongings. This really only happens at night.
In some African countries, robbery is a major problem. South Africa is an example. Mugging incidents are, unfortunately, common. Nairobi also has a reputation for muggings. The city has earned the nickname “Nairobery”.
Regardless of where you’re traveling, it’s a good idea to take some basic precautions to reduce the risk of getting robbed. A few precautions to take include:
- Avoid flashing valuables- Keep expensive electronics like phones and cameras concealed in a backpack or stored safely in your hotel. Don’t wear jewelry.
- Don’t walk around at night- Most areas are relatively safe during the day. The risk of getting robbed increases after dark. Robbers can hide and wait for a victim. Take a taxi instead of walking at night. Try to stay in well-lit areas where there are other people around when you’re on foot.
- If you are not familiar with an area, don’t walk around- Take an Uber, taxi, or public transportation to your destination instead.
- If possible, walk with someone else or in a group- A group of people is much harder to rob than an individual. There is safety in numbers.
- Leave your passport and important documents somewhere safe- Store your passport in your hotel room. Lock it in your luggage or in the safe if the hotel has one. Alternatively, carry it in a money belt. Have copies just in case.
- Don’t carry large sums of cash- Only carry enough cash for the day. Divide your cash up among different pockets so if you get robbed you might have some left.
- Don’t walk around drunk or intoxicated- It just makes you a target. If you’ve been drinking, take a taxi. Also, don’t allow yourself to get too intoxicated. It makes you an easier victim.
- Be selective of which ATM you use to withdraw money- Make sure there is security nearby. If the area feels unsafe, find a different ATM.
- Always keep the doors and windows locked- Even when you’re inside, keep your hotel room locked up.
- Avoid traveling between cities at night- It’s best to avoid night buses in Africa. In some countries, it’s safe to take night buses.
For more tips, check out my guide: How to Avoid Getting Robbed While Traveling.
Tip: Use a money belt to keep your cash, passport, and credit cards hidden from muggers and pickpockets. Some travelers like to carry a decoy wallet stocked with a few dollars and some expired credit cards to hand over if they’re robbed. I have used the Eagle Creek Silk Undercover money belt for about 8 years and am very happy with it. Check out my full review here.
Terrorism in Africa
Several terrorist groups are currently active throughout Africa. Security conditions can change quickly. Before booking your trip, check on the political situation where you plan to travel. Some occupied regions are no-go zones where you should not travel. A few terrorist groups operating in Africa include:
- Al- Shabab: This terrorist group operates mostly in Somalia but has also been known to carry out attacks in Ethiopia and Kenya. Mostly along the border. In general, Somalia is a no-go zone. Al-Shabab has carried out numerous violent attacks, killing hundreds of people in the capital, Mogadishu. Kidnappings of foreigners are common. If you wish to visit Somalia, you’ll need to hire private security but even then it is not safe. You can, however, visit Somaliland which is a relatively peaceful part of the count