Africa is a continent full of stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and warm welcoming people. It offers an unparalleled experience for solo travelers looking to step out of their comfort zone. However, with 54 countries across Africa, deciding where to go can be overwhelming.
This article discusses the top 15 best African countries for solo travelers based on factors like safety, ease of travel, tourist infrastructure, affordability, and unique experiences. Whether you’re looking for wildlife safaris, beaches, historical sites, or adventure activities, these countries have something for every solo wanderer.
Contents
15 Best African Countries for Solo Travel
Africa receives over 67 million visitors annually, but solo travel across the continent comes with distinct challenges. As a solo traveler, you have to be more vigilant about safety, transportation, accommodation, health risks like malaria, and visa requirements. However, the rewards outweigh the challenges – the chance to meet locals, have meaningful cultural exchanges, partake in voluntourism opportunities, enjoy flexibility in your itinerary, and become more confident and resilient by traveling alone.
The countries listed below make solo travel in Africa easier and safer through good tourist infrastructure, visa-free or visa-on-arrival access for many nationalities, relatively low crime rates, budget to luxury accommodation options, and plenty of activities like safaris, hiking, water sports, and cultural tours that you can enjoy alone or by meeting other travelers.
South Africa
South Africa is likely the easiest and most comfortable country for first-time solo visitors to Africa. It has a well-developed tourist industry, excellent infrastructure, and offers everything from vineyards to game reserves to cosmopolitan cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg.backoffices.
The country has plenty of hostels, lodges, B&Bs that cater well to solo travelers. Public transport like the Baz Bus makes getting around easier. Activities like shark-cage diving, bungee jumping, hiking, and safaris are safe to enjoy alone. South Africa also offers volunteering opportunities to get immersed into local culture.
While crime rates are higher compared to world standards, exercising reasonable precautions regarding personal safety makes solo travel quite safe.
Morocco
From the maze-like medinas of Fes to the Sahara Desert, Morocco will enchant you with its diverse landscapes. Its mix of African, European, and Middle Eastern influences creates a unique cultural blend visible in Moroccan architecture, food, and lifestyle.
As a popular tourist destination, Morocco has extensive tourist infrastructure. Facilities like auberges (hostels), riads (B&Bs),Nomad hikes for the Sahara Desert and Atlas Mountains make solo travel easier. While some hassling might occur in market areas, violent crime rates are low.
Rwanda
While small in size, Rwanda punches far above its weight in terms of natural beauty, with Volcanoes National Park offering the chance to see endangered mountain gorillas up-close. Its clean, orderly capital Kigali contrasted by the colorful vibrancy in rural areas provide plenty of variety.
English is widely spoken across the country, making solo travel easier. Activities like mountain gorilla tracking, golden monkey trekking, hiking to see chimpanzees, boating/kayaking in Lake Kivu can be arranged through tour operators. Uganda and the Congolese rainforests are also accessible from Rwanda on solo excursions.
Namibia
Namibia’s otherworldly desert landscape dotted with eccentric rock formations, red sand dunes, and magnificent wildlife make it a captivating destination for offbeat explorers. Adrenaline junkies will love activities like skydiving over the Namib desert or sandboarding on the desert dunes in Swakopmund. More sedate pursuits like hot air ballooning over the desert or wildlife spotting in Etosha National Park are also popular.
With a well-developed tourist industry focusing on eco-tourism, Namibia offers many lodges, guest houses, camps suited for solo travelers. Multiple tour companies also provide group tours which help solo wanderers meet fellow travelers.
Botswana
Few destinations can compete with Botswana when it comes to wildlife encounters in a pristine wilderness setting. The Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park allow you to experience the majesty of African wildlife up close during unforgettable safari experiences. Top off the experience by camping under the stars in the wilderness.
While group tours and camping safaris provide solo travelers with a ready set of companions, high-end camps and lodges also cater well to individual guests with custom dining and activities as needed.
Tanzania
Tanzania’s legendary safari circuit encompassing the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar beaches, and Swahili culture on the spice islands of Stone Town make it an essential destination for solo wanderers.
From backpacker hostels to luxury resorts, Tanzania offers extensive accommodation options for individuals. Joining group camping safaris is also a popular way to keep costs low while meeting other travelers. With tourism being well-established in Tanzania, solo travelers will have no trouble navigating their dream adventures.
Ghana
Known as one of the friendliest nations in West Africa, Ghana has rightfully earned its reputation for making tourists feel welcome. Ghanaians are very community-driven, so solo travelers will have plenty of invitations to join in the many festivals and culture celebrations happening throughout the country.
The capital city Accra has an international arts and music scene, while places like the historic coastal town of Elmina, Cape Coast Castle, Kakum National Park provide cultural immersion. Excellent tourist infrastructure and low crime rates also make solo travel here relatively safe.
Kenya
From the Maasai Mara’s rolling grasslands teeming with extraordinary wildlife to the coral reefs of the Indian Ocean coastline, Kenya packs a lot of diversity into a compact package. Suddenly came face to face with a curious giraffe or watch baby sea turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean – Kenya promises unmatched memories.
Backpacker accommodations and group tours make solo travel feasible. While petty crime can be an issue in cities, violent crime is relatively low in tourist areas making Kenya suitable for solo wanderers. Just be sure to register with your embassy and exercise reasonable caution as in most countries.
Uganda
Uganda packs an outsized punch given its small size and offbeat location. Trekking mountain gorillas in the impenetrable Bwindi Forest, rafting along the White Nile River through remote tribal villages – Uganda offers brag-worthy adventures minus the crowds.
English is widely spoken across the country making solo travel easier. Uganda’s friendly locals will make you feel like you’ve been welcomed into their homes. Accommodations like community camping also help you connect deeper with Uganda’s culture. Just be vigilant of petty theft in cities and register with your embassy as an additional safety net.
Seychelles
If your idea of solo travel paradise is relaxing on untouched beaches with a cocktail in hand, the palm-fringed Seychelles islands determinedly avoid crowds. With creole culture, champion-level street food, and the Indian Ocean’s most celebrated beaches like Anse Source D’Argent, Seychelles hits that sweet spot between adrenaline-pumping adventures and blissed out relaxation.
Given its popularity as a honeymoon destination, Seychelles offers many options suited for solo leisure travelers – guesthouses, self-catering apartments, resorts with dining and activities included so you won’t feel isolated or bored. English and French are commonly spoken here.
Eswatini
Formerly known as Swaziland, the tiny Kingdom of Eswatini often gets overlooked by travelers. Yet, it packs a surprising amount of culture, wilderness, and hospitality into a compact package. You can immerse into authentic Swazi culture at festivals like Umhlanga and Incwala while spotting ‘The Big Five’ on wildlife drives through Hlane Royal National Park and Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary.
Eswatini is extremely safe – violent crime is rare, making it an approachable introduction to solo travel in Africa. The backpacker accommodations and cultural tours in Eswatini make it easy to meet fellow explorers.
Cape Verde
Looking for an under-the-radar beach destination with inquisitive sea turtles, world-class scuba diving, lunar landscapes dotted with historic colonial towns like Cidade Velha and Ribeira Grande? Then Cape Verde needs to be on your radar for offbeat adventures.
As an established tourist destination, Cape Verde offers extensive lodging options for solo travelers including hotels, resorts, guesthouses, and B&Bs on the various islands. Organized tours are also popular and a great way to meet people if traveling alone. While petty theft can be an issue, violent crime is relatively low.
Mauritius
Far from the chaotic frenzy emblematic of many African cities lies Mauritius – an island nation celebrated for luxury beach resorts, lush rainforests, rare wildlife like the flightless Dodo bird, and a unique blend of Indian, African and French culture.
Along with high-end hotels catering to honeymooners, Mauritius offers affordable guesthouses, beach bungalows and hostels for solo explorers. Activities like diving, snorkeling, treetop zip lining through forests, hiking trails make exploring the island rewarding. English is widely spoken, transportation like buses is reliable, and violent crime is low – making Mauritius ideal for solo relaxation or adventure depending on your preference.
The Gambia
The Gambia proudly holds its own against larger neighbors like Senegal – and has earned its reputation as an unexpected highlight for many West Africa travelers. Sun-soaked beach resorts along its Atlantic coastline contrast with the vibrant culture and nature immersion opportunities inland like visiting chimpanzee sanctuaries or the UNESCO-designated Kunta Kinteh Island.
Known locally as the “Smiling Coast of Africa,” Gambians epitomize welcoming hospitality that immediately puts solo wanderers at ease. Many tourism businesses also specifically cater to solo travelers with guided tours and flexible accommodations. Violent crime is relatively low, although standard precautions for pickpocketing apply.
Malawi
Landlocked Malawi remains one of Africa’s best kept secrets with its staggering natural beauty embodied in Lake Malawi, spanning emerald mountains, golden savannas teeming with wildlife, and smiling welcoming locals.
Solo travelers will appreciate the strong tourism infrastructure and English adopted as an official language allowing easy communication. There’s no shortage of backpacker hostels, budget lodges and camps around the country, especially along the lakeshore. Joining an organized tour or volunteer program also lets solo travelers connect with like-minded explorers.
Zambia
From the world’s most insane waterfall – Victoria Falls to walking with wild chimpanzees, white water rafting the Zambezi River rapids, Zambia satisfies adventure cravings without the safety concerns and hassles hampering travel in neighboring countries.
While luxury safari lodges cater to deep-pocketed tourists, Zambia also offers extensive budget accommodation preferred by backpackers and solo travelers. Tour companies provide packages – from guided wildlife safaris in South Luangwa National Park or visiting community projects – tailored for individual travelers. Just be vigilant about petty crime in urban areas.
Egypt
No discussion of solo travel is complete without mentioning Egypt. Solo female travelers have navigated its pharaonic wonders for decades drawn by attractions like the Pyramids of Giza, Valley of the Kings, the Nile River, Alexandria, Red Sea resorts, and magnificent desert landscapes.
While Egypt has faced tourism ups and downs recently, its lodging infrastructure is well accustomed to hosting solo travelers through tours, escorted travel packages including guides and transportation, Nile cruise boats, resorts and backpacker accommodations targeting individual guests. English is widely spoken in the tourist industry. Exercise standard safety precautions for valuables and you’ll enjoy Egypt’s ancient mysteries.
FAQs on Solo Travel in Africa
Is it safe for solo female travelers in Africa?
Violent crime risk in tourist areas is often exaggerated by media. Reasonable precautions regarding valuables and avoiding isolated areas at night apply like in most countries worldwide. Register with your embassy, book reputable tour operators or accompanied transportation, research areas and accommodation in advance. Things may happen slower in Africa so come with an open mindset versus trying to rigidly plan every minute.
Overall, thousands of solo female travelers visit Africa annually without incident by taking informed precautions. Use guidebooks designed specifically for women travelers for destination advice. Listen to your intuition and avoid situations making you uncomfortable. Connect with female residents in each country, who can provide local safety insights and tips.
How good is the tourist infrastructure?
Tourist infrastructure varies greatly across Africa’s 54 countries. In regional hubs like Morocco, South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Egypt, Mauritius and increasingly Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana and Tanzania, you’ll find well-developed tourist facilities and services comparable to other overseas destinations catering specifically to solo travelers through organized tour groups, customized itineraries, single room supplements at hotels etc.
In more offbeat locations, flexibility is key – independent travel or customized tours work better than just showing up randomly. Research accommodation and tours suited for solo travelers in advance through guidebooks and online forums. Budget extra time as things tend to move slower in Africa.
What vaccinations do I need when traveling in Africa?
Recommended vaccinations vary depending on your itinerary countries but may include:
- Routine boosters for childhood immunizations like MMR (measles-mumps-rubella), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A and B
- Meningitis
- Yellow Fever certificate required for many countries if arriving from infected areas
- Prescription malaria prevention medication
Consult your doctor 4-8 weeks pre-travel on vaccinations tailored for your health history and travel activities.
Is it hard for solo travelers to get visas for African countries?
Many African countries like Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Morocco provide visa on arrival access or easy e-visas for tourists from eligible countries, while Egypt and South Africa allow entry without any prior visa. Visitors from some nations need to arrange visas beforehand from a local embassy.
Check government tourism websites of your destination countries for recent solo visitor visa guidelines well in advance, allowing at least a month for the application process. Having an onward ticket and travel bookings can smooth the paperwork process.
Conclusion
While Africa has some unique considerations, solo travelers visiting the continent often have transformative journeys full of nature, culture, self-discovery, and friendship.
By picking destinations like South Africa, Rwanda, Botswana and Namibia with good infrastructure, staying vigilant about safety, packing patience, and embracing a go-with-the-flow mindset, your epic African adventure awaits filled with abundant joie de vivre.
More Helpful Article That Might Help You
How to Get Clients as a Travel Agent
25 Tips for Enjoying Solo Travel
This Is How You Can Quit Your Job and Travel The World