Among travelers interested in visiting Africa, some of the top safety concerns often cited include crime, political unrest, and the targeting of LGBTQ+ people. 

While it’s true that many places on the continent have struggled with those issues, it’s important to remember that Africa encompasses a huge number of countries and cultures, with a wide spectrum of safety levels depending on a bunch of different factors. 

As ever, it’s wise to stay informed about a given destination—and stay alert to its nuances—when you’re planning international travel. 

A handy resource in that regard is the U.S. State Department’s directory of travel advisories assessing each country’s threat level on a scale of 1 (“Exercise normal precautions”) to 4 (“Do not travel”). 

At the moment, 10 nations in Africa have been given the U.S. government’s safest rating (level 1). Several popular tourism destinations such as South Africa and Morocco aren’t among them (those two countries are currently at level 2), though that doesn’t mean you should automatically scratch them off your bucket list. After all, France and Italy are at level 2 as well. 

But you should be aware that travelers do face, in the State Department’s assessment, a heightened safety risk beyond the 10 places listed below. 

No matter where you’re headed, there are many precautions you can take to lower the dangers. The State Department has posted a helpful list of best safety practices on its website. Travel insurance might be a good investment, too. 

(A young mountain gorilla in the Virunga Mountains of northern Rwanda | Credit: FreeImages / Alan Nudman)

The Safest Countries to Visit in Africa Right Now

The State Department advises exercising “normal precautions” here:

Cabo Verde: Also known as Cape Verde, this archipelago off the western coast of Africa rewards island hoppers with an “unspoiled landscape” characterized by “volcanic peaks, arid salt flats, and sun-splashed golden beaches,” according to a Frommer’s correspondent. 

Comoros: Another island chain, Comoros lies off the eastern side of the continent, in the Indian Ocean east of Mozambique. In addition to having beaches and volcanoes, the country evinces a rich blend of African, Arabic, Asian, and European traditions in its architecture, customs, and cuisine.

Lesotho: Encircled entirely by South Africa, Lesotho earns its nickname, the Mountain Kingdom, with a series of spectacular peaks, including the region’s tallest, the 11,424-foot-tall Thabana Ntlenyana. So elevated is Lesotho, in fact, that it’s the only country on earth that doesn’t have any point within its borders below 1,000 meters (about 3,000 ft.) high. Of course, to enter Lesotho, you’ll probably have to go through South Africa.

Mauritius: Floating in the Indian Ocean southeast of Africa’s mainland, Mauritius draws travelers from all over to experience its picturesque beaches, coral reefs, jungles, and unique wildlife such as giant tortoises and flying foxes (this is also where the dodo was endemic before, well, going the way of the dodo). Mauritian culture is vibrantly diverse, too, ranging from Hindu temples to French colonial architecture. 

Rwanda: Trekking to see mountain gorillas in this central African country’s national parks has become the best-known tourism draw here. As rewarding as that may be, Rwanda has plenty more to offer visitors, from tours of tea plantations to sobering sites memorializing the country’s 1994 genocide.

São Tomé and Príncipe: This Portuguese-speaking island nation off Africa’s west coast holds the distinction of being closer than any other country to the center of the world—i.e., the point where the equator crosses the prime meridian. According to Frommer’s Portugal author Paul Ames, the unsung destination can also claim “deserted tropical beaches, jungle-covered mountains, … wonderful seafood, and quite possibly the world’s best chocolate.”

Senegal: The Atlantic coastline of West Africa’s westernmost country stretches across more than 400 miles, combining with a tropical climate to create great conditions for beachgoing. Not to be overlooked, though, are Senegal’s important religious, cultural, and historic sites, such as the House of Slaves and its Door of No Return on Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once a departure point for victims of the Atlantic slave trade. 

Seychelles: Back to the Indian Ocean, the 115 islands of the Seychelles off East Africa abound with luxury resorts and picture-perfect beaches (speaking of pictures, the beach known as Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue is pictured at the top of this page). Palm trees and granite boulders border the white sand on Praslin island. Vanilla plantations and orchids populate the inland forests on La Digue. 

Togo: This small West African nation sandwiched between Ghana and Benin extends northward from the Gulf of Guinea, with sandy beaches eventually giving way to hills and plateaus in the north. Among the country’s cultural marvels: what Atlas Obscura describes as the “largest Voodoo market in the world” and, in the northeast, a series of imposing mud tower-houses built and inhabited by the Batammariba people.

Zambia: All sorts of incredible stuff can be seen in this southern Africa nation, starting with the gargantuan Victoria Falls on the border with Zimbabwe. National parks such as South Laungwa and Lower Zambezi, meanwhile, supply astonishing views of elephants, giraffes, hippos, and other wildlife. 

Note that conditions in any of the above places may change, and certain areas within the same country may be safer than others, so be sure to read travel advisories closely (once again, here’s the U.S. State Department’s country-by-country list) and monitor news reports before and during your trip. 

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