Is Africa Safe to Visit?

Last updated July 14th, 2023.

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Is it safe to travel to Africa? Should you even contemplate a trip there? Watch the news headlines and you might think the answer is a firm no. Perhaps it’s just not worth the risk? But as someone who has travelled right across the continent on trips totalling almost two years, I can tell you that the vast majority of Africa is safe the vast majority of the time.

The realities on the ground

Millions of visitors travel to Africa each year. Some come for the phenomenal wildlife, others to see family.

Still more explore the wonders of the pyramids of Giza in Egypt or Table Mountain in South Africa. Or UNESCO World Heritage Sites as diverse as the castles of Ghana and crashing waters of Victoria Falls.

Only a tiny handful of visitors ever need the help of an embassy, and a large proportion of those requests come from lost passports.

From a purely economic standpoint, governments understand the need to keep tourists safe. My personal experience is that 99.9% of all the people I’ve met in Africa have been kind and welcoming.

That said, there are some tips that will ensure you remember your trip to this magical continent for the right and not the wrong reasons.

Road travel

The biggest danger you’re actually going to face when travelling in Africa is not from people but from road traffic. It’s a fact sometimes forgotten about amid the allure of dangerous wild animals and gun-toting rebels.

Road conditions are wildly different across the continent, with southern Africa and north Africa generally having the best-maintained road networks.

While this makes travel more comfortable compared to the rough pot-holed roads of the forgotten corners of the continent, it does mean speeding is an issue.

Add to that a laissez-faire attitude towards driver concentration, and accidents are a big issue. Always wear a seatbelt, and drive slowly. If you’re using a private car and driver, ask them to slow down. And at all costs avoid travelling after dark, since roads are mostly unlit and cars don’t always have functioning lights.

Public transport is inherently slightly riskier, as you have less say over driver standards. But I have always used this form of transport for getting about, and find it tells me a lot more about a country than any guidebook ever can. I’ve never been in an accident, although I’ve witnessed a few.

Safety on city streets

Towns and cities in Africa have the same problems of large conurbations throughout the world. It has to be said that tourists are not normally deliberately targeted by muggers, but they can get caught up in attacks by mistake.

When walking on city streets it’s always better to do this in groups if at all possible. Stick to the busiest streets where it’s difficult to get cornered without attention being drawn to potential attackers.

You should also avoid wearing items of jewellery or watches, or drawing attention to cameras or other expensive electronic devices.

When possible, you should leave passports and large sums of money in secure hotel safes. Do not leave them in communal safes accessed by staff, or visible in your rooms.

If you have to carry larger sums of money with you, keep them separate from smaller notes you might use for buying a drink or purchasing a museum ticket.

Finally, get out of the habit of walking in cities after dark. Always make use of taxis. Try and have them prearranged rather than looking for one on the street.

The threat from wild animals

In reality, the threat of being attacked by a wild animal is so close to zero that it’s not even worth mentioning. However, it’s something that plays on the minds on those asking if Africa is safe to visit, so I will include it here.

Almost all Africa’s giant fauna live in or around designated national parks. So forget any idea you might have of encountering a lion on the streets of Johannesburg.

Within the national parks, always do what rangers tell you. This will usually mean staying inside safari vehicles, although some parks do allow guided and unguided walking safaris.

Elsewhere, stay away from the banks of rivers and lakes unless you know they are safe. Crocodiles attack and kill several hundred people each year. Hippos are also notoriously grumpy with those who get too close.

Snakes, scorpions and spiders are other creatures people worry about. The chance of you seeing any of these animals without them being pointed out is low.

They do not seek out the attention of humans, and have no desire to attack humans either. The best preventative measure is to wear shoes everywhere, and long trousers if walking through tall grasses.

Is Africa safe to visit because of disease?

Most of Africa sits within the Earth’s tropical belt, which means there are a fair few diseases to be aware of.

They are generally spread through the bite of an insect such as a mosquito or tsetse fly. Ensuring you’re not bitten is therefore by far the best way of staying healthy.

Don’t pack anything blue. This attracts tsetse flies. Common in wooded areas, they have a nasty bite and can transmit sleeping sickness. This is fatal if not treated.

Mosquito bites are harder to avoid because of the prevalence of these flies and their small size. Covering bare skin from dusk till dawn certainly helps, as does using a tropical strength insect repellent. Use one containing at least 50% DEET.

You should sleep beneath a mosquito net. I’d advise taking one with you. Sleeping beneath the air flow of a fan will also prevent mosquitos being able to land and therefore bite.

It’s likely your doctor will suggest using anti-malarial medication (unless you’re heading to the continent’s north or far south). Do this – malaria kills a child in Africa roughly every 30 seconds. Also accept any vaccinations they want to give you.

It’s hugely important to drink only bottled mineral water, or carefully filter all your drinking water too. In other words, avoid drinking water straight from the tap, or ice made from tap water. My experience is that the plastic packets of water sold across Africa are safe.

Is it safe to visit Africa?

Hopefully I’ve demonstrated that with a bit of care, travelling to Africa should be no dangerous than any other destination. Nowhere is entirely free of risk, but as far as I’m concerned, it is perfectly safe to visit Africa.