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If you’re looking for your next travel destination, make sure not to be deceived by the media’s fake propaganda. They usually display the African continent as a risky destination that is not safe, or even not worth the visit. This is far from the truth.
Africa is home to some of the safest countries around the world, and many of those countries – if not all- are rich with natural beauty and resources as well as heritage. In this article, we will explore 10 of the most beautiful and safest countries in Africa!
The safety of these countries is backed up by data from international organizations. When we chose the 10 safest countries, we took into consideration several factors that make a country worthy of the title “safe”. These factors include: crime & homicide rates, the Corruption Perception Index [CPI], political stability & absence of violence/terrorism rate, democracy index, GDP Growth, Ease of doing business in that country, life expectancy and the Global Peace Index [GPI].
As the democracy index of a country increases, the country generally performs well, with an increased GDP, better living conditions for its people, better chances of doing business and even the life expectancy of this country’s people increases as well. Naturally, a politically and economically stable or growing country would have a low crime rate and a low CPI, making it worthy of a position as one of the safest countries.
Botswana
With a stable political environment and a thriving economy thanks to its abundant natural resources, Botswana is unquestionably one of the safest countries in Africa. Wildlife is one of the most exciting aspects of this country. The Kalahari Desert among other locations provides stunning views that will have you photographing every moment of your journey. Travelers will normally be going to remote desert areas where there are few people. Safaris are well-managed and highly qualified guides keep visitors safe when they come into contact with wildlife. The tourism industry is well-established and civil unrest is unheard of in recent years.
Malawi
Malawi is a landlocked country with no access to the sea. Zambia, Mozambique, and Tanzania are its neighbours. However, Lake Malawi extends over a large area with its clear blue water. Malawi is commonly known as the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’. It is extremely safe and well-liked by solo travelers. It has a long history. Malawi is the region of the former Maravi Confederacy, a nation which was established by Bantu speaking peoples in 1480 AD. There has never been a civil war in the country, which is extremely rare in the African continent. Top tourist attractions include the Liwonde National Park, the Lake Malawi National Park, the Majete Wildlife Reserve and the Zomba Massif.
Ghana
Ghana is almost exactly in the middle of the world map, and it ranks 3rd in Africa and 43th globally on the Global Peace Index [GPI]. Although Ghana lacks many of the other attractions that its African counterparts have, such as safaris, wildlife, eco-tours, and so on. It does, however, have a rich cultural heritage dating back to the 18th century. Accra, Ghana’s capital, has had very few reported cases of crime, and the city is always bustling with locals and tourists alike. In Ghana, there are a few different things to see and do. Discovering Jamestown, Cape Coast Castles, and visiting a few national parks here and those are just a few of the activities that make Ghana a great place to visit!
Kenya
Kenya receives a large number of visitors annually, which makes it a popular tourist destination. Thanks to the outstanding security measures implemented by the government to maintain the country’s safety, tourism has been boosting in recent years. Travelers will find a variety of activities to do, including African safari trips in the Masai Mara National Reserve, the Amboseli National Reserve or Tsavo National Park where you will get to see wildlife native to the region. The Lamu Island is rich in history that dates back to the 12th century and is another spot that is worth the visit. Kenya’s stability acquired the country 3rd place among African countries and 56th globally in the ease of doing business ranking. According to the CAF World Giving Index, Kenya is also one of the most generous countries in the world.
Mauritius
In the 2020 data analysis, Mauritius had the highest democracy index in Africa and ranked the 18th world wide, the highest GPI (Global Peace Index) in Africa and the 23rd worldwide and the highest life expectancy (the same as Seychelles) among African countries; making it one of the safest countries in Africa. While Mauritius is known for its sun, sand, and white beaches, there is a variety of activities that can be done on this island. One of the must-see places is the Mauritius National Botanical Garden which houses over 600 plants. Don’t forget to sample as many local seafood dishes as possible. The deliciousness of Mauritian cuisine will astound you.
Morocco
Located in northwestern Africa, Morocco – known in English as “The Farthest West” is considered to be one of the most stable and safest countries in the north of the continent. Casablanca, Tangiers, and the Sahara Desert are just a few of its famous destinations. Morocco offers visitors a diverse culture and geography and is well-known for its majestic mountains including the Atlas Mountains and huge array of beaches that run along both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. You should also consider seeing the Blue City of Chefchaouen, one of the most ethereal visions on earth, built in the 15th century.
Thanks to the quick connections to Spain via boat or air, you’ll be close to the western region of European destinations. Moreover, the country’s growing economy means that services tend to be of acceptable quality. Just remember to dress reasonably in Morocco, which will not only show your respect for the religious modesty of this country but will also protect you from the searing sun.
Namibia
Namibia is exhilarating to explore, with plenty of deserts and sand dunes the land is popular for epic desert racing, stargazing, sky diving and quad biking. This small nation in Southern Africa has a population of around 2.5 million people, which is about the same as the population of the state of New Mexico in the United States. The low population density acts as a deterrent to crime and the country is politically stable and free from conflict. The Atlantic Ocean to the west and the world’s oldest desert to the east border the country resulting in a fairly consistent weather all year round making it both a safe and agreeable African travel destination.
Rwanda
Rwanda is undoubtedly the safest country in Africa, which visitors will notice as soon as they arrive in the country’s relaxed and sophisticated capital, Kigali. The capital city is also rated as the “cleanest city in an African country” according to Reuters. Rwanda is widely regarded as Africa’s fastest-growing economy and most advanced country. Rwanda’s economy grew 8.4% in the first quarter of 2019, indicating that the country is on the right track to development. Rwandan legislators ensure that it is the government’s responsibility to protect the human rights of all the country’s citizens. That is to say, Rwandans regard all people as one, whether citizens or visitors. Some of the places that must be visited in Rwanda include the Volcanos National Park, the Roya Palace in Nyanza and Mount Karisimbi.
Seychelles
Situated off Kenya’s east coast, Seychelles is a breathtakingly beautiful place that is full of abundant coastal life. It consists of more than 115 islands. The climate is tropical, making it ideal for activities such as swimming, surfing, snorkeling, diving, and bird watching. Other activities include hiking in Morne Seychellois National Park, and watching endangered bird species in Vallée de Mai National Park and the chance to see the fascinating reptile species. The weather and climate are pleasant all year, so you can travel to Seychelles anytime worry-free because it is one of the safest countries in Africa.
Zambia
Zambia is one of those places that is unknown to the vast majority of the population, but once discovered, remains etched in your mind for the rest of your life. Zambia’s main attraction is its landscapes, food, traditions, and, above all, its people. One of its first distinguishing features is that it shares borders with eight other countries: Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Congo, and Angola. Travelers to Zambia rarely have problems, owing to the fact that they often fly straight into wilderness areas. Zambia is regarded as one of the safe countries in Africa.
This list of the 10 safest countries in Africa to visit strikes a balance between adventure and safety. It was written to inspire and help you make plans that allow you to have the best time possible in this rich and diverse continent. A trip to Africa cannot be fully experienced in words. You must visit those countries to fully appreciate each secure destination’s magnificent beauty.
References
- Institute for Economics & Peace. Global Peace Index 2020: Measuring Peace in a Complex World, Sydney, June 2020. Available from:
https://www.visionofhumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/GPI_2020_web.pdf Last accessed on 14 March 2021. - The Economist Intelligence Unit (The EIU). Democracy Index 2020: In Sickness and in health? A report by the EIU. www.eiu.com Last accessed on 14 March 2021.
- The Economist Intelligence Unit (The EIU). Democracy Index 2019: A year of democratic setbacks and popular protest. A report by the EIU. www.eiu.com Last accessed on 14 March 2021.
- Anthony Ham, James Brainbridge, Tim Bewer, Stuart Butler, Jean-Bernard Carillet, Paul Clammer, Matthew D. Firestone, Mary Fitzpatrick, Katharina Kane, Kate Thomas: Lonely Planet Africa (Multi Country Travel Guide). ISBN-10 : 1741049881 ISBN-13 : 978-1741049886
- Doing Business database: Ease of doing business rankings, benchmarked to May 1,2019. https://www.doingbusiness.org/content/dam/doingBusiness/pdf/db2020/Doing-Business-2020_rankings.pdf Last accessed on 14 March 2021.
- Rankings by region or income; https://www.doingbusiness.org/en/rankings?region=sub-saharan-africa Last accessed on 14 March 2021.
- The World Bank: Political Stability and absence of violence/terrorism. https://tcdata360.worldbank.org/indicators/b89c1cd1?country=BRA&indicator=40269&viz=line_chart&years=2013,2018
- CIA World Factbook: Life expectancy, January 2020. https://www.indexmundi.com/map/?v=30&r=af&l=en Last accessed on 14 March 2021.
- Homicide data analysis: https://ourworldindata.org/homicides Last accessed on 14 March 2021.
- Transparency International: Corruption Perception Index: https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2020/index/egy Last accessed on 14 March 2021.
