Is it Safe to Travel to Africa?

With all of the often depressing or horrific news coverage of Africa, the common question travelers ask is is it safe to travel to Africa? The answer is neither simple nor ultimately encouraging. However, travel guides would much rather encourage people to wonder which countries are not safe in Africa, instead of declaring the entire continent of Africa unsafe.

There are over 50 countries to travel to in Africa. Many of them are relatively safe, while a minority of countries in Africa may be dangerous to travel to or have dangerous areas. Unfortunately, many of the most dangerous countries receive the most press coverage. Countries like the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are all countries that travelers would be better off avoiding completely. The US government has also issued a travel warning for Kenya due to violence and suspected terrorism. However, parts of Kenya are travel friendly, and can be a great destination for an African lion safari. The wilderness is certainly beautiful there, so if a traveler does decide to travel there, he or she should take extra precautions.

If you are asking the question is it safe to travel to Africa, you should be aware that traveling to any foreign country has its risks. Travelers should avoid displaying jewelry, cash, or expensive electronics like cameras. Theft and mugging are the most common crimes in many poorer African countries. Even relatively safe African countries like South Africa have cities known for their crime, like Johannesburg. General travel safety tips will help keep tourists safe there. Other countries are more or less like countries in the Western world. A relatively safe trip to Africa can be had when visiting countries like Ghana, Egypt, Morocco, and Gabon. Tourists frequent these places, providing them with economic stability and an infrastructure that supports tourism.

Always make a smart, educated choice when choosing a country to travel to in Africa. Countries in the midst of a political uprising, civil war, or a religious feud should be avoided at all costs.