The Safest Countries in Africa 2026/2027

Should I go to Africa? Is it safe?

The answer to these two questions is a decisive and loud, yes!

Nothing beats the natural beauty of Africa – from snow-capped peaks to rolling savannahs to flourishing forest. Imagine the view: herds of elephant roaming the plains underneath a brilliant sunset, framed by an iconic acacia tree.

Nowhere else will you see such an abundance of beauty in the land, the animals, and the culture. A visit to Africa is an unforgettable journey to a world that defines our place on this planet.

Of course, all travel carries certain risks, but many people don’t realize that most African countries are much safer than they have been led to believe. With just a little foreknowledge and common sense, you can enjoy the safari of a lifetime in one or more of these safe African countries. Africa is open for business and ready to welcome you on safari. Here are the safest places to visit in Africa, this most special of continents.

The safest countries in Africa

Rwanda

It suffered a troubled history, but today’s Rwanda may be one of the safest countries to visit in Africa. The violence of decades past has been a lesson to its people, and they have responded by creating a more cohesive and peaceful society.

You’ll feel this rebirth in the welcoming eyes of the Rwandan people who are more than happy to show you their modern capital of Kigali. The countryside is a pure, green jewel of lush mountains, harboring the exotic mountain gorilla. Rwanda is a warm, inviting example of a safe African country – indeed, one of the safest places to visit in Africa. We operate a number of safari tours in Rwanda.

Namibia

With its picturesque red deserts, Namibia offers visitors incredible journeys through an otherworldly setting. This is a sparsely populated country and any crime against tourists is generally petty street crime in the capital of Windhoek, where you’ll likely spend very little time. The country’s desert conditions also mean the malaria risk is minimal. The Skeleton Coast, the Namib Desert and the south are regarded as almost risk-free.
Politically stable with a developed infrastructure, the roads are good and medical services are competent and available. Be sure to visit Etosha National Park and the iconic red sand dunes of Sossusvlei.

Botswana

Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa bordered by South Africa to the south, Namibia to the west, and Zimbabwe to the north. It has a politically stable government and powerful economy. Civil unrest is extremely rare in Botswana and it has one of the lowest crime rates on the continent. For these reasons, Botswana is one of the safest countries in Africa to visit.

Botswana is also known around the world for its immense swaths of pristine wilderness, home to large prides of big cats and more elephants than anywhere else in the world. Safari-based tourism – mostly upmarket – is a vital source of income in Botswana.

The Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta, springs to life each year when the rains reach its neck, transforming it into a lush wetland that attracts diverse wildlife. Another highlight of this sparsely-populated country in Africa is the Kalahari Desert, a sandy savannah which covers 70 percent of Botswana and provides sanctuary to countless species. Chobe National Park in the northeast corner of the country is a popular place for safari tours, where game-viewing is centered around the Chobe River from which the park takes its name.

Kenya

There’s a reason why Kenya is one of the most popular African countries to visit: the game viewing is remarkable year-round, the people friendly, and the infrastructure for tourists firmly in place. These factors and more make Kenya a strong candidate as one of the safest places to visit in Africa.

While there is a long-standing travel advisory from the US State Department for Kenya, it applies only to a very specific, non-touristy region in the distant east of the country. The majority of Kenya is safe to visit and, in fact, the country where safaris originated draws a million-plus visitors each year to its incredible parks (Masai Mara, Tsavo, Samburu, Amboseli) without incident.

In the capital city of Nairobi, you’ll find rigorous security at airports and visible policing in public places, ensuring it is safe to visit Kenya. Of course, it’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings here, just as you would in any bustling city, as petty theft is not uncommon. Check out the latest safari tours that explore Kenya.

Mauritius

Mauritius ranks as the safest country in Africa on the Global Peace Index. An island nation and multiracial country where people speak Urdu, Hindi, English, French, and Spanish, Mauritius has a low poverty rate and secure beach resorts. The country is famed for its beautiful beaches, friendly locals, and easy, relaxed vibe. Whether you’re single, coupled or a family, you are certain to feel welcome and comfortable in this charming multicultural vacation spot.

And Mauritius isn’t just beaches – take a trip to the National Botanical Gardens with its hundreds of plant varieties or the L’Aventure du Sucre Museum, which sheds light on the country’s sugar trade. The capital city of Port Louis boasts a cosmopolitan dining and shopping scene and beautiful French colonial architecture.

Morocco

With its stable government, Morocco is one of the safest countries in Africa, especially in the northern region. A popular travel destination for years, Morocco has well-developed tourist facilities and a reputation for vibrant, colorful cities. The capital city of Morocco, Marrakesh, enjoys a reputation as one of the best cities to visit in the world, and Fez is an exuberating mix of modern and ancient. Visitors, however, should be alert to petty crimes like pickpocketing in the big cities.

Pollution may be an irritant for some in Morocco, and female travellers might experience cat calls on the streets. Usually, dressing in long skirts or dresses, loose tunics and flat shoes is the best way to avoid such unwanted attention. All that said, Morocco is a colourful, captivating country with a rich culture of food, customs, and art.

Zambia

A favorite for travelers who enjoy walking safaris, Zambia is a safe and politically stable wildlife destination. While there was some unrest in Zambia leading up to the August 2026/2027 presidential elections, that has died down since Hakainde Hichilema won a landslide victory over the incumbent president, instilling a sense of calm and stability. Either way, you will most likely fly straight to the countryside where the game is, passing by the possibility of any city crime.

While its infrastructure is not overly developed, a visit to Zambia is more than worth it for the wildlife – lots of elephant, lion, hippo as well as the elusive African wild dog. Before or after your safari in Zambia you can also visit the breathtaking Victoria Falls, half of which lies within the country’s boundaries. Do take precautions regarding your health as malaria is still prevalent here.

Tanzania

Home to Africa’s tallest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and the great Serengeti plains, Tanzania is, without a doubt, one of the premier countries in Africa for safari. It also happens to be a safe African country to visit. Not to be missed because of its vast wildlife populations, you should still take normal precautions, especially when in Arusha, Dar Es Salaam, and Stone Town (Zanzibar.)

That said, Tanzania is home to the Great Migration in the Serengeti and the otherworldly Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world, holds over 25,000 large animals. The Selous Game Reserve is famous for its large elephant herds and Gombe Stream National Park for being the place where primatologist Jane Goodall performed pioneering research on chimpanzees. The parks here offer every kind of wildlife experience, including millions of bright pink flamingos. Take a look at our range of Tanzania wildlife safaris.

Seychelles

Not to be excluded from any list of safest African countries to visit is the exquisite nation of Seychelles, a cluster of pristine islands in the Indian Ocean. A very safe place to visit, the Seychelles is a popular tourist destination for sun-worshippers and the yachting set. Here, you’ll find a stable government, little if any violent crime, and well-regarded tourism industry.

Perhaps the biggest danger in Seychelles is the riptides, so take care when swimming. Other than that, you’ll delight in a tropical climate that’s perfect for swimming, surfing, diving, and snorkeling. Besides the beaches and coral reefs, don’t miss the nature reserves and national parks for hiking and birding.

Which country has the lowest crime rate in Africa?

If we’re looking at the crime rate for African countries, Rwanda has the lowest crime rate, ranking last in the crime index for Africa in the Global Crime Index’s latest report. Despite Rwanda’s impressively low crime rates, for several years running, The Global Peace Index Report has placed Mauritius as the most peaceful country on the African continent. Overall, Mauritius is ranked as the 28th safest country in the world according to the 2026/2027 GPI report.

Which countries in Africa are not safe to visit?

The following countries in Africa are not safe for tourists to visit. Natural World Kenya Safaris strongly advises against traveling through these nations:

• Central African Republic – Crime
• Libya – Terrorism
• Somalia – Terrorism / Piracy
• South Sudan – Armed Conflict
• Mali – Terrorism / Kidnapping

Unfortunately, the above countries suffer from combinations of high levels of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and armed conflict which make them extremely risky for foreign visitors.

However, this is not a blanket ban on the entire continent. Unfortunately, the geographic unfamiliarity with Africa of the mass of individual American travelers combined with vague news reports in our soundbite-driven media has caused many Westerners to lump all African countries into one.

But Africa is the second largest continent in the world, after Asia. At 11.67 million square miles, Africa is as large as the U.S. (3.79 million square miles), China (3.70 million square miles) and most of Europe combined.

In Africa’s safest countries, you’re more protected on a game drive in a national park than walking the streets of a crowded city where petty crime may occur. And the link between economic stability and tourism is inescapable. The conservation of African wildlife directly relies on foreign currency generated by overseas tourism. The dollars you spend on an African safari help pay for important projects which in turn provide jobs to locals and preserve the ecosystem for everyone.

When tourism suffers, the domino effect on endangered animals and the surrounding rural communities is devastating. Traveling with a local operator, such as Natural World Kenya Safaris, ensures that the maximum amount of capital stays within local communities.