Safest Countries to Visit in Africa in 2026

Everyone dreams of travelling to Africa, but once you start planning, the same question usually pops up. Is it safe? Africa is massive and incredibly varied, and while there are spots where you'll want to steer away from, there are also plenty of countries and regions that are very safe and immensely enjoyable to visit.

The places we’ve highlighted here are often recognised among the safest African countries, though they're definitely not the only good options. They just happen to have solid tourism infrastructure, welcoming locals, and the kind of experiences that make first-time visitors feel comfortable rather than overwhelmed or on guard.

If you're hesitant but still dreaming about an unforgettable Africa trip, these are the countries that will put your mind at ease.

 

Browse the links to discover the best of Africa:

Health Matters - A quick heads-up

A Note on Road Hazards

Malawi

Botswana

Namibia

Rwanda

Zambia

Morocco

Why Travel to Africa With Viva

Recap FAQs

 

 

Health Matters - A quick heads-up

It's worth knowing that some parts of Africa do have things like malaria, dengue, or the odd water-borne bug to keep in mind. It's nothing too dramatic, and definitely not everywhere, but it helps to be prepared. The best thing to do is to pop into a travel-specific health clinic (check here for your closest clinic) before you travel and once you know where you'll be headed. They will run you through any vaccinations or medications you might want to take. Ask about the small stuff too, like whether certain medications can make you more sun-sensitive, because that might mean bumping up your SPF. Anti-malaria prophylaxis is notorious for causing sun-sensitivity, for example. You just need to know so you can alter habits if need be. A bit of planning beforehand makes the whole trip feel a lot more relaxed once you're on the ground.

 

 

A Note on Road Hazards

Travel safety is not only about avoiding trouble in crowded places. Some of the biggest risks actually come from the roads, whether that’s due to questionable public transport or tackling unfamiliar conditions on a self-drive. It’s one of the reasons we use private guides and experienced local drivers on all Viva journeys. They know the roads, the terrain and the real travel times (not the optimistic Google Maps version), so your travel days are smooth, safe and easy.

 

 

Malawi

Safety

Malawi has long been known as the warm heart of Africa, and you’ll feel that the moment you arrive. We find it one of the easiest countries in the region for relaxed, authentic and safe travel. Crime in tourist areas is relatively low, people are welcoming, and the overall pace is wonderfully laid-back.

It might not have the big-name attractions everyone instantly recognises, yet it does, perhaps surprisingly, offer Big Five wildlife spotting. The difference is that Malawi’s parks are quieter, lesser-known, and far less visited, which is part of what makes the country so enjoyable.

 

 

Highlights

When you start exploring Malawi, you soon realise how much there is to see in a country that doesn't get nearly as much attention as its neighbours. You can wander through the tea and coffee estates of Thyolo, where the hills seem to roll on forever and spend a morning tasting delicious brews straight from the source.

 

You may also want to safari in Majete Wildlife Reserve, the only park in the country where you'll find the Big Five.

 

As you follow the Shire River north, you'll find Liwonde National Park serving up more elephants, hippos and fantastic birding, all set against landscapes that vary from wide open floodplains to gorgeous pockets of palm forest.

 

And then there is Lake Malawi, of course, the prime place for a spot of R&R. Swim and snorkel in clear water, hop on a dhow at sunset, or just enjoy a few days’ rest in a stunning lakeside lodge with a refreshing Kuché Kuché in hand. Lake Malawi is the third-deepest lake in the world, home to the highest concentration of fish species – over 1,000 and counting. Fishing is big business here!

If you want to see how easily Malawi’s highlights can fit together, check out our Southern Circuit tour.

 

Botswana

 

Safety

Botswana boasts a well-managed safari industry that helps it stand out as one of the safest African countries to visit. Security is almost never an issue here, and definitely not out in its remotest corners where you will likely spend all your time. Strong conservation efforts also mean that wildlife guides are some of the most knowledgeable and professional you'll find anywhere in Africa.

 

Highlights

Now, when we talk about Botswana's highlights being remote, we mean it. For that 'out there' experience, the one where you feel you've landed on another planet, Botswana is unbeatable. Yet despite how wild and remote everything feels, travelling here is surprisingly hassle-free.

The Okavango Delta is the place everyone dreams about, and once you're gliding through those reed-lined channels in a mokoro, or flying in to stay in a remote luxury lodge, you'll understand why.

Wildlife drifts in and out of view as naturally as the water flows.

 

 

Moremi Game Reserve is the place to go to tick off plenty of the big names, from lions and leopards to hippos to rhinos.

Further north is Chobe National Park, home to the largest elephant population in Africa and some seriously good riverfront wildlife viewing.

If you’re after landscapes that feel a bit out of this world, the Makgadikgadi Pans and the Kalahari Desert deliver huge skies, ancient baobabs and that same wide-open feeling shared across the Kalahari that stretches into neighbouring Namibia.

Botswana boasts everything that makes southern Africa so special. If you’re visiting for the first time, and are short on time, this is a brilliant one-stop option.

If you want to explore Botswana the easy way, take a look at our safari tours across the country.

 

 

Namibia

Safety

Namibia is one of the most confidence-boosting countries to travel in Africa. It has been politically stable for decades, and tourism here is well-rooted in the local culture and economy. Roads are in great condition, infrastructure is tops, and towns like Windhoek and Swakopmund offer all the modern comforts you might want before heading out into nature. It is the kind of place where planning is easy and travel days tend to feel calm and predictable, which is why we think it's ideal for first-timers.

 

Highlights

Aside from it being an easy introduction to Africa, Namibia’s biggest enticement rests in its wild contrast. One minute you're grabbing a coffee and pastry in a European-style bakery of a neat, modern town, and half an hour later you're out among huge desert landscapes that feel completely surreal.

Sossusvlei steals the show with its enormous red dunes, and just next door is Deadvlei, the famous white clay pan dotted with blackened dead trees. 

Not to be outdone, Etosha has its bright white salt pan and busy waterholes, making wildlife spotting very rewarding.

Etosha Travel Update: You may have picked up in the news that Etosha National Park suffered catastrophic wildfires in September 2025, which decimated about a third of the reserve. It’s important to note that Etosha covers a huge area that is roughly the size of Wales. Although damage to both flora and fauna has been devastating, through sheer good luck, it occurred in remote and uninhabited areas. The core safari areas, lodges, and driving routes remain open, and our safari tours are operating as normal. You may see some burn marks in certain sections, but wildlife viewing and park access continue unhindered.

Damaraland offers rugged valleys and desert-adapted elephants, while the coast around Swakopmund and Walvis Bay gives you ocean breezes, dunes that flow into the sea, and plenty to explore.

If you want to see how all of this fits together, take a look at our Namibia tours.

 

 

Rwanda

 

 

Safety

Rwanda is one of two African countries that offer offer gorilla trekking experiences and, although it’s seen its fair share of instability, the tourism scene is kept reliably safe. Kigali is a modern, lively capital, where you might encounter stories of pick-pocketing in busy marketplaces, but not much more. The sense of security here extends throughout the country's most visited spots, where strict security measures are always in place.

With so much focus on protecting its great apes – that would be gorillas, chimps and the tourists who come to see them – the tourism industry here is not only well-established but also fervently protected. The country depends on it and invests considerable funds to ensure  it continues to thrive. Gorilla trekking here is unique and indescribably rewarding but only as part of an organized tour. Put your safety in the hands of a trusted guide here and you'll be just fine.

 

Highlights

As mentioned, Rwanda is one of the best places on the planet for primate encounters, and if gorilla trekking has been sitting on your bucket list for a while, this is where you want to be. Volcanoes National Park is the place to meet mountain gorillas on guided treks that are famous for face-to-face encounters, the kind people talk about for years.

 

Head south to Nyungwe Forest for chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and a canopy walk that gives you a bird's-eye view of the rainforest.

 

If you are up for a more classic savannah scenery, Akagera National Park delivers elephants, antelopes and peaceful lakes with plenty to see and do. Akagera is one of Africa’s proudest conservation success stories, where decades of careful reintroduction have brought lions, rhinos and other wildlife back to a landscape once almost completely emptied by conflict.

 

> Gorilla Trekking Tours in Uganda VS Rwanda – Which One’s Best?

 

If this sounds like your kind of adventure, our Rwanda Tours make it easy and safe to experience.

 

 

Zambia

Safety

At Viva, we often say that if you were visiting Africa for the very first time and wanted that classic safari feel, Zambia is probably where we'd send you. The parks here don't draw the big crowds you see in Kenya or Tanzania, and many of the lodges are small, welcoming places where you're looked after by the same friendly faces each day. With well-oiled guiding teams and long-running camps, Zambia is another safe choice for anyone easing into their first African adventure.

 

Highlights

Zambia is known for its exceptional safari experiences with South Luangwa National Park rated one of the continent's best wildlife reserves. Leopard sightings here are legendary, and it is one of just a handful of parks in Africa that offer walking safaris.

 

The Lower Zambezi is all about canoeing, riverside wildlife, and peaceful bush camps, while Victoria Falls steals the limelight with its extravagant cascades.

 

Immersive, nature-filled and very laid-back, Zambia is a safe and very rewarding choice.

See all of Viva’s Zambia Tours, from 4-day lodge-based stays to sensational weeklong explorations.

 

 

Morocco

Safety

If you’ve ever typed “Is Morocco safe?" into Google, you're definitely not alone. The short answer is yes. Morocco is one of the safest and most visited countries in North Africa, and it has been a much-coveted tourist hotspot for decades. At most, you’ll need to have a bit of street awareness in the country’s busy medinas but, other than having to deal with a few over-zealous vendors and ‘fake guides’ wanting to show you their ‘uncle’s craft shop’, you won’t have serious issues at all.

Once you leave the big cities behind and head into the mountains, desert or small coastal towns, everything feels much more relaxed. As far as safest African countries go, Morocco earns its place on the list for anyone who wants an abundance of colour, culture and adventure, all in the one trip.

 

Highlights

Morocco is one of those eclectic destinations that dishes up variety on a daily basis. One day you’re finding your way through the Marrakech medina, grabbing a fresh pomegranate juice or bargaining for something you definitely don’t need, and the next you’re wandering through the quiet courtyard of a royal palace or settling in for a golden sunset at a luxury desert camp in the Sahara.

Head north and you'll find the blue-washed lanes of Chefchaouen, a town that looks like it was dipped in paint by giants and left to drip-dry in the sun.

If you like history with a bit of mystery, Fes delivers in spades with its maze-like streets, ancient craftsmanship and one of the oldest universities in the world. It matters not how many years you’ve travelled or amazing things you’ve seen, Fes’ astonishing main square is guaranteed to leave you speechless.

Then there's the Sahara, which is a whole experience in itself. Riding a camel over the dunes at sunset or waking up to a sky full of stars is as magical as everyone says.

Nature lovers can escape to the Atlas Mountains for fresh air, warm Berber hospitality, and the world’s best olive oil, while Essaouira gives you a breezy coastal break with seafood, surf and an easygoing vibe that balances out the frenetic energy of the bigger cities.

The lush oasis dotted all over the country are something out of a fairytale book.

Morocco has a lot going on, and that variety is exactly what makes it so fun to explore.

 

Our Morocco Tours bring you the very best of the country, from delicious food to desert safaris, mountains and extraordinary cities.

 

 

Why Travel to Africa With Viva

Travel with us and you never have to guess what’s waiting for you at the other end of a long flight. We meet you at the airport, sort the transfers, and match you with guides and drivers we’ve known and trusted for years. It takes the pressure off, especially if you’re visiting Africa for the first time or you’d just rather skip the trial-and-error part of figuring things out on your own.

We keep an eye on the smaller details, too, because we know they make all the difference. The hotels and camps we use are tried and tested, our partners on the ground keep us updated, and if plans need a tweak along the way, we sort it. And because every journey includes a private guide and local driver, you can skip the stress of dealing with traffic.

All you need to do is enjoy the wildlife, the landscapes and the stories you’ll collect along the way, while we handle the behind-the-scenes bits.

 

 

Recap FAQs

What is the safest country in Africa to visit?

Many travellers consider Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Malawi, Morocco, and Zambia among the safest. They all share the golden travel trifecta: stability, good tourist infrastructure, and welcoming locals.

 

Is Morocco safe to visit in 2026?

Yes! Morocco is well prepared for tourism and remains one of the safest countries in North Africa. Normal travel awareness is still recommended, as per usual. Keep an eye on your belongings and be aware while you're out and about in crowds.

 

Are safaris safe?

Safaris are exceptionally safe when run by trained guides and reputable companies. Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Rwanda are known for excellent guiding standards.

 

What are the safest places for a safari?

The Okavango Delta, Etosha National Park, South Luangwa, and Akagera offer some of the safest places for safari with strong conservation management and experienced guiding teams.

 

Is it safer to travel to Africa with a tour company?

Travelling with an established operator anywhere gives you peace of mind. You hand over the reins to someone else who’ll ensure your transfers and accommodation bookings are made, and your guides are vetted and trustworthy. More importantly, you have someone behind you should there be any travel disruptions or issues of any kind. This is true whether you travel to Africa or anywhere else!

 

Is it safer to travel with a private guide and driver in Africa?
Absolutely! In fact, while travellers often worry about health or personal safety, the biggest risk in many African countries is actually road travel, which can be challenging to even the most experienced driver. All Viva tours include a private guide and an experienced local driver, which takes the stress out of travel days.

 

How can I stay safe in African cities?

Always use pre-arranged transfers, keep valuables secure, and follow the same street awareness you would in any major city. Viva can organise drivers and city guides to make this even easier.

 

How do I stay updated on safety info?
A quick check of your own government’s travel advisory website is the easiest way to stay updated before your trip. They publish clear, current guidance so you know exactly what to expect.

Laura Pattara Laura Pattara has guided overland trips across Africa and now focuses her writing on the continent for Viva Expeditions. She once camped beneath a marula tree that an elephant tore apart during the night, yet somehow she still sleeps best in a tent. But make it glam! From sunrise balloon rides over the Serengeti to following the rhythms of wildlife migrations, Laura brings the wild heart of Africa to life with warmth, depth, and the occasional muddy boot.