Africa Travel Guide: Trip Highlights, Itineraries, & Tips

In another few weeks, Africa will enter its peak travel season. Thousands of travelers from Europe, North America and other parts of the world will flock to the continent in search of their own adventures. Of course, plenty of them will be chasing the Big Five in Botswana and Tanzania. If you are one of the lucky travelers heading to Africa, here is Africa travel guide with trip highlights, itineraries, & tips you need to know before you go.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of traveling to Africa? For most travelers, Morocco, Egypt and South Africa are the top destinations, but there are so much more than that! From the jaw-dropping natural wonders, the richest traditions, cultural heritages to the vibrant bazaars, Africa has everything for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. With 54 strikingly unique countries scattered all over the region picking the best destinations in Africa can be a daunting task.

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This where I come in to help you plan a trip to Africa on a budget. I know, it’s not uncommon to experience anxiety before going there. Use this Africa travel guide and my experience to wipe out any concerns and familiarize yourself with the customs and traditions of Sub-Saharan Africa. This guide applies to every type of traveler. Whether you’re a photographer, adventure seeker, holidaymaker or a recharge retreater, I did my best to give you the most comprehensive information on countries I’ve visited so you can get the idea and have a starting point for your planning.

There is so much to do and see in Africa, so I highly recommend allocating at least three weeks to a backpacking trip in Africa.

Where to Begin a Trip in Africa

Africa is arguably one of the most diverse continents on the planet. It is home to the highest mountain in Africa, over 3000 diverse tribes, unique wildlife, the world’s driest Namib desert, vast and arid African savannah, Serengeti, and rare animal species not found anywhere else.

Every country you visit while backpacking through Africa highlights the different flavors and offers up the opportunity to experience the amazing natural phenomena and incredible cultural diversity unique to that region.

Explore the epic snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Soak up the sun on the striking Grotto Beach in Hermanus, South Africa. Party with the amazing people at the famous Carnaval de Mindelo in Cape Verde. Trek the Simien Mountains in Ethiopia. Get off the beaten path in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi. Experience the sun-drenched deserts of North Africa. Climb Ras Dashen, the highest peak in Ethiopia. Backpacking through South Africa truly is an eye-opening experience if you’re looking for meaningful cross-cultural exchanges with communities totally different from your own.

Most travelers start in Nairobi to make their way down to Cape Town. Take advantage of the largest airports in Nairobi or Cape Town to quickly find flights from and to your home destination.

There are some fairly dangerous corners on the Dark Continent that you should avoid if you’re traveling to Africa alone. You will fall in love with Africa. Let’s dive in and take a look at a few Africa travel itineraries and backpacking routes to prepare for your trip.

1 Week Africa Itinerary – 1 Diverse Country

Finding the best Africa backpacking route for yourself depends on a number of things. How much time do you have? 7 days? 15 days? 1 month? 2 months? 6 months? A year?

How much money do you have to spend backpacking Africa? Do you want to travel Africa on a shoestring or you’re planning an African safari vacation?

What do you like to do whilst backpacking? Trekking? Surfing? Scuba Diving? Wildlife watching? Once you begin to answer some of those questions, most importantly your timeframe, then you can choose an Africa backpacking itinerary that will work for you.

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If you have flown halfway across the world to go backpacking for one week in Africa, then you should have a pretty good idea of things you want to see before you arrive. If you have visions of visiting multiple countries in a one week period, you should forget about that. Maybe you could see a bit of South Africa around Pretoria and Johannesburg whilst making your way to Kruger National Park. My advice is to concentrate on one country that offers a lot and devote all of your energy to exploring that one destination properly.

Morocco

Perhaps the most rewarding one week journey would be to start off in Marrakesh, Morocco. Roam around the city for a day or two before heading to Rabat or Essaouira. Both cities have plenty of attractions to keep you busy for several days! Then head to Fez. Spend here a few days before setting off on a multi-day trek in Tazekka National Park. This short 7-day Africa itinerary gives backpackers a good insight into the diversity and cultural background of Northern Africa.

Tanzania

For two weeks in Tanzania, fly into Tanzania’s biggest city Dar Es Salaam. You won’t want much time there, maybe just to rest up before heading to Arusha. This is where you can get some cheap last-minute tours to the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. Spend here six days enjoying beautiful natural settings and going animal watching until your heart is content. Best place to stay in Zanzibar: New Teddy’s Place.

Then head back to Dar Es Salaam for a night, before hopping on the ferry to Zanzibar. I’d allocate at least 6 days for this awesome island – 3 days in the capital Stone Town and 3 nights at the Nungwi and Kendwa beaches – stunningly beautiful beaches to relax and unwind after the hustle and bustle of the mainland.

Kenya

If you’re thinking of spending two weeks in Kenya, then this itinerary is just for you.

Perhaps the most rewarding two-week journey would be to start off in Nairobi. Explore the city for a day before heading to the Masai Mara National Park. I’d say that safaris in Kenya are a bit cheaper than in Tanzania so are great for the budget traveler in Africa. One or two days with Masai won’t kill your budget. After spending some time in Masai Mara visit Lake Naivasha and Hell Gate National Park.

Take a few days spotting hippos, cycling and getting close to zebras, warthogs, deer, and other herbivores. You’ll have to keep moving to see all the hippos along the route, but I believe in you! Oh, and don’t forget about the natural hot spring – these are extremely relaxing!

Alternatively, you could start in Lake Nakuru National Park before heading east to Lake Victoria in eastern Kenya where you can soak up some sun at the beach, take a day trip to Mfangano Island and feel some real local Kenyan life. Take a short hike near the lake to eat some very tasty fresh fish and meet some friendly locals not used to many tourists.

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Have an extra week? You can catch a bus or flight to the Mombasa to take a wander around the old city, try some delicious Swahili food, before heading out to a beach.

Spend a few hours in Mombasa to see the fort, take a wander around the old city, try some delicious Swahili food, before heading out to a beach a few hours away for two nights.

With several days on the beach just take your time. You can go fishing, do some snorkeling in Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park, or maybe take a half-day to learn more about Mombasa. Whatever you feel like.

Africa Travel Guide to Getting Around

When I needed to get somewhere I always asked the staff at my accommodation for help. Most places are quite reachable, it just takes more time to travel in Africa. If you are a backpacker and traveling to Africa alone make sure to only get around by daylight. Avoid going anywhere at night, especially if you’re a first-timer. Again ask the staff to call you a licensed taxi if you do need to get somewhere.

Transport costs are really difficult to predict if you are traveling to Africa solo. If you’re backpacking through Africa, you never really know what type of transport you’ll end up taking. Chances are you will be mixing different types of transportation. Plus additional cab services if you go on a safari.

Africa By Bus

While the bus is the most common form of transport in Africa, they range from big coaches to smaller minivans (poda poda in Sierra Leone, matatu in Kenya, dalla dalla in Tanzania, tro tro in Ghana). In countries like Namibia or Botswana, buses don’t run exactly where you want to go, so you have to hop off the bus to hire a taxi.

Almost any ride on a public bus will set you back under $3. The price can reach $30 depending on how far you are going. In East Africa, you’re probably looking at around USD $25 for a 14-hour journey from Kampala to Nairobi using a company like Easy Coach. I’d recommend taking bigger buses if you’re planning on covering long distances because they are generally more comfortable and safe.

Africa By Minivan

Minivans are often much faster than public buses but you should expect them to be more crowded too. Minivans are plentiful and almost as cheap as buses. Do careful research and pick your option wisely when it comes to pre-booking a journey with a company. Otherwise, you shouldn’t be expecting a minivan to leave until they are full. Oftentimes minivans are the only way to reach your destination for a reasonable price. On some routes, you can negotiate the price so you can make your holiday destination in Africa even cheaper.

Hitchhiking in Africa

If you want to know how do people move around in Africa, this Africa travel guide is right here to help you. Hitchhiking is a very common thing to do by locals and some countries are generally safe for hitchhikers from the West. Most backpackers tend to hitchhike through Namibia and South Africa rather than countries in Central Africa. Hitchhiking in Africa can get you really far sometimes.

If you travel with a group of friends it might slow you down and increase the driver’s desire to make some easy money. If you’re adventurous enough for hitchhiking from the side of the road resist the urge to stick out your thumb, wave your hand instead. This will make you look more natural in the eyes of the locals. Never, and I mean that never hitchhike in Africa if you’re not experienced with hitchhiking!

Self-Drive Africa

Self-driving isn’t a common but feasible option for a backpacker in Africa. The cost of hiring vehicle can vary greatly depending on the country, the distance and the type of car you get. Most of the car rental companies I’ve found cater for Southern Africa and Namibia. But there are a few that cover Northern Africa too. Particularly in Morocco and Egypt.

Whether you’re planning to do a self-drive from Cape Town to Windhoek or just explore the Cape Peninsula, there are views that will take your breath away! At the same time, finding a decent option that covers most of East and Southern Africa seems to be rare. If you plan on crossing borders keep in mind that gas is very expensive in rural areas and local companies will rarely let you drop off in the city different from where you rented it.

Africa By Train

There are two types of trains in Africa: luxury trains like the Blue Train route between Pretoria and Cape Town or Jambo Kenya Deluxe from Nairobi to Mombasa. Both options are very expensive and offer luxurious ways to travel around. Locals usually opt for cheap and slow overnight trains. Local trains offer amazing scenery and unique cultural experiences without breaking the bank.

Mainly all railways are followed by roads, which gives you a chance to choose between trains and buses. While you can do all the way from Cape Town to Dar Es Salaam by train, it can be time-consuming. I’d recommend taking buses to make it faster. The cheapest train ticket will set you back USD $3 and get you as far as 100 km.

Africa Travel Guide: Eating And Drinking

Most countries in Africa can’t boast about having the highest quality of drinking water. When you head north to Zambia, Kongo, and Angola you’ll need to be cautious. You may want to bring water purification tablets, or a LifeStraw, and a Water to Go bottle to avoid drinking contaminated water.

So, can I drink tap water in Africa? I’d not recommend drinking tap water anywhere on the continent outside South Africa and Namibia. It is something that could ruin your trip to Africa easily. During my trip to Africa, I have never had an issue with my belly or eating local food. While peels are rich in fiber and vitamins you may want to avoid them in Africa. Always wash vegetables and fruits before eating them!

Street food in Africa is pretty cheap. I usually spend between USD $6 – $25 per day on food. A meal at Steers or Wimpy will cost you about $5 per person. At a nicer restaurant that caters to tourists a 3-course meal with wine costs about $15 per person. Eating out in East Africa is quite cheap while going to eateries in South Africa is more expensive. If you want to keep costs low cook for yourself when there are facilities.

Maghrebi cuisine

North Africa is one of the most diverse culinary regions, North Africa’s food represents the cooking styles of the Maghreb: olives from the Mediterranean influence, Egyptian dishes that date back to antiquity, couscous from the Berbers and more. Don’t miss this region’s many variations on chicken pastilla, shakshouka and couscous, these are delicious.

East African Cuisine

Culinary traditions of Central and East Africa were less affected by European and Arab cuisines. While there are tourist traps like meals from exotic animals, locals opt for beef and poultry dishes. Peanuts, cassava roots, okra, ginger are common throughout the region. Make sure to try bambara peanut butter rice pudding, cassava-based products like gari, fufu, Egusi soup, and akpu.

Countries that make up the Horn of Africa have quite different culinary traditions. Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia rely heavily on cereals like wheat, maize, millet, and sorghum. Most common beverages are coffee, local beer and tej wine that is flavored with the powdered leaves and twigs of Gesho.

South African Cuisine

Due to its colonial history and the influx of other cultures from Europe, South African food is another highly diverse affair. In South Africa, you will find Dutch, British, German, and indigenous cultures. The influx of Indian laborers in the late 19th century brought new types of food based on curry rice and vegetables. There are vegan-friendly restaurants in South Africa too!

Bunny chow became very popular throughout South Africa and you can find it pretty much everywhere for around $3-5. South Africa has lots of restaurants and eateries that offer traditional African, Chinese, Indian, Arabic and Japanese food. Fast-food chains like Steers are available throughout the continent with prices ranging from USD $4-7 depending on a country.

Africa Travel Guide: Best Backpacker Accommodation in Africa

If you’re traveling Africa on a budget and don’t plan on going on a safari trip, I still recommend booking your first night’s accommodation before you arrive. It will give you enough flexibility and time to identify a range of prices and pick the best option.

Be sure to have your first night booked when you are just off the plane, feeling sleepy and tired. It just makes things a lot easier if the hotel room doesn’t meet your expectations, you can always find another one. But get your stuff first and then move on.

Attention: not all hostels will have consistent access to power and power outages are frequent. Also remember, you can always book most sightseeing tours, attractions, excursions, and things to do when you are there. Only super popular attractions like gorilla trekking in Uganda (this one requires a permit) should be booked well in advance. Use guide books, online reviews or local recommendations.

Where to Stay in Africa on a Budget

There are plenty of good hostels, campsites, guest houses and lodges to stay in Africa. Whether you’re looking for the cheapest places to stay in South Africa or the safest area to stay in Nairobi, there are plenty of good hostels, and campsites to stay in Africa. Yes, take advantage of campsite locations too! These are often really cheap, offering experiences and laughs that can bind you for a lifetime!

Larger cities have all the usual accommodation options a budget traveler may need. However, as you venture deeper into the African continent, the fewer options are available. Rural areas have a handful of options for backpackers. Do research before you go, find the right type of accommodation to suit your requirements and book in advance during peak season (May – October).

Kenya

Distant Relatives Ecolodge and Backpackers, Kilifi, Kenya.
Stilts Backpackers, Mombasa, Kenya.
Diani Backpackers, Mombasa, Kenya.
Buddha’s Tree Backpackers, Mtwapa, Kenya.
Voi Lutheran Guesthouse, Voi, Kenya.
Milimani Backpackers, Nairobi, Kenya.

South Africa

Gibela Backpackers Lodge – Durban, South Africa.
Khotso Lodge & Horse Trails, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.
FunkyTown, Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.
Urban Backpackers, Johannesburg, South Africa.
A Sunflower Stop Backpackers, Cape Town, South Africa.
Long Street Backpackers, Cape Town, South Africa.
Moonlight Backpackers, Pretoria, South Africa.

Zimbabwe

N1 Hotel & Campsite Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Flatdog Lodge, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Choice City Backpackers, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Namibia

Quiver Inn Guesthouse, Keetmanshoop, Namibia.
Salty Jackal Backpackers, Swakopmund, Namibia.
Swakopmund Backpackers, Swakopmund, Namibia.
Chameleon Backpackers & Guesthouse, Windhoek, Namibia.

How To Stay Healthy While Travelling In Africa

Africa is a safe place for travelers who follow safety guidelines. First things first, go and consult your GP about what vaccinations and medication you’ll need before you depart. Most countries in Central and East Africa require Yellow Fever vaccination proof just to enter the country. Check the requirements here.

It makes sense to protect your skin from sunburn, especially on the coast. If you have sensitive or pale skin, you can get a sunburn very quickly. Therefore, sunscreen with sun protection factor of 30 or higher and sunglasses are a must. Make sure to choose the right sunscreen and SPF, as well as buy proper sunglasses in advance.

I don’t want to sound like your mom, but keeping your hands clean is important for maintaining personal hygiene. It’s number one reason people get sick in Africa. Wash your hands before you eat and keep a bottle of hand sanitizer with you.

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All countries at the bottom of the African continent drive on the left side of the road. As a German (drive on the right hand side) I killed two birds with one stone by opting for buses, trains and minivans.

I also packed the following to keep myself fighting adventure-fit on the road:

Anti malarial medication / Antibiotics / Painkillers / Antihistamine / Iodine tablets / Hydrocortisone cream / Insect repellent: DEET

Oh, one more thing! Stay away from the lakes in Africa until you’re 100% certain, it’s totally safe to take a dip there. Some lakes are home to bilharzia, also known as schistosomiasis or snail fever. This parasitic disease is the last thing you want to get on your trip to Africa!

Best Time To Visit Africa: Your Complete Guide

Southern Africa

The best time of year to go to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia is in the dry months that last from July to October. Early November is also a great time to go to Namibia when animals clusters around the waterholes. It can get busy, especially in popular tourist destinations such as Kruger National Park since game viewing is at its best. If you’re planning an African safari vacation you should know that from November to March it’s much harder to spot wildlife as animals hide in the wild.

East Africa

The best time to visit East Africa depends on your interests and what you’re hoping to see during your Kenya and East Africa trip. The Great Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania at its best from July to mid-September. Surely, you can go wildlife watching pretty much at any time of the year but the wet season in March to May (with the heaviest rains from April to May) is not the best time to visit East Africa. Like in South Africa you’ll be having a hard time spotting wildlife hidden by vegetation.

Central Africa

While this is one of the least visited regions in Africa, expect almost non-existent tourist infrastructure. This vast region in the middle of the continent has an arid desert climate and the dusty harmattan wind blows through from the Sahara from December onwards. While choosing the best time to visit Central Africa you may arrive at a decision that from December to May the rains are infrequent making this region a welcoming destination for wildlife lovers.

North Africa

Spring and autumn offer the best weather for swimming, exploring the Nile River, the Atlas Mountains and sightseeing in Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. Though there are occasional dust storms in the desert from February to April. Avoid Moroccan Sahara in midsummer, stick to coastal areas instead. Temperatures will be much more pleasant there.

Ultimate Guide to Managing Money in Africa

There’s no secret – you’re going to need cash in Africa. Take U.S. dollars (crispy brand new dollars) for obtaining visas if you’re planning on moving from one country to another. Figure out how much will cost your visas and add at least a few hundred dollars on top of that. I’m not sure you’re going to need the entire amount, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Besides, you can always change them if you need local currency. And don’t change all your money at once!

As I am German, I usually always take Euros, which are easy to change. When I exchange the currency into local cash I do my best to use common sense. But it’s nearly impossible to know exactly how much will I need. Therefore, if you have a large amount of currency left over when leaving a country, exchange it at the booths and avoid using street vendors.

For example, when I’m changing money in Namibia and I can choose between South African rand or Namibian dollars, I’d opt for the latter. It’s much easier to change South African rand rather than Namibian dollars outside of the country. To sum things up, you’ll need a mix of dollars, Euros and your cards.

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Bring your credit/debit cards too as most shops, restaurants, and hotels in bigger cities accept them. Of course, larger towns also have ATM’s and they often provide better exchange rates than the ones in the exchange kiosks. Africa is a far-flung destination, so it’s wise to have several cards in case the first one doesn’t work or gets swallowed up by the card machine. This will also help because Visa is much more widely spread in Africa than MasterCard. Make sure you keep your main card separately in a safe place while using extra cards.

And don’t forget to notify your bank about your travel plans or they may block your cards!

If you have a question on how much money to take to South Africa, I’d recommend allocating at least USD $80 to cover your daily expenses. As you can see, daily costs for a backpacker are much higher than in Southeast Asia or even South America. Safaris and adventure activities increase the cost significantly, so you should take this into account if you’re into it.

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When it comes to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and spending money in Tanzania, I’d suggest you change money in larger cities like Arusha and Dar Es Salaam. Surely, you can pay the parks fees with your VISA card but you’ll still need cash to pay the rest. It is a good idea to exchange USD to TZS before venturing into the countryside as you will get a better rate when buying trinkets.

How to Travel Africa On a Budget

It is the common belief that backpacking through Africa is dirt cheap. Whilst this is true for some countries and things, like food and local transport, Africa isn’t as cheap as backpacking in Southeast Asia. That said, it is easy to travel around Africa on a budget.

Due to the nature of Africa being one of the underdeveloped regions in terms of tourism, expect to pay double if not more for any type of adventure activities.

To give you some idea, a 4-day classic Kruger National Park safari could set you back between $500 – $1100. Climbing Kilimanjaro cost me $1500, and my incredible Okavango boating safari was almost USD $100. It cost me so little only because I skipped using intermediaries and went straight to the Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community. Expect the average price of Okavango boating to be somewhere around $400 in high-season.

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Staying in hostels every single night, buying food and meds, taking long-distance buses, paying entrance fees to National Parks, not to mention going on safari tours… these things add up fast. Sometimes you don’t have a choice and will have to pay way more in order to do the things you want. Remember to always leave a little extra wiggle room in your budget so you can go on a safari trip or take a flight over the Okavango Delta that you have been dreaming about!

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to save money while backpacking around Africa and leave some extra money for the things you really want to spend your money on.

Guide to Saving While Traveling in Africa

A frequently asked question is, how to save money on a trip to Africa? Camping in Africa may sound a bit crazy, but it gives you the flexibility to sleep where you like. Generally, you’ll pay USD $4-8 for a decent camping spot. Most campsites are inside hostel grounds, so you have full access to showers, common areas, and kitchens. This is compared to USD $10-30 a night for a hostel room. Some national parks also have campgrounds in designated areas to reduce environmental impacts. A reminder – always zip up your tent to prevent living things from getting into your tent!

Cook Your Own Food

When backpacking Africa every penny counts. Cooking is one of the best ways to keep your travel costs down, and local markets are also great places to go to see what the local people eat. In Africa, there are plenty of hostels and campsites that have a kitchen. So cook up your own food as often as you can. Get Akara (African Beancake), tea, eggs, and bread for traditional African breakfast.

Stick to Public Transport

As I already mentioned local buses, minivans, poda-podas and dalla-dallas are really cheap and give you the opportunity to experience local life. Avoid hiring private drivers. You can actually explore Africa without spending a lot of money. While a little bumpier, local transport is a great way to travel to Africa on a budget.

Negotiate The Price

Yup, I know, negotiating price isn’t for everyone. But bartering is a big part of daily life on the continent Africa, and if you’re planning a safari trip to Africa ask your tour operator for a lower price. It’s worked well for me in several camps!

Pick Your Destination Wisely

Having a “why” when picking your destination in Africa would bring more value and meaning to your trip. A great African itinerary offers access to new cultures, life-affirming experience, and unique natural settings. In fact, Africa caters to every kind of traveler and there are plenty of great countries go wildlife watching. I’ll later add more tips and advice on where to watch animals in this Africa travel guide.

For example, I visited the Masai Mara national park, Kenya for watching lions. I went to the Etosha National Park in Namibia to spend time spotting black rhino and learn more about Namibia’s wildlife. I spent a day with baby elephants in the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust because I wanted to see how they help orphaned elephants and rhinos get a second chance.