There are perks to traveling by yourself, like being able to go wherever you’d like and do whatever you want, without worrying about pleasing others.
A great place to venture as a solo traveler is Africa. This continent has 54 countries and some of the most beautiful views on the planet.
If you’re planning a solo trip and looking for a great destination in Africa, here are some the best places to consider.
Chefchaouen, Morocco
Commonly referred to as “The Blue City”, Chefchaouen is an amazingly beautiful town covered in blue.
The entire town is painted in blue with shades ranging from light blue to cobalt. There are high walls in Chefchaouen to keep the harsh sun out and create a cool environment.
This North African country is pretty safe for travel, so being a solo traveler here is totally fine.
You can spend hours wandering the narrow streets, where no cars are allowed, and shop in one of the traditional markets.
Just be mindful that the left hand is considered to be unclean, so you must eat with your right hand. Chefchaouen, like the rest of Morocco, is very conservative; so it is encouraged to dress modestly.
Uganda
Tourism is still lagging in Uganda because of its rough past which means that it is overall a wallet-friendly place to travel to.
Visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Africa’s most famous parks, for the ultimate rainforest experience. This park has 128 square miles of mountain rainforest and 120 mammal species. Bwindi National Park is also home of 400 Bwindi gorillas, which is half of the world’s population of these endangered gorillas.
Uganda has two rainy seasons: from October – November and from Mid-March until the end of May.
The best time to travel to Uganda is from May to September.
Kendwa, Zanzibar
There are a lot of things to do here for the solo traveler: snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, spice tours, shopping, etc.
Zanzibar is known as being a melting pot of Arabic, African, Indian and European cultures all living together as one.
There are a variety of beach villages in Kendwa, which is often a great place to meet new people when traveling alone.
Madagascar
Madagascar is a safe country for solo travelers because of its strict policies and governance.
There is a lot of wildlife here (like the sacred lemur) as well as rich historical and cultural sites.
You can take the Manakara Express, which is a French colonial-era railway, to explore the south-east coast of Madagascar to the highlands.
Rwanda
This country is considered to be one of the cleanest and safest countries in Africa.
You can spend days here exploring one of the biggest tropical forests in Africa.
Visit the city of Kigali for art galleries, great food, and the Kigali Genocide Museum.
You can also go gorilla trekking in Musanze, Rwanda which is the second largest city. In Musanze, you can also explore the twin lakes and several volcanoes.
For relaxation, head to Lake Kivu — Rwanda’s largest lake.
Getting around is quite easy in Rwanda for the solo traveler because of public buses and private taxis — just remember to negotiate with taxi drivers.
Malawi
Referred to as the “Warm Heart Of Africa”, Malawi locals are extremely friendly.
Livingstonia, Malawi is perfect for the solo traveler who is looking for serenity. There isn’t much to do in this small town besides visiting the museum, taking in the gorgeous mountain views and visiting their church.
Visit Lake Malawi to see why it is called the ‘Lake of Stars’ — be sure to go in the evening to see all of the fishing boats lit up in the water. This lake has the most freshwater fish of any other lake in the world.
For a laid-back, beach vibe, visit Cape Maclear; which is located on the southern part of Lake Malawi.
Namibia
Namibia is extremely welcoming to American travelers. It is also a safe destination for solo travelers because of its good governance.
This country is located in the desert and you’re bound to spot amazing wildlife here, like elephants.
Visit the dune sea of Sossusvlei for garnet-hued sands. You can even spend the night at Okaukuejo Waterhole in Himba Village to see the black rhino, an animal currently critically endangered.
Botswana
If you want to spot wildlife, Botswana is one of the best places to do it. Here you can spot lions, elephants, and over 30,000 zebras reside here.
The Okavango Delta is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.
Visit the capital city of Gaborone for a more cosmopolitan feel.
Everyone speaks English here, making it very easy to navigate.
Tanzania
There are many tourist attractions in Tanzania and it is considered to be one of the safest countries in East Africa.
Locals pride themselves on caring for their neighbors and treating others with kindness.
You can spend time in Tanzania lounging on their exquisite beaches and going to a game reserve. Animals like the lion, buffalo, and antelope are all part of Tanzania’s wildlife.
