Is Africa a safe destination for female travellers?

Many female travellers dream of an African adventure. But is it safe to go?

You’ve seen the images of other women gazing down on Cape Town from atop Table Mountain. You’ve seen them strolling the souks of Morocco, or sipping drinks with little umbrellas on a sandy beach in Zanzibar. And you’ve seen them sit with mountain gorillas in misty forests, watch elephants splash in a river from a 4×4, and laugh in raincoats as they get drenched by spray from Victoria Falls. So naturally, you want to experience all of that for yourself!

However, let’s not pretend that Africa doesn’t have a troubled image when it comes to safety. Which leads would-be female visitors to ask: Is Africa a safe destination for me, a woman?

While the international media often paints Africa with a broad brush of instability, the reality is far more nuanced than that. There are some extremely safe destinations in Africa where you could drive yourself around as a solo female tourist and go exploring in a strappy top and shorts and be totally fine. But at the same time, there are other places where you could travel as part of a large, mixed group, and your safety would still be very much in question.

The first step in planning a safe holiday to Africa is identifying the countries or specific destinations where you’ll be safe as a tourist, regardless of your gender. So let’s look at that topic first. I’ll then highlight a handful of countries where you can expect to be free from harassment by men. Finally, I’ll offer some insights and tips on how to increase your chances of a safe and enjoyable African adventure as a woman.

The safest African countries for travellers

The ten safest countries in Africa according to the 2026 World Peace Index are, in order:

1. Mauritius
2. Botswana
3. Sierra Leone
4. Ghana
5. Senegal
6. Madagascar
7. Namibia
8. The Gambia
9. Zambia
10. Liberia

Other popular tourist countries that also have a well-established reputation for being safe are the Seychelles, Malawi, and Rwanda.

Also, please note that many of Africa’s most popular tourist destinations (like the Kruger, Serengeti, and Victoria Falls) are often among the safest locations within their respective countries. This is because various parties – like the police, park authorities, and tour guides – work very hard to ensure the safety of visitors to these sites. As such, you’re often quite safe as a female tourist in such destinations, though you may need to take greater precautions when moving between them.

The ‘safe havens’ for female travellers

As female travellers, we’re most concerned about our physical safety. But after that, we also want to be free from harassment.

So if you want to plan an African trip where you can feel pretty confident you’ll be physically safe and you’ll be left alone as a woman, the countries below have the best track records.

1. Rwanda

In 2023, the BBC famously ranked Rwanda as the second safest country in the world for women (after Slovenia). The country boasts a very high level of public order in general. In fact, women are almost never catcalled or followed on the streets, thanks to both strict local laws and a culture that generally doesn’t approve of it.

Rwanda is a sublime destination for anyone keen on safaris, birdwatching, hiking, and cultural immersion. Its main attraction, however, is its mountain gorillas, which you can visit on a gorilla trek in the high and beautiful Virunga Mountains. You can also see another endangered primate species (the golden monkey) in the same mountains. So wildlife, nature, and birding enthusiasts simply must prioritise Rwanda, in my opinion.

Browse these exciting Rwandan tours if you’re keen to plan a trip there.

2. Botswana

Botswana has a long-standing democratic tradition (as you may remember if you ever watched A United Kingdom with David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike). It also has low levels of violent crime. It’s long been the safest mainland African country you can visit. Thanks to its many game parks, which protect an incredible density and variety of wildlife, it’s the ideal choice for female travellers keen for a safe African safari.

Botswana’s loudest claim to fame is the Okavango Delta. Here, you can enjoy traditional Big Five game drives, but you can also do river boat rides to draw closer to the wildlife, weave through papyrus swamps in wooden canoes, and take sunset cruises on a lake. You can also visit the famous and ethereal Makgadikgadi Pans, where showstopping sunsets give way to skies ablaze with stars.

Check out these wonderful Botswana safari itineraries for inspiration.

3. Namibia

Namibia is also a very stable country and has low levels of violent crime. Even the cities feel safe. And when you’re trundling through the sand dunes or spotting wildlife in the grasslands of Damaraland, you certainly won’t be concerning yourself about your safety as a woman, because there’s hardly anyone else around for hundreds of miles!

Namibia should be on everyone’s bucket list as it’s so very different from any other African country. Its misty and shipwreck-dotted Skeleton Coast is a world to itself, Etosha Pan is a true wildlife magnet, the Himba people have a truly distinct culture, and the sand dunes, hardy wildlife, and unusual succulents of the Namib and Kalahari Deserts are beyond alluring.

These Namibian overlanding tours give a fuller picture of the many unique attractions of Namibia.

4. Seychelles and Mauritius

These two Indian Ocean nations are high-end beach resort destinations. They have soft-sand beaches and incredible coral reefs.

The local authorities of each country are all about protecting tourists in order to protect their reputations as tropical island paradises. So you can generally walk the beaches and streets with total peace of mind, and be free from harassing hawkers or unwanted catcalls. Bliss.

Essential safety tips for female travellers

To ensure your trip is defined by wonder rather than worry, follow the six guidelines below to stay safe as a woman visiting Africa …

1. Book with a reputable tour operator

One of the best ways to have a safe African journey is to book your trip with a reputable tour operator. They’ll know which hotels are in safe neighbourhoods, for instance, and book you into those. They should also provide you with important preparatory materials, so you know what to pack. They’ll be on top of local developments and weather warnings and will alert you or adjust your itinerary if necessary. And they should provide 24/7 emergency assistance, among other services.

2. Travel in a group

There’s safety in numbers, so travelling in a group in Africa is a smart idea, especially as a woman. Having others with you when walking in cities or rural areas is especially helpful. If you don’t have anyone to travel with, I recommend joining an organised group tour, like those offered by African Overland Tours.

3. Use a driver-guide

Arguably, the best way to stay safe on an African trip is to travel in the company of a professionally trained local guide. On African overlanding adventures and safaris, your guide is usually your driver as well. This individual keeps you safe in various ways, like explaining safety dos and don’ts on safari and avoiding any dicey areas.

4. When in doubt, dress modestly

In many parts of Africa, particularly in rural areas or Muslim-majority destinations like Zanzibar and Morocco, women dress conservatively. I encourage you to cover your shoulders and knees in such contexts to avoid unwanted attention or harassment. You may also need to wear a head scarf in some places to fit in.

5. Follow the usual common-sense guidelines for travellers

Generally speaking, you don’t want to walk around by yourself at night, especially in urban areas. Also, trust your instincts. If a situation or person feels off, try to remove yourself from that space. If you feel threatened, approaching an older woman or a security guard for help is a good idea.

6. Make use of safety apps

Finally, you might consider installing a safety app or two. For instance, there are apps that offer real-time geolocation sharing, SOS features, or local alerts. (Though do note that many remote parts of Africa have spotty or no signal.)

So the question of whether or not travelling in Africa is safe for women is ultimately answered by your choices. If you choose stable destinations, travel in a group with a proper guide, and dress respectfully for the context, exploring Africa will not only be safe but likely one of the most rewarding adventures of your life.

Note: This blog post was created by Leandra Slabbert in October 2018. It was completely rewritten by Megan Abigail White in April 2026.