Africa is the second-largest continent and second-most-populous continent on Earth. Africa spans over 11.6 million mi² (30 million km²) and has a population of approximately 1.4 billion people. Africa comprises 54 countries fully recognized by the United Nations, two independent states (Western Sahara and Somaliland) with little-to-no recognition, and nearly a dozen small, mostly island territories controlled by France, Spain, and other non-African countries.
Africa is the poorest continent on Earth and includes a number of in-development countries and countries ruled by extremist regimes. All of these factors contribute to the fact that some African countries are much safer to visit than others. Africa was also slow to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisory for many African countries. Most African countries, however, had recovered by late 2022 and regained their pre-COVID advisory levels.
The Global Peace Index (GPI)
The Global Peace Index (GPI) is an annual report that measures and ranks the peacefulness of 163 countries to determine the world’s most peaceful countries. The GPI is published annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace, which measures 23 indicators of peace, which are grouped into three categories: Ongoing International and Domestic Conflict, Societal Safety and Security, and Militarization. Example indicators include the number and duration of internal conflicts, relationships with neighboring countries, political instability, the level of violent crimes, and the level of perceived criminality in society. The indicators’ values are then merged to create a single unified GPI value for each country. The lower the GPI score, the more peaceful, and by extension, the safer, the country is considered to be.
Here Is A List Of The Top 10 Safest Countries in Africa
1. Mauritius
The safest country in Africa, Mauritius (1.577) also ranked as the 22nd-safest country in the world in 2024. Mauritius is a multicultural island nation that is family-friendly and secure. Mauritius is a haven for tourists, with attractions that include beaches and lagoons, reef dives, water activities, the “seven-colored earth” of the Chamarel, and lush forests filled with wildlife. Mauritius has a very low crime rate overall and what little crime does occur tends to be non-violent, such as petty theft. Mauritius struggled to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the U.S. Department of State to issue Mauritius a Level 4 (Do Not Travel) advisory, but that advisory returned to Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) by the fall of 2022, retaining this status into mid-2024.
2. Madagascar
Second safest country in Africa as of 2024, Madagascar (1.838) ranked as the 44th-safest country in the world for the same year. Leisure tourism is a significant part of the economy in Madagascar, which is renowned for its unique wildlife, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. The U.S. Department of State awarded Madagascar a Level 2 (Increased Caution) Travel Advisory as of July 2023 (still in effect mid-2024), while advising to be alert in certain areas due to occasional political unrest.
3. Botswana
Botswana (1.864) is 2024’s second safest African country. Ranked at position 50 on the global GPI, Botswana is a popular tourist destination thanks to attractions that include Chobe National Park, game reserves, and the Tsodilo World Heritage site. As of April 2022, Botswana had a Level 1 travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State in late 2022, having largely recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. This status has since been elevated to Level 2 (Increased Caution) in 2024.
4. Ghana
Ghana (1.938) is the fourth safest country in Africa for 2024 and sits at position 55 on the Global Peace Index. Although Ghana fell five positions between 2018 and 2019, it has rebounded since and is now considered to be safer than several popular travel destinations, including France, Greece, Jamaica, Argentina, and the United States. Ghana offers a wide range of attractions, from wildlife viewing and safaris to sun-soaked beaches, vibrant nightlife, and cultural attractions. As of late 2023, retaining it into mid-2024, Ghana has had a Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State due to violence against members of the LGBTQI+ community, crime, and unrest in certain specific parts of the country.
5. Zambia
The fifth safest country in Africa in 2024, Zambia (1.948) is also the 57th safest in the world. The country itself is landlocked, but it is gifted with spectacular waterfalls, rivers, and lakes, vast open spaces and abundant wildlife, and is a top safari destination. In July, 2023, the U.S. Department of State assigned Zambia a Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) travel advisory, still in effect as of mid-2024, in effect declaring Zambia even safer than some countries that ranked above it in terms of GPI.
6. Namibia
Sixth safest African country, Namibia (1.972) landed in the 62nd position in the 2024 Global Peace Index, and boasts some of the most rugged and picturesque landscapes (and wildlife viewing) in Africa. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and a vast, scenic desert on the other, Namibia offers attractions that include scenic beaches and mountains, towering sand dunes perfect for sunrise photos, some of the world’s least light-polluted skies (for stargazing), and ample opportunities to view giraffes, lions, rhinos, and more. In late 2023, still in effect as of mid-2024, the United States Department of State issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Namibia.
7. Tanzania
Seventh safest country in Africa, Tanzania (1.987) is an East African nation. Tanzania has improved its ranking from 86th to 65th in the 2024 Global Peace Index since 2022, indicating that it is becoming a safer African destination to visit.
8. Sierra Leone
Eight safest country in Africa, Sierra Leone (1.993) is a coastal nation in West Africa, known for its vast and numerous beaches as well as its rainforests and wildlife preserves. The country has a GPI ranking of 66th in the world for 2024. While Sierra Leone is traditionally safe to visit, local police often lack the training and capacity to respond effectively to violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery (which occur most often in Freetown), and civil unrest can provoke demonstrations and protests that are best avoided. The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) advisory for Sierra Leone in 2022 that has remained in effect into 2024.
9. Liberia
Ninth safest country in Africa Liberia (2.025), claims to spot 69th for the world’s safest countries in 2024. Liberia moved one spot upwards on the global safest countries from 2023. In July 2023, the U.S. Department of State issued a level 2 warning about traveling to Liberia “due to crime and civil unrest,” travel advisory that is still in effect as of July, 2024.
10. Angola
Angola (2.043) ranked tenth among the safest African countries and 72nd safest globally for 2024. Leisure tourism is a huge part of the economy of Angola, which is known for its mix of “sun, sand, sea, nature, and varied cultural experience.” The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 (Increased Caution) Travel Advisory for Angola as of late 2023 (still in effect mid-2024).
