The continent of Africa is the world’s second-largest and second most-populous continent on earth.
As of 2016, the total population on this continent was 1,216 billion people.
And, while there are nearly 3,000 native languages on this continent, English is one of the main languages spoken.
Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world.
Furthermore, there is an average of 12.4 incidents of crime per 100,000 inhabitants of this continent.
The continent is plagued by high crime levels and, for the most part, these levels seem to be steadily rising.
10 Safest Cities in Africa
These are the top safest cities in Africa.
1. Kigali – Rwanda
As of the most recent census, as stated by the United Nations, the population of the city of Kigali in 2012 was 859,332 residents.
Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda and is situated in approximately the center of the country.
The city is spread across various hills, ridges, and valleys.
This is considered to be the absolute safest city on the African continent.
While crime levels remain relatively low in this city, there are some incidents of burglary, muggings, and bag snatching.
The city is very safe and this is apparent when first arriving.
Security is very visible in this city.
It is ranked as the 9th safest city in the world.
The city has been voted the most organized and cleanest city in Africa.
Both violent crime and property crime are quite low in this country.
2. Dar-es-Salaam – Tanzania
Dar es Salaam grew from a small fishing village on Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coast, into a major city and commercial port.
As of 2012, the United Nations reported that the total population of this city was 4,365 million residents.
This city is known for its beautiful beaches, breathtaking islands, amazing food, and incredible music.
While this city is safe for tourists and there is likely no chance of being involved in any type of serious crime during the day, those traveling to this destination are advised to never travel alone, or travel during the night.
Keep in mind that while this city is relatively safe, there are still some common types of crime that occur during the daytime, such as smash and grabs, muggings, attacks on vehicles, and home invasions, to mention a few.
3. Victoria – Seychelles
Victoria is situated on Mahé Island and is the largest city and capital of Seychelles.
As per the last census in 2010, the population of this city was 26,450.
This city enjoys a relatively low crime rate and visitors are generally safe in this city.
There are, however, instances of robberies, burglaries, and instances where criminals have taken opportunistic shots at tourists, residents, and expatriates.
Crime is generally non-violent and more prevalent during the night.
Visitors are advised not to venture out at night or alone.
There are moderate levels of property crime and low levels of violent crime in this city.
In addition, there are Somalian pirates operating off the coast of this city.
4. Port-Louis – Mauritius
Port-Louis is the capital city of Mauritius which sits on the Indian Ocean.
As per the 2017 census and reported by the United Nations, the population of this city was 148,147 residents.
As of 2018, it was reported that the crime rate in this city stands at 2.92 incidents of crime per 100,000 residents.
This city is quite a safe destination to travel to.
However, areas closer to the center of the city may experience slightly higher crime rates.
The crime in this city is mostly petty theft and non-violent.
Visitors are reminded to avoid going out at night and stay clear of dark areas and walk alone on the beaches.
In addition, visitors are kindly reminded to avoid the backstreets of the business district of this city.
5. Tangier – Morocco
Tangier is a Moroccan port that is situated on the Strait of Gibraltar.
It is in the northwestern part of Morrocco.
According to the 2014 census and as reported by the United Nations, the population of Tangier was 947,952.
The country of Morrocco has done a lot in the past few years to clean up the image of Tangier.
The police in this country have increased security forces in this city and other cities in this country with respect to recent world events.
For the most part, this is a safe city to visit.
Visitors are reminded to remain vigilant at all times and to ensure that valuables are kept in a safe place.
This city does experience crimes such as pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, purse-snatching, and theft from vehicles parked at traffic lights that are occupied.
6. Gaborone – Botswana
Gaborone is the capital city of the country of Botswana, which is located in the south of the African continent.
As of 2022, the total population of this land-locked country is 232,000 residents.
It is considered to be one of the safest countries in Africa.
The country is fairly well developed and is relatively safe for travelers and single women traveling alone.
The country centers itself around its tourism industry and experiences much lower crime rates than other African countries.
Tourists traveling to this country may experience petty crime and those visiting this country are advised not to venture out at night or travel to areas of the city that experience higher levels of poverty.
7. Tunis – Tunisia
Tunis is the capital city of Tunisia.
This is the northernmost country on the continent of Africa.
As per the 2014 census and reported by the United Nations, the population of Tunis was 638,845 residents.
This is another city that is considered to be very safe for travelers.
Most of the northern parts of this country are considered to be very safe, while cities located to the south and west of this country are considered to be more dangerous.
There have, however, been instances of terrorist attacks in this country, and visitors are advised to remain vigilant of their surroundings, not to venture out alone at night, and avoid any political demonstrations.
Overall, this is one of the safer cities on the African continent.
8. Nairobi – Kenya
Nairobi is the capital city of the country Kenya, which is located in East Africa with a coastline on the Indian Ocean.
The United Nations reported that the population of Kenya was 4.397 million residents as of 2019.
While the city is relatively safe during the daytime, there is still very much the risk of becoming a victim of muggers, pickpockets, or robbers.
Visitors are mostly advised to avoid traveling at night and to avoid traveling to areas of the city that experience higher levels of poverty, as these areas experience higher crime levels as well.
There have been terrorist attacks carried out in this city and travelers are warned to always remain vigilant.
Also, expect security checks at most buildings and always carry an ID document with you as security is a high priority in this city.
9. Kampala – Uganda
Kampala is the capital city of Uganda and borders Lake Victoria.
The city has a population of 1.507 million residents as was reported in 2014.
This city is relatively safe to travel in both during the day and night.
However, visitors are reminded never to take unnecessary chances.
You may expect non-violent crimes to be carried out in this city, such as pickpocketing, smash and grab, and purse snatching.
However, there have been serious warnings issued to women traveling alone as violent crime often involves sexual assault in this city.
This is a city that is rich in spectacular views, natural beauty, and culture.
10. Cape Town – South Africa
Cape Town is the capital city of South Africa and is located on the tip of Africa.
As of 2020, the total population of Cape Town was 4,618,000 million residents.
While not considered to be the safest city in South Africa, it is still a great city to visit.
Crime levels are relative and there are quite a few instances of property crime and violent crime.
Most of the serious crimes are confined to the lower-income areas and security is pretty tight in the upper suburban areas.
The city is known for highjackings, smash and grabs, robbery, pickpocketing, and a range of other crimes.
Visitors are reminded to remain extremely vigilant when traveling in this city and to steer clear of the central business district which experiences much higher crime rates.
However, in the more rural farming communities such as Stellenbosch, it is a lot safer for travelers and visitors.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Africa
Here are five important safety tips when traveling to Africa:
- Always remain vigilant of your surroundings.
- Keep valuables locked away in your hotel room.
- Never travel alone or alone at night and avoid empty beaches, especially during the nighttime.
- Always travel during the day but never at night.
- Always have copies of ID documents at hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most dangerous city in Africa?
Rustenburg, South Africa.
The city experiences a lot of drug and human trafficking problems.
Which is the most beautiful country in Africa?
South Africa is the most beautiful country in Africa.
Is human trafficking a problem in Africa?
Yes, in most African countries, this is a major cause for concern.
Africa is a diverse and complex continent, with a large population and a high crime rate. While there are some safe cities to visit, it is important to remain vigilant and take precautions when traveling to any destination in Africa.
Africa is the second-largest and second most-populous continent on earth, with a total population of 1.216 billion people in 2016. Despite having nearly 3,000 native languages, English is one of the main languages spoken. However, Africa also has one of the highest crime rates in the world, with an average of 12.4 incidents of crime per 100,000 inhabitants. While there are safe cities on the continent, it is important to remain vigilant of your surroundings and avoid traveling alone or at night. It is also recommended to keep valuables locked away and have copies of ID documents at hand.
I have always had a fondness for South Africa. The country has a great culture and lovely people and is known for its safety and security. Many people have moved to South Africa to find work and raise a family (a good Rand vs Dollar). However, since the current government has come into power, things have been going downhill. It’s sad to see the country deteriorating like this. It’s also disheartening to see that international countries do not seem to care anymore. They believe that the country has been returned to its traditional owners or did it. In fact, the Hottentots are the traditional owners.
It’s shocking to read that a country that was once known for being one of the safest and with the best military known, has now been downgraded to a “junk state” with a poor credit rating. This article suggests that Cape Town is one of the top 10 safest cities to live in Africa. However, according to ‘Travelsafe-abroad.com’, Cape Town is number five on the list of most dangerous cities to live in, with Pretoria, Durban, Johannesburg, and Port Elizabeth being the top four.
This is how the media misinforms the public. I have visited South Africa for both business and holidays, but I am sad to say that I will not be taking my family there for any more vacations. I conduct my business in other countries as bribery is also on the table in South Africa, and I refuse to participate in such unethical practices. I may not earn as much money in other countries, but I am willing to take that risk for a more sustainable future.
I do not believe that South Africa will make a comeback anytime soon, especially considering what has happened in Zimbabwe. It’s shameful to see what they have done to that country, and it seems like South Africa is following suit. I have learned to do my own research and not believe everything I read. If I had not done so, I would not be as successful in my business ventures today.
I had several dreams last night, and my mind took me on a wild journey through different scenarios and landscapes. Amidst the chaos, there was one constant: you. In each dream, you played a significant role.
In one dream, we were driving my yellow Ford Escort, and it seemed like we were going to Wellington. You rushed out of the car as we reached our destination, and I felt like you wanted to see someone else (some other guy).
As I drove the car, I stopped at a strip club and went inside but did not enter the club security/pay point) and returned to the car. I then saw two buses full of women looking at me as they turned up at the club. I drove off but realized that the car didn’t have brakes. I was puzzled about how you drove the car to this point without me noticing while sitting next to you on the way. I downshifted the car using the automatic transmission and manually shifted gears when approaching intersections or stop signs. I was then looking for spanners and someone to assist me in fixing it.
In another dream, we were waiting for many partygoers to arrive at a big, beautiful, and renovated old house (we owned), probably for a birthday celebration. Upon entering the house, we noticed that our main bedroom room was cluttered with good not in place but generally clean. It needed to be cleaned before the guests arrived. We found a crack in one of the window frames with a butterfly larva in it and gently removed it (part of cleaning up). We were showing a house to two elderly couples, and although I did not recognise them, I assumed they were my parents. We showed them the markings on the frame where something had been removed and cleaned out (the larva). While showing them the window frame, I noticed a small hatch door on the floor, but I had no knowledge of what it was inside, and I was puzzled.
In another part of the dream, you attempted to climb up a tall power line pole with moss overgrowth on it (green). It was two poles parallel planted with the conductor on it (strung). I was curious to know if it was live, even though you insisted on cleaning some clutter on it (I could not see what it was at this point). I offered to do it for you, but you insisted on climbing the pole to clean the top of the pole at the conductor. I supported you as you attempted to climb it and then let go of your right ankle as you ascended (climbed) the pole.
Interesting list! I’ve visited two of these cities and felt incredibly safe throughout my stay.
I’m pleasantly surprised to see some lesser-known cities on this list. It’s great to know that safety isn’t just limited to the more famous destinations.
Hopefully, this encourages more tourism and investment in these regions.