41 Health and Safety Tips for Travel in Africa: Updated for 2024

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How do I stay safe and healthy while I’m travelling in Africa?

This is a common question for many travellers. These top travel tips can help you have a worry-free trip around this amazing continent.

Planning any trip, is exciting, but it can also be stressful when you’re worried about health and safety issues. It’s as easy as following a few simple guidelines to be sure you have an amazing time.

Don’t waste your energy or miss out on any of the fun because you’re nervous. Read on, and you’ll be feeling more confident even before you finish.

Top Travel Tip:
Be aware of your surroundings and use your common sense!

I can honestly say, I’ve travelled to Africa many times and visited several different areas, and I’ve never felt like I needed to be afraid.

I use a lot of common sense, and follow some simple guidelines for safety in Africa. If you have some that aren’t mentioned here, let me know!

Do Your Part in Staying Safe

The way you travel and the precautions you take can make an enormous difference in making sure that it IS safe to travel in Africa. And can start even before you leave home.

Click here to skip to staying safe while you’re out and about exploring.

Health and Safety Tips for Travel in Africa

Before You Leave Home

1. If you’re wondering if it’s safe to travel to Africa, take a quick look online to make sure there are no travel advisories at your destination.

These would include health, weather, and political issues. Also acts of God, like volcanic eruptions.

In other words, things that make it unwise to visit a destination at the current time. They’re highly unlikely, but it’s certainly better to know before you book your flight.

2. Depending on your destination(s), there may be vaccinations you’ll need to get, as well as pills to prevent malaria. Don’t leave this until the last minute.

For some required vaccinations, for example, the date on the certificate you’ll be given must say you received it at least 10 days before arrival.

Also, you have to start taking some malaria pills a couple of weeks before you leave.

If you have a travel clinic nearby, they’ll have a good idea of what you’ll need.

But if you’ll be visiting your usual GP, they may need some guidance. It’s up to you to make sure you get what you need. Do some research and find what you need online, and take the list to your doctor.

You can decide together what is important for you to have. In my experience, GPs or PCPs are very often not up on the travel end of healthcare, so make sure to educate yourself.

3. Talk to your doctor about your routine immunizations, too. Ask if they think all of your bases are covered. This is an important consideration for safe travel to Africa.

4. Put together a first aid/pharmacy kit for yourself. Include anything you tend to find yourself using at home. Hydrocortisone cream for bug bites, band-aids, tweezers for splinters.

➤ Likewise, don’t forget any medications you take. If you get migraines, have allergies, asthma… If it’s something you need, bring it. You may not be able to get it where you’re going.

➤ There are very few places where the tap water is safe to drink. Take water purification tablets or a good water purification system.

➤ As well, sun protection and mosquito repellant with DEET are musts. You won’t be able to find DEET in Africa.

➤ Include condoms like you would sunscreen and bug spray. The eastern and southern parts of Africa are the parts of the world most affected by HIV.

Even apart from that, it’s just safe and smart. Like travel insurance, it’s much better to have them and not use them, than the other way around.

5. If you wear glasses, try to bring a backup pair. Same with contacts. This is definitely a top travel tip. No trip is much fun if you can’t see, and there’s so much to see in Africa!

6. Find out what the emergency number(s) are for your destination and save them in your phone. There may be more than one; for example, Botswana has different numbers for police, fire, and ambulance.

7. Scan or photocopy your passport, and driver’s license. Also, any vaccination certificates and documents that you think might be important.

Include credit card numbers and the company phone numbers, as well as the customer service number of your bank. Email a copy to yourself, so you always have access to them.

8. Arrange for travel insurance. Be sure to shop around – prices range from very reasonable to the cost of a small used car. Additionally, be sure to get all the facts you’ll need if something happens.

➤ Can you call them 24/7? Do they pay upfront or will you be reimbursed? Is there a cap to what they’ll pay? Go through the literature you’re given and make sure you understand it.

9. Leave your flight numbers and arrival/departure times with someone at home. Include whatever info you have about where you’ll be on your trip.

10. For safe travel to Africa, try to arrange your arrival as early in the day as you can. It isn’t always possible to book a flight that lands during daylight hours. However, if it’s an option, take it.

It’s safer than arriving in a new country in the dark.

You’ll also feel more comfortable making your way to your accommodation when you can see. Plus, you’ll be able to get your first glimpses of where you’ve landed.

Make a daylight arrival the rule as you travel around on the ground, too. It’s just the safer way to go.

11. I recommend that you book your accommodation for at least your first night at your destination. I’m not a fan of planning my whole trip before I leave home, but I always book my first night.

I prefer to take things day by day – except for that first night.

In addition, if possible, try to pre-arrange the ride from the airport to your accommodation. It’s usually pretty easy to get a taxi from the airport.

On the other hand, when you get off the plane it’ll feel good to have a ride waiting.

And when you’re tired just off the plane, it’s safer to have this planned for yourself in advance.

12. Top travel tip regarding your clothing: dressing like a tourist will make you stand out, which makes you vulnerable. Leave the “tourist clothes” at home.

Don’t spend your money on Tilley hats, crisp khakis, and vests with 72 pockets. Save it to spend at your destination. Casual clothes you’ll be comfortable in are what you need to pack.

13. Pack as little as possible. Imagine yourself walking through the airport corralling multiple bags. Now see yourself with just your purse and a carry-on.

Which seems like the safer scenario, where you’re more aware of your surroundings?

I’ve travelled for as long as 6 months in Africa with nothing more than a square nylon duffle-style bag. It is possible! You can find help with this in our packing guide.

14. An important aspect of safe travel to Africa – do some research on your destination and its customs.  A lot of Africa is quite conservative, especially for women. Respect the culture and your safety.

Do this by keeping your knees and shoulders covered if your research says it’s necessary. This is a top travel tip for travelling in Africa.

Dressing against local customs will make you stand out, and again, could make you a target

Light, loose tops and breezy skirts or loose linen-y pants are great choices. Of course, if you’ll be on safari in the bush, shorts, T-shirts and tank tops are fine.

This applies to men, too. While showing more skin may not be as dangerous for men, it’s still important to respect the local culture.

15. While you’re doing your research, check on what possible scams might be known in the area you’re going to. If you read about a possible taxi scam, for example, look up what a taxi should look like.

On the Tanzanian mainland, for example, they have white number plates, and yellow on Zanzibar. Your research will help you know what sorts of things like this to look for.

Top Safety Tips for Travel in Africa

 Staying Safe Out & About

16. Before you leave your accommodation for the day, make sure you have its address written down. Also, save it on your phone. Pin it on your map app if you can.

Grab a business card if there is one, take a photo of it, then slip it into your bag. If you get lost, or it starts to get too late to make it back before dark?

Hop in a taxi and show the card to the driver. This is a great safety tip for travel in Africa, or anywhere else.

17. Walk like you know where you’re going. Before you head out for the day, make sure you’ve downloaded the map of the area on your phone. This way it’s available without an internet connection.

I recommend Google Maps or MAPS.ME . Have a good look at it. Find these and other great apps for travelling in Africa in Top Travel Apps for Africa.

Connect your earbud and tuck your phone away out of sight. Try not to walk around with your phone on display. Cell phones can attract thieves.

18. Wear your bag across your body, if possible. Or at least twist the strap around your shoulder once, so it’s not hanging too loosely.

If there’s a way to do it with your bag, attach the strap to a belt loop with a carabiner, or something similar.

Look into anti-slash bags, too, and don’t keep important things in your pockets. Men – keep your wallets tucked away in a belt, pouch around your neck, or in a zipper-close front pocket.

19. DON’T WEAR BOTH EARBUDS. While you need to hear your app’s directions, you need to remain aware of your surroundings.

20. Don’t carry all of your cash and credit cards with you. Keep a few bills in your shoe if you think of it, and if your shoe type allows it.

If your accommodation has a safe at the front desk, use that. I don’t recommend room safes. Or consider taking along a tiny travel lock box.

You can connect it to something immovable in your room, like a pipe.

Bring along a few small padlocks, too, especially if you’ll be staying in hostels. If you have a place to yourself, remember to lock the door.

21. Anything you feel that you need to keep on you, can be tucked into a concealed pouch. A travel belt worn under the shirt works, or one that clips onto your bra is more comfortable when it’s hot.

22. Try not to make random eye contact. It can be seen as an invitation or an opening for a stranger to approach you.

23. If you are approached and you feel uncomfortable, cross the street. Pretend not to speak the language (you might not). Firmly shake your head and walk faster.

If you see someone who looks safe, start a conversation with them. Listen to your instincts. Your safety is more important than being polite. Remember this top travel tip, if no other.

24. If your accommodation has a front desk, ask them, or other guests, for taxi recommendations. Also, ask what you might expect to pay.

If you have a place to yourself, like an Airbnb? Find a hostel that has a common area or bar where you’re welcome to stop in and mingle.

This is a good chance to pick a few brains about taxis, sights to see, etc. But still, be aware.

25. In many African towns, it’s the norm to raise an arm when you see a taxi to flag him down. Only get into a taxi that is marked as a taxi, even if the driver claims that he is a taxi.

Also, agree on a price before setting out. Put your things on the seat next to you in the taxi instead of in the trunk. If you have any qualms just wait for the next one.

If you find a taxi driver who is friendly and full of information, get his contact information. This kind of taxi driver is gold.

26. Don’t walk around outside on your own after dark, even if you’re in a place that is considered safe. Safe in Africa and safe in London aren’t necessarily on the same level.

If you have to go out at night, take a taxi. This is a tip to remember everywhere you travel. Don’t walk around after dark.

27. If you go out for a few drinks, enjoy, but keep your wits about you. Especially if you’re travelling on your own, it’s not the time to get drunk. And always keep an eye on your drink.

Also, if you tend to get overly chatty when you drink, don’t reveal where you’re staying, or if you’re travelling solo. That’s info that you should keep to yourself for your safety.

28. Be careful which ATM you use. If you find one that seems isolated, if there are sketchy people around, wait and use the next one.

Listen to your instincts, and don’t be afraid of being overly cautious.  When your cash is dispensed, tuck it away quickly. Don’t accept “help” from people near an ATM

You can count it later, and keep your printout.

Electronics and WiFi Safety in Africa

29. Read 15 Steps to Planning for Africa, and you’ll get an idea of how to arrange your internet access for your trip.

But you might be relying on a public WiFi connection at times. For this reason, a VPN is a good idea.

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Any information coming from or going to your device will be encrypted and kept private. You’re very open to being hacked when using public WiFi.

30. If you decide not to use a VPN,  be extremely cautious when using a public WiFi connection. Don’t use any sites that you wouldn’t want a stranger looking in on.

Think banking and credit card accounts, as well as social media.

31. If you make use of shared or public computers, never use the “Remember Me” option. Always log all the way out when you’re done.

32. Use Bluetooth with caution, as your phone can be hacked via Bluetooth. Avoid pairing with unknown devices.

More than that, turn your phone’s Bluetooth and WiFi off when you’re not using them. Wired earbuds are a good idea, and they’re harder to lose.

33. Use an aux cable to connect to a rental car stereo. If you do connect to a rental car using Bluetooth, remember to delete any stored info.

Also, remove your device from the car’s paired list before turning the car in.

34. If you haven’t already, lock your device with a PIN and/or password. These are more secure than a pattern. Even if you use facial rec or a fingerprint, a backup form of security is still required.

35. If you have the option to, back up the data on your phone to the cloud. Or back up to Google in case you lose your phone.

36. If it’s available on your phone, activate the Find Your Phone option. Also, the iPhone has a feature that erases all your phone’s data after 10 failed password attempts.

37. Try to use only chargers that belong to you. Charging from a strange computer or docking station could expose your device to malicious software.

You don’t need that headache on your vacation. It’s not just a top travel tip, but a safety tip for your life.

Covid Precautions While Travelling in Africa

38. If you’re wondering, Is it safe to travel to Africa yet, with Covid still around? Yes, the worst seems to be over, but don’t let your guard down all the way yet. Have your favourite masks with you.

Moreover, don’t just assume that every place you go will supply hand sanitizer. Keep a small refillable bottle on you, and remember to use it.

If you start to feel symptoms, look online to find where tests are available.

39. Social distancing is still a good idea. Public transportation in Africa can be a very packed-in-like-sardines type of situation. Avoid this if you can.

I’m a fan of using public transport when I travel. It can be a great way to people-watch.

But the world has changed, and we’re not all the way back yet. Taxis tend to be quite inexpensive in most places in Africa, and they are convenient. Take advantage of that.

40. Make sure you know if there are Covid-related requirements for returning home. Each country may still have its own, and it’s your responsibility to know what they are.

Stay Hydrated

41. There are extremely few areas in Africa where it’s safe to drink the tap water. And if you’re camping or trekking in the bush, you’ll need to be sure you have drinking water. A Grayl water purifier bottle or water purification tablets are excellent solutions. Stay hydrated, or you’ll feel miserable!

Health and Safety Tips for Travel in Africa: FAQs

Summing It Up: Safety Tips for Travelling in Africa in 2024

I know it seems like a lot to think about, but trust me, by the time you’re a few days into your trip, it’ll be second nature to glance around before you step up to an ATM.

It’s not about being paranoid, just being aware. You owe it to yourself, and your hard-earned vacation, to prevent anything from throwing a wrench into your trip.

Don’t be afraid to talk to people. Just be cautious and aware. And have a fantastic time! Africa is an amazing place with many, many facets. Try to see as many as you can!

And if the thought of packing makes your head spin, then this a packing list and guide is for you.

And remember – as Covid is still a part of our lives, check on the requirements of the places you’d like to go. You can also check them by clicking on the banner at the top of the page.

Now Go!!

Happy travels!

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• The Best Luggage for Safari and Travel in Africa

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