Solo Travelling in African Countries: 8 Honest Tips From My Experience

Table of Contents

Introduction

I was recently asked for a blog post with tips for solo travelling in African countries. And of course I wanted to finish the year by sharing my honest travel experiences as someone that has solo travelled in African countries and has also lived on the continent.

Solo travel in Africa usually gets talked about in extremes. There is also (a huge pet peeve of mine) where people often talk about the continent like it’s one country! Please find the time to read Africa Is Not A Country by Dipo Faloyin. Oh and I have written a post talking about this in great detail – Why Should We Stop Saying We’re Travelling to Africa?

The Motherland is often either romanticised or over warned. I have travelled to 15 African countries which I think is around 27% of the continent, travelled many many of them solo and living solo and I can say that I’ve learned a lot along the way. The term ‘The Motherland’ is given for a real reason and the continent is easily much more grounded than people let it out to be. For me Africa is not one experience, it is everything and it should be appreciated for me it’s culture, diversity and history which very much sits within it today. And solo travel and living in African countries comes with real preparation, awareness, and confidence more than fear.

I have written many blog posts and travel guides to help people like me and you to explore, enjoy and experience African countries. Because the question ‘is Africa safe for solo travellers’ needs to be answered because between you and me of course it is safe. I would argue that anywhere is safe to travel solo as long as you use diligence, thought leadership and critical thinking.

Where I can I have shared some tips to help you travel the continent with ease. Today I wanted to share tips and honest reflections of solo travelling in African countries.

If you’re thinking about solo travelling in African countries especially as a woman here’s what has actually mattered in my experience across the beautiful continent.

1. Stop treating Africa as one destination

Please and thank you do I really need to say why we should stop treating Africa as one destination? This is the biggest mistake people make. Well to put it simply because its not one destination and two ALL 15 countries have been to have been very different. Travelling solo in Morocco, South Africa , Nigeria, Cape Verde, Tunisia or even Ghana and I can honestly say to you that all of these countries I have done solo have felt very different culturally, logistically, and socially.

Each country has its own, pace, gender dynamics, transport systems, safety considerations and much more differences between them. Take Morocco, living here and travelling here solo was very different to any country I have travelled to. Morocco has pretty good infrastructure to move around the country. It has trains, regular taxis, but get this it doesn’t have Uber. Cape Verde a much smaller island doesn’t have trains, but I was able to use Uber everywhere. And then the foods have been different, the language has been different and the things I can do in every country I have been to has also been different. Oh and don’t get me started on the food.

My advise when travelling to Africa solo or not you have to do research on the actual country, and not on the continent. Advice that applies in one place will be so irrelevant, incredibly misleading and won’t give you the confidence you need to actually go solo travelling in African countries you are going to.

2. Confidence matters more than perfection

You don’t need to know everything. But you do need to move with intention. I always say that regardless of where you are you must always walk with confidence practically when you are doing solo travel in Africa. If someone asks me if I am travelling solo I will almost always tell them that I am here for work and usually I am funny enough there for work. You can also apply a few simple things walking like you know where you’re going.

Never ever over explain yourself and I don’t just mean that when you are solo travelling African countries. I mean that everywhere and with whoever you are dealing with. Don’t ever feel like you need to explain yourself to anyone.

Remember your confidence isn’t arrogance it’s clarity. It’s showing up for you. However others want to read is there own problem. The most important thing is that you are showing up for you and not for anyone else. Which for me is it’s often read as respect.

essential Africa Travel Tips — Nigeria Seafood Ofada Rice

3. Accommodation choice can make or break your trip

When travelling solo in African countries, where you stay matters more than how much you save. As someone that often travel solo because I simply can I often priorities my accommodation in 4* or 5* hotels. I will mainly chose to book via Booking.com, Expedia or Agoda to book my accommodation worldwide and when I am travelling alone in Africa.

And when I am booking for hotels I make sure that it is usually in a central location, I can identify the pictures of the rooms I will be staying in and has good reviews from other solo travellers.

I always think prioritising your safety while travelling solo in Africa. It’s bigger than this. The accommodation you pick in any country on any continent should be taking very serious. And this isn’t about luxury it’s about ease comfort and not to mention safety. A good base gives you freedom to explore without constant mental stress.

4. Learn a little of the local language (it goes far)

Most countries in Africa have a Western language due to the historical moments of colonisation. It is good if you can learn not just the basics of a colonial language like ‘hello – bonjour’ in countries like Togo, Benin or Senegal. But it’s also good to learn basic phrases of the cultural languages of the countries you are going to when travelling alone in Africa.

In many African cultures, greeting is non-negotiable. Skipping it can come across as rude, while using it opens doors and softens interactions instantly.

5. You don’t owe anyone access to you

This one is important. And I think it’s very clear from my earlier comments that you don’t owe anyone anything. Answering personal questions, explaning your plans of justifying how or why you travel solo should not concern anyone, espically strangers.

I recall my recent solo trip to Kenya – my 60th country. The people that I asked to take pictures of me couldn’t wrap their head around how I had travelled to 60 countries. I kept the conversation light while they asked a series of questions that quite frankly was not necessary for me to answer. Looking back now I think they didn’t realise how old I was, which may of helped explain the amount of countries I have travelled, but again – it is no ones business.

Now I get it some people just can’t wrap their tiny brains around how someone would want to solo travel in Africa or how they are able to do it because it’s not within their reach or simply because they are so limited in scope. But that shouldn’t ever be your problem. If you are asked any questions your responses can be light – here are a few responses.

“I’m meeting someone”
“I’m not interested, thank you”
“No, but have a good day”

Clear boundaries need to be put out there and if people don’t respect them it says more about them than you. Boundaries are there to be respected and in many scenarios they keep you safe.

6. Dress with awareness, not fear

This isn’t about losing your identity, or conforming, but about using your emotional intelligence and just reading the room. Not to mention a level of respect to the culture of the African countries you are are travelling solo in. I have found that in many countries it is important to try and blend in. The funny thing I have found as a Black women travelling alone in Africa is that it is very easy to blend in so long as I don’t speak. The majority of Sub-Sharan Africa is predominately Black. With this and dressing modestly you are solo in Africa safe.

But on a real if you are not a Black women dressing approperitely can reduce attention, make local interaction easier and helps you to blend in.

You can still look good and like yourself while being culturally aware. Adaptation is not self-erasure it’s emotional intelligence at it’s finest.

7. Solo doesn’t mean isolated

One of the best parts of solo travel in Africa is how social it can be. Solo travelling in African countries means that you’ll often find spontaneous conversations, real genuine stories that you don’t find in the anywhere else. People welcoming and checking in on you. And just genuine curiosity.

I loved learning about the Islamic religion while living in Morocco, travelling to Tunisia. It opened my eyes in ways I just didn’t expect. However, I will also say be open but also discerning with your time (going back to point 5).

8. Trust your intuition more than online fear

There’s a lot of noise online about solo travel in Africa much of it is very outdated, exaggerated, or deeply rooted in stereotypes. My advise if to always use your instincts which are usually more reliable than someone else’s panic. Many of the countries I have travelled to around the world (and I would say I have done a fair amount of them) African countries have been some of the BEST countries I have travelled to.

They have showed me that I exist, I matter and that the continent my roots come from is truly beautiful and worth exploring.

Helpful Solo in Africa Travel Tools

Final Views

Solo travelling in African countries has been some of the most grounding, expansive travel I’ve done. And I mean that with every fiber in my body. Solo travelling in African countries has taught me to be confident without hardness, aware of people mannerism and behaviors and giving me immense independence to go far and wide to countries people don’t always expect a Black women to ever go and for that I can honestly say I am forever grateful for!

If you’re considering solo travelling in Africa, don’t let social media or fear be the loudest voice in the room. You should be the loudest in the room. Allow yourself prepare, respect, and self-trust lead instead.

What do you think?

Speak soon,

Adebola MBV x

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