Africa Solo Travel Map

Dakar

Vibrant markets and historic waterfront charm

7.6

Teranga, the Wolof word for hospitality, is a proud Senegalese custom that visitors often notice. Solo travellers meet people easily at beach cafes and music clubs. Gorée Island is a short ferry ride away and has a museum about the slave trade. Taxis are cheap but fares should be agreed before the ride.

Highlights:

🏝️ Visit Gorée Island's historic slave trade museum
🚶‍♂️ Stroll along the bustling Boulevard de l'Indépendance
🛍️ Explore Dakar's vibrant Sandaga market for local crafts

Essaouira

Atlantic Breeze, Blue Medina, Bohemian Vibe

7.4

Compared with Marrakech, this windy Atlantic port is smaller, calmer and easier to walk alone. Its walled medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site with blue boats and fish stalls at the harbour. The beach is popular for kitesurfing and windsurfing because of steady winds. The Gnaoua music festival is usually held in June.

Highlights:

🐟 Explore the bustling fishing port and feast on fresh seafood
🌅 Watch the sunset from historic Skala du Port ramparts
🏘️ Wander through Essaouira’s UNESCO-listed medina streets

Windhoek

Vibrant capital blending tradition and modernity

8.2

Compared with other African capitals, this city is small, clean and calm. Windhoek has German colonial buildings, craft markets and cafes along Independence Avenue. Many solo travellers hire a car or join a small group to reach Sossusvlei and Etosha. Distances are long, so booking transport in advance helps.

Highlights:

🎨 Explore the vibrant street art in downtown Windhoek
🍲 Sample local cuisine at the bustling Old Market
🏛️ Stroll through Independence Square, admire historic architecture

Rwanda

Land of a thousand hills

7.7

Umuganda is a day of community work held on the last Saturday of each month. Plastic bags are banned, so Kigali's streets are very clean. Many solo travellers join small gorilla trekking groups in Volcanoes National Park. Moto taxis are cheap. The Kigali Genocide Memorial explains the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

Highlights:

🏖️ Relax on the beaches of scenic Lake Kivu
🌳 Explore Nyungwe Forest and walk the canopy trail
🦍 Trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park

Cape Town

Mountains, Beaches and a Vibrant Culture

7.6

Relaxed and outdoorsy, this coastal city sits below Table Mountain and has many social hostels. Hiking trails, beaches and penguins at Boulders Beach are close to the city. The MyCiTi bus and ride apps are reliable for getting around. Solo travellers should avoid walking alone at night and keep valuables out of sight.

Highlights:

🍽️ Explore the V&A Waterfront and dine by the sea
🚡 Ride the cable car for breathtaking city views
🥾 Hike to the top of Table Mountain

Addis Ababa

Vibrant capital where history meets modernity

8.1

Founded in the 1880s by Emperor Menelik II, this highland capital hosts the African Union headquarters. At about 2,350 metres, it is among the world's highest capitals. The National Museum has a copy of Lucy, a fossil skeleton about 3.2 million years old. Coffee ceremonies are common in cafes and homes.

Highlights:

🌄 Climb Mount Entoto for sunrise city panorama
🛍️ Stroll through Merkato, Ethiopia's largest market
🏛️ Explore National Museum, view Lucy fossil

Chefchaouen

Blue Medina, Mountain Views, Calm Vibes

6.8

Mild spring and autumn days are the most comfortable time to walk the blue lanes of this Rif mountain town. Summers are hot, while winters are cool and often wet. The old medina is small and easy to navigate on foot. Many solo travellers stay in guesthouses with rooftop terraces.

Highlights:

🏰 Explore the historic Kasbah and its lush gardens
🌅 Climb to the Spanish Mosque for sunset views
💙 Wander the blue-painted streets of Chefchaouen Medina

Cape Verde

Islands of eternal summer

7.5

With ten islands off the West African coast, this small country is easy to explore by ferry or short flight. Santiago has Cidade Velha, a UNESCO site. Sal and Boa Vista have long beaches while Santo Antão has steep hiking trails. Portuguese and Creole are widely spoken, while English is common in tourist areas.

Highlights:

⛵ Sail between the islands and enjoy ocean breezes
⛰️ Hike to the volcanic summit of Pico do Fogo
🏖️ Relax on the golden beaches of Santa Maria, Sal Island

Marrakech

A vibrant maze of colors and spices

8.0

Busy and colourful, this red walled city has a lively main square called Jemaa el Fnaa. Riads, which are traditional houses with courtyards, are a good base for solo travellers. Hawkers can be persistent, so a firm and polite no is useful. Day trips go to the Atlas Mountains and Ouzoud Falls.

Highlights:

🧖‍♀️ Relax in a traditional hammam and experience Moroccan spa culture
🏛️ Wander through the serene courtyards of Bahia Palace
🕌 Lose yourself in the vibrant souks of Jemaa el-Fnaa

Fez

Labyrinthine Medina, Living Moroccan Heritage

7.5

Set in northern Morocco near the Middle Atlas mountains, this city has a very large and maze like old medina. Guides are helpful on a first day because the lanes are confusing. Chouara Tannery and the Bou Inania Madrasa are well known sights. Agree on a price before hiring a guide.

Highlights:

🕌 Admire intricate tilework at Bou Inania Madrasa
👜 Visit the world-famous Chouara Tannery for unique views
🏘️ Explore the ancient Fes Medina with its winding alleys

Zanzibar

Turquoise Waters and Spice Perfume

7.4

Off the coast of Tanzania, this Indian Ocean island has white sand beaches and a historic Stone Town. Stone Town is a UNESCO site with narrow lanes, carved doors and night food markets. Dalla dalla minibuses and shared taxis are cheap ways to get between beaches. Dress modestly in town because most residents are Muslim.

Highlights:

🐒 Visit Jozani Forest to see rare red colobus monkeys
🤿 Snorkel in the clear waters of Mnemba Atoll and spot vibrant marine life
🏰 Explore Stone Town's narrow streets and historic sites

Nairobi

Where urban life meets wild adventures

6.4

At about 1,800 metres, this city has mild weather all year, with cool nights. Nairobi National Park is a short drive from the city centre and has lions and rhinos. The Giraffe Centre and the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage are easy half day trips. Use ride apps instead of walking at night.

Highlights:

🐘 Visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and meet baby elephants
🦩 Feed endangered giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
🦒 Go on a safari at Nairobi National Park

Accra

Vibrant Culture and Coastal Charm

6.1

On the Gulf of Guinea coast, this Ghanaian capital is a friendly English speaking base for solo travellers. Osu has cafes, hostels and restaurants within walking distance of each other. Independence Square and the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum tell the story of Ghana's independence in 1957. Taxis and ride apps are cheap and widely used.

Highlights:

🏖️ Relax and swim at Bojo Beach
🛍️ Shop vibrant stalls at Makola Market
🕊️ Visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum

Kenya

Safari paradise meets coastal charm

6.6

Independent since 1963, this East African country has a long tradition of safari tourism. Solo travellers often join small group safaris to the Maasai Mara and Amboseli. Matatu minibuses and a growing rail line link Nairobi with Mombasa. The coast near Diani and Lamu has beaches and Swahili culture.

Highlights:

🦁 Go on a Big Five safari in Amboseli National Park
🏔️ Climb Mount Kenya and enjoy panoramic alpine views
🦓 Witness the Great Migration across the Maasai Mara plains

Mozambique

Pristine beaches meet vibrant culture

5.7

With about 2,500 kilometres of Indian Ocean coastline, this country has long quiet beaches and warm water. Tofo is a relaxed beach town known for diving and whale sharks. Maputo has Portuguese era buildings, markets and seafood restaurants. Most solo travellers stay in the south, away from the conflict in Cabo Delgado.

Highlights:

⛵ Sail on a traditional dhow along Mozambique Island
🏖️ Relax on the pristine white sands of Tofo Beach
🐠 Dive among vibrant coral reefs in the Bazaruto Archipelago

Best solo travel destinations in Africa