Backpacking Africa is not the same as backpacking anywhere else in the world. You can travel with ease in Southeast Asia and South America, but Africa is a different beast. You just won’t find the same comforts or tourist infrastructure and you won’t find many fellow backpackers with whom to travel. This is why I ended up working as a tour guide in Africa and these overland tours were the most rewarding travel experiences I have ever had.
Where Should You Go in Africa?
There are so many different experiences, close wildlife encounters, iconic landscapes and memorable locals. They say that the warm heart of the continent is in Malawi. However, backpacking Africa should show you that a warm heart is beating no matter what part you visit. But where to go in Africa? Let’s take a look at some destinations:
Kenya – Home to Masai Mara Safari. Ideal starting point for any safari or overland tour in East Africa.
Tanzania – Home to Serengeti National Park. Climb Kilimanjaro, relax on the beaches of Zanzibar. I always suggest visiting both Kenya and Tanzania on the same trip as they are easy to travel between.
Uganda – More primitive than Kenya and home to the famous Mountain Gorillas. There are excellent overland tours which include Uganda and many of them begin in Nairobi, Kenya.
Rwanda – The land of a thousand hills is probably best known for genocide in the 1990’s. Stunning landscapes, friendly locals and also somewhere you can visit the Mountain Gorillas.
Malawi – Warm hearted locals and plenty of villages to explore. Horse riding, scuba diving and volunteering are common. Malawi is often a highlight on the Nairobi to Cape Town overland tour!
Zambia – Popular for volunteering and visiting Victoria Falls from Livingstone. South Luangwa is expensive to visit but included on some of the more affordable overland tours in Africa.
Zimbabwe – Less visited than East Africa and somewhat expensive. Made affordable with overland tours which often pass through Zimbabwe on the way to Victoria Falls.
Botswana – Animals roam wild and you will feel immersed in the African bush. High end wildlife safaris but overland tours make it possible to travel Botswana on a budget.
Namibia – Incredible desert vistas. Home to Etosha National Park, the Namib Desert and Fish River Canyon. Namibia is another unexpected highlight for first time visitors to Africa.
South Africa – Easy to travel but without the primitive experiences of East/West Africa. Cape Town is a great place to start/finish an Africa overland tour to Victoria Falls or Nairobi, Kenya.
How to Get Around When Backpacking Africa?
Getting around Africa is not ‘hard’ but also not easy. Bus journeys are long and cramped. You can forget customer service (LOL) and the roads are often bumpy. Am I trying to put you off? Nope, I want you to go backpacking Africa but also want to make sure you actually enjoy the trip.
Taking the local bus in Africa – I have never enjoyed long distances by local bus in Africa. The drivers are reckless, the buses are falling apart and the speed is unnerving. If you’re still up for it, they are cheap and this will certainly keep the budget down.
Overland Tours in Africa – I worked as a leader for overland tours in Africa for many years. They are comfortable, safe, and the easiest way to meet other travelers. Keep in mind, I also travelled independently for 3 years in Africa and these overland tours were always more interesting/fun.
Self Drive Africa – I would love to do this sometime but it’s very expensive!
Is Africa Safe to Travel?
Africa is a huge continent and mostly safe to travel. You can should steer clear of war-torn countries or hotspots known for terrorist activity (Think Somalia). Overland tours are a great way to have peace of mind while you travel because they steer clear of such areas and there is safety in numbers.
Typical Costs of Backpacking Africa
Africa is not cheap and most especially if you stay in hotels all the time. Expect to pay top dollar for branded hotels and $20 – $30 per night for a room in a basic guesthouse. Hostels are starting to pop up in certain places for as little as $7 – $10. But an overland tour is definitely the best way to get most bang for buck, while not having to worry about your safety or how to get around etc.
Transport
A long distance journey by coach (where possible) in Easy Africa will rarely cost more than $20 one way. South of Zimbabwe, you can expect western prices. Matatus (small minibuses) are usually just a few dollars for long distances but they are cramped and unsafe.
National Park Fees
Entry fees are often high in Africa and there is no way around them. There is usually a set fee on each park and you will have to pay for transport, drivers and guides on top of this fee. Fees are included on tours – ANOTHER reason to consider an overland tour in Africa.
Food & Shopping
Eating at a local restaurant in Africa is an experience and very cheap. If you eat local for the duration of the trip and avoid booze, you will cut your spending in half. The same goes for shopping at local markets as opposed to supermarkets.
The Best Place to Start a Trip in Africa
I recommend starting in either Nairobi, Victoria Falls or Cape Town. Most overland tours begin in Nairobi because it’s easy to reach and a great base from which to explore places like the Masai Mara, Serengeti and Kilimanjaro. If you want to explore Southern Africa, Cape Town is the best place to start and you can take overland tours in the other direction (South to North). If you decide to travel for several months, I suggest leaving Cape Town for the end of your journey – it’s a beautiful city.
What Overland Tours Do I Recommend You Do?
If I had enough time, I would honestly just jump on board an overland tour from Nairobi to Cape Town. With less time available, I would still consider an overland tour but for a shorter distance – either a Nairobi to Zanzibar for Vic Falls to Cape Town. Check out the following:
Overview – My Ultimate Guide to the Best Overland Tour in Africa
1- 15 Days: My Top Africa Overland Tours for Less than 15 Days
1 – 30 Days: My Top Africa Overland Tours for Less than 30 Days
30+ Days: My Top Africa Overland Tours for More than 30 Days
Important: About Travel Insurance for Africa
Travel insurance is a must for any trip to Africa. When working as a tour leader, some of my previous guests did not have the right insurance and it caused problems. I always use a travel insurance company called World Nomads and suggest you get a quote below to have an idea of the cost.
What I Like About World Nomads
- Trusted reliable underwriters World Nomads is backed by a suite of strong, secure, specialist travel insurers who provide you with great cover, 24 hour emergency assistance and the highest levels of support and claims management when you need it most.
- Value for money with the cover you need World Nomads provides cover for what’s important for travellers from 140 countries. By focusing on what you need and leaving out what you don’t, World Nomads prices are some of the most competitive online.
- Cover for a range of adventure activities From skiing & snowboarding in New Zealand to whitewater rafting in Colorado, WorldNomads.com covers a range of adventure activities, giving you peace of mind to get the most from your travels.
- World Nomads keeps you travelling safely All WorldNomads.com members have access to up-to-date travel safety alerts, as well as travel safety advice and tips online through the World Nomads Travel Safety Hub.
- Commitment to exceptional customer service They provide the best customer service which makes all the difference when you need to make a claim.