First Time Africa Travel: Where to Backpack

So, you’ve decided to go for it—you’re going to venture into what many still unfairly call the scariest, darkest continent of them all.

Let’s clear up that misconception right off the bat.

Yes, some African countries come with their share of challenges, but Africa is enormous. Did you know that the entire USA, China, India, Japan, and both Eastern and Western Europe could all fit within the African continent?

With a landmass that vast, how could anyone possibly generalize about safety, wealth, landscapes, or comfort? Yet many still do—often letting fear keep them from exploring beyond Morocco, Egypt, or Tunisia.

I won’t pretend the continent is flawless. But if you’re into backpacking and have even the tiniest sense of adventure, there’s absolutely no reason to hesitate to chose Africa as a backpacking destination. The unknown is always a little intimidating, and that’s okay. I get emails every week from first-time Africa travelers asking in which countries to begin.

So here it is: my pick of 5 African countries that are safe, scenic, relatively easy to travel, and perfect for breaking in your Africa travel legs.

1. Tanzania: The Classic crowd-pleaser

Tanzania is a solid entry point for Africa travel—no judgment if you want to stick to the tourist trail. It’s well-worn for a reason, but there’s still plenty of room to go rogue. English is widely spoken, so you should be able to communicate easily, even in small towns. The tourism infrastructure is well-developed, and the variety of landscapes is truly next-level.

A few backpacker highlights:

* Safari in Serengeti and/or Ngorongoro crater

* Chimpanzee tracking, Fishing and snorkelling in and around Tanganyika Lake

* Beaches, spices and swahili charm on the islands of Zanzibar and/or Pemba

* Scaling Africa’s tallest: Mt. Kilimanjaro 

2. Senegal and The Gambia: West Africa’ warm welcome

With The Gambia nestled entirely inside Senegal, it makes perfect sense to visit both. Despite their geographical closeness, they’re culturally very different.

Senegal has hosted tourists for decades and offers a mellow vibe with decent infrastructure. French being one of the official languages, you might have to dialogue with gestures. This works perfectly fine, especially in a country where smile is more important than words. The Gambia, dubbed “Africa for beginners”, is smaller, English-speaking, and super accessible for a short trip.

A few backpacker highlights:

* visit Dakar’s colourful chaotic markets

* Join a fisherman’s crew in Gambia

* Live jazz and historical charm in Saint-Louis, Senegal 

3. Uganda: Mellow, lush and diverse – combine with Rwanda:

Uganda is the kind of place where backpacking feels like an actual adventure—asking for a lift on the back of someone’s motorbike, sharing matoke in roadside joints, watching the landscape change hour by hour. It’s friendly, English-speaking, and brimming with diversity.
Uganda has so much to offer: Safari’s on foot, by 4×4 or by boat. Explosive waterfalls, vibrant nightlife, adrenaline sports, lakes and gorgeous jungle hikes. There is a reason why they call it the “Pearl of Africa”.

Pair it with Rwanda for an itinerary that’s both scenic and soul-stirring. They may be neighbors, but culturally, they’re worlds apart. Keep in mind that you’ll need a higher budget for Rwanda.

A few backpacker highlights:

* Gorilla tracking 

* Relaxing and bird watching in Lake Bunyonyi

* Murchison Falls: giraffes, waterfalls and epic boat safari’s

4. Ghana: On the Gold Coast of Africa

Ghana is full of contrast: tropical rainforests and dry savannahs, colonial castles and remote tribal villages, high-energy cities and deeply rooted traditions.
You’ll find Muslim, Christians and animists living side by side in harmony. You’ll see traditional villages contrast against bustling cities where fashionistas stylishly parade through the hotspots. It’s lively, diverse, and surprisingly easy to get around thanks to a solid network of intercity buses and widespread English use.

A few backpacker highlights:

* Visiting the historic slave forts of Cape Coast and Elmina Castle

* Trekking in Kakum National park

* Experiencing village life and visiting Larabanga mosque

5. South Africa: Western comfort in an African robe

If you are yearning for some African flavour but are not quite ready to leave behind your western comfort, South Africa is the perfect compromise. It’s modern and developed in many ways, but still very much African in its energy, creativity, and joie de vivre.

From transportation to hostels and top notch sites, South Africa has everything you need for a surprising backpacking trip.

There’s a huge range of experiences to be had—from wine tasting and surfing to penguin-spotting and safari adventures.

A few backpacker highlights:

* Cape Town and surroundings

* Hiking in the dramatic Drakensberg mountains

* Wild life galore in Kruger National Park

Backpacking in Africa isn’t like Southeast Asia. It can be tougher, slower, and yes—pricier. But the depth of interaction, the raw beauty, and the sense of true discovery are on a whole different level.

The countries listed here are perfect for beginners, but they’re not basic. They’ll challenge, surprise, and move you. And once you’ve caught the Africa bug, there’s a whole other list of “edgier” destinations waiting for the more intrepid among you.

But that’s a post for another day.

Have you backpacked Africa? Would you like/dare to?

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