Where Should I Go in Africa for My First Trip?
Africa is extremely huge. There are innumerable countries, cities, town, villages and tourist attractions that may appeal to first-time visitors. Most travelers coming to the Motherland are from parts of the world that are more modernized and developed. So even upon landing, you’re guaranteed to witness things you’ve never seen before.
Africa is often portrayed negatively in the news, and I get it. Media is a business, and bad news sells more than good news. For instance, hearing that someone unexpectedly died is more excitable than someone unexpectedly getting married.
Also, in the eyes of the West, Africa has long been stereotyped as “the dark continent”. And again, I get it. If you’re visiting a different part of the world, what’s going to stand out most are things you aren’t used to.
But the idea of being afraid or intimidated to come to the Motherland based on something you’ve seen or read is ridiculous. You may even have a better time here than you would in Europe, Asia or America. In Africa, things tend to be a lot less expensive.
Considering that the continent is so huge and that there are so many options, as a novice it’s important to know where to go. You want to get what you’re looking for, without compromising your safety or security in return.
So in this post, we will look at what are universally considered to be the five best options for first time visitors to the Motherland. This list was compiled not only with safety but also affordability, experience and diversity in mind.
GHANA
Ghana is the only country that has earned the distinction of being dubbed “the Gateway to Africa”. Those in the know understand that it is the most-accommodating country on the continent in terms of affordability, safety, freedom and the ability to branch out to other nations. If Africa were an educational system, Ghana would be like preschool or kindergarten. It is the ideal place from where it all starts.
Standing here at Black Star Square reminds you what Ghana has fought for and how far it’s come.
Muggings, even of vulnerable foreigners, are extremely rare. Foreign currencies, particularly from the West, trade high. There’s a vibrant nightlife, especially if you know where to look. Additionally, the tourist attractions are many, and the history is rich. Ghana was the first African country to achieve independence. And here, the government is strongly vested in attracting and accommodating foreigners. Most Black celebrities, on their first trip to Africa, choose Ghana. And these days, more are coming over than ever, with a few also opting to become dual citizens.
Ultimately, the main appeal that Ghana has over other popular African countries is safety. Sometimes, groups may get into fights in remote parts of the country. But those skirmishes don’t affect major cities and towns, and they don’t make international headlines. There isn’t a noticeable degree of internal dissension, like political beefs or protests. The biggest threat visitors to Ghana face are not physical but rather falling victim to fraudsters. But those types of scenarios are easy to avoid, if you use common sense.
NIGERIA
I have many Nigerian friends who regularly confirm that the country isn’t nearly as violent as it is portrayed in the media. Or more specifically, those types of religious-based atrocities we see on the news are relegated to certain remote areas. Nigeria isn’t a place that people should avoid simply because of what you see on the news or hear on the radio.
The reason it has made this list is because first of all, Nigeria is most-populous country in Africa. Secondly, it is one of the most developed, as Western corporations prefer to setup shop in Nigeria arguably more than any other place on the continent. The country may have its issues when it comes to wealth distribution, but Nigeria is very much rich. Places like Lagos have swanky communities, and the country at large has many top-notch tourist attractions that you will never see on the news.
A walk through one of Africa’s many local markets where life is raw, real, and unforgettable.
Nigerians may also be the smartest group of Black people in the world. There’s a reason why, when coming to Africa, many people prefer to spend their time in Naija, especially if they’re on a business trip.
SAFETY FIRST
That said, it definitely isn’t the type of place where it’s advisable to let your guard down in terms of who you associate with. A first-time visitor cannot be as carefree as they would be in Ghana.
Regardless of which of these country on this list you decide to visit first, it’s always advisable to have a trusted companion on the ground. Perhaps it can be one of your neighbors or an associate who’s actually from the country. If you, say, meet Africans in the United States, they would usually be proud to tell you about their country and advise you on how to safely visit. Sometimes, you may even be granted the opportunity to come over with them. Having an experienced travel companion or an honest person to receive you decreases your chances of being victimized significantly.
KENYA
It isn’t uncommon to hear of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, being rocked by political or religious-based violence. Even as I’m writing this, the city has mired in some type of deadly political beef that’s been on for a couple of weeks now. Kenya is in East Africa, a region that tends to be more volatile than West Afirca. But still many first timers, including a bunch I personally know, opt to go there before any other countries in the Motherland.
There are various reasons for this. For instance, Kenya has some of the most renowned tourism sites when it comes to viewing large, wild animals. Many foreigners associate big mammals – like lions, elephants and giraffes – with Africa. But you’re not likely to see them in places that are even semi-urbanized, as they’ve already been hunted or otherwise killed for profit. So as opposed to Ghana or Nigeria, Kenya is a more viable option to meet wildlife, including those large enough to take out a human being.
SAINTS & SINNERS IN KENYA
Also, Kenya is perhaps the top tourist destination in sub-Saharan Africa for Muslims. Most people I personally know who have gone their first amongst African countries are in fact Islamic. Kenya is predominately Christian yet percentage-wise doesn’t really have more Muslims than Ghana or Nigeria. But East Africa as a whole is recognized as a region where Islam is strong.
There is also the sex tourism appeal. When it comes to DIY adult sites like OnlyF*ns and Str*pchat, Kenya tends to have a stronger presence than any other African country. In the field of tourism, those types of things matter. Many people, male and female alike, do come to Africa looking forward to having sex. Actually Kenya is one of the few African countries where prostitution is legal. As long as those types of dynamics exist, Kenya’s standing as a tourist destination will likely be bolstered.
No better way to connect with locals than sharing a meal right where life happens.
EGYPT
Egypt is widely considered to be the country in which modern civilization sprang from. There’s only a handful of other nations who can boast such a claim, and none of the others are in Africa. The ancient Egyptian pyramids are amongst the top tourist attractions in the world. This is despite the fact that they are thousands of years old and to some extent dilapidated.
Egypt is also a preferred destination of first time Muslim travelers to Africa, apparently more so than anyplace sub-Sahara. This is understandable, considering that Islam is based in the Middle East. And it can be said that North Africa, including Egypt, are more or less part of the Middle East.
Nigeria has the most Muslims in Africa. But unlike Egypt, the majority of the population isn’t actually Islamic. I know quite a few Muslims from the United States who chose Egypt as their first destination in the Motherland. And they have confirmed that it’s very much a cool and memorable place to visit.
EGYPT HAS ITS APPEALS, DESPITE SAFETY CONCERNS
But that’s not to imply that its appeal is solely religious. As far as scholarship and research goes, Egypt is the oldest country in the world, and you can’t get anymore historical than that. Furthermore, it is one of the most developed nations in Africa.
The Egyptians also sometimes contend with the likes of internal strife, terrorism and other types of newsworthy threats. But those realities have not deterred it from remaining one of the premiere tourism countries in this part of the world. This is also because Egypt happens to be rich. It isn’t like traveling to a standard Third World nation. For instance, it holds the distinction of being one of the only four African countries that has been deemed worthy enough to host a McDonald’s. To note, the following is also on that shortlist.
There is so much greenery in Africa.
SOUTH AFRICA
I find it strange that many African-Americans choose South Africa as their first travel destination in the Motherland. But at the same time, I understand this phenomenon. More than any other country on the continent, it mimics the West. For example, S.A. is the only African nation that’s unanimously considered to be First World. All things considered, that includes having a persistent history of White supremacy. But these are the types of standards that Westerners are used to. And for those of us do like traveling to faraway lands, we usually wouldn’t want to go someplace that’s completely alien.
South Africa has it all, in a manner of speaking. It’s absolutely huge, with three capital cities even. Despite being modernized, traditional cultures are still pronounced, and there are vast expanses of nature reserves. There’s more large-scale wildlife diversity in South Africa than anywhere else in the Motherland. Besides that, the country is rich and has been more or less designed to accommodate people who aren’t natives. Indeed, many Africans from other part of the continent actually choose South Africa as a tourism and migration destination for that very reason.
I know quite a few people who visited South Africa. That includes a number of Africans from other countries. I invariably ask them about racism, given the history of apartheid and all. But the response across the board has been that it isn’t a problem. In fact, S.A. is also considered liberal likes nations in the West.
For people who want to come to Africa but are afraid or reluctant for one reason or another (besides finances), I would recommend S.A. All things considered, a country like Ghana would be a more accurate experience. But coming to South Africa is better than avoiding the Motherland altogether.
CONCLUSION
I’m the type of person who believes that everyone in the world needs to visit Africa at least once. After all, this is the birthplace of humanity. So ultimately it is all of our Motherland, and to some extent has remained stuck in time to illustrate that fact.
But the least discomforts a first time visitor experiences, the better. The countries on this list are the ones most renowned for hosting foreigners. And even though they may have their respective issues, they are so for a reason.
