Due to the size and spread-out nature of African towns and cities, and its rugged landscapes, backpacking through the continent isn’t always easy, but when you do find one of its beautiful beaches or parks where you can afford to relax for a few days, it’s well worth the hike.
You may never have heard of some of these beautiful African beaches, parks and urban areas. Check out 10 of the best backpacking spots in Africa.
Lake Malawi, Malawi
Lake Malawi is a stunning freshwater lake that covers almost a third of the country. Most backpackers in Malawi spend their entire time at the beach and don’t regret it. Fun fact: Malawi is the cheapest place to get your diving certification. For accommodations look into the Mango Drift Lodge on Likomi Island, which features beach huts, dorms, and a bar and a restaurant on the beach. If you want to rough it, look into Kande Beach which has chalets and a campsite.
Chefchauoen, Morocco
This stunning town almost doesn’t feel real. It’s tucked in the heart of Morocco’s Rif Mountains, and the majority of the town’s buildings are painted a vibrant blue. You can catch a view of the mountains from almost any point. The main square in the medina is bursting with cafes, and the locals and tourists socialize happily in them.
Kokrobite, Ghana
Ghana has several visit-worthy beaches, but the most memorable are the beaches around Kokrobite, particularly Langma. You can access Kokrobite by a short 20-mile “tro-tro” (a shared minibus taxi) ride from the capital Accra. The area is home to the renowned Academy of African Music and Art founded by drumming legend Mustapha Tettey Addy. The academy offers accommodations to backpackers, as does the friendly and charming beachside Big Milly’s Backyard.
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Although Zanzibar has predominantly been taken over by upscale resorts, its heavenly beaches and intriguing Stone Town still welcome backpackers on a budget. The best places to set your bags down for a few days include Paje (on the East Coast), which offers cheap, high-quality bungalows and Nungwi (on the North Coast) which provides simple, affordable beach huts. Bwejuu and Jambiana (on the Southeast coast) are known for quiet beaches and the Coral Rock Beach Bungalows.
Wild Coast, Eastern Cape, South Africa
The Wild Coast is an unforgettable stretch of coastline, perfect for diving, fishing, hiking and surfing. Even though it’s popular with backpackers, it still feels remote and surreal. Visitors love to learn about the Xhosa culture on this uforgettable stretch of the coast. For accommodations, look into the Coffee Shack and Jungle Monkey in Port St Johns (accessible via the Baz Bus), and The Buckaneers in the charming town of Cintsa.
Lamu, Kenya
The Swahili put down roots here nearly 700 years ago, making it one of Kenya’s first towns. Today it is popular with backpackers looking to kick back between adventures. The only way to get around this relic of a town is on donkeys or on foot. Dhows offer tours around the islands, or you can get lost in the charming narrow alleys of the old town. When you’re ready to rest your head, look up Lamu Retreats in the Shela Beach area. It has houses for rent at reasonable rates. Lamu Town also provides cheap accommodations like the Pole Pole and Kipepeo guest houses.
Dahab/Assalah, Egypt
If you’re looking to join up with other backpackers, look no further than Dahab along the Red Sea coast of Egypt. There are several budget-friendly places to stay, lovely beach restaurants and tons of diving shops. A favorite dive is the Thistlegrom shipwreck dive and if diving isn’t your thing, snorkeling is also first class here. When all that ocean air has you tired out, head to Sphinx Dahab Hotel right on the beach, or the Jasmine Hotel, which overlooks the beach and has reasonable rates.
Kribi, Cameroon
Kribi isn’t particularly easy to get to because of its remote location, but that’s also what makes it worth the visit. West Africa can be trying and tiring on backpackers, but those who stop in Kribi feel like they’re in a little haven. The Lobe Waterfalls feed right into the ocean, and there are Pygmy villages in the area. For accommodations head to Hotel Ilomba right next to the waterfall and offering great rates; the Hotel Palm Beach Plus with single or double rooms; or the Auberge Tara Plage which sometimes welcomes campers to their property.
Tofo, Mozambique
Gaining popularity with backpackers from around the world, Tofo is an excellent diving and snorkeling spot with high-quality budget accommodations. Some are calling Tofo “the next Goa” (India’s smallest state is famous for its beaches). Some of the great accommodations include Bamboozi Beach Lodge with its dorms, huts, chalets, quirky beach bar and diving center. Others include Fatima’s Nest with tents, bungalows and dorms; and Turtle Cove, popular for its surfing equipment and knowledgeable instructors.
Mayoaka Village, Nkhata Bay
Mayoaka Village is actually at the edge of Lake Malawi but deserves its own mention for the accommodations alone. You can camp here for just around $10 a night, and most camp spots are on terraced, hillside gardens that lead down to the water. The friendly staff makes all the food on site, which is also homegrown. It offers tons of freebies like snorkels, canoes, boat trips and even tea and coffee.
– Source: AFK Insider