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10 African Countries You Can Visit on a Budget
- Esther Aluko
- Aug 25
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 29
Dreaming of white-sand beaches, epic safaris, or wandering through ancient cities, but worried about your wallet?
Good news: Africa is packed with destinations where you can live the holiday dream without maxing your credit card. And the fascinating truth is that you can travel and visit some of these countries with a free visa.
From sizzling street food to jaw-dropping natural wonders, here are 10 African countries you can visit on a budget, complete with travel highlights, rough costs, and tips to stretch your cash.
1. Ghana
Why go: Dive into history at Cape Coast Castle, stroll Accra’s vibrant Makola Market, and take a heart-pumping canopy walk at Kakum National Park.
Estimated budget: Around $39 per person per day; that’s about $275 for a week.
This covers hotels, meals, transport, and sightseeing.
Don’t miss:
Makola Market, Accra trade, food stalls, crafter’s jewelry.
Cape Coast Castle’s museum and heritage site.
Kakum's rainforest canopy walk.
Mini Plan: 2 days sightseeing in Accra, 2 days exploring Cape Coast and Kakum, 3 days chilling by the beach. Use tro-tros for cheap transport and grab kelewele from street stalls for less than $3.
2. Morocco
Why go: Immerse in vibrant souks in Marrakech, sip mint tea beneath orange palms, chase blues in Chefchaouen, and sleep under stars in the Sahara.
Estimated budget: $30 to $50 per day if you go fully budget; average is about $36/day, or $250 for a week.
Don’t miss:
Mini plan: Start with 3 nights in Marrakech riads, 2 nights exploring Chefchaouen, finish with a 2-night budget Sahara tour. Eat tagine from street vendors for under $10 and stay in hostels.
3. Uganda
Why go: Trek Mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest, kayak on Lake Bunyonyi, and float along the Nile.
Estimated budget: Gorilla permits are pricier, but a budget traveler outside of trekking can manage around $50–$80 per day, or $350–$560/week though gorilla safaris bump it higher.
Don’t miss:
Permits to see gorillas so book early.
Canoeing or hiking in Bwindi impenetrable forest.
Kampala’s local markets and nightlife scene.
Budget tip: If gorilla trekking is too pricey, swap for a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It’s cheaper, but still amazing.
4. Ethiopia
Why go: Explore rock-hewn churches in Lalibela, trek the Simien Mountains, and savor Ethiopia’s coffee traditions in Addis Ababa.
Estimated budget: Roughly $40–$60/day, or $280–$420/week, based on local prices in food and guesthouses (Lalibela, Gondar, Addis).
Don’t miss:
Pilgrimage experience at Lalibela.
Sunrise over the Simien escarpment.
Sips of traditional coffee during ceremonies.
Budget tip: Ethiopia is one of Africa’s cheapest countries. You can eat a full injera platter for $2 and local buses cost cents.
5. Senegal
Why go: Feel Dakar’s jazz spirit, walk through Goree Island (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and snap that iconic shot at the Pink Lake (Lac Rose).
Estimated budget: Around $80–$140/day, so $560–$980/week, using local guesthouses and street food.
Don’t miss:
Goree Island’s moving heritage tours.
Senegalese drumming and nightly markets in Bandia Reserve.
Budget tip: Guesthouses in Dakar start at $25. Street food like thiéboudienne (fish and rice) keeps costs low and taste buds happy.
6. Kenya
Why go: Big Five game in Maasai Mara, dawn over the Rift, and a chill beach day on the Indian Ocean.
Estimated budget: $100–$170/day with budget safari lodges, totaling $700–$1,200/week.
Don’t miss:
Two-night safari group tours in Maasai Mara.
Sunrise hikes by Lake Naivasha.
Budget tip: Skip luxury lodges and try budget safari camps starting at $80 per night (meals included).
7. Tanzania
Why go: See the Great Wildebeest Migration, stand above the Ngorongoro Crater, then wind down in Zanzibar.
Estimated budget: $115–$200/day to $800–$1,400/week depending on safari/lodge choices.
Don’t miss:
Group safaris with camping included.
Spice tours and historic Stone Town walks in Zanzibar.
Budget tip: Opt for public buses and mid-range safari operators. Group tours save you hundreds. Zanzibar guesthouses can be as low as $25.
8. Egypt
Why go: Famed from childhood dreams, Egypt still stuns with ancient pyramids, temple-lined rivers, and vivid markets.
Estimated budget: $70–$130/day, or $500–$900 for the week, staying in mid-range hotels and street-food stalls.
Don’t miss:
Giza pyramid complex.
Nile cafes in Aswan or Luxor by the water.
Budget tip: Use Uber in Cairo instead of haggling with taxis. Street food like koshari fills you up for $1.
9. South Africa
Why go: Cape Town’s views, Soweto history, Table Mountain, and day trips to safari areas like Addo Elephant Park.
Estimated budget: $100–$170/day, so $700–$1,200/week, using buses and affordable hostels.
Don’t miss:
Robben Island museum.
Vineyards in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek.
Budget tip: Book “self-drive safaris” instead of guided tours to save big. Backpacker hostels in Cape Town start around $15.
10. Mozambique
Why go: White-sand beaches, coral gems, fresh seafood, and friendly smiles along the Indian Ocean.
Estimated budget: $100–$160/day, meaning $700–$1,100/week based on guesthouse rates and local meals.
Don’t miss:
Island escapes like Bazaruto Archipelago.
Maputo’s street food. Try grilled prawns and cassava.
Budget tip: Long-distance chapas (shared minibuses) are the cheapest way to travel, and seafood meals can cost under $5.
Budget Tips That Work Like Magic
Travel off-season for cheaper rooms.
Mix hostels, homestays, or family-run guesthouses.
Use shared taxis or buses over private rides.
Eat street food or from local markets. It's cheap and tastes better.
Book national park tickets early and look for multi-day group safari deals.
How You Can Travel to Africa Without Any Visa Fee.
So many African nations are opening their arms by granting free visas to Africans on the continent and those in the diaspora. Now, you can travel and visit some African countries for free.
Read through this guide to know how you can get a free visa to travel Africa.
Visit African Countries
From Ghana to Mozambique, Africa delivers memories that don’t cost a fortune.
If you are exploring history or perhaps need an epic travel destination, these destinations prove that epic travel doesn’t need extravagant spending.
Your wallet doesn’t have to be empty to make your heart full.
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