Cheapest Places to Travel in Africa

Africa is more affordable than its reputation suggests, and some of the continent's best destinations are also its best value. Here is the honest budget breakdown, by country.

1. Ethiopia: Africa's most underrated value

Ethiopia is extraordinary value, and extraordinarily overlooked by travellers. The food is magnificent (injera sourdough flatbread, tibs, kitfo, Ethiopia has one of the world's great cuisines), Addis Ababa is a bustling, interesting capital, and the historical circuit (Lalibela rock churches, Axum obelisks, Gondar castles) rivals Egypt's pharaonic sites for sheer jaw-dropping wow.

Daily budget: USD 25–60/day including accommodation, food and local transport.
Budget accommodation: USD 15–40/night in Addis Ababa.
Cheap meal: ETB 80–200 (USD 1.50–4) at a local restaurant.
Visa: eVisa available online. USD 52 for 30 days.

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2. Tanzania: cheap outside safari

Tanzania's reputation for expense comes from its safari costs. Serengeti and Ngorongoro park fees are high. But outside safari parks, Tanzania is excellent value. Zanzibar is significantly cheaper than comparable beach destinations in Southeast Asia. Dar es Salaam offers good-value accommodation. Local food (mishkaki skewers, pilau rice, fresh coconut) costs very little.

Daily budget (non-safari): USD 30–70/day in Dar or Zanzibar.
Budget beach accommodation, Zanzibar: USD 25–60/night.
Cheap meal: TZS 5,000–12,000 (USD 2–5) at local restaurants.
Visa: USD 50 on arrival or online.

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3. Uganda: gorillas without Rwanda's prices

Uganda offers the same mountain gorilla trekking as Rwanda for half the permit cost (USD 800 vs USD 1,500). Beyond gorillas, Uganda is excellent budget value. Kampala is significantly cheaper than Nairobi or Dar es Salaam, public transport is functional and cheap, and the food (rolex chapati egg rolls, groundnut stew, fresh tilapia from Lake Victoria) is delicious and affordable.

Daily budget: USD 30–70/day in Kampala.
Budget accommodation: USD 20–50/night in Kampala.
Gorilla permit: USD 800 (vs USD 1,500 in Rwanda).
Visa: USD 50 on arrival or East Africa Tourist Visa (covers Kenya/Uganda/Rwanda for USD 100).

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4. Morocco: best budget Mediterranean

Morocco is extraordinary value by European or Middle Eastern standards. A medina guesthouse (riad) in Fez or Marrakech for USD 30–60/night is often more atmospheric than a European hotel at triple the price. Food is cheap and very good. Tagines, couscous, fresh bread, avocado and argan oil smoothies from street vendors. Inter-city bus (CTM) is reliable and very affordable.

Daily budget: USD 30–80/day (varies significantly Marrakech vs Fez vs Chefchaouen).
Budget riad room: MAD 200–500 (USD 20–50)/night.
Cheap meal: MAD 30–70 (USD 3–7) at local restaurants.
Visa: Visa-free for most Western nationalities (90 days).

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5. Ghana: best value West Africa

Ghana is West Africa's most accessible and welcoming country for international visitors. Politically stable, English-speaking, and with friendly immigration and tourism infrastructure. It is also excellent value compared to Lagos or Dakar. Cape Coast (Elmina Castle, Kakum canopy walk) is one of Africa's most important heritage destinations and costs very little to visit.

Daily budget: USD 30–70/day in Accra.
Budget accommodation: GHS 150–350 (USD 12–28)/night.
Cheap meal: GHS 15–40 (USD 1.20–3.20) at local chop bars.
Visa: Visa on arrival for most nationalities (USD 50–150).

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How to reduce costs anywhere in Africa

1. Book on CabanaZero commission means hosts can price lower than on Airbnb or Booking.com, and the price you see is the price you pay. No checkout surprise. Browse Africa stays →
2. Use M-Pesa or local paymentIn Kenya, paying with M-Pesa means no international card fees (which can add 3–5%). Cabana accepts M-Pesa natively, no workaround needed.
3. Eat localEvery city on this list has excellent local food at fraction of tourist restaurant prices. In Nairobi, githeri and ugali for KES 150. In Accra, waakye for GHS 20. In Marrakech, harira soup and bread for MAD 15. The best food in Africa is often the cheapest.
4. Travel overland between neighbouring countriesEast Africa Tourist Visa (USD 100) covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. Flying between all three costs USD 400+. Bus and matatu between Nairobi, Kampala and Kigali costs USD 20–50 each way. Budget-wise, overland is dramatically cheaper.
5. Book shoulder seasonAfrica's shoulder seasons (just before or after peak dry season) offer significantly better rates with still-good conditions. In Kenya: April and November. In Morocco: spring and autumn. In South Africa: April–May and September–October.