Is Backpacking Africa Cheap?

By Anna Duncan

Backpacking Africa can be an inexpensive way to explore the continent and experience its culture, nature and wildlife. Travelers can save money by staying in hostels, homestays, or camping grounds. Eating local cuisine instead of Western food will also help to keep costs down. If budget is a major concern, it’s possible to find cheap flights and deals on accommodation throughout the continent.

Africa is often thought of as an expensive destination; however, this is not necessarily true.

There are many ways to save money while backpacking Africa. Staying in hostels is often the cheapest option for accommodation – these can be found in cities across the continent, usually for around 10-20 USD per night. Homestays offer a more homely atmosphere than hostels, but can cost slightly more – usually 20-30 USD per night depending on the location. Camping is also an affordable way to stay in Africa – some campsites may charge a small fee, while others are free. Additionally, most national parks offer camping facilities at reasonable prices.

Travelers on a tight budget should look out for deals on flights and accommodation throughout the continent. Airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways offer budget flights within Africa – these can often be found at discounted prices with early bookings or during promotional periods. Websites such as Booking.com or Airbnb are also good places to search for cheap accommodation.

Eating local cuisine instead of Western food will help travelers save money while backpacking Africa – street food and local restaurants tend to be significantly cheaper than restaurants serving Western dishes.

Conclusion:

Is backpacking Africa cheap? Yes! By taking advantage of hostels, homestays, camping sites and discounted flight tickets, traveling around Africa can certainly be done within a reasonable budget.