In this article, we will look at the 25 cheapest cities to visit in Africa.
Overview of the African Tourism Sector
Tourism is a booming industry in Africa, contributing around $186 billion to the continent’s economy in 2019. Over 84 million international travelers made their way to Africa before the pandemic which offered employment to 25 million people on the continent. This translates to about 5.6% of jobs in the African continent. Although the region suffered setbacks due to international bans on travel, Africa ranked among the fastest-recovering continents in the world. According to data from the United Nations World Travel Organization (UNWTO), international visitors to Africa reached 96% of the region’s pre-pandemic level in 2024. The first UNWTO World Tourism Barometer of 2023 indicated the arrival of 1.3 billion international tourists in the continent. This was equal to 88% of the region’s pre-pandemic levels. The number of international tourist arrivals decreased from 10.23 million to 2.26 million tourists between 2019 and 2021. You can also take a look at the 30 Cheapest Places To Visit In The World.
North Africa takes the lead in tourism recovery at the sub-regional level, with international arrivals in 2023 growing 8% more than the region’s pre-pandemic levels in 2019. According to available data regarding African cities from UNWTO, Ethiopia, and Tanzania took the lead in 2023 by growing beyond their pre-pandemic levels in 2019 by 28% and 19%, respectively. Morocco took the third place with a growth of 15% by January-July 2023. You can also look at 30 Least Developed Countries in Africa in 2024.
Prominent Players in Africa’s Hospitality Sector
The hospitality industry in Africa underwent turbulence due to the changing rates of international tourism. Estimated to be worth more than $41 billion in 2021, the continent’s hospitality sector is expected to grow to $90 billion by 2026. According to statistics by Mordor Intelligence, the hospitality industry in South Africa alone is worth $1.36 billion as of 2024, and is expected to reach $1.68 billion by 2029. Marriott International Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR), Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT), and Hyatt Hotels Corp (NYSE:H) rank among the key hospitality companies working in Africa. On March 26, Bloomberg reported that Marriott International Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) and Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) are set to tackle the increasing rate of tourism in Africa by doubling their footprint across the region in the near future. Marriott International Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) already has 138 hotels under construction in the area, with Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) following close with 72 hotels. Around 85% of the expected development in the region will be luxury, upscale, or upper upscale.
On January 2, Hotel Management Network reported that Hyatt Hotels Corp (NYSE:H) opened the Park Hyatt Marrakech in Morocco, thereby expanding its footprint in the EMEA region. The opening marked the inauguration of the 11th property by Park Hyatt in the region, owing to the increasing tourism in the African continent. The hotel previously expanded to several other locations, including Doha, Dubai, Vienna, Istanbul, Zurich, Milan, and Paris. Apart from a luxurious accommodation, the new Park Hyatt Marrakech hotel will also offer hyperlocal attractions to its visitors, including dinner in Agafay desert’s Bedouin tent and breakfast in a hot air balloon floating through the Three Atlas Valleys.
Now that we have looked at Africa’s tourism and hospitality sector, let’s move towards the 25 cheapest cities to visit in Africa. You can also look at 15 Friendliest Countries in Africa and 15 Freest Countries in Africa.
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Our Methodology
In order to compile a list of the 25 cheapest cities to visit in Africa, we followed a consensus approach. After consulting ten online travel expert sources, we generated a list of the cheapest African cities for tourists. In order to narrow down our list to 25 cheapest African cities, we considered the round-trip package rates for each city as the primary metric. We individually searched for the cheapest round-trip package for each city on Kayak, and arranged our list of the 25 cheapest cities to visit in Africa in descending order of their round-trip cost.
Please note that the round-trip package includes airfare (with a minimum of one and maximum of two layovers), and a 3-star accommodation for one week (5 nights). The departure destination of each flight is set to John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, USA. The package is based on the travel cost of one adult traveler, and meals are not included in it. We have only considered packages that have a rating of 7 and above. The rates for each package represent the time this article was written, as of 2024. It is important to note that these rates are subject to change at different times of the year. These numbers thus present a moderate calculation of the cost of travel to each of these African cities.
25 Cheapest Cities to Visit in Africa
25. Durban, South Africa
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,511
Durban is a coastal city in the east of South Africa. It ranks 25th on our list of the 25 cheapest cities to visit in Africa, with a round-trip cost of $1,511 for one adult traveler in 2024.
24. Meknes, Morocco
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,467
Meknes is a Moroccan city in the north of the country known for its intricately carved domes and mosaic tiles. It ranks 24th on our list with a round-trip cost of $1,467 for one adult traveler in 2024.
23. Aswan, Egypt
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,433
Aswan is an Egyptian city located on the Nile River. The city offers various archaeological sites from antiquity, including the Temple of Khnum, the Temple of Philae, and the Nubian Village.
22. Soweto, South Africa
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,413
The South African township of Soweto ranks 22nd on our list with a round-trip cost of $1,413 for one adult traveler. Nelson Mandela’s house, now a heritage museum, and the Soweto Towers rank among the popular tourist destinations in the city.
21. Pretoria, South Africa
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,377
Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa, and ranks 21st on our list of the 25 cheapest cities to visit in Africa. One adult traveler can visit the city for a round-trip cost of about $1,377 in 2024.
20. Luxor, Egypt
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,369
The ancient Egyptian town of Luxor is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It boasts sites from the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, including the Valley of Kings, Luxor temple, and Temple of Karnak. It ranks 20th on our list.
19. Cape Town, South Africa
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,301
Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa, located on the country’s southwestern coast. The city offers various tourist attractions, including a visit to the prison that once held Nelson Mandela and has since been converted into a museum.
18. Arusha, Tanzania
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,291
Located at the base of the volcanic Mt. Meru, Arusha is a Tanzanian city known as the gateway to the famous Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. The city is also a popular safari destination, with one round-trip costing around $1,291 for one adult traveler in 2024.
17. Agadir, Morocco
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,287
Agadir is a Moroccan city known for its beaches and other luxury seaside attractions in the foothills of the Anti-Atlas mountains. It is the ultimate Moroccan resort getaway with a round-trip cost of $1,287 for one adult traveler in 2024.
16. Dahab, Egypt
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,274
The small Egyptian town of Dahab is located on the southeastern edge of the Sinai Peninsula and ranks 16th on our list. The city’s beaches, caverns, caves, and coral reefs lend it an awe-inspiring beauty popular among travelers.
15. Dakar, Senegal
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,269
Senegal’s capital city, Dakar, ranks 15th on our list of the 25 cheapest cities to visit in Africa. The cost of a round trip for one adult traveler to the city is $1,269 as of 2024.
14. Essaouira, Morocco
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,223
Essaouira is a Moroccan port city located on the country’s Atlantic coast and is surrounded by the glorious Skala de la Kasbah dating back to the 18th century. The city’s surfing, water sports, and kitesurfing attractions make it a popular tourist spot. The city’s Riad Darko offers the most affordable three-star accommodation with a rating of 7.9/10 on Kayak.
13. Accra, Ghana
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,202
Accra is the West African capital of Ghana, which is located on the Atlantic Coast. It ranks 13th on our list with a round-trip cost of $1,202 for one adult traveler in 2024.
12. Fes, Morocco
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,199
Fes is in northwestern Morocco, known for its traditional streets, bustling bazaars, and rich culture. Fes El Bali, Bou Inania, and Al Attarine rank among the city’s famous tourist destinations.
11. Alexandria, Egypt
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,193
Alexandria is an Egyptian port city known for its spectacular Greco-Roman landmarks, including the revitalized Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Qaitbay Citadel. One round-trip to the city costs $1,193, making it a prominent tourist destination for history lovers.
10. Mombasa, Kenya
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,189
Mombasa is a coastal Kenyan city located across the coast of the Indian Ocean. It is popularly known as the “white and blue” city for its distinct architecture and bustling street life. It ranks tenth on our list.
9. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,172
Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia and ranks ninth on our list of the 25 cheapest cities to visit in Africa. The round-trip cost for one adult traveler to the city is $1,172 in 2024.
8. Zanzibar, Tanzania
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,163
An archipelago off the East African coast, the Tanzanian city of Zanzibar is a prominent tourist destination for its clear waters and awe-inspiring beaches. The Zanzibar ranks eighth on our list with a round-trip cost of $1,163 for one adult traveler in 2024. The city’s Karibu Inn offers the most affordable three-star accommodation in the region.
7. Marrakech, Morocco
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,134
Marrakech, a former imperial city of Morocco, ranks seventh on our list of the 25 cheapest cities to visit in Africa. The round-trip cost for one adult traveler is around $1,134 in 2024. The city’s maze-like streets, bustling traditional marketplaces, and Koutoubia Mosque rank among the most visited tourist spots.
6. Tangier, Morocco
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,131
Tangier is Morocco’s port city located on the Strait of Gibraltar. Located in northwestern Morocco, the city’s shores border the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It ranks sixth on our list.
5. Chefchaouen, Morocco
Round-trip Cost for One Adult Traveler: $1,103
Chefchaouen is a striking Moroccan city known for its old town’s blue-tinged houses. It ranks fifth on our list of the 25 cheapest cities to visit in Africa. Some of its popular tourist destinations include the red-walled Kasbah, the Chefchaouen Ethnographic Museum, and the Great Mosque.