There are 5 countries in sub-Saharan Africa that are particularly affordable and interesting! They also have decent infrastructure for travelers, which is far from guaranteed in these 4 regions of Africa that offer extreme culture shock and are rarely visited. One of the regions is more represented here.
We shared the updated list of the 40 best cheap countries to travel to in 2025.
Now we continue this important feature with a bit more detail, by region. To give you an idea of what each destination has to offer and to give you an idea of accommodation prices (often the biggest expense at your destination).
Here are the 5 best cheap countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Details of the best cheap countries in sub-Saharan Africa
For each of the 5 countries, this post includes:
- 2 short paragraphs providing an overview of the destination
-
- To give you a general idea of the country
- 2 examples of well-rated accommodation prices
- To give you a general idea of prices
- For both duo and solo travelers
To be very clear, there are cheaper accommodations than the examples in this article if you want to save money with options that have lower ratings. All those in the examples have a rating of at least 7.5 out of 10 (the minimum threshold of what is usually considered “good”).
There are also luxury options and private accommodation rentals (Airbnb/Vrbo), obviously, and we’ll give concrete examples of those in a guide on each cheap country. The price of well-rated, more basic options gives you an idea of prices for more luxurious options, even if the correlation is not always 100% perfect.
Infographic of the best cheap countries in sub-Saharan Africa
Here’s the infographic of the 5 best cheap countries among the 48 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
East Africa is where 4 of these 5 countries are located. It’s one of the most popular regions of sub-Saharan Africa and has the decent infrastructure I mentioned (generally better than West Africa and Central Africa), while generally being somewhat more affordable than Southern Africa. You can read about the 5 different regions of Africa if you want to learn the definitions.
Let’s look at each country ordered by the price of our hotel example for now (we’ll rank them by total cost in the next part of the feature).
1. Ghana 🇬🇭
Preview of traveling in Ghana
Ghana is a relatively small country of 34 million and one of the best destinations in West Africa. Flytrippers’ other co-founder Kevin spent a month there and loved the vibrant capital Accra, the coastal city of Cape Coast, the unique canopy walk in Kakum National Park, and surfing in Busua Beach.
With a coastline on the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana offers beautiful beaches that are popular for relaxation and surfing. There are also national parks, forts, and castles, not to mention Lake Volta, the largest artificial lake in the world. It’s one of the continent’s fastest-growing destinations.
You’ll be able to see our list of the best destinations soon.
Preview of accommodations in Ghana
There are hotels in Cape Coast for 13 USD per night, so 7 USD per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Accra for 15 USD per night per person.
2. Rwanda 🇷🇼
Preview of traveling in Rwanda
The “land of a thousand hills” has a lot to offer travelers who love wildlife and nature. A very small country, and therefore one of the most densely populated in the world, it is unfortunately best known for the terrible events of the 1990s.
The country has many hills, of course, but also numerous lakes and savannahs. Whether you enjoy simply admiring the landscapes or exploring them (for example, to see primates and other animals up close), Rwanda is a little more off the beaten track compared to some of its neighbors. The capital, Kigali, is also an interesting city with several attractions.
You’ll be able to see our list of the best destinations soon.
Preview of accommodations in Rwanda
There are hotels in Kigali for 22 USD per night, so 11 USD per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Kigali for 13 USD per night per person.
3. Uganda 🇺🇬
Preview of traveling in Uganda
The “Pearl of Africa,” Uganda is a country in the Great Lakes region with a population of nearly 50 million. In addition to part of Lake Victoria (the 2nd largest freshwater lake in the world), the country has volcanic hills and mountains that offer several breathtaking landscapes.
Well known for its mountain gorillas (an activity that is certainly not affordable), the country has many other animals and safari options. Like many sub-Saharan African countries, Uganda has several ethnic groups, each with its own traditions and cultures. The capital, Kampala, is a large city with a population more than twice that of the Montreal metropolitan area.
You’ll be able to see our list of the best destinations soon.
Preview of accommodations in Uganda
There are hotels in Kampala for 27 USD per night, so 13.5 USD per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Kampala for 15 USD per night per person.
4. Madagascar 🇲🇬
Preview of traveling in Madagascar
Located off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar is the 4th largest island on our planet and the 2nd largest island country in the world. It’s Madagascar’s unique biodiversity that gives it its must-see reputation. It’s even one of the most biodiverse countries in the world.
Those who love nature love this country. Home to incredible landscapes, the country of 31 million inhabitants boasts attractions such as the Avenue of the Baobabs and Lemurs’ Park, which offer unforgettable experiences. You also absolutely must visit Nosy Be, a small tropical paradise.
You’ll be able to see our list of the best destinations soon.
Preview of accommodations in Madagascar
There are hotels in Antananarivo for 33 USD per night, so 16.5 USD per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Antananarivo for 9 USD per night per person (not as well rated, but there aren’t any others).
5. Kenya 🇰🇪
Preview of traveling in Kenya
Also located in East Africa, Kenya is a country of 55 million that is the most developed in the region. So it’s unsurprisingly one of the best-known destinations in all of sub-Saharan Africa. Yes, wildlife is obviously a major attraction here too. But travelers also appreciate the fact that there’s more to it than that!
Kenya has idyllic beaches on the Indian Ocean, mountains, and the historic Lamu Island. There’s a lot of diversity of landscapes, experiences… and yes, wildlife. The country is renowned for its wildlife reserves, safaris, and the annual Great Migration of animals, particularly in the Masai Mara. And there are ways to get by for very little money, as always, by avoiding overpriced packages.
You’ll be able to see our list of the best destinations soon.
Preview of accommodations in Kenya
There are hotels in Mombasa for 39 USD per night, so 19.5 USD per person per night with a companion.
There are hostels in Mombasa for 14 USD per night per person.
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Summary
The 5 best cheap countries in sub-Saharan Africa allow you to travel for much less, while offering you extraordinary experiences. It’s certainly one of the regions where you’ll get the biggest culture shock among all those represented in the list of 40 best cheap countries, for as little as 40 CAD if you want.
What would you like to know about the best cheap countries in sub-Saharan Africa? Tell us in the comments below.
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Featured image: Infographic (image credit: Flytrippers)
