By Peter Ruddle
“How safe is Africa now?” Africa, and South Africa in particular, has been making headlines recently, and unfortunately not in a very good light. We at BookYourHunt.com receive many questions to that effect from hunters who are genuinely and legitimately concerned about their planned or upcoming trips. Here’s what I have to say on the matter.
How Safe is Africa?
“How safe is Europe?” – I might ask back. “Depends on where in Europe you are” – you might answer. Ukraine, which for the last three years has been seeing the hardest fighting since WWII, is in Europe. But so is Switzerland, which hasn’t seen a war in 500 years and has some of the lowest crime rates in the world. And the distance between Ukraine and Switzerland is less than the distance between Cape Town and Pretoria. Poland and Hungary actually border Ukraine. Statistically, in either Poland or Hungary you’ll be as safe as if not safer than in any of the three safest American states.
How safe is America? There, too, the answer is “Depends on where in America”. I’ve lived most of my life in South Africa, and travelled extensively around the world. My most terrifying and uncomfortable moments have been in the United States. Often, I’ve been warned, “You’re crazy to go there,” or “Even I wouldn’t go.” In most cases, these were simply downtown train stations or stops on a Greyhound bus route — places I didn’t necessarily choose, but where I learned to heed local advice. The same principle applies anywhere in the world, including Africa.
The bottom line is: Africa is as safe or as dangerous as any other continent. It all depends on where you are and what you do.
Friendly Reminder: Africa is not a Country!
One of the most common misconceptions I’ve encountered is the belief that Africa is one singular entity. In reality, Africa is made up of 54 countries, each with its own government, culture, landscape, and socio-political environment. What happens in one region rarely affects another — much like how events in Mexico typically don’t impact travel in Canada or the U.S.
Understanding this is key to appreciating just how vast and varied the continent truly is — and how safe and welcoming many of its regions are for hunters and tourists alike.
African Countries that Made Headlines Recently
South Africa
It is unfortunately true that South Africa has a very high crime rate. It is also true that some of this crime is race-based, just like in many other parts of the world. Even criminals don’t like to think about themselves as the bad guys; it’s easier to do bad things to people who don’t look like you, especially if you can “justify” your actions with “historical injustice”. But the core reason is economical. South Africa has an official unemployment rate of 32%, it could actually be higher.
This all has been going on for years, it’s just it hasn’t hit international news until recently. If you visited South Africa a couple of years ago, you will find it the same this year. The country does experience high crime rates, especially in certain urban areas. But on the hunting concession, with a knowledgeable outfitter for whom safety is top priority, you’re in good hands.
Mozambique
The start of 2025 was marred by terrible attacks on camps and lodges in some areas of the country, with lootings, damage, and even assassinations of some camp staff. These actions have been confined to the north of the country, which has been de-facto controlled by radical muslim insurgents for several decades, actually since the end of the Mozambique civil war. The current spike of the attacks may be related to the project to develop a large natural gas field located in the area.
In any case, the north of Mozambique is not a place to go to at present. The central and southern parts of the country remain safety-wise as they were. The outfitters will be able to advise you on any specific area. Trust me, they want to get back safe and sound as much as you do, and will not bring you to a danger zone.
The Safest Countries in Africa for a Hunter
Botswana
Known for its political stability and low crime rate, Botswana is one of Africa’s safest countries. While petty theft may occur in urban centres, violent crime is rare. It remains a top destination for ethical and sustainable hunting.
Zambia
Zambia boasts low levels of crime and a strong reputation for safety in both urban and rural areas. Its support for conservation and ethical hunting, as well as vast open spaces and rich cultural traditions, makes it a great choice for a hunting safari.
Namibia
One of the most peaceful countries on the continent, Namibia is the place to go for a safety-concerned hunter. Apart from safety, it offers excellent infrastructure and strong governmental backing for the hunting industry.
Tanzania
A safari icon, Tanzania is generally safe for visitors who travel with professional guides. While extra caution is advised in urban centres like Arusha or Dar es Salaam, hunting camps and reserves are typically well-managed and secure.
The Most Dangerous African Countries
Just a short reminder that this post is written from the perspective of a recreational hunter. Some African countries are notorious for their lack of safety, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, or Nigeria with its infamous Boko Haram group, but they don’t have any safari industry. Here we focus on the countries where you could theoretically go hunting.
Central African Republic (CAR)
Characterized by armed conflict, high crime rates, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Many areas are controlled by armed groups.
Burkina Faso
Faces a significant threat from terrorism, crime, and kidnapping, with some regions under a state of emergency. It ranked high in the 2024 Global Terrorism Index.
Ethiopia
Faces security threats from internal conflicts, particularly in the Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia regions, as well as ethnic tensions.
Evaluating Risk: The Role of Reason
We humans, like other animals, have our comfort zones which we are reluctant to leave. And once we associate some place with danger, it’s hard to think of it differently. But unlike other animals, we do have a capacity for rational thinking, which allows us to evaluate risk objectively, and not be scared just because something bad happened somewhere at some point in time.
You probably don’t think it’s dangerous to enter a New York skyscraper or see a soccer game in Paris, France. And yet, both these locations have been sites of terrible terrorist attacks a few years back. Africa is no different. To reiterate, your potential risk level should be evaluated rationally, on the specific part of the continent that you plan to visit. And the person to talk to about these issues is your PH and outfitter.
Trust Your Outfitter
Professional outfitters live and work on the ground. We know the terrain, we understand the risks, and we prioritize your safety. The “bush telegraph” — a powerful network of communication among locals — still works better than any app when it comes to staying ahead of trouble. If your outfitter says don’t go there, trust that advice. Your safety is our safety too.
We PHs are people like you, we also have our families, and we want to come back to them safe and sound, just like you do. Putting your life at risk, means that your host will also be risking their life. Most hunters should be more concerned about biting insects or charging wounded buffaloes, than having to deal with unpleasant or dangerous incidents in the crime department.
Adventure Comes with the Unknown — and That’s the Magic
Let’s be honest: there’s always been an air of danger around the idea of African safaris. If you read the classic books closely, they often mention trouble such as the local warfare or the uprising of the “Mad Mullah”. Robert Ruark’s safaris coincided with the bloody mau-mau rebellion. It’s part of what makes the experience so exhilarating. The solitude, the vastness, the untamed nature of it all — it adds to the thrill, not the risk.
Today, as global populations increase and sensational media stories spread like wildfire, it’s easy to let fear shape our decisions. But with the right planning, guidance, and mindset, the African hunting experience remains not only safe — but life-changing.
More on hunting in Africa
Hunting Regulations Compared: The USA versus Africa
By Peter Ruddle
People of all nations hunt, but the ways people hunt, including hunting regulations, vary from country to country, and in federalist countries like the USA, Canada, or South Africa there may be substantial differences even between states and provinces. Failing to recognize these differences may lead to misunderstandings which can spoil the hunting experience. What’s more, these days, when hunting is under attack on every front, it’s more important than ever to acknowledge these differences, in order to avoid well-intentioned friendly fire that results from lack of understanding.
With this in mind, let’s compare hunting regulations in the United States, South Africa, and other African countries. CONTINUE READING
