Ever wondered where would be the cheapest city to visit in Africa? Whether you are looking for cheap travel, things to do for free or at cheaper prices, affordable hotels and restaurants, you’ll find it all in our list of Africa’s 10 cheapest cities for Kenyan travellers.
We based our criteria on the following; cheap airfares from Nairobi, accessibility, availability and affordability of goods and services, fascinating attractions and cheap exchange rates.
In no particular order, we present to you a list of Africa’s 10 cheapest cities for Kenyan travellers:
1. Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakech is undeniably Morocco’s most exciting city and home to almost a million Moroccans. The city seems to attract visitors from within Africa and other continents. Those who have visited the city have been rewarded with cheap prices of nearly everything. Apart from its affordability, there are beautiful and exciting attractions that are worth a look. You will find a variety of affordable hotels and guest houses in the city, especially around the south of the Djemaa El Fna Square. Getting round is easy and cheap, you’ll find small taxis around and you can negotiate price with them. Marrakech is a shopping paradise, you will find loads of low-priced things to buy.
- Flight Fare from Nairobi to Marrakech (return ticket): Starts from 115, 261 KES (as at 10th April 2014)
- Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
- 1 MAD = 10.424 MAD (as at 10th April 2014)
2. Dakar, Senegal
Dakar is an exceptional travel bargain for any Kenyan traveller. This African city is very welcoming and its beauty attracts tourists every year. Everywhere and everything in Dakar is cheaper, people from neighbouring countries come there to buy and import stuff to their countries. Hotels and accommodation are cheaper than you might imagine. There is no shortage of attractions, markets or even cars or buses for transportation.
- Flight Fare from Nairobi to Dakar (return ticket): Starts from 91,340 KES (as at 10th April 2014)
- Currency: CFA Franc (XOF)
- Currency Exchange Rate: 1 XOF = 0.179 KES (as at 10th April 2014)
3. Johannesburg, South Africa
Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa, is surprisingly one of the cheapest cities in Africa. The city is relatively rich due to its large gold and diamond deposit around the city, this somewhat explains the low cost of living which has led to cheaper goods and services. There are several impressive attractions that are worth visiting. Johannesburg is a lively and exciting urban city with interesting activities at reduced prices.
- Flight Fare from Nairobi to Johannesburg (return ticket): Starts from 50,480 KES (as at 10th April 2014)
- Currency: Rands (ZAR)
- Currency Exchange Rate: 1 ZAR = 8.144 KES(as at 10th April 2014)
4. Cairo, Egypt
Cairo has become a friendly city, which attracts a lot of tourists and travellers from all over the world. You’ll find thousands of tourists wandering around the famous Giza Pyramids and strolling round the Khan el-Khalili market’s narrow alleys looking for souvenirs to purchase. Cairo is amazingly cheap in many ways and the low prices have drawn a lot of people for holiday. You will find affordable hotels and restaurants around, and cheap activities that will keep you glued to the beautiful old city.
- Flight Fare from Nairobi to Cairo (return ticket): Starts from 45,202 KES (as at 10th April 2014)
- Currency: Egyptian Pounds (EGP)
- Currency Exchange Rate: 1 EGP = 12.1726 KES(as at 10th April 2014)
5. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Addis Ababa is the modern capital city with beautiful attractions. Cheap food and travel makes the city a cheap travel destination in Africa. You can travel on budget and still afford to enjoy everything the city offers; from hotel accommodation to food and drinks.
- Flight Fare from Nairobi to Addis Ababa (return ticket): Starts from 23,665 KES (as at 10th April 2014)
- Currency: Ethiopian Birr (ETB)
- Currency Exchange Rate: 1 ETB = 4.349 KES(as at 10th April 2014)
6. Accra, Ghana
Ghana’s political stability and economic success has made Accra a destination for cheap travel. Even though, tourism in Accra is still on the rise, the city is a beautiful place to visit for vacation or holiday with your families or loved ones. The city has fascinating attractions, nice-looking streets, interesting history and scenic beaches. Accommodation in Accra is affordable and you’ll find restaurants that provide services that will suit your budget and preference.
- Flight Fare from Nairobi to Accra (return ticket): Starts from 63,536 KES (as at 10th April 2014)
- Currency: Ghana Cedi (GHC)
- Currency Exchange Rate: 1 GHC = 31.383 KES(as at 10th April 2014)
7. Gaborone, Botswana
Gaborone is a perfect destination for travellers seeking cheap travel. The city is a place with excellent and cheap food, transportation and great-value accommodation. Everything is super-cheap and amazing. The city has beautiful attractions that are worth a visit. You will definitely enjoy your holiday, with everything more affordable than you might have imagined.
- Flight Fare from Nairobi to Gaborone (return ticket): Starts from 86.6799 KES (as at 10th April 2014)
- Currency: Botswana Pula (BWP)
- Currency Exchange Rate: 1 BWP = 9.976 KES (as at 10th April 2014)
8. Kampala, Uganda
Kampala is so cheap that you will think you miscalculated the exchange rate. If you are looking for cheap adventure, you will find it all in Kampala. You can easily get around the city as transportation is incredibly cheap. You can explore the city – markets for shopping, attractions for sightseeing and nightlife for overall entertainment.
- Flight Fare from Nairobi to Kampala (return ticket): Starts from 10.298 KES (as at 10th April 2014)
- Currency: Ugandan Shilling (UGX)
- Currency Exchange Rate: 1 UGX = 0.0343 KES (as at 10th April 2014)
9. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Dar es Salam has a range of activities to offer visitors at affordable prices. Accommodation is affordable and so is pretty much everything else. There are a lot of attractions and activities in the city. Dar es Salam is one of the charming cities in Africa and it offers the great overall value for every traveller’s needs.
- Flight Fare from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam (return ticket): Starts from 30,511 KES (as at 10th April 2014)
- Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
- Currency Exchange Rate: 1 TZS = 0.0343 KES (as at 10th April 2014)
10. Windhoek, Namibia
- Flight Fare from Nairobi to Windhoek (Return Ticket): Starts from 85,726 KES (as at 10th April 2014)
- Currency: Namibian Dollar (NAD)
- Currency Exchange Rate: 1 NAD = 8.352 KES (as at 10th April 2014)
Windhoek is fairly inexpensive and all the good things every traveller wants in a destination come at a bargain. The city has boundless things to see and do. Budget-minded travellers will find low-cost goods and services including accommodation and other travel bargains in abundance.
We are proud to provide you with this list and we hope that it will be useful for those who strive for a reasonable analysis of the cheapest cities to visit in Africa.
Now the question is, would you like to travel to any of these cities for vacation? Kindly let us know in the comment box below:
Hey..about the addis ababa return ticket which airline is that?? Wld like to take a trip
Euny, prolly Ethiopian airlines and if you book a month in advance it may go lower.
beautiful tips u got.thanks for the information.
Windhoek seem fascinating
I sure would love to visit in 2015
Did the author travel to these countries? cause been to botswana and if you think youll secure a room at less than 3k…your joking.Talking of cheap…only fuel is cheap.But walk to any shopping like ackermans or any other ones on shopping malls such as game city and youl know its overpriced.
You have definitely NEVER been to Ghana.
Cheap? Accra is cheap?
Aaah. My mum lived there 7 years and i visited at least twice every year for periods of 2 months at least.
She’s doing well, so for her it was a pinch but for people looking for a vacation i’d say avoid Accra.
It’s the sticky kind of humid. The beaches can’t compare to Kenya’s, they don’t even look good and they smell funky (not sea funky)
The streets smell too. Their sewer system is a mess! And they don’t look nice. Think what they meant is the infrastructure is good.
Also, not much entertainment there unless you want to go for theatre shows plus every corner any day there’s a high life musician performing at a hotel etc.
I personally would recommend you spend on S.A. Forget Ghana unless it’s all expense paid and someone’s hosting you. That’s me.
Great people though. Plys, it’s really safe. People walk around day & night with iPads etc on the streets. But it’s safer because people are afraid of witchcraft.
I’m done now
Wow! If I may ask, when was the last time you visited Ghana? Accra is now different from how it used to be. If you haven’t visited recently, I recommend you visit the destination, you’ll certainly enjoy it.
Dakar looks fascinating. My dream destination for sure.
Can you please let us know which airline(s) flies to Namibia?
Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Air Namibia, South African Airways. Book your flight with Travelstart Kenya today
Accra is NOT cheap!
I dont know if its me or what but I was in J’burg like last week and I did not find it as cheap as you are putting it.
Its definitely a vibrant city, energetic and I would go there again and again but its definitely not a ‘budget travel’ city!
How can we get this article on http://www.sudafricasafaris.com ?