Can You Drive Across Africa from West to East Safely?

There’s a certain magnetism to the idea of driving across Africa, from the Atlantic swells of Senegal or Nigeria to the turquoise shores of Kenya or Tanzania.

It’s the kind of adventure that stirs the imagination: dusty border crossings, endless savannah roads, chance encounters, and that deep, slow rhythm of the continent rolling past your windshield. But how realistic is it? More importantly, how safe?

Let’s break it down. If you’re serious about crossing Africa from west to east, you need more than a sense of adventure. You need a sturdy vehicle, a whole lot of patience, and a solid grasp of the roadblocks, both literal and political, that shape every mile.

What the Route Looks Like (on Paper)

The most direct way across Africa from west to east would, in theory, be via the Trans-African Highway (TAH) network.

This ambitious project by the African Union, UNECA, and the African Development Bank was designed to knit together the continent with a series of international corridors.

For our west-to-east adventure, the key routes are:

Now, here’s the kicker: none of these routes are fully functional. Sure, some parts are smooth sailing—Kenya’s roads are pretty decent, and Uganda’s infrastructure is improving fast—but the central stretch? That’s where things fall apart.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the elephant in the map room. A massive, politically unstable country with poor road networks and a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory from the U.S. State Department.

That missing chunk in the middle makes a continuous west-to-east drive across central Africa nearly impossible for anyone who’s not traveling with an armored convoy and a backup satellite phone.

What Overlanders Are Doing Instead

Many travelers choose to start in West Africa (Senegal or Ghana are common jumping-off points) and then head south to Namibia or South Africa, before making their way up the east side of the continent.

This detour adds thousands of kilometers and months to the trip. But it avoids the no-go zones and opens the door to a safer, smoother experience.

Here’s what that route might look like in practice:

It’s long—easily 10,000+ kilometers—and could take six to nine months, depending on weather, border queues, and breakdowns. But it’s doable.

What the Roads Are Really Like

Infrastructure in Africa is a patchwork. Some sections will surprise you—a newly paved road in rural Malawi, for instance. Others will make you wish you brought a winch and an extra axle.

In general:

• West Africa: Roads vary. Senegal and Ghana have reasonably good highways, but potholes and slow border processing slow progress.
• Central Africa: Roads are often nonexistent. Rain can wash out paths for weeks. The DRC and CAR are particularly treacherous, with poor construction and regular conflict.
• East Africa: Much better. Kenya and Tanzania have invested in their highway networks. Border processing is more organized. Once you’re in Kenya, you can unwind in the evening with a popular local sportsbook (https://1win.ke/), a licensed betting and casino platform offering live sports and casino games
• Southern Africa: Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia all offer decent roads by regional standards, with many sealed routes between towns and cities.

A Toyota Land Cruiser or similar 4×4 is almost mandatory—not just for terrain, but for reliability and the availability of parts. Spare tires, fuel jugs, basic recovery gear, and a tool kit are non-negotiables.

The Real Safety Picture, Country by Country

When it comes to safety, Africa isn’t a monolith. Some regions are more stable than others, and conditions can change quickly depending on elections, weather, or regional skirmishes.

Here’s a quick regional rundown based on official travel advisories and on-the-ground reports:

West Africa

• Senegal: Generally safe (Level 1). Good for starting your trip. Urban petty crime is the main concern.
• Nigeria: High risk in the north and center (Level 3–4). Avoid unless you have extensive contacts and local support.
• Mali, Niger: Unstable and dangerous due to terrorism and insurgency. Crossing by land is strongly discouraged.

Central Africa

• DRC and CAR: Both under Level 4 alerts. Conflicts, banditry, and government instability are major problems. Very limited consular help if something goes wrong.
• Chad: Border regions are volatile. Armed robberies and carjackings are common.

East Africa

• Kenya, Tanzania: Safer and well-traveled. Exercise caution in border areas and urban centers.
• Sudan and South Sudan: Avoid. Active conflict zones with high kidnapping and crime rates.
• Ethiopia: Some sections are stable, but border disputes and ethnic tensions create flashpoints.

Southern Africa

• Namibia, Botswana, Zambia: Some of the best overlanding conditions on the continent. Wide-open spaces, national parks, and relatively low crime.
• South Africa: Great infrastructure, but urban crime (especially carjacking) is a concern. Stick to daylight driving and avoid backstreets in big cities.

Tips to Keep You and Your Vehicle Safe

If you’re set on making this journey happen, preparation is everything. A few principles can go a long way.

Driving Tips

• Avoid night driving, especially in Botswana and South Africa. Animals on the road are a serious hazard.
• Expect roadblocks and checkpoints. Some are official; others are scams. Be polite, firm, and never display frustration.
• Wild camping is best avoided unless you’re in a known safe area. Use official campgrounds where possible.

Vehicle Prep

• Choose a diesel 4×4—parts and fuel are easier to find than for petrol engines in most regions.
• Carry spares: belts, filters, brake pads, extra fuel, engine oil, and tire repair kits.
• Get a roof tent or sleeping system inside the vehicle. It makes things safer and more flexible.

Documents You’ll Need

• Carnet de Passage (~$350/year) for vehicle import across borders.
• International Driving Permit
• Valid insurance that includes international coverage
• Visas: Nigeria and the DRC are notoriously difficult. Many travelers pre-arrange all visas, but some are easier to get at border crossings.
• Vaccine records, especially yellow fever

What It Costs (Ballpark)

There’s no fixed budget for a trip like this, but here’s a general idea based on what experienced overlanders have reported:

Some overlanders have made the whole trip on $12,000, while others spend twice that.

What to Do Instead (If You Want the Experience Without the Risk)

@thecarscene_ Would you drive through Africa with your best mate? 👀 Day 7 of driving across half the African continent in our cheap BMW started with meeting these 2 European chaps who’ve been driving from Germany along the west coast to Cape Town, In their converted Steyr and Land Cruiser. The Steyr Puch is the origin of the G Wagon and was built by an Austrian military company. This one was purchased from the Swiss army as an ex radio communications vehicle so it was built with the extended roof from factory and only came equipped with the 2.3 petrol motor. Its current owner added a few accessories like satellite navigation, radio, a flat screen TV and a solution at the back to carry more fuel. The Land Cruiser is equally as cool being fitted with a large enough canopy that turns it into a mobile lounge – But which would you prefer? We then cruised towards the Malawi border driving along the Luangwe river that borders with Mozambique stopping at a massive baobab before arriving our overnight accommodation which was Mamarula’s up north by Chipata. Here we enjoyed some refreshing drinks by the fire and had a fantastic nights rest #zambia #livingstone #lusaka #zambiatourism #tourismzambia #zimbabwetourism #zambiafashion #zambeziriver #swimminginriver #victoriafalls #baboons #bmwx5 #bmwlife #bmwclub #bmwzambia #carszambia ♬ original sound – TheCarScene

If a full west-to-east solo drive sounds like more risk than you want to take on, you’re not out of options.

You still get the thrill of the open road, the wildlife, the campfire nights—without betting your entire trip on whether a checkpoint turns ugly.

Final Thoughts

But a southward detour through safer countries opens up real possibilities. With time, patience, and a lot of planning, it’s possible to cross the continent in a way that’s not just breathtaking, but smart.

If you’re itching to go, start researching your route early, talk to recent travelers, and don’t skimp on preparation. Africa rewards the patient, the cautious, and the curious. And once you’re out there, cruising past baobabs, sharing tea at a roadside stall, sleeping under the stars, you’ll know it was all worth it.