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5 African Cities Every Black Woman Should Experience
My husband, Earl, and I have crisscrossed the continent, including five cities where I experienced what ‘homecoming’ really means.
After four separate trips to Africa in 2025, let me tell you what the travel guides won’t: the continent we’ve been taught to fear is actually full of places where Black women can thrive, explore, and feel genuinely at home – whether you’re single or have a partner.
My husband, Earl, and I have crisscrossed the continent, and I’m here to share five cities where I finally understood what ‘homecoming’ really means.
These African cities should be on every sister’s travel list.
Kigali, Rwanda
Growing up in Los Angeles and raising kids in suburban New Jersey and Texas, I never thought I’d want city life again. Kigali may have changed my mind. This green, harmonious capital and the country’s overall vibe made such an impact that Earl and I even got “married” again there in a traditional Rwandan ceremony.
Why It Resonates: Kigali’s streets are immaculate, infrastructure is excellent, and Rwandans prioritize the environment. People in Rwanda also value community, respect their elders, and embrace national unity. And since Kigali consistently ranks as Africa’s safest city, with crime rates lower than many parts of the U.S., I felt an immediate sense of peace in this place.
Don’t Miss: The Kigali Genocide Memorial offers essential context for understanding Rwanda’s remarkable transformation. For a hands-on cultural experience, take a cooking class for just $18 at the Nyamirambo Women’s Center. There, as I chopped plantains and tomatoes and learned to prepare traditional dishes, local women shared stories about life in “The Land of a Thousand Hills.”
Local Dish: Try cassava and dodo (similar to spinach). Meals are under $10 at most casual dining establishments. Even at more upscale restaurants, gourmet three-course meals run just $30 or so a person.
Where I Stayed: The Ubumwe Grande Hotel had spacious rooms, excellent dining, and a stunning heated infinity rooftop pool with panoramic city views. Rates started at $130 per night.
Accra, Ghana
Ghana wraps you in warmth from the moment you arrive. The “Year of Return” initiative sparked a movement, but it’s the genuine embrace of the diaspora that makes you want to stay.
Why It Resonates: Our driver, Stephen, taught us that shaking hands with your left hand over your right forearm is a sign of respect. Small cultural nuances can deepen your connection to a place and make every visit feel like a homecoming.
Don’t Miss: The 3-hour drive from Accra is worth it to experience the raw emotion of Elmina Castle and Cape Coast Castle, where enslaved Africans were held before the Middle Passage. On the way, visit the Assin Manso Ancestral River for another moving experience.
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Local Dish: Sample jollof rice, fufu, and groundnut soup. Ghanaians take pride in their cuisine, and eating communally with your hands is part of the cultural experience.
Where I Stayed: The Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra delivered five-star luxury, impeccable service, and a prime location for $280 a night.
Cairo, Egypt
Ancient monuments meet modern mayhem in Egypt’s sprawling capital. Being in Cairo is an unforgettable experience that rewires how you see yourself and your heritage.
Why It Resonates: Standing before monuments built by African hands thousands of years ago shifts something fundamental. But Cairo’s appeal goes beyond ancient history. It’s also a vibrant, living metropolis, which includes some absolutely insane driving. I prayed fervently during one wild taxi ride while Earl got a kick out of the heart-pumping energy. The city honors its past while fully embracing its dynamic present.
Don’t Miss: The Pyramids of Giza and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization are non-negotiable. One museum highlight: the 20 mummies (17 kings and 3 queens) will remind you of our powerful ancestry.
Local Dish: Koshari (a satisfying mix of rice, lentils, and pasta) and fresh Egyptian bread.
Where I Stayed: The Radisson Blu Hotel Cairo Heliopolis was a bargain, with rates starting at $90 per night. The property provided modern comfort, excellent amenities, and convenient access to both the airport and city attractions. Your dollar stretches far throughout Egypt.
Marrakesh, Morocco
My husband called it perfectly: “This feels like a non-stop amusement park.” After a week in Morocco’s red city, I couldn’t agree more. It’s sensory overload in the best possible way.
Why It Resonates: Marrakesh blends imperial history with vibrant contemporary life. The Majorelle Garden, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent, provides a tranquil escape from the city’s bustling energy. Stay in a riad, a traditional, open-courtyard residence that offers an authentic alternative to standard hotels.
Don’t Miss: Jemaa el-Fnaa Square comes alive at sunset with snake charmers, storytellers, and food stalls. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site that makes for unforgettable sensory overload. Wander the labyrinthine souks for everything from handwoven carpets to aromatic spices. Experience a traditional hammam (Moroccan spa with steam baths and exfoliation). We tried luxury and budget versions, and both were incredible.
Local Dish: Tagine (slow-cooked savory stew) and traditional mint tea—counterintuitively served hot even on warm days because it actually cools you down.
Where I Stayed: For just $90 a night, the Riad Maison Dar Saada enchanted us with authentic Moroccan luxury in the heart of the Medina. We appreciated having a beautifully appointed room, lush courtyard, warm hospitality, and a chill rooftop.
Zanzibar, Tanzania
If you need to decompress after exploring bustling cities, Zanzibar delivers the perfect blend of history, culture, and those dreamy Indian Ocean beaches you’ve been scrolling past on Instagram.
Why It Resonates: Stone Town’s winding alleys reveal centuries of Swahili, Arab, and colonial history, while the spice tours explain why these islands were once the world’s clove capital. Then there are those turquoise waters and white sand beaches, exactly as stunning as the photos suggest.
Don’t Miss: Beyond the beaches, the cultural richness of Stone Town and the aromatic spice plantations offer depth to your relaxation.
Local Dish: Fresh seafood, Zanzibari pizza (a local street-food invention), and fragrant pilau rice.
Where I Stayed: Jua Michamvi is an intimate boutique retreat with only four villas, each featuring private pools, butler service, and 200-degree ocean views. The personalized attention, custom oversized beds, and Michelin-star-quality cuisine made it the ultimate couples’ escape and totally worth splurging on the $ 450-a-night rate, with all our meals included.
Affordability, Culture, and Access
These five cities offer Black women safe, affordable, culturally rich experiences that mainstream media rarely highlights.
With the exception of Dakar, don’t worry about language barriers. English is widely spoken in Kigali and Zanzibar, and in tourist areas of Cairo and Marrakesh, there are enough English speakers to get by. But it’s helpful to know a few basic French words – or have a translator app handy – in Senegal.
Africa isn’t the monolith we were taught to fear. It’s diverse, dynamic, and in many ways, feels like coming home.
That’s precisely what we’ll do later in 2026, when we visit Cape Town, South Africa; Gaborone, Botswana; and Windhoek, Namibia.
We return to the Motherland with open hearts — and expect to be likewise welcomed with open arms yet again.
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