How to Survive in a Hostile Land: Best Tips for Africans

You park your luggage, ready to explore that very country you have always dreamed of. Unfortunately, your expectation was met with racism and discrimination. Do you know Africans can still cope in such hostile countries, regardless of your skin color?

Learn essential survival tips for Africans in a hostile land, and discover how to thrive in challenging environments. In this blog post, you will discover the reality of black travel experience beyond Africa. More importantly, this article will help you to identify how to enjoy your travel, despite the discrimination.

Countries Where Africans Encounter Setbacks

Foremost, let’s take a look at some popular countries that are hostile to Africans. 

Eastern regions like Russia, Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova are known to be less accommodating compared to Western and Central Europe. According to NBC News, Africans faced critical challenges in Ukraine during the Russian invasion, which is a reflection of the country’s discrimination. Meanwhile, members of this Quora social community confirmed that Ukraine is still more accommodating than its other neighboring Eastern countries. 

Recently, a traveler expressed her displeasure on certain non-African countries, including Lebanon, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

As long as you are black avoid these countries:
UAE
Kuwait
Oman
Bahrain
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Cambodia
Lebanon etc
You might think you are safe but their hatred for black people knows no bounds. In their eyes you got no rights and you are already guilty of something https://t.co/SMgUkcF7Rx

— MaZwangendaba (@mamakaCleo) December 20, 2024

Several other travelers in the comment section agreed to these countries’ hostility. On the other hand, some commenters emphasized that travelers could have a good experience when they abide by the countries’ rules.

As a Black person, or whoever you are, before stepping into any country, always do your research. Learn about their laws, their culture, what they like, and more importantly, what they hate or dislike. Don’t walk in blind, expecting to be treated like royalty, especially when…

— Collins Asein (@CollinsAsein) December 22, 2024

This brings me to the part where I share with my dearest readers tips and strategies that work in such countries. These strategies have proven effective, not only from my personal traveling experience, but also from experts’ point of view.

3 Survival Strategies for Africans in Hostile Lands

Before you embark on your journey, bear in mind these three strategies I will be discussing below.

1. Identify the Local Policies, Culture, and Legal Awareness

I can tell you from personal experience that following your visiting state’s guidelines isn’t as difficult as you may have thought. To speed up your learning process, follow these simple steps highlighted below.

• Tip 1: Visit the country’s official government website for information about the local laws and policies.
• Tip 2: Visit the website of the consulate or embassy of your destination country to confirm if there are any updated legal requirements.
• Tip 3: Connect with the local communities online or through social media groups to help boost your confidence and understand their cultural behavior.
• Tip 4: Visit tourist centers or read the local newspapers to learn about updates that may influence your interaction with the country’s residents.
• Tip 5: If you have a tour guard, take the advantage to ask questions. This may include the community’s dress preferences or any cultural shock you should expect.

2. Know the Best Daylight and Night Terrains

I strongly encourage you to prioritize your safety while visiting a strange land. Limit your visitation to areas or landmarks specifically designed for tourists. For instance, avoid dense terrains but follow natural terrains with visibility, such as clear hiking trails. You may also choose business districts or open city centers. 

The image below depicts an open city area with enough visibility.

Image source: Unsplash

The image below depicts a lone path with less visibility, which poses a threat to a visitor.

Image source: Unsplash

3. Budget Enough Finances

Another mistake you want to avoid is being stuck due to lack of money. You should have enough finances to save you from unplanned and unpleasant situations. 

To help you prepare better, research the cost of living, including average accommodation, transportation, and food prices. You should also include funds for emergencies, such as legal aid. While at it, ensure accurate currency conversion or exchange rates so you don’t end up budgeting below your expenses. 

Remember, as an African visitor, you are prone to harassment, which may lead to theft or loss of monetary items. So, use multiple secure locations to safeguard your money, including hidden pouches and wallets. 

Opting for Friendlier Destinations 

Do you think traveling to Eastern Europe or any other less accommodating countries is far-fetched? Your fear is valid, so if you can’t take the bold step, you may consider some African countries near you. According to research published by the Africa Policy Research Institute, tourism to Africa doubled from 6.7 million visitors in 1990 to 33.8 million in 2012. This shows that Africa is attracting more tourists than in past years.

Even though the tourism industry has less impact on Africa’s development as a whole, countries like Zanzibar have seen more significant growth. 

You can check this article for other developing African countries that have attracted visitors over the years and are likewise accommodating.

Final Thought

Traveling far away from home is an amazing experience, no doubt. Learning about other people’s cultures while sightseeing their beautiful environment is indeed fun. However, you are more safe when you implement the abovementioned strategies. I also encourage you to give yourself a wider shot by exploring your neighboring African countries. 

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