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.
