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Africa It may not be the first continent that comes to mind when talking about digital nomad hotspots.
It has a reputation for being underdeveloped, at least among most Americans, and also has more restrictive visa requirements adopted by several African nations; it is currently the least open continent for US passport holders. These factors continue to discourage tourism.
Although short-term tourism has yet to start, perhaps surprisingly, a growing number of nomads and long-term travelers have been traveling to Africa in search of remote work opportunities.
Unlike their counterparts who travel domestically within the United States or only go from one country to another in Europe, digital nomads who are based in Africa seek not only places with a lower cost of living but, in more general, life-changing experiences, and they seem to have their favorites.
These are the Top 5 Destinations for Digital Nomads in North Africa, as verified in a recent study:
The 5 most popular African cities for digital nomads
A study conducted by resume.io has tracked the use of the #digitalnomad hashtag on social media and its engagement in African nations, compiling a total of 25,976 Instagram posts.
In their destination rankings, the data analysts ‘extrapolated’ the estimated number of ‘geotags’ in each post, quantifying how often the community tagged or mentioned a particular place.
It is important to note that this appears to be a limited studyas it focuses exclusively on social media, or more specifically, Instagram posts, and may not reflect the travel preferences and trends of the broader non-Instagram nomadic community, but it does give us an idea of where remote workers are likely to travel. in Africa.
The most popular cities are the following:
5. Hurghada, Egypt
One of Egypt’s trendiest tourist areas, Hurghada is a medium-sized city on the shores of the Red Sea and a popular off-season getaway for Europeans and Americans alike.
with his vibrant nightlifeWhat sets it apart from other more traditional and conservative Egyptian cities, and the year-round warm climate, presents nomads with the lively social scene they normally crave, and the endless hours of sunshine needed to chase away the winter blues.
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Hurghada is incredibly multicultural, home to a large expat community, and particularly favored by beach bums, who flock to its pristine beaches and crystal-clear swimming spots.
Although luxurious beachfront resorts are Hurghada’s main tourist offering, nomads on a budget will find many three-star listings with nightly rates. from just US$18youth hostels and other affordable extended-stay Bed & Breakfast rentals to choose from at booking.com.
Disadvantages: Winters can be mild to warm, but Hurghada can be unbearably hot and dry in summer, when temperatures can easily reach 100 degrees and above, which can be unpleasant for some. Furthermore, the quality of roads and infrastructure beyond the well-developed tourist area is said to be poor.
4. Luxor, Egypt
Egypt, the only country to appear twice on this list, ranks the legendary river port of Luxor at number four.
On the banks of the historic Nile River, it is one of the oldest cities in the worldwith limitless cultural richness, as well as an emerging wellness destination.
It primarily appeals to two subcategories of nomads: history buffs, who are drawn to its incredibly ancient monuments, some dating back to the 16th century BC; a little calm.
Staying in the area, nomads can book overnight stays in five-star resorts for as little as US$51 when they need a bit of seclusion and simply to indulge themselves during their stay in Luxor or to explore the many archaeological complexes in the province.
The most famous, the King’s Valley, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and comprises a series of tombs of pharaohs and nobles carved from limestone and other sedimentary materials. It is where Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered in 1922.
Disadvantages: Nomads residing in Luxor have complained about slow internet speeds, a problem across Egypt in general, hostile attitudes towards openly LGBTQ+ people, and the locals’ lack of English proficiency, which can lead to communication difficulties. .
3. Nairobi, Kenya
Third on the list, Nairobi is the capital of Kenya, an increasingly modern country famous for its sub-Saharan wilderness, wildlife, safari parks and stunning coastline.
Previously ignored by most international resort brands and the travel community, Kenya is cementing its status as a off-road luxury long-term travel hubwith exciting new openings this year, including a JW Marriott safari property and major investments in critical infrastructure.
Nairobi is winning the hearts of remote workers due to its unique urban landscape.
A fast-growing metropolis, it rises out of an untouched African nature reserve: a journey of majestic giraffes grazing against skyscrapers as a backdrop is by no means a strange sight here.
As reported in the study, the number of co-working spaces and cafeterias for travelers « is also increasing », although Nairobi is has not yet been overtaken by the trend towards internationalization observed in other nomadic places. Based here, he will be among the first to discover its many hidden gems.
Disadvantages: Long-term residents have noted that Nairobi can feel « crowded » (it is home to over 4 million people, after all) and is not so sure for women travelers
2.Marrakesh, Morocco
The fourth largest urban concentration in Morocco, Marrakech is nicknamed the ‘red’ jewel of North Africa for the warm and earthy tones of its walls medina – an old Arabic word for fortified city.
Serving as the gateway to the Western Sahara desert and the iconic Atlas Mountains, one of the highest peaks on the entire continent, it is undoubtedly Morocco’s most popular city break and perhaps the best-equipped and most culturally diverse destination in Morocco. she is ready.
Marrakech is made up not only of native Moroccans, but also of large foreign communityliving inside the medina walls, where all the lovely traditional cafes and restaurants or the surprisingly modern ‘new town’ are concentrated.
Some of the top-rated attractions in Marrakech include the Bahia Palace, an imperial residence adorned with colorful tiles, the Mediterranean-style Majorelle Garden, a beautifully manicured garden where you can escape the hot winds and crowded narrow alleyways, medieval madrasahand the historic Koutoubia Mosque.
Disadvantages: Scams and petty crime are very common in Morocco, and as Western tourists are the most prominent, they are advised to maintain a high level of situational awareness and avoid unnecessary interactions with strangers, particularly within the medina.
1. Cape Town
South Africa’s oldest city and its legislative capital, Cape Town tops the list with more impressions on social networks.
Straddling the South Atlantic Sea, it is famous for being an exciting modern city with unparalleled natural attributes, from stretches of golden sand bounded by the blue ocean, interspersed with rugged stretches of coastline, to a mountainous interior.
Two of South Africa’s top attractions can be found here, including Table Mountaina high plateau commanding a breathtaking panorama of Cape Town’s urban sprawl.
From this vantage point, Cape Town is easily recognized by iconic landmarks such as the Cape Town Stadium and the picturesque V&A waterfront, and the deep blue waters of the Atlantic beyond.
It is described as a digital nomad friendly citywith a plethora of co-working spaces and internet cafes, as well as a wide availability of affordable accommodation.
Fortunately for Americans, with increased flight connectivity between the US and South Africa and the removal of pandemic-era border regulations, temporarily moving as a nomad to Cape Town has It has never been so easy.
Disadvantages: Although Cape Town is perceived as more developed than other cities in South Africa, the country as a whole has been experiencing civil unrest in recent months as racial tensions flare up again and power shortage are reported in major urban settlements. Americans residing in South Africa are not encouraged to leave, but should keep abreast of recent events.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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