5 Least Visited Destinations on Cross Border Tours in East Africa.

East Africa has plenty of hidden gems that are off the beaten path. From the breath-taking vegetation, landscapes, wildlife and culture, East Africa is among the most visited places on the African continent. Cross Border Tours in East Africa give you a chance to explore all the popular tourist destinations in various East African countries.

However, there are some places in East Africa that receive very few guests compared to the rest. In this article, we explore them and why they are the least visited.

South Sudan: South Sudan is among the top 10 least visited destinations Africa. Having gained Independence in 2011, it is the youngest country in the entire world.

South Sudan suffered a long and brutal civil war that started in 2013 and ended in 2020. Technically,  a war torn country is never a good destination for  tourists. The country is not ready for tourism, not because of the war, but because there isn’t much to see.

Besides, it is not a safe destination since so many stories of mass corruption, theft, kidnapping, and even murder have been told by those that have visited the country.

However, most tourists travel to the capital, Juba and then take an overnight trip to Mundari cattle camp. A few visit Boma NP in the Easter part of the country on the Ethiopian border.

The country’s road system has a lot to be desired. The roads are in dire state with so many roadblocks (checkpoints) and very violent officers that are not very friendly to foreigners.

Cameras are forbidden in most parts of the country but you can obtain a camera permit to be able to take pictures. There is also no such thing as car hire services although  a few tour companies who arrange trips always have a flight from Juba to Kapoeta on their itinerary meaning self drive is not an option.

Burundi: Home to the Kibira National Park, Burundi receives the least number of visitors in East Africa. This is because of high risks of terrorist attacks which could be discriminative targeting places with foreigners. The Rwanda Burundi border closed in January 2024 because of bilateral tensions but you can fly between Bujumbura and Kigali.

The crime rate in Burundi is high. There is high risk of muggings at gunpoint and knifepoint, bag-snatching, pickpocketing, burglary, car break-ins and armed carjacking.

There are only a small number of paved roads and these are sometimes in poor condition. Road infrastructure generally is poor and roads are frequently blocked or damaged by landslides, especially after heavy rain.

Driving standards are very poor and vehicles are often poorly maintained. Serious accidents are common.

If you’re involved in a car accident it’s unlikely the emergency services will be able to respond quickly or effectively.

Somalia: Home to Some of Africa’s oldest and most beautiful cave paintings found in LaasGeel, just 50km out of Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa, Somali still remains one of the least visited countries in Eastern Africa.

The International Rescue Committee placed Somalia on the Emergency watch list in April 2024 for being at risk of experiencing a worsening humanitarian crisis due to the harsh climate (2021-2023) that sprung the country into severe drought which led to reduced food security for about 7.9 million people.

The drought also  led to death of about ⅓ of the country’s live stock leaving the agricultural secture in tatters. The hygiene and sanitation levels also deteriorated with the reduction in water levels.

Also, Somalia is considered one of the world’s most dangerous countries. It experiences widespread violent crime, including kidnapping and murder, as well as terrorism, civil unrest, and piracy. Most governments advise their citizens against travelling to Somalia because of these risks, unless on humanitarian missions.

DRC: The Democratic Republic of Congo is considered a challenging place to visit especially for leisure purposes. It is home to the Virunga National Park in the Virunga Mountain ranges, a renowned habitat for ⅓ of the world’s mountain gorillas and yet, no one wants to go there. The second largest rainforest; the Congo Basin is also found in Congo but it is still the least explored.

This is because of the political unrest in Congo characterised by unending civil wars and attacks from rebel groups who allegedly hide out in the rain forest. It is also known internationally for poverty and Ebola. The roads in most parts of the country are in poor condition making movements difficult.

Djibouti: This is a tiny country in East Africa and one of the least visited countries in the worldwith only 9 airports in the world offering flights to Djibouti. It is an insanely expensive travel destination; the hotel prices are outrageously high, and individuals tours could cost a fortune. Djibouti offers sensational landscapes, strong cultural heritage, and lakes Abbé and Assal are breath-taking.

The reason why it is often under looked is because the locals are very discriminative to foreigners. Djibouti is a Muslim country and non Muslims are not warmly welcomed. The only foreigners in the country are soldiers, because Djibouti has an important location and therefore provides a navy base for some countries for example for the Americans and French, but also for the Japanese and Chinese. A foreigner who has nothing to do with the military is looked at as a suspect or spy.

The above countries may only be visited if you must but caution is paramount while there. Contact us to know more about Cross Border Tours in East Africa.