Middle East & Africa attractions

There’s more to Africa’s wildlife scene than big game, and you don’t have to get far from Cape Town to discover it. Set in Hout Bay, the World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park provides dynamic habitats for 400 different species. The largest aviary in Africa, the sanctuary is home to 3000 birds and monkeys living in walk-through enclosures.

Nakasero Market has served as one of Kampala’s main trade spots since 1895. The vibrant and often chaotic market offers insight into local life and serves as a stark contrast to the embassies and elite hotels that surround it. Fresh produce can be purchased in the the large outdoor section, while the indoor portion specialises in clothes, machinery, and souvenirs.

Sitting northeast of Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island is one of the city’s emerging tourist and cultural hotspots. Covering 10.5 square miles (27 square kilometers), the low-lying island is characterized by state-of-the-art art cultural centers, 5-star hotels, and white-sand beaches.

On Aug. 7, 1998, terrorists planned simultaneous attacks against American Embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. In Kenya, 218 people were killed in the blast, and thousands more were injured. This serene memorial park and museum is located at the site of the bombing. The site is dedicated to honoring the lives of those killed and supporting peace and reconciliation.

Set in the middle of the Nile River at Aswan, Elephantine Island is home to Nubian villages, a handful of tourist sites, and a landmark hotel. Gorgeous views across the water make this a favorite destination for both sunset sails and strolls, while other visitors make laid-back Elephantine Island a home base for exploring Aswan.

This teeming open-air marketplace in the heart of Kumasi is often called the largest in West Africa. Whether or not that’s been proven, you can see where the description comes from: There are around 12,000 stalls open for business, selling everything from clothes and Ashanti sandals to fresh produce and hand-made beads. But don’t expect an attraction geared toward tourists. This is where locals get their shopping done.

Founded in 1908, Cairo’s Coptic Museum houses one of the world’s biggest collections of Egyptian Christian art. The displays trace the history of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church—one of Christianity’s oldest denominations—and how it was shaped by pharaonic, Roman, and other influences from the second century on.

Experience a natural infinity pool with a dip in Devil’s Pool. Perched on the edge of Victoria Falls, the rock-lined pool lets you swim to the rim of one of the world’s largest waterfalls and watch the cascade thundering below. Accessible on seasonal guided tours, the cliff-side pool is recommended for adrenaline junkies.

Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi’s largest shopping mall, is home to 370 stores and more than 60 dining and entertainment venues. Located on Yas Island on the fringes of the city, it offers everything from designer fashion houses to toy stores, all complemented by restaurants, a state-of-the-art multiplex cinema, and other family amusements.

Experience the magic of Hollywood in the desert at Motiongate Dubai, the largest Hollywood-inspired theme park in the Middle East. Part of Dubai Parks and Resorts, Motiongate features five separate zones, 27 rides, interactive play areas, and plenty of live shows and entertainment inspired by 13 popular Hollywood blockbusters.

The corals of Careless Reef, set in the open waters of the Red Sea about an hour from Hurghada, are flourishing again as it recovers from the crown-of-thorns seastar’s predation. With excellent visibility, shallow pinnacles, and a steep wall with caves and overhangs, it offers something for every diver, including the chance of big pelagics.

Located in the coastal village of Al Bidya, Al Badiyah Mosque (Al Bidyah Mosque) is the oldest standing mosque in the United Arab Emirates. Constructed of stone and mud, it features an unusual design of four irregular-shaped and layered domes. Thought to date from the 1400s, it remains a functioning mosque to this day.

Located on Kampala Hill, the Uganda National Mosque caters to the country’s significant Muslim population and has a capacity of 35,000 worshippers. Completed in 2006, the temple was originally known as the Gaddafi National Mosque and serves as the headquarters for Islam in Uganda. Its 166-foot (65-meter) minaret provides panoramic views of the city.

Nestled in Pretoria, the Kruger Museum honors the life of Paul Kruger, the President of the old Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) during the late 19th century. Built in 1884, this historic home-turned-museum captures the era's essence with original furnishings and Kruger's personal effects, including his impressive State Railway Coach, his medals, and even poems and old letters.

If you're in the mood for a bit of sea, sun, and snorkeling, Blue Bay Marine Park is a great place to start. On the southwestern side of Mauritius, this beautiful area offers white sands, shallow waters, and more than its fair share of colorful sea life, from tropical fish to coral.

Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is home to some of South Africa's fiercest animals—lions, leopards, wild dogs, and even honey badgers. Sitting at the base of the Drakensberg escarpment in Hoedspruit, the center helps travelers understand the plight of endangered species in the bush through education programs and guided tours.

South Africa’s Stellenbosch region is filled with award-winning wineries and Jordan Wine Estate continues the legacy. As a relatively young winery founded in 1993, the estate is known for its bold use of traditional techniques to produce modern flavors. Surrounded by the mountains and lush farmland of Stellenbosch, Jordan Wine Estate is the perfect stop on any tour of South African wine country.

The greatest draw to this small museum housed inside a traditional Asante regalia house is a recreation of the Golden Stool, the seat of power of the lost Asante Kingdom. Visit to find a small but comprehensive collection of historical items relating to Asante royalty and culture, from royal war attire and ceremonial outfits to palace furnishings, jewelry, and insignia.

One of Tanzania's most important areas for archaeological research, the Olduvai Gorge first gained prominence when paleoanthropologists Mary and Louis Leakey discovered evidence of early human species in this area back in the 1930s. It's been an excavation site ever since, and has even been dubbed the “cradle of humankind.”

Few places on earth compare to the Sahara Desert, a natural wonder of sun-baked dunes that dominates the south and east of Morocco. The world’s largest hot desert, the Sahara stretches a staggering 3.6 million square miles (9 million square kilometers) over several countries, with its Moroccan edges some of the most accessible for tourists. The Saharan sands are one of Morocco’s highlights, despite the effort required to see them.

North of Hurghada’s luxury resorts lies the Old Town of El Dahar, where you’ll find the city’s most authentic restaurants and shops. A highlight of the area is a traditional Egyptian souk that’s crammed with shops selling leather, copper, papyrus, spices, and shisha pipes.

One of Mauritius’ Northern Islands, the small and uninhabited Ilot Gabriel (Gabriel Island) offers paradise on an accessible scale. Notable for its white-sand beaches, surrounding coral reef, and crystal-clear waters, it’s a popular place to snorkel, swim, and sunbathe. The island also is a nature reserve, and bird watchers may spy its resident long-tailed seabird, the paille-en-queue.

Opened in 1908, Uganda Museum is among the oldest museums in East Africa. Its five galleries provide an overview of the region’s rich history, from the prehistoric age to the present. Highlights include its collection of folk instruments, its Idi Amin exhibition, and the outdoor village that showcases traditional architecture from across the country.

The Livingstone Museum is more than just an exhibition dedicated to the first European to discover Victoria Falls, it is also a tribute to Zambian heritage. The largest and oldest museum in Zambia, the museum holds important archeological and cultural exhibits focused on local tribes, as well as collections of explorer David Livingstone’s letters and memorabilia

Ramses II was a the longest serving pharaoh in Ancient Egypt, reigning from 1279 BC to 1213 BC, a total of 66 years and 2 months. This made him a very powerful and significant man in history and it's not surprising he left behind so many huge statues of himself. The Ramses II Statue at Giza is the freestanding red granite statue reaching 36 ft (11 m) in height discovered by Giovanni Battista Caviglia in 1820 in Memphis, the ruined ancient capital city. It was broken into 6 pieces but in 1955 Egyptian President Nasser had it restored and installed in Cairo at Ramses Square. Pollution took its toll on the 3,200 year old sculpture however and in 2006 it was moved to Giza where it will be installed in the new Grand Egyptian Museum when that opens in 2020. Other statues of Ramses II are found at Abu Simbel and Luxor. The British Museum also has one which was found at Thebes. Please note The Ramses II Statue was moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum in 2018. The Grand Egyptian Museum is currently scheduled to open in late 2020.

The Carlton Centre is a 50-story, four-blocks-long skyscraper in downtown Johannesburg, and at 732-feet (223-meters tall, it's one of the tallest buildings in Africa. This towering structure is also known as a shopping destination and it offers unparalleled roof-top views of the South African capital city.

As the burial site of four Buganda kings, the UNESCO-listed Kasubi Tombs hold important cultural and spiritual significance in Uganda. The main Muzibu Azaala Mpanga structure is made from organic materials and marks the central point of the site, which sprawls across Kasubi Hill.

Located at the gateway between the historic Old Medina and the new Casablanca built during the 20th-century French rule, United Nations Place is the city’s busiest public squares. The futuristic steel lattice cupola, designed by jean Francois Zevaco, marks the pedestrian underpass, where the city’s principal boulevards intersect.

A masterpiece of Islamic architecture, surrounded by picturesque orange groves and elaborate water features, the Royal Palace of Casablanca is a suitably grand abode for the King of Morocco when he’s in town. Located in the Habous Quarter of the city’s New Medina, this is the King’s principal Casablancan residence and throughout the year hosts royal receptions.

Carved into the Al Hajar Mountains under Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest peak, Wadi Ghul (also called Wadi Nakhr) is a wonder of nature. Reaching 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) high, which makes it the world’s second deepest after Arizona’s Grand Canyon, this epic gorge more than earns its nickname of “Oman’s Grand Canyon.”