Middle East & Africa attractions

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.”

Established in 1849, Africa’s oldest botanic gardens spread across 37 acres. With winding paths, manicured lawns, and a diverse array of flora, the spot is a green oasis just outside the city. You’ll find treasures, including the Orchid House–home to more than 8,000 plants–and the Butterfly Garden, which highlights species native to KwaZulu-Natal.

Built in 1885, Kabaka's Palace (Lubiri) is the historic official residence of the Buganda king. Following a 1966 military coup, the palace’s subterranean storage tunnels were used to incarcerate political prisoners. Although the palace’s classic facade has been restored, chilling reminders of the Idi Amin dictatorship remain in the grounds.

The rocky shores of Cape Cross seem to be constantly moving–this long stretch of Atlantic coastline is home to thousands of Cape Fur seals who spend their days playing, fighting, and lazing on the rocks. The nature reserve teems with diverse life; apart from the seals, you might spot jackals, flamingos, and other bird life.

The Bois Cheri Plantation has been producing tea in southern Mauritius since 1892. Spread out over around 617 acres (250 hectares), the plantation comprises fields, a production facility, and a museum where visitors can learn about tea from the source.

A mountain pass in South Africa’s Western Cape, Sir Lowry’s Pass winds through the Hottentots Hollands Mountains on the N2 highway that links Cape Town and the Garden Route. It offers spectacular views back towards Cape Town, up towards paragliders (in season), and over into the lush landscapes of rural Elgin.

The first on the African continent, the Cairo Opera House was built in 1869 as the Khedivial (Royal) Opera House, opening with a performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto. While the original building burned down in 1971, the structure that took its place continues the operatic tradition.

Muttrah is an enchanting district and former fishing village situated in Oman’s Muscat province. It is known as one of the country’s busiest commercial hubs, thanks to its bustling sea port and Muttrah Souq—a traditional bazaar (and one of the oldest marketplaces in the world) that has been operating since the age of sail.

Sun-worshiping crowds give way to energetic nightlife when the sun sets at Na’ama Bay, where resorts, clubs, and bars share Sharm el Sheikh’s most happening shorefront. Whether you’re exploring the undersea world, hopping a ride on a parasail, or keeping the party going back on land, there’s plenty of fun to be had here.

The City of David National Park is known as the birthplace of Jerusalem, and it holds some of the oldest and most historically significant sites in Israel, predating the adjacent Old City of Jerusalem. Get swept back in time as you explore archeological exhibits, underground tunnels, and biblical sites dating back more than 3,000 years.

The Gospel of John tells that Jesus healed a paralysed man at the Pool of Bethesda. Many Christians and some archaeologists believe these ancient baths, on the grounds of the 12th-century Church of St. Anne, are the biblical Bethesda pools. Topped by the remains of a Byzantine basilica, the ruins are atmospheric but no water remains.

Dating back to the early 8th century, this imposing desert ruin in eastern Jordan offers a remarkable glimpse of early Islamic architecture under the Umayyad Caliphate, the first Muslim dynasty. Easily reachable as a day trip from Amman, it remains a popular (and famously photogenic) stop for tourists and photographers in combination with nearby Qasr Amra and Qasr al Alzraq.

Khayelitsha is thought to be not only the largest township in South Africa but also one of the fastest growing. Founded during apartheid in 1985, the township is now known for its thriving community projects, local restaurants, markets, street art, music, and entrepreneurial spirit. Visitors come here for guided tours, where they can learn more about its complex history and what everyday life is like in the township, while also supporting local businesses.

The largest privately owned museum in Namibia is a treasure trove for curious travelers. With displays exploring geology, zoology, archeology, and modern culture, the Swakopmund Museum takes a “little bit of everything” approach to heritage, which makes it a local favorite as well as an essential stop for Swakopmund visitors.

The Royal Automobile Museum is a permanent showcase for 80 of King Hussein’s private vehicles—the only one of its kind in the Arab world. You’ll find everything from vintage Rolls-Royces and sportscars to motorcycles and racing cars, some dating back to 1909. The museum uses the collection to illustrate modern Jordanian history and revisit critical events from the king’s 47-year reign.

Built in the seventh century, the Dome of the Rock is one of the most famous Muslim shrines in the world. The iconic gilded wooden dome and ornate octagonal base marks the location where the Prophet Muhammad was believed to have ascended to heaven. Located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City, the shrine is also home to the Foundation Stone and is an important holy site.

Although most famous for being the source of the Nile River, Lake Victoria also boasts the title of the world’s largest tropical lake. Despite its diverse species, scenic shores, and vital role in local industries, much of the African Great Lake remains off-the-beaten-track, making it the ideal getaway from Uganda’s bustling cities.

Situated close to the Roman Theater, the Petra Royal Tombs are carved dramatically into the cliffs above the city, and their facades reveal many Roman and ancient Greek influences. Notable tombs include the vast Urn Tomb, later used as a church, the three-story Palace Tomb, and the Silk Tomb, with its natural swirls of color.

Once the private home of a British doctor and army officer John Gayer-Anderson, the Gayer-Anderson Museum is an outstanding example of 17th-century Cairo domestic architecture. Nestled against the wall of the Ibn Tulun Mosque in the heart of Islamic Cairo, it houses Gayer-Anderson’s spectacular collection of Islamic decor and artifacts.

Renowned for its historical, religious, and architectural significance, the Church of St. Anne is recognized as the best-preserved Crusader church in Jerusalem and the birthplace of the Virgin Mary. Located in the Old City of Jerusalem near the Temple Mount, the fortress attracts religious pilgrims along with visitors intrigued by the building’s unique acoustics and adjacent Bethesda Pools.

Dominus Flevit Church is a small Franciscan church located halfway up the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. While the building only dates back to 1955, the site contains the ruins of a 5th-century Byzantine church and necropolis (you can still see the ancient structure’s mosaic floor and tombs.) The church is also known for its panoramic view overlooking the Temple Mount.

About 5 miles (8 kilometers) off the coast of Gansbaai, a town in South Africa's Western Cape, Dyer Island is a bird sanctuary closed to the public. It was originally called Ilha de Fera, Portuguese for “Island of Wild Creatures,” which makes sense given that the island is home to hundreds of African penguins.

Bordering Al Ain’s UNESCO-listed Oasis in the city center, the Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum—or Al Ain Palace Museum, as it’s also known—occupies the former home of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founder. Turned into a museum in 2001, the decorous setting provides a glimpse into his life and local culture up until the 1960s.

Set in the Eastern Arc Mountains, Udzungwa Mountains National Park has a remarkably high concentration of endemic plants and animals, from Iringa red colobus primates to Udzungwa Forest partridges. It's also home to a number of waterfalls, including the Sanje Waterfall, the largest fall in the Tanzanian National Parks system.

The Harties Aerial Cableway transports visitors to a mountaintop viewing platform and activity area and offers panoramic views of the Magaliesberg mountains and Hartebeespoort Dam. Located just 50 miles (80 kilometers) outside of Johannesburg, the gondola offers an experience similar to a trip to Cape Town’s Table Mountain.

Among the largest of Tanzania's many national parks, Mikumi National Park is an excellent place for a safari, owing to its size and proximity to Dar es Salaam. All sorts of creatures live here, including elands, wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, lions, baboons, and over 400 bird species.

Despite the name, Mahmya Island is not actually an island: it’s one section of Big Giftun Island in the Giftun Islands, off Hurghada’s Red Sea coast. Lounge on the sandy beaches; snorkel the coral reef from the beach or a boat; rent a “Sea-Spi’ glass-bottom watercraft; or eat and drink at the restaurants.

The Moses Mabhida Stadium, built to host the 2010 World Cup games, is one of the country’s top sport and concert venues. Its modern architecture and massive arch set it apart on the Durban waterfront. Overlook the city from a viewing platform at the top of the arch and push your limits on the world’s largest stadium swing.

On the west bank of the Nile, facing Aswan, 7th-century St. Simeon Monastery looks more like a fortress than a place of worship. Also known as Anba Hatre, the brick-and-stone structure has been abandoned since the 13th century. From the church to the monks’ cells, it paints an atmospheric picture of monastic life in the ancient world.

Far more than just a home to archives and public records, the National Archives in Nairobi also exhibit everything from traditional art to stamps, weapons, and photography. Visitors can explore the small on-site museum, spend a quiet hour paging through a newspaper, or check out the archives’ collection of rare books from across Africa.