The Temples of Wadi al-Sebua, moved from their original location when the Aswan High Dam created Lake Nasser, are part of the Nubian Monuments UNESCO World Heritage Site. The desert sands host three temples: the main Temple of Ramses II, with its avenue of sphinxes, and the much younger Temple of Dakka and Temple of Maharraqa.
Learn about Accra’s past and its dark history at James Fort, located in the Jamestown district. The fort was originally established in the 1600s by the Royal African Company of England to serve as a trading post for gold and slaves. It then transitioned into a prison until its closure in 2008. Today, the building is a tourist attraction and a historical site.
Roça Água Izé is a plantation site, which was one of the key plantations (roças) that launched São Tomé and Príncipe’s cocoa trade industry. Here, cocoa is still farmed, although on a much smaller scale than in the past. Visitors can explore the old buildings and learn about São Tomé’s cocoa production legacy.
In the heart of Tetouan, not far from the Royal Palace, sits Feddan Park—a place for people to gather in a relaxed environment. Destroyed years ago when the Royal Palace was being built, it was rebuilt by popular demand. There’s a café nearby, so visitors can grab a tea, coffee, or cold drink and hang out with friends.
As you venture out to the Saharan town of Merzouga, surrounded by vast sandy desert and sweeping dunes, flamingos are probably far from your list of possible wildlife sightings. But in the winter, bird-watchers flock to the seasonal saltwater lake of Dayet Sriji just west of Merzouga to spot pink flamingos and other migratory birds.
One of Oman’s oldest souks, Nizwa Souk (Nizwa Souq) neighbors Nizwa Fort in the heart of the former capital, and serves as a market and meeting place for locals from across the region. Comprising a main hall and outbuildings crammed with food, sweet, and handicraft stalls, the souk provides a fascinating window into local life and rich pickings for souvenir hunters.
Situated in Ethiopia's Rift Valley, a few hours' drive south of Addis Ababa, Abijatta-Shalla National Park is an expansive national park containing two lakes: Salla and Abijatta. It's a fantastic place for wildlife spotting—particularly if you're fond of birds—and provides a refuge to ostriches, pelicans, flamingos, storks, and the occasional monkey.
Located on the northern fringes of Fujairah city center, Fujairah Museum offers a rare insight into the region’s ancient and modern history. Set in a crenelated, ochre-stone building, this old-school museum exhibits everything from prehistoric treasures unearthed at local archaeological sites to dioramas of traditional Emirati life and customs.
Praia das Sete Ondas translates as “beach of the seven waves”, and this remote nature spot is the perfect place to escape the crowds. Here, you can stroll along the sandy strip, try out surfing—board rentals are available—or stop for a meal at the popular beachside restaurant. Surrounded by lush green landscapes and palm trees, it’s an idyllic location to relax and connect with nature.
Wild animals roam lush gardens surrounding this Lake Naivasha lodge, the former home of conservationists Joy and George Adamson. Flame trees bloom in brilliant colors, while troops of colobus monkeys can often be spotted on the lawn. Elsamere is also a popular stop on day trips from Nairobi, and overnight stays are an option.
Set in the Zambezi River just above Victoria Falls, Livingstone Island is the place where 18th-century explorer David Livingstone first spotted what is now known as the largest sheet of falling water in the world. You can view the falls from this same unique vantage point on a guided tour that melds history, sightseeing, and adrenaline.
With its octagonal minaret stretching free of the surrounding rooftops, and staircases leading up to its entrance from Place Outa el Hammam, the Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen is a landmark that’s hard to overlook. Unlike the rest of the city, this 15th-century mosque is not coated in blue paint, but rather a more modest combination of white and earthen brown.
The Rustar, a traditional wooden dhow vessel, offers dining, entertainment, and views of the city during its cruises along the Dubai Creek. Equally popular with couples looking for a romantic setting as it is with families, the Rustar Floating Restaurant has all the luxuries of a five-star establishment with an international buffet-style dinner featuring an array of dishes.
In the eastern part of Arusha National Park in Tanzania, the Momella Lakes are a set of alkaline lakes that were formed from Mount Meru's eruption thousands of years ago. They're a great place for wildlife watching, and you'll likely spot plenty of flamingos if you come to these shores.
Billed as the world’s largest year-round inflatable water park, AquaFun Waterpark in Dubai stretches for 253 feet (77 meters) along the Persian Gulf waters of the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) neighborhood. Water-loving kids and adults come to splash and tumble over its inflatable obstacles, and play on its big bouncy castle, wobbly bridges, trampolines, and slides.
Gambia’s—and Banjul’s—biggest market, the Albert Market is a high-energy dive into West African life. An arts and crafts section caters to visiting travelers, whereas the colorful food zone serves up fresh produce to locals. Meanwhile, in the dry goods section, you’ll find everything from clothing to electronics.
In the city of Awasa, located in the Oromia region of the Great Rift Valley, the Fish Market at Hawassa Lake is a great place to visit if you want to get a feel for life in this lakefront area. There are shack-style restaurants serving up coffee, beer, and, of course, fresh fish.
During World War II, French-controlled Tunisia became a backdrop for military campaigns. Nazi Germany and Italy fought the Allied Powers, and it was feared that they would invade Tunisia. The Mareth Line refers to the fortifications constructed to protect the country in the 1930s. Today, the Military Museum of Mareth Line explains the historical background and displays bunkers, trenches, military uniforms, and artillery.
The Archaeological Museum of Tetouan takes you back over a century, allowing you to explore artifacts, tools, ceramics, and stone inscriptions—some of the pieces are pre-Islamic. Most of the articles are from Northern Morocco and ancient Tetouan, which was destroyed by Romans in a revolt. There’s also an extensive library to explore.
The Accra Mall is the first large-scale mall in Ghana. Step off the busy streets and into this air-conditioned oasis, where you’ll find a mix of local, regional, and international retailers. Make a day of it by grabbing a bite at the food court and catching a show at one of Ghana’s only multiplex theaters.
Porto Alegre—which translates as “happy port”—is a village in the south of São Tomé. With a small population and a secluded setting, people come here to discover rural life and see former plantations, such as Roça de Porto Alegre, which dates back to 1890. It’s also visited as a gateway to Ilhéu das Rolas, home to the equator monument.
Photogenic spots among the wall-to-wall azure streets of Chefchaouen Medina aren’t hard to find, and yet Callejon El Asri remains one of the city’s most popular. Vibrant flower pots of every color—but blue—adorn this narrow stairway to create a vivid scene that’s only enhanced by the further layers of the dense medina visible up the hill.
Part of Aqua Park City, the Aqua Blu Water Park (also known as Aqua Blu Aqua Park is one of Sharm el Sheikh’s biggest water parks. More than 60 different slides and games offer something for everyone—from freefall, high-speed, and kamikaze slides through to a little kids’ zone and even rides for infants.
Tucked below the UAE’s highest mountain, Jebel Hafit, on the outskirts of Al Ain, Wadi Adventure—also called Al Ain Adventure—is the Middle East’s first purpose-built water adventure park. Near Jebel Hafit’s natural hot springs, it offers a host of outdoor aquatic sports and family-friendly fun, from white-water rafting to ziplining and aerial ropes.
The red stone crenellations of Duwisib Castle stand out against the brilliant blue sky of the Namibian desert, making for a dramatic scene. Despite the castle’s medieval appearance, it was only built in 1909 to serve as the residence of a German military officer. Today, it operates as a national monument and museum.
Ga-Mashie (also known as Old Accra) is the vibrant heartland of Ghana's Ga community, the original settlers of the city. Rich in cultural heritage, Ga-Mashie showcases colonial-era architecture and fishing villages along the Densu River and Chemmu Lagoon. You can learn about local culture and traditions by watching artisans practice net weaving and canoe hollowing.
Keep the kids entertained—and educated—at Children’s City in Dubai. Designed for families and school groups, this attraction encourages kids between 2 and 15 years old to explore, play, discover, and learn about the world around them. From science to nature to space, the exhibits include a planetarium, theater, and a toddler-designated area.
Built in 1991 and revamped twice since, the BurJuman is one of Dubai’s oldest shopping malls but still popular for its ultraconvenient location in Bur Dubai, just south of Dubai Creek. Extending across four levels, the mall offers luxury and speciality stores, restaurants, and entertainments for all tastes.
The lush greenery of Victoria Falls is on full display in this private game reserve, where endangered black rhinos, sable antelope, and other members of the Big Five roam. Accompanied by your guide, you can follow the path of the Masuwe River and discover a diverse ecosystem teeming with life.
A short drive from Nairobi will take you to Paradise Lost, a nature park that feels like it's worlds away. Situated on a coffee farm, the park features caves, a waterfall, and a lake, plus activities such as ziplining and horseback riding.
