Middle East & Africa attractions

South Africa’s Swartland region is known for its wineries, yet it is far less visited than the more celebrated Cape Winelands. With its largely dry growing conditions, Swartland produces some of the best wines in the country and boasts stunning scenery dotted with golden wheat fields, olive groves, vineyards, and mountains.

One of the largest markets on the island, Mwanakwerekwe Market is a great place to go if you want a less-touristed alternative to Stone Town's Daranji Market. Here you'll find all the typical food market staples, including meat, produce, and grains, along with a selection of clothing, crafts, and home goods.

Founded in 2001, Amani Centre for Street Children provides housing, food, medical care, and education to houseless Tanzanian children. Amani welcomes volunteers for short- and long-term projects, and many travelers donate a few days of their time to give back to the community.

Often touted as the largest open-air market in sub-Saharan Africa, Merkato in Addis Ababa feels more like a city than simply a market. It’s spread over multiple blocks, with vendors galore selling everything from automotive parts to unroasted coffee to flowy shawls.

Immerse yourself in the culture and flavors of India—without leaving Durban—on a stroll through the city’s Indian Quarter. Home to the highest population of Indians outside of the subcontinent itself, Durban is known for its authentic Indian food and heritage. The Indian Quarter is where you can find cultural landmarks such as the Juma Mosque and Victoria Street Market.

A thin strip of water separates Bojo Beach from the bustling streets of Accra, but this quiet coastal area feels a world away. Bojo Beach is relatively undeveloped but has everything you need for a perfect beach day—and a break from city crowds. You can access the private beach, a restaurant, lounge chairs, and shaded tables on the shore for a small fee.

In the hilly northern outskirts of Addis Ababa, Gullele Botanical Gardens is a fantastic place to get some fresh air--and do some hiking. Expect lush vegetation, plenty of birds, and fantastic views of the Ethiopian capital.

Just west of Muscat on Oman’s north coast, the once-important port of Barka is now a low-key town of fishing communities, residential estates, shopping marts, and industrial compounds. In addition to the 17th-century seafront Barka Fort, it’s home to a buzzing fish market and a couple of interesting historical and scenic sights.

Bantama High Street in Kumasi, Ghana's second-largest city, is renowned for its vibrant nightlife. Especially lively from Thursdays to Sundays, this bustling street is lined with open-air pubs where people gather to enjoy drinks and kebabs. A no-frills, down-to-earth destination, the street offers a taste of authentic Ghanaian nightlife.

On the outskirts of Marangu, Mshiri Village is an excellent spot for travelers to learn about the indigenous Chagga people of the area. While many people just pass through on their way to hike nearby Kilimanjaro, it's worth sticking around for a while to learn about the cultural and culinary traditions of the region.

A rugged, dry tableland in the Western Cape, the Little Karoo (Klein Karoo) offers caves, vineyards, meerkats, ostriches, and unspoiled wilderness—not to mention a scenic journey from the Cape Town area to the Garden Route. Highlights include the Cango Caves, the Swartberg Pass, and the ostrich-farming town of Oudtshoorn.

Located near the Nile–side city of Sohag, the Red Monastery is one of Egypt’s most important Christian buildings. Dating back to the 4th century, the highlight of this semi-crumbled Coptic complex is the Church of Anba Bishai and Bigol, which glimmers with frescoes offering a rare glimpse into Egypt’s early Byzantine age.

For a taste of the African rainforest while in Ghana, plan a trip to the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary outside of Kumasi. The five-square-mile (13-square-kilometer) swath of secondary forest surrounds a sizable reservoir and attracts a variety of wildlife, most notably some 160 species of birds. Many of the mammal species, like antelope that live in the sanctuary, are shy and difficult to spot, but monkey sightings are quite common. From a historical perspective, the sanctuary is of interest because its reservoir, formed by the construction of the Barekese Dam in 1971, is the source of Kumasi’s water. Whether you come for the wildlife, the scenic appeal or to see the source of Kumasi’s water, the sanctuary makes for a pleasant escape from the often overwhelming clamor of Kumasi.

Bordering Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, Nashulai Maasai Conservancy is a truly sustainable safari destination that protects elephants, lions, giraffes, cheetahs, and more—without conflicting with the Indigenous Maasai people. Local Maasai own and run Nashulai, working to restore the ecosystem, sequester carbon, reduce poverty, preserve tradition, and enhance women’s rights.

The RestHouse Dead Sea is an ideal spot from which to explore the lowest point on earth. Offering access to Jordan’s public Amman Beach, it’s the most affordable way to experience the unique sensation of floating in the Dead Sea’s ultra-salty waters. After a sea dip, take a swim in the resort pools or bathe in the mineral-rich black mud.

The first palace built by King Abdullah I of Jordan, Raghadan Palace features an ornate Islamic architectural style. Located within the Royal Court Compound of Al-Maquar, and formerly the royal family's residence, the palace is used today for state functions.

Founded in 2007 by a trio of young Congolese refugees living in Uganda, the Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID) in Kampala is a registered NGO that seeks to aid refugees, asylum seekers, and people who have been displaced by conflict. Each year, YARID serves over 4,000 individuals who primarily are from Africa’s Great Lakes region (Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi) but also come from other East African countries, including Ethiopia and South Sudan.

Located near Lake Nakuru in Kenya’s stunning Great Rift Valley, Hyrax Hill Historic Site is a prehistoric archaeological site and museum containing artifacts predating the Iron Age. While the area is arguably more famous for its animals, such as pink flamingos and white and black rhinos, this small museum, boasting the remains of a Neolithic settlement, testifies to the region’s staggering human history.