Middle East & Africa attractions

The Apartheid Museum details the injustice, cruelty, and absurdities of white minority rule in South Africa. Apartheid, meaning “separateness” in Afrikaans, was officially in effect from 1948 to 1994, though segregation had been a cornerstone of South African politics since the country’s inception. The museum is dedicated to helping South Africa overcome its oppressive past and look toward the future.

Few places epitomize old Dubai better than Dubai Creek. Winding inland from the coast for about 9 miles (14 kilometers) between historic Deira and Bur Dubai, this natural saltwater creek sparked the growth of the original city’s maritime trades. Today, its banks lead to bustling souks, wind towers, mosques, and Asian and Arabian eateries, while its waters buzz with wooden dhows and abras (taxi boats). To experience the authentic Dubai, it’s your first and best port of call.

Known for its rich wildlife, Lake Naivasha is a nature lover’s paradise not far from the Kenyan capital. Situated at around 6,181 feet (1,884 meters) high in the Rift Valley ridge, the lake is home to hippos, exotic birds, and wetland flora, while its fresh water draws all manner of grazers, including zebras, giraffes, and buffalo.

Considered the original pyramid and the world’s earliest stone monument, the Pyramid of Djoser (Step Pyramid) is a highlight of any trip to Saqqara. Built in 2650 BC, it still stands proud over Saqqara, surrounded by the remains of ritual buildings.

On Luxor’s West Bank, Ramses III built his magnificent mortuary temple with intricate relief carvings and shrines. With its wonderfully preserved art, Medinet Habu represents the pharaoh's royal legacy and is among Luxor’s most important ancient sites. Images of hunting trips, prisoner executions, and battles with the Sea Peoples offer a window into ancient history.

The Colossus of Ramses II is the showpiece sight at the Memphis Museum, located in Mit Rahinah, just south of Cairo. The open-air museum stands on the site of Memphis, a onetime capital of ancient Egypt, and displays the enormous reclining statue of Ramses inside a 2-story hall, together with a large number of other sculptures throughout its grounds.

Located south of Dubai Creek, Bur Dubai is one of Dubai’s oldest districts, with a traditional atmosphere to match. Extending from Al Raffa in the west to Al Jaddaf in the east, it’s home to an array of sights, from the Bastakia Quarter—also called the Al Fahidi Historic District—to souks, parks, and several top museums.

Built from white sandstone and crowned with a central dome and two towering minarets, Jumeirah Mosque is Dubai's main place of worship and arguably one of the most beautiful mosques in the United Arab Emirates. Aside from being an extremely popular photography site in Dubai, the landmark is also notable in that it's the only mosque in the city open to non-Muslim visitors—an excellent way to gain a deeper understanding of Islam and its traditions.

Standing at around 2,680 feet (817 meters) above sea level, Mt. Nebo is an important Judeo-Christian pilgrimage site. Moses first saw the Holy Land from the summit and may have later died here. While it's of particular interest to history buffs, it's also great for its views—on clear days it's possible to see the Dead Sea from here.

Set inside Al Fahidi Fort, the Dubai Museum recounts the Emirates’ history up until the oil boom, which forever altered its skyline. Dioramas and artifacts convey what daily life was like for Dubai’s earliest communities, while life-sized re-creations of the city’s early souks and wharfs bring the past to life.

Located in the lush highlands of southwestern Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of only three places where you can encounter critically endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. The protected forest reserve not only shelters half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, but is also home to 120 mammal species, several hundred bird species, and more than 150 types of trees.

The most accessible of the Western Desert oases, Bahariya Oasis, and its main town Bawiti offer a wealth of travel riches. Savor ancient Egyptian tombs, golden mummies, Bedouin culture, rolling dunes, the scorched-looking Black Desert, and the sculptural White Desert, or set out on an epic drive along a historic caravan route.

Cairo is known as the "city of a thousand minarets," and that's reflected in its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A journey into Islamic Cairo is a journey into the city’s past, from Fustat, Egypt’s first Muslim capital, to the 1,000-year-old walled city, the Cairo Citadel, founded by 12th-century leader Saladin, and beyond.

The first national park in the United Arab Emirates, the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) offers visitors a stunning landscape of sand dunes and desert fauna. The reserve is a must-visit for adventure travelers and outdoor enthusiasts, with its rolling dunes setting the scene for fat bike riding, dune buggy trips, camel trekking, sandboarding, and falcon demonstrations.

Vivid wall paintings keep watch over the Tomb of Tutankhamun, where King Tutankhamun’s linen-wrapped mummy is preserved in a glass case. While most of Tut’s treasures are on display at the National Museum in Cairo, visit the tomb to see where the young king’s body lay for thousands of years.

The centerpiece of the Kom al Dikka archaeological site, Alexandria’s Roman amphitheater extends in 13 tiers of white-marble seating. Built in the second century AD with space for 800 citizens, it’s the only known Roman theater in Egypt and housed political demonstrations and wrestling matches as well as drama.

Part of Dubai’s luxe Madinat Jumeirah resort, the Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a modern re-creation of a traditional Arabian souk, with an upscale touch. In place of higgledy-piggledy stalls, a web of alleyways echoes a classic bazaar filled with boutiques, souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafés.

Opened in 2017, the Louvre Abu Dhabi stands on Saadiyat Island near central Abu Dhabi. A collaboration between the United Arab Emirates and France, this museum’s stunning, filigreed metal dome draws visitors in to view a collection of artworks and artifacts designed to chart the story of the world’s civilizations.

Towering 13,751 feet (4,191 meters) above sea level, Mount Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains is the highest peak in all of northern Africa. The trail up the mountain to the summit is more of a long, very steep stroll than a technical climb (no ropes or special equipment are needed), takes two to three days, and is accessible all year round.

Constructed by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur during the 16th century, the Saadian Tombs (Tombeaux Saadiens) are home to more than 200 crypts belonging to members of the Saadian dynasty. The magnificent mausoleums are renowned for their lavish design, featuring stunning zellige tiles, exquisite woodwork, and gold and marble embellishments.

Narrow lanes are lined with gardens and brightly painted houses in the villages of Siou and Koti on Elephantine Island. Trails link the two communities, where Arabic blends with the sounds of the Nubian language. In between the colorful homes, find locals offering souvenirs, henna tattoos, mint tea, and photo ops with captive crocodiles.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya), on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, represents the largest sheet of waterfalls in the world, though not the widest or tallest. Dr. David Livingston named the falls after the Queen of England, but the Batonga people had already named them Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders). On a clear day, you can see the mist generated by the falls from up to 30 miles (48 kilometers) away.

The ancient winding streets of Jerusalem’s Old City house some of the world’s most sacred religious sites for Jews, Muslims, and Christians, including the Temple Mount, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Via Dolorosa, Dome of the Rock, and the Western Wall. Plus, each of the district’s four quarters has a unique character well worth experiencing.

In the heart of Old Cairo, the ornately decorated Ben Ezra Synagogue boasts a history dating back to the ninth century. Many of its original treasures—from carvings to documents—are held in museums around the world, but marble columns, rich woodwork, and unusual details such as lotus flowers pay tribute to the Jewish community’s long history in Cairo.

Fringing northwest Marrakech, the Palmeraie (Palm Grove is the city’s favorite recreational area and most upscale vacation and residential enclave. A refuge from the bustling Medina and Jemaa el-Fna, the oasis comprises 54 square miles (140 square kilometers edged with prestigious hotels and villas.

The rugged buttresses of the Twelve Apostles mountains back the white-sand sweep of Camps Bay Beach, making Camps Bay one of Cape Town’s fanciest suburbs—and a popular weekend getaway. Sun, sea, sand, food, and drink are the main attractions here, but you can also cycle the beachfront or hike up to Table Mountain or Lion’s Head.

Jumeirah Beach is Dubai’s main beach: a 13-mile (21-kilometer) ribbon of sugar-soft sand and azure Gulf water. Jumeirah is divided into sections, including the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) beach and Kite Beach, which are interrupted by private beaches associated with hotels, such as the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab. The public stretches of beach offer perfect escapes from Dubai’s urban jungle. People flock here to sunbathe, swim, take boat trips, and participate in water sports, as well as relax in the parks, restaurants, and malls along its sands.

The Nelson Mandela National Museum (Mandela House), is dedicated to the preservation of the history, heritage, and legacy of the Mandela family. Former South African president Nelson Mandela and his family lived in this Johannesburg house from 1946 to the 1990s before dedicating it to the Soweto Heritage Trust.

Sheikh Zayed Road is Dubai’s main artery and carves through the city north to south, parallel to the coast, before continuing to neighboring Abu Dhabi. Extending for a total of 346 miles (558 kilometers), it’s best-known for the skyscrapers along its central Dubai section—creating a scene reminiscent of a sci-fi movie.

One of the oldest markets in the city of Doha, Souq Waqif is a covered market place with stalls selling everything from textiles, clothing, and spices. The souq is located in Al Souq in the heart of central Doha, and is housed inside the 19th-century building that’s been renovated for modern use.