While many people in the West often confuse the second largest continent in the world as being a single country, Africa comprises 54 different countries. This continent with its diverse population, customs, and beautiful landscapes is said to be the first inhabited place on the earth by humans. Modern man is believed to have had his origins somewhere between Ethiopia and Kenya in East Africa. Many parts of the continent bear a strong testament to this belief with people in the rural areas following age-old traditions, ancient rituals, and customs, like a land frozen in time. However, North Africa is also home to one of the most advanced ancient civilizations, that of ancient Egypt. African cities like Cape Town, Addis Ababa and Nairobi have embraced development and taken giant strides towards a better future.
Besides the diversity of its people, Africa is also a land of superlatives having the world’s longest river, the Nile, running from Burundi to Egypt, and the world’s largest desert, the Sahara as well as the tallest free-standing mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Various animal species are found in this vast expanse of land which is renowned for its safaris. From Kenya’s Masai Mara to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and Kruger National Park in South Africa, there is no dearth of safaris to entice the wide-eyed traveler.
We had several wonderful trips in South Africa, this large iconic country that is full of nature and wildlife. We visited different cities, but Durban, the third most populous city there, won our hearts. Durban is a coastal city, so we can easily find hotels overlooking the waters with breathtaking views. We found different options,…
Knysna, pronounced ‘ny-znah,’ is the most famous town on South Africa’s famed Garden Route. Overlooking the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, we were excited to explore Knysna, which is all about tranquil lagoons, ancient forests, and a sparkling coastline. But our most compelling reason to come to this 18th-century gold rush town is that,…
Marrakech is one of the biggest and busiest cities in Morocco. With so many historical and interesting sites, it’s no wonder that Marrakech is a tourist go-to vacation destination. And since you’ve stumbled upon this article, you’re probably one of the people who would love to visit Marrakech. Before you plan your Marrakech itinerary, why…
As the largest city in Nigeria, Lagos makes an all-rounder tourist destination. The city’s also the economic powerhouse to the country thanks to an influx of oil money. As the city resides by the beach and is swarmed by art and history centers, visitors and tourists alike can do a plethora of activities, whether it’s…
Hundreds of miles east of Southern Africa and across the Mozambique Channel lies the renowned island of Madagascar. It’s best known for its cute lemurs, towering baobab trees, colorful chameleons, and vast rainforests. Besides the phenomenal biodiversity and stunning natural landscape, the idyllic Indian ocean beaches are also great for some relaxation too, making Madagascar…
If you’re planning to visit Cairo, you should definitely spend a few nights in Giza. It’s the third-largest city in Egypt, located near River Nile, and is famous for its historical landmarks. Well, in case you don’t know, Giza has many royal Egyptian mortuaries and sacred structures. They include the Great Sphinx, the Great Pyramid…
The energetic and ever-changing Johannesburg, or Jo’burg or Jozi has finally veered out from the shadows of South Africa’s Cape Town. The sprawling, well-planned city is brimming with boutique shopping experiences, sleek modern architecture, and Pan-African dining experiences. The title of ‘gay capital’ might belong to Cape Town, but Johannesburg is no less gay friendly.…
Looking for the next destination to explore? It’s time for you to visit Cape Town. It’s the second-most populous city in South Africa and arguably one of the most beautiful places on Earth. You should visit this city at least once in your life. Besides its iconic Table Mountain, you’ll be able to witness the…
Cairo is beauty at its best. Words cannot describe this place. Also called the “Mother of the World”, it’s the largest city in Africa. There seems to be no limit to what you can find or do in Cairo. While exploring the city, you’ll most probably stumble upon many mosques and mausoleums. From visiting the…
So you decided to make Sharm El Sheikh your next holiday destination? We aren’t really surprised. Who wouldn’t love to visit this sun-and-sea paradise? Set on the southern coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, Sharm El Sheikh boasts crystal-clear waters, vivid reefs, and an abundance of exotic fish. Its marvelous underwater scenery makes it a…
Marrakech bewitches travelers with vibrant colors and alluring smells. Set up at the foothill of the Atlas Mountains, the city greets you with a fairytale scenery. Time after time, you’ll find yourself lost in the maze of dusty lanes of the historic medina. Here buzzing local bazaars hide in the shadows of the grand Moorish…
Marrakech, the beating heart of Morroco, mesmerizes travelers with sights and sounds. Set at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, the city boasts an exciting mixture of traditional and contemporary. Expect to find yourself lost in the maze of show-stopping streets of the historic medina. The crowded bazaars will whisk you into another world with…
If soft white sand between your toes and frothy turquoise water is your idea of the perfect beach vacation, then Seychelles is where you’d be heading. This cluster of hundred-odd islands gives a whole new meaning to the term ‘paradise on Earth’! While Creole is the main language, English and French are widely spoken by…
When it comes to stunning landscapes, Cape Verde shines. Located off Africa’s western tip, Cape Verde is an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean with islands rich in natural beauty. From breathtaking beaches and jaw-dropping volcanoes to dramatic sea cliffs and serene sand dunes, Cape Verde has it all. What’s more, it’s home to a likewise…
For many people, to date, the name Casablanca stirs up memories of Michael Curtiz’s 1942 classic. In reality, the city’s a lot more than the movie. A vibrant city that grew over the decades, Casablanca sits on Chawiya plain of Northwestern Morocco. Unlike its imperial neighbors, Fez and Marrakesh, Casablanca is contemporary and cosmopolitan. In…
In northwestern Morocco, lies the city of Fez – tucked between the Rif and the Middle Atlas Mountains, carrying tales from 789 CE. Originally created as two rival cities along the banks of River Fes, the cities saw immigrants, expansion, colonialism, and accompanying diverse cultures. Dubbed as the Athens of Africa and the Mecca of…
Nestled on the slopes of chalky limestone hills sits Tangier in Morocco, one of the ancient cities of North Africa. Being an important port and trade center, the city has good road and rail connections with Fèz, Meknès, Rabat, and Casablanca. It also has an international airport. Tangier today is an interesting and thriving city,…
Far away from the madding crowd of most other Moroccan cities lies the calm, peaceful city of Rabat tracing its origins back to the 12th century. Steeped in history and romance, this beautiful city with its wonderful scenic beauty and architectural marvels is still a comparatively unexplored destination. With the idyllic Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop,…
Founded in the 12th century by the Almohad ruler Abd al Mu’min, Morocco’s capital city Rabat comes as a breath of fresh air after the tourist-ridden Moroccan cities of Fez and Casablanca. The clean palm-lined boulevards and the clear roads are a pleasant surprise from the bustle of most tourist cities in this part of…
The historic city of Tangier in northwestern Morocco has had a rich and varied past. From being a strategic Berber town and Phoenician trading center to the rather seedy repute it had garnered in the 20th century, Tangier has probably seen the best and worst of humanity. During its time as a semi-independent international zone,…
It is hard to imagine that Tanzania’s most populated city and former capital, Dar es Salaam, was once a small fishing village. The city was founded by Sultan Majid bin Said of Zanzibar in the latter half of the 19th century but fell into decline after his death. The town witnessed a revival in 1887…
The name of Kenya‘s capital and largest city, Nairobi, is derived from the Maasai phrase ”Enkare Nairobi” which literally means ‘cool water’ Founded in 1899 by the colonial authorities, the town expanded rapidly and in 1907, replaced Mombasa as the capital. Today Nairobi has the distinction of being East Africa‘s most cosmopolitan city with contrasting…
Nestled among the West African Savanna woodlands and grasslands lay the country of Nigeria. Abuja happens to be the capital city of Nigeria. It was not always so, but rampant modernization led to the planned construction of this city in the 1980s. Soon, by December 1991 Abuja flourished and replaced Lagos, the most populous city…
The city of Casablanca is the economic capital and the largest city situated at the central-western part of Morocco along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Invaded by Portuguese, Spanish, British and French colonialists, the city has been the prime attraction for its demography, especially to establish the naval base in the Europe-Asia sea trade…