Choose from 633 Fun Things to Do in Middle East And Africa
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Origins Centre
The Origins Centre museum traces the beginning of human history in Africa, and then places visitors in the human timeline with DNA testing. Located in the Braamfontein area of Johannesburg as part of the University of the Witwatersrand, Origins Centre opened in 2006. As the name suggests, the museum's exhibits of fossils, artifacts, and rock art take visitors through history to the origins of humankind some 80,000 years. Interactive displays enhance the experience for all ages.
Visitors are also invited to take a DNA test in order to trace their own ancestral history in addition to a tour of the Origins Centre. The cost of the DNA test is extra.
Practical Info
The Origins Centre is located on the University of Witwatersrand campus, and is open daily from 10am-5pm. Admission is SAR80 for adults, SAR65 for seniors, SAR40 for students and children under age 12. An audio guide is included with the cost of entry.
Address: Enoch Sontonga Avenue, Johannesburg, South Africa
Hours: Daily 10am-5pm
Admission: Adults: SAR80
From $ 16
Pyramid of Menkaure
A magnetic presence in the Egyptian desert, the Pyramid of Menkaure dates back to 2490 B.C. and stands as one of the three famous triangular monoliths comprising the Giza Plateau. At 213 feet in height, this is the smallest of the triad, but its history is no less fascinating.
Made primarily of granite rather than limestone like its sister pyramids, Menkaure houses the tomb of the fourth dynasty's Pharaoh Menkaure, a benevolent and prosperous leader so focused on justice that Egyptians praised him more highly than any of their other monarchs. It is said that this praise unfortunately angered the gods, who had previously decreed that Egypt would suffer 150 years of hardship. When they saw that the people were flourishing under Menkaure, they allegedly allowed him to rule for only 26 (or possibly 63) years, depending on which version of history you choose to believe.
Practical Info
The Giza Pyramids are open to the public daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Taking a taxi is the easiest way to get to Giza from Cairo, and the metro is always an option. Visitors may have to take a taxi from a metro station to the pyramids, depending on station closures. The entrance fee to the Giza Pyramids is 80 Egyptian pounds, but entering the Menkaure Pyramid is not allowed.
Address: Cairo, Egypt
Hours: Daily 8am-4pm
Admission: 80 Egyptian pounds
From $ 42
Pyramid of Djoser
First built some 4,700 years ago as a flat-roofed mastaba, the Pyramid of Djoser was one of the very first pyramids built by the Egyptians. Pharaoh Djoser had the structure built as part of his tomb complex at Saqqara, just outside of Egypt's then-capital Memphis, and by the end of his reign, the pyramid had been transformed into six stepped layers reaching 203 feet (62 meters) in height.
The complex of pyramid, tombs, courtyards, and temples covers nearly 40 acres. Upon entering, you'll find a large hypostyle hall leading onto an open court flanking the south side of the pyramid. A temple sits on the north side with a statue of Djoser set in a stone enclosure known as a serdab (Look through the hole in the serdab and you'll see straight into the pharaoh's eyes).
The pharaoh's burial chamber, vaulted in red granite, is located beneath the pyramid, surrounded by a series of tunnels and other chambers. Although the interior is closed to the public, an interesting museum sits at the entrance to the complex.
Most day trips combine a visit to the Djoser complex with the Giza Pyramids and a tour of the ruined city of Memphis, taking in the most important ancient sites in the Cairo area.
Practical Info
The Pyramid of Djoser is located on the west bank of the Nile, about 18 miles (30 km) south of Cairo and 9.3 miles (15 km) from Giza. If you're not arriving as part of an organized tour, the complex can be reached by taxi or mini-bus.
Did You Know? Despite the king's burial chamber being hidden among a maze of underground tunnels, the tomb was still plundered by grave robbers. All that remains of Djoser is his mummified left foot.
Address: Saqqara, Egypt
Hours: Daily 8am–5pm
Admission: E£60
From $ 11
Oukaimeden Valley
The majestic landscapes of Oukaimeden Valley are among the most visited of the High Atlas Mountains and along with the nearby Ourika and Asni valleys, it makes a popular choice for a day trip from Marrakech. A lush gorge carving its way through a tableau of jagged peaks, Oukaimeden is strikingly beautiful, and it also boasts a rich cultural heritage, dotted with traditional Berber villages and prehistoric rock art sites.
During the winter months, the slopes of Oukaimeden are also a celebrated ski destination, home to Africa’s highest ski lift and a selection of runs for all levels, including a number of hair-raising red and black runs.
Practical Info
The Oukaimeden Valley is located in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains, approximately 80km south of Marrakech.
Address: Morocco
From $ 46
Lake Naivasha
Situated at an altitude of 1884 meters, Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in Kenya located around 100 kilometers northwest of Nairobi and near the town of Naivasha (formerly East Nakuru). The lake is part of the Great Rift Valley and its name comes from the Maasai word, Nai'posha – which translates as "rough water" – on account of the storms that can suddenly arise here.
This vast lake is surrounded by a swampland and fringed by papyrus plants. Among the residents of the lake are over 400 species of birds, including fish eagles, ospreys, lily-trotters, black crakes, and herons, and it’s also home to a large community of hippos. A number of other mammals are also drawn here and it’s not uncommon to see zebra, impala, buffalo, giraffe, and kongoni grazing in the areas surrounding the lake.
Practical Info
Lake Naivasha is a popular spot for day trips and weekends away from Nairobi. There are two roads connecting Nairobi and Naivasha; the A104 and the B3. The A104 is the starting route for many safaris, which means most visitors will get their first glimpses of Kenya’s rural landscape as they drive along it.
Address: Naivasha (East Nakuru), Kenya
From $ 60
Qasr Azraq
Located about an hour east of Amman, Qasr Azraq is a desert fortress created by the Romans back in 300 AD, although the structure in its current form was built in 1237 by the Mamelukes. The exact location of Qasr Azraq (meaning Blue Fortress) in the center of the Azraq Oasis was chosen strategically; this area is the only water source for over 7,000 miles. One of the fortress’ striking features is its color – the local basalt gives it an atypical black hue, which is where it’s believed the fortress gets its name, as it can appear blueish at certain times. Flanking an expansive courtyard and mosque are long walls with inspiring towers, and the site’s huge door is a sight on its own; the structure is made completely of heavy stone (hinges included) and can be a challenge to open. The whole thing weighs three tons.
While the design is impressive, most visitors head to Qasr Azraq to learn about Thomas Edward Lawrence (also known as Lawrence of Arabia) and Sherif Hussain bin Ali, who stayed in the fortress during the winter of 1917 when the Arab Revolt against the Turks went on. Lawrence wrote about staying at Qasr Azrqa in his book, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, and more can be learned from the movie, Lawrence of Arabia. Visitors to the fortress can see the room he stayed in here.
Practical Info
There are no set visiting hours for Qasr Azraq, as Nader, the caretaker, is there to escort visitors inside as they arrive. The site doesn’t have much signage, so it’s worthwhile to hire Nader (a blood relative of someone who fought alongside Lawrence of Arabia) as a guide, which can be done for a small negotiable fee. There is also a restaurant at the site serving lunch and dinner.
Address: Qasr Azraq, Amman, Jordan
Hours: There are no set visiting hours.
From $ 34
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is host to hundreds of species of animals, from rare birds to zebras and hippos. A haven for nature enthusiasts, a trip here is the perfect way to discover Uganda’s rich yet fragile wildlife. The park is part of a wetland system spanning 50 kilometers and linked by a swamp, making it an integral part of the country's ecosystem.
With more than 350 bird species, Lake Mburo National Park is the perfect place for birdwachers to observe, among others, the rare Red-faced Barbet from popular spots such as Rubanga Forest. However, all animal and nature lovers are rewarded at the park; the lake itself offers a great spot for wildlife watching, while for those who enjoy hiking, Rwonyo Rest Camp is the best place to start. For the adventurous, quad biking and game drives are also available.
The best way to visit Lake Mburo National Park is to book a tour from Kampala with an early morning start. As Uganda is situated on the equator, the journey offers the opportunity to stop and stand over both the north and southern hemispheres. A day trip consists of a guided safari drive through the park, with a stop at one of the lakes for lunch. You can also add a guided nature walk, or perhaps a boat ride for a chance to see the crocodiles up close. Lake Mburo National Park can also be visited as part of a week-long night safari or as part of a cultural tour of Uganda. For the bravest embarking on a trek across the Rwenzori Mountains, visiting Lake Mburo will come as a pleasant and well-deserved break at the end of your trip.
Practical Info
If staying in Kampala and planning a visit, it is strongly recommended to book a tour as Lake Mburo National Park is a three-hour drive away. If staying on-site, the options for navigating the park are by vehicle, on foot, by boat, or even on horseback. The best time to visit is from October to March when wildlife congregates around the few remaining waterholes.
Did You Know? Twenty percent of the entrance fee into the park is used to fund local community projects, such as building clinics and schools.
Address: Lake Mburo National Park, Kampala, Uganda
Admission: Adult: $40 / Child: $20. Other activities are extra.
From $ 348
La Palmeraie (Palm Grove)
A short taxi ride from the bustling Djeema el Fna, La Palmeraie offers a tranquil escape from the lively souks and traffic-laden streets of the Old Medina and Marrakech’s most affluent district has often been nicknamed the ‘Beverly Hills of Marrakech.' A quiet, sun-soaked oasis of palm and orange tree-fringed boulevards, neatly-tended rose gardens and vast swimming pools, La Palmeraie is home to many of the city’s most extravagant resort hotels and luxurious private villas.
Even if you can’t afford to stay in La Palmeraie, the scenic district makes a worthwhile detour from downtown Marrakech and the 32,000-acre stretch of palm groves provides a shady backdrop for leisure activities. As well as walking and biking tours, horseback riding and camel riding are popular pastimes, and there’s also a beautifully situated golf course overlooking the villas.
Practical Info
La Palmeraie is a district in north Marrakech, approximately 15 minutes’ drive north of the old Medina.
Address: Marrakesh, Morocco
From $ 22
Lake Manyara National Park
Ernest Hemingway called Lake Manyara National Park the most beautiful place in all of Africa. Today, the same winding roads, lush jungles, grassy floodplains and blue volcanic mountaintops that left this famous author with lasting memories, make it one of the most picturesque destinations in all of Tanzania.
Hundreds of species of birds glide through the air above Lake Manyara National Park, making it the ideal stop for international birders looking to check the rare and exotic off their life list. Travelers in search of bigger beasts will find wild buffalo, zebra and other African mammals wandering the grounds of this concentrated safari wonderland. Its compact size and close proximity to the Rift Valley escarpment mean Lake Manyara National Park offers plenty of wildlife for time-crunched travelers.
Practical Info
Dry season runs from July to October. The scarcity of water makes it ideal for viewing large mammals. Travelers who venture to Lake Manyara between November and June will have the best chance of spotting rare birds and enjoying the waterfalls and canoeing during rainy season.
Address: Tanzania
Hours: Camping: Daily 24/7
Admission: Fees vary
From $ 305
Olduvai Gorge
Famed for its natural beauty, as well as the evidence it has produced about human evolution, Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge is also a popular stop for tourists. Also called Oldupai, the official name since 2005, the gorge is where Mary and Louis Leakey discovered evidence some of the oldest known human species here, and excavations continue to this day. In fact, it was one of the Leakey sons who would find a fossil fragment of the first human species in Olduvai Gorge in 1960.
Olduvai Gorge is known by some as the “cradle of humankind,” with evidence of human species inhabiting the area roughly 1.9 million years ago.
Practical Info
While excavations are ongoing, particularly during the dry seasons, it's possible to see the areas where digs are happening. You can't access the site without an official guide, but tours are available year-round.
Address: Ngorongoro, Tanzania
From $ 880
Quartier Habous (Habous Quarter)
In the southeastern part of the city, Casablanca’s New Medina or Habous Quarter (Quartier Habous) was laid out in the 1920s by the French and remains one of the most atmospheric districts. Characterized by its small tree-lined squares, neat alleyways and elegant arcades, strolling around the Habous unveils a curious mix of French colonial buildings and traditional Maghrebi architecture, dotted with small souks selling Moroccan handicrafts and leather goods.
A key destination for those undertaking a walking tour of the city, the Habous Quarter is bordered by the Boulevard Victor Hugo and includes highlights like the elaborate Royal Palace of Casablanca and the Mahakma of the Pasha (the courthouse of the Pasha), which dates back to the 1950s and is renowned for its Hispano-Moorish design. Other noteworthy buildings include the Mohammed V Mosque and Moulay Youssef Mosque.
Address: Quartier Habous, Casablanca, Morocco
From $ 47
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Since 1952 this incredible park has been attracting host country nationals and foreign travelers alike, thanks to diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes and volcanic craters. Widely-recognized for having the largest concentration of hippos in the world, Queen Elizabeth National Park is also home to chimpanzees and a variety of antelope species. Visitors who venture to the Ishasha River Camp will find dozens of elephants living in the surrounding grasslands and a lucky few may even spot the King of the Jungle relaxing in the branches of African shade trees. In addition to game drives, visitors will find navigating the landscapes of this vast park truly memorable, thanks to diverse terrain, which includes winding rivers, crater lakes, volcanic peaks, thick forests and vast savannahs.
Practical Info
The park is located between Lake Edward and Lake George. A day pass costs $40 per person and Chimpanzee tracking in Kyamura Gorge is about $50 per person. Most travelers hire their own cars, since well-marked paths are usually easy to maneuver even in 2-wheel-drive vehicles, but tour outfits offer options for those who want to avoid going it on their own.
Address: Fort Portal-Mpondwe Road, Uganda
Admission: A day pass costs $40 per person
From $ 2,700
Lake Mutanda
Located in the Kisoro District of southwestern Uganda, scenic Lake Mutanda sits in the shadows of a string of misty volcanoes and is a popular base camp for gorilla trackers, bird watchers and volcano trekkers taking excursions into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga National Park.
Due to its remote location and limited accommodation options, Lake Mutanda remains pristine and tranquil. Located in a region aptly nicknamed “Little Switzerland,” the freshwater lake attracts a wide variety of birds to its shores, including Uganda’s national bird, the grey-crowned crane. Birdwatching boat trips often encounter pelicans, Hadada ibis, African spoonbill, sacred ibis, kites, hawks and buzzards. The unique African clawless otter also calls the lake home.
Lake Mutanda is also one of only a few lakes in Uganda safe for swimming (no bilharzia, hippos or crocodiles to worry about), as well as canoeing or paddling in a traditional dug-out canoe.
Practical Info
You can reach Lake Mutanda by hiring a local taxi, called a boda-boda, in Kisoro.
Address: Uganda
From $ 3,050
Lake Nakuru National Park
Made up of the lake itself and the rocky caves and bushy grassland that surrounds it, Lake Nakuru National Park especially draws visitors looking to see pink flamingos, as there may be as many as 2 million lesser and great flamingos seen around the edges of the lake at a given time. The birds are drawn here by their favorite food, cyanophyta spirulina plantensis, a type of blue-green algae that fills the lake.
In addition to the flamingos, more than 400 different bird species have been spotted in the park, which is on a migration route for many European birds. This is one national park where you definitely want a bird-watchers' guide in hand to identify all the feathered creatures and ensure the species you need for your life list are expected to be in residence when you visit. The park is also home to many water-loving animals such as hippos and waterbucks, and among other mammals found in the park, visitors who get lucky will also be able to spot lions, leopards, giraffes, hyenas, buffalo, baboons, monkeys and gazelles. In addition, once simply a bird sanctuary, the Lake Nakuru National Park has since become a national rhino sanctuary and is the best place in Kenya to see protected black and white rhinos.
Practical Info
Lake Nakuru National Park is located about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Nairobi and is connected to the city via the main A104 road. The most commonly used route into the park is by way of the main gate, which is about 2.5 miles (four kilometers) from Nakuru town center.
Address: Kenya
Hours: Daily 6:30 am-6:30 pm
Admission: Adult: $80, Children/Student: $40 (non-resident rates)
From $ 69
La Storia Complex
La Storia Complex, located just over a mile (2 kilometers) from Mt. Nebo, offers visitors a quirky overview of the culture, religion, history and heritage of Jordan. The museum portion of the complex comprises a series of dioramas (some of them animatronic) depicting mostly Biblical scenes, starting with Noah’s Ark and continuing through the parting of the Red Sea, the birth of Jesus and the Last Supper. Other scenes show what life was like in a traditional Bedouin village, with animatronic villagers performing day-to-day tasks.
Also of interest is the onsite HandiCrafts Centre, where you can buy handmade mosaics, furniture, carpets, Dead Sea products, scarves, shawls and Bedouin jewelry, much of it made by local artists with special needs. Another section of the museum has been reserved to house what could turn out to be the largest mosaic mural in the world, set to measure 98 feet (30 meters) long and 20 feet (6 meters) tall.
Practical Info
La Storia Complex is open daily from 9am to 5pm.
Address: Mount Nebo, Jordan
Hours: Open daily from 9am to 5pm
Admission: Admission: JD2
From $ 106
Pyramid of Khafre
One of the oldest of the world's famous skylines, the Pyramids of Giza have had no trouble commanding attention throughout the centuries. Their mysterious history permeates the plateau from which they rise, and one of the three in particular, the Pyramid of Khafre, has its own tale to tell.
Also known as Pyramid Chephren, this tomb was built under the direction of the fourth-dynasty Pharaoh Khafre. Its condition and elevation give it the appearance of the largest of the pyramids, although it is actually several feet shorter than the tallest pyramid of Giza, the towering Great Pyramid. The Valley Temple and Mortuary Temple help make up the Khafre pyramid complex, and the Great Sphinx stands nearby.
Practical Info
The Giza Pyramid complex is open to the public daily from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The entrance fee is 80 Egyptian pounds, and admission inside Khafre Pyramid costs an additional 100 Egyptian pounds. Taking a taxi is the easiest way to get to Giza from Cairo, but the site is also accessible via metro. Visitors may need to take a taxi from the metro station to the site, depending on station closures.
Address: Cairo, Egypt
Hours: Daily 8am-4pm
Admission: Entry to Giza: 80 Egyptian pounds; Entry to Khafre: 100 Egyptian pounds more
From $ 6
Oufella Ruins
The last vestige of medieval Agadir looms above the modern city on a hillside emblazoned with Arabic script - an inscription that translates to ‘God, Fatherland, King’. Perched on the hilltop above, the ruins of the old Kasbah or ‘Oufella’ are now dotted throughout a quiet residential area, crowned by the remains of Moulay Abdallah al-Ghalib’s 16th-century fortress.
The Oufella Ruins make a popular spot from which to watch the sunset, with magnificent views over the harbor and coast, as well as providing an atmospheric backdrop to the city at night, with the fortress and hillside inscription dramatically illuminated against the night sky.
Practical Info
The Oufella Ruins are located on the hilltop overlooking Agadir port.
Address: Agadir, Morocco
From $ 13
Qasr Kharana
A true “desert castle” near the Saudi Arabian border, Jordan’s Qasr Kharana sits two storeys tall over the desert plain. Built in the early Umayyad period 13,000 years ago, the purpose of the 60-room monolith is unclear — its design shows that it was never a fort, and it’s not on a trade route so it’s unlikely to have been a caravanserai either. It’s most likely that Qasr Kharana was a meeting space for Damascus elite and local Bedouin tribes. Whatever it was, the thick-walled limestone building remains imposing even today.
Excellently restored in the 1970s, its location in the barren desert makes Qasr Kharana one photogenic place. As you explore the upper rooms set around the large courtyard with a rainwater pool in the middle, look out for ancient Arabic graffiti. Just inside the entrance, learn more about Qasr Kharana from the interpretive plaque which is in both English and Arabic.
Practical Info
Sixteen km west along Hwy 40 from Qusayr Amra, Qasr Kharana is run by the Jordanian Ministry of Antiquities, and its visitor center has a permanent display on local history. Admission costs JD 2, which includes entry to the desert castles Qsar al-Azraq and Qsar Amra as well.
Address: Amman, Jordan
Admission: 2 JD
From $ 69
La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes
The island of Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Archipelago, called Mascareignes in French. On the southern part of the island is an animal park called La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes.
Opened in 1985 near the town of Riviere des Anguilles, La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes is part nature park, part zoo, covering 3.5 hectares. Visitors can walk along trails through giant bamboo, palm and banana trees, while guides talk about the types of animals found on the three Mascarenes Islands – Mauritius, Reunion, and Rodrigues.
There are 1500 Nile crocodiles at La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes, as well as butterflies, geckos, iguanas, frogs, mongoose, and giant tortoises – including the oldest tortoise, which is 97 years old.
Practical Info
La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes is open daily from 8:30am-5pm. Tickets cost Rs. 395 for adults and Rs. 225 for children ages 3-12 Monday-Friday, and Rs. 225 for adults and Rs. 100 for children ages 3-12 Saturday-Sunday.
Address: La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes, Rivière Des Anguilles, Mauritius
Admission: Adults: Rs. 395; Children: Rs. 225
From $ 80
Oudtshoorn
Locals call Oudtshoorn the ostrich capital of the world. That’s because this tiny town’s economy thrives almost exclusively on the farming, feathers and tourism of this giant land bird. Since the mid-1800s, South Africans in Oudtshoorn have been supplying ostrich products to European dignities at home and abroad. And while Bushmen once exclusively inhabited the area, the boom in ostrich production attracted a large immigrant population of Jews that still inhabit the place today.
While Oudtshoorn is steeped in rich tradition and culture, it’s the town’s numerous ostrich farms that attract tourists to its otherwise quiet streets. From the Safari Ostrich Show Farm to Highgate Ostrich Show Farm to the Safari Ostrich Show Farm (see a trend?)—there are options for every traveler looking to get up close to these curious creatures and learn more about how they’ve influenced the growth of this Garden Route town.
Practical Info
Oudtshoorn is located 10 kilometers east of the Bongelethu township in the Klein Karoo region of the Western Cape. It is Swartberg and the Outeniqua mountains.
Address: Oudtshoorn, South Africa
From $ 11