From the Pyramids of Giza to the jaw dropping National Parks in Kenya, explore the picturesque sites Africa has to offer.  

There are so many wondrous and diverse places to see and explore on this continent. And while Africa has some of the fastest-growing cities on Earth, we have plenty of urban hubs that possess the heart and soul of an old-fashioned village.  

1. Dakar, Senegal

Africa’s westernmost country, Senegal, has a dazzling 531km coastline with a mix of sleepy fishing villages and bustling towns. It has a real buzz of cultural activity, notably in capital Dakar, where there’s a vibrant trendy-meets-traditional sensibility. 

A port city, it has a beautiful seaside location on the Cape Verde peninsula – plus superb weather. While it’s a laid-back place, there’s a sophistication that’s evident in everything – food, fashion, music and its cultural scene.  

The Senegalese are very entrepreneurial so there’s a vibrancy that’s felt wherever you go; an underlying vibration caused by the hustle and bustle.  

You can experience it at music festivals and art gatherings, in clubs and galleries, and on the streets. Nightlife is legendary here, with mbalax dance music spilling out of cool spaces you’ll want to explore.  

2. Cairo, Egypt

Whether you’re here to savour the conversation over a cup of apple tea or haggle over the price of a camel ride to see the pyramids, Cairo (“the victorious city”) is simply one of those must-see destinations, if only to get a sense of the scale of it all – it’s the biggest metropolis in the Arab world, overflowing with a complex history, myths and legends, and it’s the only city on Earth where one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still stands: the Great Pyramid of Giza.  

A magical place located along the banks of the Nile, Egyptian kingdoms have left an imprint on the cultural and social fabric of life that’s unfolded over the millennia. Cairo’s heart, however, is Tahrir Square, where the colossal Egyptian Museum is a treasure trove of mummies and ancient artefacts.  

Then there’s Gezira Island’s Zamalek district, a stunning green oasis that houses the Cairo Tower, from which you’ll get fabulous panoramic views of the city.  

3. Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi is one of the few cities around the globe with its own national park – you’ll even be able to spot game striding through open grassland just prior to touchdown, so try to book a window seat when you fly there. 

Within the park, a wonderful place to see animals in a unique context is the elephant and rhino orphanage run by The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which operates several anti-poaching surveillance teams in Kenya and pioneered the hand-rearing of elephant and rhino calves.  

The animal nursery is open to visitors for one hour every day (11am to noon). There’s also the leafy suburb of Langata, with the luxe Giraffe Manor to stay overnight. Downtown Nairobi throbs and pulses with life.  

The congestion on the roads can be chaotic, but there’s a vibe here, too. At night, the city’s bars and nightclubs are enormously social, with live music, dancing, chit-chat with strangers and meat cooked on the coals. Many who arrive fall in love with it. Go and find out why.  

4. Port Louis, Mauritius

Located right between the Indian Ocean and a mountain backdrop, Mauritius’s capital city exemplifies modernity and tradition. Traffic can be quite overwhelming, though. This is why walking tours are a godsend.  

Meet your guide for a food-focused, on-foot adventure that dips into the city’s history and back alleys, ancient spice warehouses and hole-in-the-wall sweet shops. 

 Skip breakfast, because you’ll be tucking into Mauritian street food, such as deep-fried chilli cakes and Indian-style crêpes stuffed with spicy vegetables.  

Shop till you drop at Le Caudan Waterfront, where you’ll find everything from pareos (sarongs), local artworks, textiles and jewellery to essential oils and duty-free designer clothing. Such a spoil, honestly, and you’ll surely find something to attach your new memories of this gorgeous city to.  

5. Chefchaouen, Morocco

Aren’t the most heavenly places the ones you’ve never heard of and probably can’t pronounce? That’s the case with this barely known ‘blue city’ in north-western Morocco.  

It may not get all the press and hype given to Fes and Marrakech, but it’s an absolute stunner, and with a population of less than 50 000, a far more soothing place to visit and get to know the North African culture.  

Like those other more touristy cities, here you can explore the souks, taste tagines and get lost in a medina of maze-like alleys, some so narrow you must turn sideways to pass other people. What’s special about Chefchaouen (apart from its blue-painted buildings) is its mountainside location, so it’s an ideal base for hikers – there are trails to explore across the Rif mountain range.  

Spend some time in Talassemtane National Park and make a point of visiting the park’s Akchour Waterfalls, where you can take a dip below each of the falls, because there are deep chasms in which to swim. Curiously, the two main waterfalls are connected by what happens to be called God’s Bridge.  

Words by: Keith Bain 

Photography: Escapes, October 2022