AFRICA
A Few Possibilities
Casablanca, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Accra, Lagos, Cairo, Maputo, Cape Town, Dakar. Marrakesh, Tripoli, Freetown, Mombassa, Alexandria, Addis Ababa, Luanda, Bulawayo, Kigali, Dar Es Salaam, Monrovia, Harare, Fes, Kinshasa, Abidjan, Bamako
Sites Worth Seeing
Africa is a continent rich in natural resources, beautiful lands, exotic animals, and diverse culture and history. There are so many countries to visit and within them many things to do, this list barely scratches the surface. Bordering Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a sight not to be missed. Here you can go ziplining, bungee jumping, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, on a helicopter ride, and even walk with the lions. Table Mountain and Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town, South Africa is a wonder itself and is home to Boulders Beach and its colony of nearly 3,000 African penguins.
In Egypt, you want to be sure to see the Giza Pyramid Complex with the Pyramid of Khufu (constructed near 2650 BC) and known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Karnak Temple is dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. Covering 200 acres, the site took 2,000 years to build and was a place of pilgrimage. The Abu Simbel temples, the Small Temple of Nefertari and the Great Temple of Ramesses II, are part of the Nubian Monuments complex.
Safaris are popular in Africa and a few to see are Hell's National Park in Kenya, with the Maasai Cultural Center, campsites, hot springs, gorges and two extinct volcanoes; the Hluhluwe & Imfolozi National Park with white and black rhinos and the River Hipps Safari both in St. Lucia, and of course, the Serengeti spans across Tanzania and Kenya over 12,000 square miles. Another Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Serengeti has a large lion population, yet you may also see leopards, cheetahs, zebras, gazelles, hyenas, wildebeests and vultures. Take a Jeep tour for the safest way to safari. Go see the gorillas which are mostly confined to the Virunga Mountains bordering Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Located between Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania, Lake Malawi is the second largest lake in Africa. Learn about the culture from the locals, enjoy the landscapes, wildlife and fishing villages. Also, have fun with water activities like kayaking, snorkeling, water skiing, scuba diving and sailing. Want more adventure? Uganda and Ethiopia also offer first-class rafting. Senegal has legendary surf spots, Namibia has sand-boarding and 4x4 adventures. Scuba dive WWII wrecks in the Red Sea or snorkel alongside the world's largest fish in Madagascar. Hike up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania or even go skiing or snowboarding in Morocco's Atlas Mountains.
You can't ignore the civil rights historic lessons found at Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was once imprisoned for 18 years, the Apartheid Museum, The Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda where 250,000 Tutsi victims are memorialized and the Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct. Goree Island in Senegal is most likely the most infamous holdings during the slave-trade. Other notable sites are St. George's Castle (or Elmina Castle) in Elmina, Ghana; the Cape Coast Castle and Museum in Fort Amsterdam in Abanze, and Donko Nsuo at Assin Manso and Salaga in Ghana.
Hassan II Mosque is a beautiful place of worship in Casablanca, Morocco. It is the largest mosque in Morocco and has the tallest minaret in the world, at 689 feet high. The structure is built with hand-crafted marble and has a retractable roof.
More sites to see are: Kruger National Park, Lion's Head, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Drakensberg, Addo Elephant National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Cape Point, Bo-Kaap, Blyde River Canyon, Cango Caves, uShaka Marine World, Cradle of Humankind, Zambezi, Tsitsikamma National Park, Giza-Metropolis, Kragga Kamma Game Park, Sudwala Caves, Etosha National Park, Aerial Cableway Hartbeespoort, Sossusvlei, Two Oceans Aquarium, District Six Museum, and Durban Botanic Gardens.
Shopaholics
Several large malls can be found throughout Africa. The Mall of Arabia is the largest mall in Africa in Cairo, Egypt. It houses a modern cinema complex, a dancing fountain, a family entertainment center, numerous restaurants and food options, and 900 shops. The Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Umhlanga, Durban, South Africa, and has over 390 stores, movie theatres, 90 restaurants, skate parks, the highest fountain in Africa, and a science theme park. Cairo Festival City with eateries and world-renowned hypermarkets. It has numerous stalls which stock products of world-class companies. Canal Walk in Cape Town, Mall of Africa in Waterfall city, Midrand, Gauteng. Sandton City Mall with over 300 stores. Rated the Africa’s most prestigious mall, it offers all types of food and the Nelson Mandela Square. The Two Rivers Mall in Nairobi, Kenya houses world-class hotels, and a 3,600-seat amphitheater, and shops.
Markets and bazaars also provide fantastic photo opportunities. Practice your bargaining skills and discover the fun side of stocking up on souvenirs. By shopping in markets and stores around town you also help the local economy. Each experience is unique, whether you're browsing for tagine pots in Fes, checking out the latest high-life CDs in Accra, or getting sandals made at a Maasai cattle auction in Tanzania. The markets of Fes can be overwhelming, but also most fascinating as you wind through the narrow streets and explore the goods of the many street vendors.
Culinary tours offer up a tasty combination of culture and history. In Africa, most tours center around Morocco and South Africa—two of the finest cuisines in the world. Most culinary tours involve shopping for ingredients at local markets, learning local recipes, and mastering techniques—and of course, a fair amount of wine tasting and dining in fine restaurants. Whatever country you choose to visit, make sure to try the local delicacies. From gemsbok steaks in Namibia to mopane worms in Botswana, some dishes are more weird than wonderful while others are downright delicious.
Nightlife
Africa is a great place for nightlife and many cities can provide some of the best experiences that you’ll never forget. The following are the top African cities where you can find unmatched nightlife experiences. In Lome, Togo, you can enjoy such nightlife spots like Le Privilège, 7 Clash, Monte-Cristo Lome and La Villa. Experience great hospitality and friendly locals. In Accra, Ghana, there is Django Bar, Republic Bar & Grill, Carbon Night Club, Plot 7, Champs Sports Bar, Club Onyx, Kona Café & Grill, Clear Spice, Firefly Lounge, Labadi Beach, Monte Carlo and Belaroma. In Luanda, Angola, enjoy Lookal, Coconuts, Kasta Lounge, Casa do Peixa da Bela, Quintal do Tio Jorge, Palos, La Vigia, Cira Club, and Maiombe.
As one of the fastest growing cities in the world and most populous African city, Lagos is home to many international residents ready to experience an entertaining nightlife. For an unparalleled nightlife experience, hang out at Club Quilox, Escape Nightlife, Club 57, Cubana, Prive Lounge, De Moon Lounge, Ember Creek, Sailors Lounge, Lendar Bar, Club Pravada or Piccolo Mondo.
The Indian Ocean island seaport, Port Louise, Mauritius is one of the best tourist destinations in East Africa. Some of the hot nightlife spots are Pointe aux Canonniers, Banana Beach Club, Senator Club, Insomnia Club, Karma Lounge Pool & Restaurant, Les Enfants Terribles and Lakaz Cascavalle Restaurant & Club. Tourists flock to Port Louise to enjoy plenty of sunshine and sea breeze while relaxing on the white sand beaches. In Maputo, Mozambique, Mozambicans love to let loose after a day’s hard work and these are a few spots they flock to: Coconuts Live, Chez Rango, Sinatra’s, Havana Bar, Clube Maritimo, Africa Bar, Mundos and Rua De Bagamoyo.
Nairobi, Kenya is one of the largest cities in Africa and dubbed the Silicon Savannah due to its high number of IT startups.
The nightlife in Nairobi quickly erases its chaotic daytime and ushers in hearty entertainment and leisure. A few hot spots are Simba Salon, Carnivore, Brew Bistro, Havana Bar & Restaurant, Galileo Lounge, Bacchus Lounge, Kclub House, Mercury Lounge, Black Diamond, Skylux Lounge, Casablanca and Kengeles Tribeka.
Johannesburg, nicknamed ‘Joburg’ and known as Africa's financial capital, has some of the best nightlife experiences in Africa. There are plenty of night spots that make Joburg a great place to enjoy your night out: Taboo Night Club, Movida, The Summit Club, Churchill’s Bar, Reality Club, The Rock, Sir James van der Merwe and Chaf Pozi. Cape Town, South Africa has some great nightlife and this fast growing city's great climate makes it a good atmosphere for night revelers: Cocoon, The District, Bob’s Bar, Che Bar, The Baxter Theatre Centre, Coco, Shimmy Beach, Madison Avenue, Fiction Music Bar and Decodance Night Club.
Marrakech, Morocco has many well-known clubs including: 555 Famous Club Marrakech, VIP Club Marrakech, Theatro Marrakech, Café Arabe, Factory’z, Nikki Beach, So Lounge, The Royal Mansour Bar, Le Churchill Bar and Comptoir Darna.
Cairo not only offers an historic viewpoint by day, the city of 17 million has a nightlife to rival. Focus on exploring downtown, especially the Zamalek area, for the best bars and clubs. For a literally old school evening, go to Cafe Riche, which has been open since 1908. For dancing, go to Vent and for live music and craft cocktails, make a pit stop at Amici Bar.
NOTE: This listing of nightclubs and lounges was created pre-pandemic and will be updated soon.