Red Sea Coast
Little is known about Sheikh Al Faran, the mosque's namesake, beyond the fact that he came from the Hejaz (now Saudi Arabia), and that after his death he…
Must-see attractions in Africa
Sierra Leone
Freetown's most famous landmark is the fat Cotton Tree, which looms large over the buildings of central Freetown. Rumoured to be hundreds of years old, it…
Middle Atlas
The most interesting section of Taza Haute's fortified wall is around Bab Er Rih, from where there are superb views over the surrounding countryside. Look…
Cape Town
The only surviving Georgian-style brick house in Cape Town dates from the 1840s. At the time of research it was closed for maintenance, so you may only be…
Aswan
A three-storey building on 146,000 sq metres of land, the Nile Museum exhibits antique items that tell of the waterway's history and photos that…
Malawi
In the grounds of the St Anne’s Mission Hospital, the explorer David Livingstone supposedly camped under this large tree while leading an expedition to…
Franschhoek
This museum celebrates South Africa’s Huguenots and houses the genealogical records of their descendants. Behind the main complex is a pleasant cafe, in…
High Atlas Mountains
Geologists claim that tracks imprinted in exposed rock in the village of Tabalout are in fact footprints of the Megalosauripus from the Middle to Upper…
Sunshine Coast
Local farmers own the Big Pineapple, a few kilometres from the village en route to Port Alfred. This fiberglass replica of a pineapple stands 16.7m high –…
Cape Town
On 11 February 1990, Nelson Mandela gave his first speech as a free man from the balcony at Cape Town City Hall. To celebrate the centenary of his birth,…
Mauritius
On Thursday and Sunday scores of locals flock to the city to rummage through stall upon stall at this bustling produce and textile market; there's also a…
The North
You can still see the ruins of the French arsenal – along with a flour mill and a lime kiln – within the grounds of the Maritim Resort & Spa at Baie de l…
Northern Cape
Possibly the most varied tasting of any estate in the country, with samples of wine, port, brandy, liqueurs and the challenge of swigging mampoer …
Liberia
This lighthouse can be climbed for an outstanding panoramic view of the cape. Although no longer functional, it's on a UN base, so get permission first,…
Gabon
Madame Bichet, mother of the first priest at this mission, certainly had connections in Paris. In 1889 she asked Gustav Eiffel to ship the plans and…
Ceuta
With its green triumphal arch (inscribed ‘a monument to coexistence’) and fountain, this plaza borders the twin-towered yellow Iglesia de San Francisco…
Southern Rift Valley
Kariandusi is signposted off the A104 Hwy near Lake Elmenteita. It was here in the 1920s that the Leakeys (a family of renowned archaeologists) discovered…
Windhoek
Along Independence Ave are three colonial-era buildings, all designed by the famous architect Willi Sander. The one furthest south was built in 1902 as…
Malawi
Dating to Zomba's years as the national capital, this faded yellow complex off Livingstone Rd, behind the more modern court building, now serves as court…
Nairobi
Amid the clutter of downtown, Nairobi’s main mosque is a lovely building in typical Arab-Muslim style, with all the domes, marble and Quranic inscriptions…
Southern Tunisia
This 13th-century ksar (fortified granary) overlooking a picturesque valley 14km northwest of Beni Kheddache has a series of sympathetically restored…
Cape Town
The displays and star shows here unravel the mysteries of the southern hemisphere’s night sky using images caught by the Southern African Large Telescope …
Alexandria
The World of Shadi Abdel Salam, named for the late cult-film director, painter, script writer and set designer born in Alexandria in 1930, shows a display…
Cairo Outskirts & the Nile Delta
This pyramid was built by Pepi II (2278–2184 BC) whose 94-year reign at the end of the 6th dynasty was probably the longest in Egyptian history. Despite…
Gueliz & Ville Nouvelle
Begun in the 1970s by Tunisian architect Charles Boccara, this grand edifice is a focal point for cultural shows in Marrakesh, despite remaining…
Alexandria
Along Alexandria's western shore, past the shipyards, you’ll spot Ras El Tin Palace. It is most spectacular seen from the Mediterranean Sea. Originally…
Luxor
Discovered in 1905, the tomb of Siptah (1194–1188 BC) was never completed, but the upper corridors are nonetheless covered in fine paintings. The tomb’s…
Western Desert
These days Dakhla’s wonderful museum is only opened on request: ask at the tourist office (or call) and Omar Ahmad will arrange a time for your visit with…
Republic of Congo
Some way north of Pointe-Noire in the village of Diosso is this rather surprisingly located history museum, which covers the history of Congo and its…
Cairo Outskirts & the Nile Delta
This quite sad-looking group of Greek statues, the remnant of a collection of philosophers and poets set up as a wayside shrine by Ptolemy I (323–283 BC)…
Rodrigues
One of the oldest buildings still standing in Port Mathurin, La Résidence dates from 1897, when it provided a fairly modest home for the British chief…
Nossa Senhora da Graça Cathedral
São Tomé
While fairly humble as cathedrals go, the Nossa Senhora da Graça is one of Africa's oldest, and a testimony to persistence, as it has been destroyed and…
Lagos
The museum has some amazing artefacts, though the presentation is a little dishevelled. The Cycle of Life exhibit explores traditional Nigerian life, from…
Rodrigues
This surprisingly grand church in the middle of Rodrigues has one of the largest congregations in the Port Louis diocese. Constructed between 1936 and…
Lesotho
This art centre and gallery is near the Morija Museum & Archives in a missionary house dating back to 1843. Various local artists work and exhibit their…
High Atlas Mountains
Pottery sits on display along sunny roadsides all the way through Boughlou, whose craftsmen are known in this region for their work. Visit to buy straight…
Church of St John the Evangelist
Casablanca
History buffs might be interested in the oldest church building still in use in Casablanca. This Anglican house of worship was built in 1906 on land owned…
Guinea
An interesting place to both buy and watch locally made crafts such as indigo cloth and leather sandals is at the Maison des Artisans. The staff will…
Northern Mozambique
Second only to the Fort of São Sebastião in size and grandiosity, this imposing neoclassical hospital was built by the Portuguese in 1877. For a time it…
Cape Town
Climb the wooden staircase leading to the top of this sand hill for a sweeping view of Khayelitsha township. For access it’s best to go into the cultural…
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