Africa

Morocco is Africa’s gateway to Europe, and it is the only African nation to share its coastline with both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Its culture is a characteristic blend of Arab and Berber, which, along with its colonial past, make Morocco what it is today. Soak up the atmosphere in the streets of Marrakech, where you can try out your haggling skills at Djemaa El-fna market. Don’t forget to explore the magnificent Atlas mountain range that slices its way across the country from east to west – fit for both hikers and bikers. Visit an Amazigh village and get to know the traditional Berber way of life. Take a trip along the coast, stopping at the old port of Essaouira, the resort city of Agadir and the classic Casablanca. Or venture out into the Sahara Desert where you are sure to make friends with some very unique hoofed mammals. Morocco is a diverse land of many languages, cultures and identities, which welcomes visitors with its characteristic hospitality.

Namib – the oldest desert in the world – gives Namibia its name and shapes the landscape of the region. Namibia's natural beauty is difficult to match and is characterised by the perceived otherworldliness of these surroundings. Sharp mountain ranges and deep canyons run through the heart of the African country and are home to a diverse bird and wildlife. Shipwrecks dotting Namibia's notorious Skeleton Coast stand symbolic of the fact that humankind here is secondary to nature. Nonetheless, the human history of Namibia is fascinating, marked by colonial legacy as well as a number of distinct ethnic groups and indigenous tribes still maintaining traditional ways of living.

You’d be hard pressed to find a better value vacation destination than South Africa, especially one with as developed and sophisticated a tourist industry. Thriving tourist facilities offer luxury and adventure in equal measure, from dynamic cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg, to natural wonders in the Drakensberg Mountains, to wildlife encounters in countless game parks. The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (MOCAA), pegged to become one of the world’s finest, is just the newest example of the fine cultural offerings in South Africa. Add to that the world-renowned wine production and daring cuisine to complete one of the world’s most thrilling destinations.