I've been to Africa multiple times. Here are the best things I did in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt.
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- So far, I've traveled through Africa to Zimbabwe, South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt.
- Seeing Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe was unreal, and I was impressed by Egypt's many landmarks.
- South Africa's Cape Town has great shops and restaurants and I loved the liveliness of Morocco.
The African continent is teeming with unique travel experiences.
There's something for just about any traveler, whether you want to go on an African safari, savor first-class food and wine, see diverse landscapes, laze on stunning beaches, or marvel at ancient civilizations.
My African bucket list is extensive, but I've already ticked off Zimbabwe, South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt. All four countries were vastly different but charming in their own way.
Here's what I enjoyed most about each.
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If you're looking for safaris, game lodges, exotic foods, and breathtaking natural beauty, Zimbabwe is the place.
The highlight of our trip was seeing Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is one of the most spectacular waterfalls on the planet and is said to be the world's largest sheet of falling water.
There are few places more Insta-worthy, particularly if you catch a rainbow — we saw a double one over the falls.
I also really loved Imire: Rhino and Wildlife Conservation, located about two hours from the capital of Harare. There, we went on a game drive and encountered plenty of African wildlife. Then, we had a delicious lunch in the game park overlooking an animal-studded waterhole.
It felt like pure magic.
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Cape Town, one of South Africa's capitals, didn't disappoint with its spectacular coastal views, a top-notch foodie scene, and great shopping options.
A highlight of our trip was riding on the cableway up to Table Mountain — our gondola had a offers 360-degree panorama of the city.
We spent a whole day walking around the V&A Waterfront and spent a lot of money at its wonderful shops and restaurants.
From there, you can also catch a ferry to Robben Island, which was once a prison for political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela during apartheid, but is now a museum.
The road trip from Cape Town to Knysna — which included a section of the Garden Route, a breathtaking stretch along the coast — was also absolutely stunning. We were lucky enough to stay with family in Knysna who had a beautiful, secluded property on the side of a hill, complete with access to a private beach.
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I felt like I was in a movie the moment I arrived in Marrakesh
Donkey-drawn carriages cruised up and down laneways while snake charmers, folk dancers, and trinket vendors vied for my attention.
I enjoyed the delightful chaos and quickly fell in love with the vibrant colors, mouthwatering food, and rugged landscape of this North African country.
The standout for me was our three-day tour from Marrakesh to the Sahara Desert. We journeyed across the Atlas Mountains and explored ancient kasbahs along the way, then eventually rode camels into the desert.
On our final night, we ate chicken tagine (a traditional Moroccan dish with a spiced sauce) under the stars, then slept in a Berber desert camp.
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In the land of the pharaohs, I marveled at millennia-old colossal monuments like the Pyramid of Giza, the Great Sphinx of Giza, and the Abu Simbel temples.
The outstanding engineering capabilities of the Egyptians have to be seen to be believed.
The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities is also a must-see if you're in Cairo. It houses the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the mask of Tutankhamun and his sarcophagus.
