Africa Travel Guide: Morocco, Zanzibar and Egypt
For first-time Africa travellers: route, season and featured destinations — Morocco’s medinas, Zanzibar’s beaches, Egypt’s history.
Build the route at a glance
- Good season
- Spring in the north; dry season for Zanzibar
- Ideal length
- 7–10 days
- Route rhythm
- Rest between changing climates
- Prepare first
- Country-specific visa, health and money checks
How this journey works
Distance, climate and infrastructure sit at the centre of an African route. Morocco’s medinas and Zanzibar’s shores do not need the same luggage or pace; treat every country through its own season and cultural context.
Daylight arrivals, reliable transfers, a cash alternative and broad insurance markedly improve comfort. A local guide adds context not only for directions, but also for history, bargaining and etiquette.
Africa is a multi-layered continent of deserts, medinas, tropical shores and ancient civilisations. For first-time travellers, Morocco, Zanzibar and Egypt are safe and striking starts. This guide outlines the essentials.
Featured destinations
Morocco
The labyrinthine medinas of Marrakesh and Fez, desert camps, the Atlas Mountains and colourful bazaars. Culture and adventure together.
Zanzibar
The turquoise shores of the Indian Ocean, spice-island culture and historic Stone Town. Ideal for relaxation and the sea.
Egypt
The pyramids, the Nile and ancient temples. Witness to one of humanity’s oldest civilisations.
Season
For North Africa (Morocco, Egypt), spring and autumn are ideal; summer is very hot. For Zanzibar, the dry season (June–October) is the best time.
Practical notes
Visa requirements vary by country; some offer visa-on-arrival or e-visa. Vaccination, insurance and local currency matter in preparation.
Africa is a rare geography that lets you live the desert, the ocean and ancient history at once on a single continent.
Covering different climates and cultures, these routes need good planning; guided programmes provide confidence and comfort.
Route map
The classic route of this region — see the stops on the map.
- 1MarrakeshStreet View ↗
- 2FezStreet View ↗
- 3Merzouga DesertStreet View ↗
Places to see
The featured stops of the region.
Marrakesh
Jemaa el-Fna, palaces and colourful bazaars.
Street View ↗Fez
One of the world’s largest car-free medinas.
Street View ↗Merzouga Desert
Camel rides and a desert camp under the stars.
Street View ↗Chefchaouen
The blue-painted town in the Rif Mountains.
Street View ↗Zanzibar – Stone Town
Spice-island culture and turquoise shores.
Street View ↗Giza Pyramids (Egypt)
Among humanity’s oldest monuments.
Street View ↗Cairo
A city of history and bazaars on the Nile.
Street View ↗Casablanca
The Hassan II Mosque and an Atlantic metropolis.
Street View ↗Rabat
The capital of kasbah walls and the Hassan Tower.
Street View ↗Tangier
A strait city where two seas meet.
Street View ↗Essaouira
A walled medina on the windy Atlantic coast.
Street View ↗Luxor
An open-air museum of Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.
Street View ↗Alexandria
An ancient library city on the Mediterranean.
Street View ↗Aswan
A Nubian city where the Nile is at its most beautiful.
Street View ↗Tunis
A city of the medina and the ruins of Carthage.
Street View ↗Nairobi
Kenya’s capital and the gateway to safari routes.
Street View ↗Cape Town
Table Mountain and the meeting of two oceans.
Street View ↗Culture & Art calendar
Full calendar →Frequently asked questions
Is Africa suitable for first-time travellers?
Yes; destinations such as Morocco, Zanzibar and Egypt are well-developed and quite suitable for first-timers.
What health precautions are needed?
Vaccination and malaria precautions are advised for some areas; confirm current health requirements before travelling.
Guides in this region
Morocco Travel Guide: Marrakesh, Fez and the Desert
The squares of Marrakesh, the medina of Fez, the Atlas Mountains and a Sahara desert camp: route and tips for Morocco.
Zanzibar Holiday Guide: The Spice Island
Turquoise beaches, Stone Town and spice tours: season, route and practical tips for Zanzibar.