Things to Do in Middle East And Africa

Since 2006 this rustic sanctuary stationed in the picturesque Umhloti Nature Reserve just outside Neispruit, has been a hub for conservation, education and eco-tourism. Chimpanzees that have been orphaned, displaced from natural habitats or survived the bush meat trade find a new home in Chimp Eden's semi-wild enclosures. Three groups of primates currently reside at the sanctuary, and easy to access viewpoints make it easy for visitors to observe their interactions. Travelers can book an institute tour and enjoy lunch at the Chimp Eden restaurant before exploring the locally sourced crafts in the sanctuary shop.

Before the English, before the Boers and well before the Dutch, indigenous San people roamed the desert plains of Southern Africa. Following herds and living off the land in the ways of their ancestors before them, the San existed as one Africa’s most noble, successful tribes. Centuries of subjugation, however, threatened the culture, leading to its preservation and educational display in South Africa’s Western Cape at the !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Center, which acts as a modern way to empower and educate San, with funds being used to not only foster traditional African culture, but also help young generations of San to prosper and thrive.

Since 1977 this Western Cape attraction has been offering visitors up close encounters with some of South Africa's most-loved animals. Take a guided tour through the award-winning grounds for a look at flying foxes, exotic birds and water monitors. Cheetahland, an elevated catwalk that made this ranch famous, is also home to tigers, cheetahs and even a white lion. But despite the wide variety of animals here, Cango Wildlife Ranch is not a zoo. The popular attraction takes conservation and community education seriously, which means visitors see the wildlife that makes this country unique, and get a lesson in preserving it, too.

High up on the west bank stands the elegant marble Tomb of Mohammed Shah Aga Khan, the 48th imam (leader) of the Ismaili sect, who died in 1957, and of his wife the Begum, who died in 2000. Aswan was their favourite wintering place, and the family's white villa is in the garden beneath the tomb. 

Spiritual leader of a worldwide Shi'ite sect, the Aga Khan was a very wealthy man. He was educated in Europe and became the 48th Imam in 1885, at the age of only seven. His grandson succeeded him on his death in 1957. During his lifetime the Aga Khan was knighted by the Queen of England, and received similar recognition from Germany, Turkey and other countries. It is said that in 1945, on his birthday, he was weighed in diamonds - he was a large man - and the jewels then distributed to his followers. 

From the height of ancient Greece and Egypt, into the Iron and Islamic Ages and through much of the 17th century, the frankincense trade thrived throughout the Arab Peninsula, North Africa, the Mediterranean, India and China. Caravans, or traveling groups of traders, would walk the Silk Road throughout these areas and form makeshift settlements close to their most valuable products; few were more lucrative to trade than frankincense.

An aromatic resin used as incense in religious ceremonies and private homes, frankincense is harvested by peeling the bark from its hardy namesake tree (also known as Boswellia sacra), which can grow just about anywhere "“ even out of solid rock. Technically called olibanum, and especially sacred to Jews for its appearance in the Torah, the resin was given its more common name when Frankish Crusaders brought it back with them to Europe.

In the Dhofar province of southern Oman, the World Heritage Site is composed of the ancient frankincense trees at Wadi Dawkah, the remains of the caravan settlement of Shisr and Wubar, and the trade ports of Khor Rori and Al-Baleed, bordering the Arabian Sea. This area is one of the world's greatest sources of evidence of the culturally influential frankincense trade, and offers well-preserved examples of medieval-era Arabian architecture.

These days, frankincense remains big business in Oman, and can be purchased from dedicated tradesmen in markets all over the country.

Named after the Egyptian President who started the process, Lake Nasser is a result of the construction of the Aswan High Dam which effectively modernised Egypt, doubling its electic supply and significantly increasing the amount of agricultural land. Between 1958 and 1970, the Nile River was dammed, causing much controversy, and forming Lake Nasser (83% of which is in Egypt, the rest lying in Sudan and called Lake Nubia). The lake is 340 miles (550 km) long, and 22 miles (35 km) across at its widest point.

The lake covers the entire area which once housed Nubain villages containing hundreds of thousands of people. They were relocated to new areas and the Sudanese port and railway town of Wadi Halfa rebuilt. Today ferries cross the lake from Aswan to Wadi Halfa and this is the only connection between the two countries: there is no paved road link. The alternative is to fly. The lake is popular for Nile perch fishing and boating.

Located on Egypt's Red Sea coast, the port of Safaga has a small but lively tourism industry, primarily centered on scuba diving and surfing. For most cruise passengers, the port will serve as an entry way to visit Luxor several hours away. It is also a port for ferries to and from Saudi Arabia, just across the Red Sea.

How to get to Luxor

Luxor is about a three and a half hour drive from Safaga, so you will likely visit as part of an organized shore excursion, often one that includes an overnight stay in Luxor.  If you prefer to go independently, a taxi may run as much as $100 each way and must be arranged in advance. Either way, you will travel as part of a police-escorted convoy through the desert to Luxor.

One Day in Luxor

Most shore excursions will include Luxor's three must-see sights: Luxor Temple, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. Visiting all three will easily fill up your entire day.

Located in the heart of the city on the east bank of the Nile, Luxor Temple was built by pharaohs Amenhotep III and Ramses II in the 14th and 13th centuries B.C.  Entering the temple, you will pass between two enormous seated statues of Ramses II on your way to the courts of the two pharaohs. Don't miss the chapel of Alexander the Great toward the back of the temple, which includes images of Alexander as an Egyptian pharaoh.

Egypt's second most visited tourist site, Karnak is a vast complex covering 2 square kilometers, making it the largest ancient religious site in the world. The primary temple, the Temple of Amun, is the largest religious structure ever built "“ St. Peter's, Notre Dame and Milan Cathedrals would all fit inside. You will likely feel overwhelmed as you enter the complex through the massive Hypostyle Hall, lined with 134 columns, the largest of which are 21 meters tall and over 3 meters in diameter. Spend an hour or two at the complex exploring the array of smaller temples, sanctuaries and shrines.

The Valley of the Kings is located on the west bank of the Nile and contains the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs and nobles from the 16th to 11th centuries B.C. Many of the tombs were opened and robbed in ancient times, but extensive hieroglyphics and colorful frescoes remain in some, giving visitors an idea of how they may have looked centuries ago. An entry ticket to the Valley of the Kings generally allows you to enter three tombs of your choice, although they are not all open at the same time. Visiting the tomb of King Tutankhamun costs extra. No cameras are allowed inside the tombs, a rule that is enforced very strictly.

If you are staying in Luxor overnight, try a felucca ride on the Nile just before sunset and then head back to Karnak for an evening sound and light show. Alternatively, you might try your hand at bargaining in the market before returning to Luxor Temple to see it lit up at night.