26Feb, 2023

Cairo, Egypt

Cairo, Egypt’s sprawling capital, is set on the Nile River. At its heart is Tahrir Square and the vast Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities including royal mummies and gilded King Tutankhamun artifacts. Nearby, Giza is the site of the iconic pyramids and Great Sphinx, dating to the 26th century BC.

Time in Cairo:

Cairo

27°

Fair

Feels like: 27°C
Wind: 11km/h ENE
Humidity: 27%
Pressure: 1017.95mbar
UV index: 4

SatSunMon

28/17°C
22/15°C
19/13°C

Cairo, Egypt’s sprawling capital, is set on the Nile River. At its heart is Tahrir Square and the vast Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities including royal mummies and gilded King Tutankhamun artifacts. Nearby, Giza is the site of the iconic pyramids and Great Sphinx, dating to the 26th century BC. In Gezira Island’s leafy Zamalek district, 187m Cairo Tower affords panoramic city views.

On a hilltop above the city is the medieval Citadel fortress, site of Muhammad Ali Mosque, an Ottoman landmark. It overlooks the Islamic Cairo neighborhood, whose zigzagging streets feature significant architecture like the 10th-century Al-Azhar Mosque and massive Bab Zuweila gate. It’s also home to the buzzing Khan el-Khalili bazaar and the Museum of Islamic Art. Highlights of the Coptic Cairo area include the Roman-era

Fortress of Babylon, Hanging Church and Coptic Museum, which displays antiquities of Christian Egypt. After dark, social life thrives in countless ahwas, or coffeehouses.

When to visit

Cairo has a hot desert climate with almost no rain. May–Sep can have scorching days and high humidity, while the rest of the year is cooler. Winter (Dec–Feb) has mild weather. It’s a year-round destination, but peak travel periods happen in the main vacations of Aug and Dec.

The Cairo International Film Festival (Nov/Dec) is a major event focusing on Arab productions.
Islamic celebrations include Eid al-Fitr (dates vary), with feasting to end Ramadan. Shortly after New Year,
Coptic Christmas (Jan) includes church services.

26Feb, 2023

Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi is Kenya’s capital city. In addition to its urban core, the city has Nairobi National Park, a large game reserve known for breeding endangered black rhinos and home to giraffes, zebras and lions. Next to it is a well-regarded elephant orphanage operated by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Time in Nairobi:

Nairobi

25°

Mostly Cloudy

Feels like: 25°C
Wind: 16km/h E
Humidity: 52%
Pressure: 1019.98mbar
UV index: 8

SatSunMon

26/16°C
25/15°C
22/15°C

Nairobi is Kenya’s capital city. In addition to its urban core, the city has Nairobi National Park, a large game reserve known for breeding endangered black rhinos and home to giraffes, zebras and lions. Next to it is a well-regarded elephant orphanage operated by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Nairobi is also often used as a jumping-off point for safari trips elsewhere in Kenya.

In the city center, towers like the cylindrical KICC, home to the convention center, rise near attractions like the Nairobi National Museum, devoted to Kenyan art, artifacts, wildlife and early hominids. In upscale suburban Langata, the Giraffe Centre sanctuary features a hand-feeding platform. The Karen Blixen Museum, in the “Out of Africa” author’s preserved

colonial home, stands on the former farm that’s now an affluent suburb called Karen. The Bomas of Kenya cultural center, with huts representing Kenya’s major ethnic groups, offers a look at traditional tribal life. Tribal arts and crafts are sold at the roving Maasai Market.

When to visit

Nairobi has a warm, temperate climate year-round. Weather is dry during peak travel season (Jul–Sep).

there is a large migration of wildebeests and zebras into the Masai Mara Jul–Oct.
Some hotels may close during the main rainy season (Apr–May),
there is also a shorter rainy season in Nov.
Migratory birds may be present Sep–Apr.
Popular events are the East African Arts Festival (Mar), with displays of art and architecture;
the Kenya Open Golf Championship (Apr).
the Rhino Charge 4×4 vehicle race (May/Jun).

26Feb, 2023

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s sprawling capital in the highlands bordering the Great Rift Valley, is the country’s commercial and cultural hub. Its National Museum exhibits Ethiopian art, traditional crafts and prehistoric fossils, including replicas of the famous early hominid, "Lucy".

Time in Addis Ababa:

Addis Ababa

22°

Partly Cloudy

Feels like: 22°C
Wind: 24km/h ESE
Humidity: 43%
Pressure: 1025.06mbar
UV index: 9

SatSunMon

23/10°C
23/10°C
24/9°C

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s sprawling capital in the highlands bordering the Great Rift Valley, is the country’s commercial and cultural hub. Its National Museum exhibits Ethiopian art, traditional crafts and prehistoric fossils, including replicas of the famous early hominid, “Lucy.” The burial place of the 20th-century emperor Haile Selassie, copper-domed Holy Trinity Cathedral, is a neo-baroque architectural landmark.

Set above the city is 3,200m, eucalyptus-covered Mount Entoto, offering far-reaching views. In the city center, major attractions radiate from popular gathering place Meskel Square and the Piazza district, known for its jazz clubs. The miles-long, open-air Merkato bustles with vendors selling coffee, spices and handicrafts, and lies nearby popular Grand Anwar Mosque. Octagonal St. George’s Cathedral, completed

in 1911, is distinguished by its colorful murals by native artist Afewerk Tekle. Occupying Haile Selassie’s former palace and surrounded by gardens, the Ethnological Museum showcases many Ethiopian cultural artifacts.

When to visit

Peak travel is Jun–Aug, most of which falls during the city’s rainy season (Jun–Sep). Daytime temperatures are mild to warm year-round, with cool nights.

Key events revolve around the Orthodox Christian calendar.
The city is busy for Timkat (Jan 19 or 20), an Epiphany festival celebrating Christ’s baptism.
Meskel (Sep 27 or 28) marks the discovery of the True Cross with flowers, bonfires and religious gatherings.

26Feb, 2023

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is a port city on South Africa’s southwest coast, on a peninsula beneath the imposing Table Mountain. Slowly rotating cable cars climb to the mountain’s flat top, from which there are sweeping views of the city.

Time in Cape Town:

Cape Town

21°

Mostly Cloudy

Feels like: 21°C
Wind: 18km/h W
Humidity: 70%
Pressure: 1014.22mbar
UV index: 7

SatSunMon

23/16°C
26/16°C
21/15°C

Cape Town is a port city on South Africa’s southwest coast, on a peninsula beneath the imposing Table Mountain. Slowly rotating cable cars climb to the mountain’s flat top, from which there are sweeping views of the city, the busy harbor and boats heading for Robben Island, the notorious prison that once held Nelson Mandela, which is now a living museum.

Hikers’ paths crisscross the slopes and also climb the mountain, via forests and manicured lawns at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, the lush wine-producing suburb of Constantia, and steep Platteklip Gorge. In town, the V&A Waterfront is a chic shopping and entertainment district that includes the Two Oceans Aquarium. Historic sites include the Dutch-built, 17th century Castle of Good Hope. City beaches

range from ritzy Clifton to Boulders, where there’s a penguin colony. Popular out-of-town trips take in Chapman’s Peak Drive, with coastal views, and the Cape of Good Hope, where craggy cliffs meet the ocean.

When to visit

Most visitors arrive Dec–Apr, during the warm and dry summer months.

Winter (Jul–Aug) tends to be chilly and wet.
Local events include the Minstrel Carnival (Jan),
Gay Pride Parade (Feb),
International Jazz Festival (Apr),
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts (Nov–Apr).

26Feb, 2023

Casablanca, Morocco

Casablanca is a port city and commercial hub in western Morocco, fronting the Atlantic Ocean. The city's French colonial legacy is seen in its downtown Mauresque architecture, a blend of Moorish style and European art deco.

Time in Casablanca:

Casablanca

22°

Fair

Feels like: 22°C
Wind: 3km/h E
Humidity: 57%
Pressure: 1022.01mbar
UV index: 3

SatSunMon

29/20°C
31/18°C
26/16°C

place-mohammed-v-and-city-skyline-dusk-scott-e-barbour.jpg

Casablanca is a port city and commercial hub in western Morocco, fronting the Atlantic Ocean. The city’s French colonial legacy is seen in its downtown Mauresque architecture, a blend of Moorish style and European art deco. Standing partly over the water, the enormous Hassan II Mosque, completed in 1993, has a 210m minaret topped with lasers directed toward Mecca.

Elsewhere, the seaside Ain Diab district is favored for leisure and nightlife activities. Its Corniche area is a beachfront promenade with cafes, bars, hotels and restaurants. Located in the residential Oasis quarter, the Moroccan Jewish Museum explores the history of the country’s Jewish community. Downtown is the small Old Medina lined with shops.

Running south of the city toward Oualidia and Essaouira,

the beach-lined coast is a major summer holiday destination. Casablanca is also famous for the 1942 Humphrey Bogart film of the same name, with re-created Rick’s Cafe a popular site.

When to visit

Peak travel is Apr–Aug, when weather is mild to warm and mostly dry. The Atlantic Ocean moderates the subtropical climate throughout the year.

Winter (Dec–Feb) nights are cool.
Jazzablanca (dates vary) attracts well-known soloists and ensembles from the Moroccan and international jazz scenes.
Leading Moroccan urban music acts perform at the Boulevard festival (Sep).