Destination overview

North Africa is the northern-most region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa and includes the countries of Algeria, Cape Verde, Gambia, Morocco and Tunisia. A trip to North Africa will provide you with so many options that you’ll have to narrow them down, or stay a few months! But, some things you must do include visiting the medieval cities of Marrakech and Fes in Morocco and Tunis in Tunisia, and trek in the Atlas Mountains to the highest peak, Jbel Toubkal, where the views are inspiring.

Dive among schools of sharks in Ras Mohammed, a marine National Park in Egypt's Red Sea. And, a desert trip to Tunisia's Sahara also should not be missed.

Algeria

Algeria is one of the most popular tourist countries in North Africa and is the second largest country in Africa. Bordering Morocco, Mali, Libya, Tunisia, Niger, the Mediterranean Sea and the Western Sahara, Algeria is home to a diverse landscape and a population of approximately thirty-five million. Algiers is the capital city of Algeria and even though its economy is reliant on a variety of sectors, agriculture still plays a vital role in the provision of products for the country and for export. Products such as cotton, tobacco, olive oil, cereal, figs, cork, barley, wheat, vegetables and citrus fruits are cultivated in the country.

Algeria has a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Hammadid Empire's first capital city, the breathtaking citadel the Casbah of Algiers, the town of Tipasa and the Roman ruins of Timgad and Djemila. Its history, culture and traditions are very important to the people of Algeria and establishments such as the Bardo Ethnographic and Local Art Museum and National Museum of Fine Arts reflects the heritage of Algeria. Structures such as the Masourah Fortress and the Grand Mosque are superb examples of architecture and allow visitors a glimpse into the past. From spectacular attractions to breathtaking natural wonders, Algeria has something for everyone and is a country that should be explored.

When it comes to nature and the wildlife of Algeria, the country is unlimited in beauty. The World Heritage Site of the Tassili n’Ajjer Mountain Range is nothing less than spectacular and the limestone valley of M’Zab is a popular attraction. Nature reserves and National Parks such as the Gouraya National Park, Belezma National Park, Tassili National Park and Mergueb Nature Reserve, conserve and protect the wildlife and magnificent birdlife of Algeria. Visitors will get the opportunity to see amazing animals such as leopard, marsh mongoose, fennec, cheetah, red fox and panthers, to name a few. Bird watching enthusiasts find Algeria to be a treasure chest of birds, with many exotic and migratory birds making Algeria their home.

Morocco

Experience the varied history, architecture and exotic charm of Morocco’s cities, towns and villages. The ancient imperial cities of Rabat, Fes, Marrakech and Meknes with their medinas and maze-like twisting streets, historical monuments and magical souks, contrast dramatically with the desert towns of Erfoud, Merzouga and Zagora and the coastal cities such as Essaouira and Tangier – each place striking in its own way.

Agadir is a popular beach holiday destination and fishing port located on the southern Atlantic coast.

The stunning UNESCO world heritage village of Ait Benhaddou has some of the most exotic and best preserved Kasbahs. Located in southern Morocco close to Ouarzazate which is the largest town in the region, Ait Benhaddou has been the setting for many films, including Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, and Gladiator.

Casablanca is the largest and probably best-known city in Morocco. Located on the Atlantic coast, Casablanca is the economic capital of Morocco. The centre of business and industry, the old and the new coexist from the original, walled medina to the modern Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world.

Originally founded in the 9th century, Fes was Morocco’s capital for over 400 years and is one of the country’s oldest imperial cities. It is one of the world’s largest remaining medieval cities and is famous for its history, architecture, cuisine and souks.

The name Marrakech is evocative of all that is exotic and rich about Morocco. Famous among tourists for its souks (markets) and Djemaa el Fna Square (a bustling market square by day which gives way to a multitude of open air cafés at night), Marrakech is an old imperial town. The red-walled medina’s many historical sites, the La Bahia Palace, el Badi Palace and Koutoubia Mosque offer a fascinating insight into the city’s past and present.

Tunisia

Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia, is the smallest country in North Africa. It is a Maghreb country bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the south-east and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, is often ignored by the many European tourists who flock to Tunisia's beach resorts. But they're missing a true gem of a city, particularly the Medina, which rivals that of Marrakech and Fes in Morocco. Tunis is home to one of the best museums in North Africa, The Bardo, which is housed in a beautiful palace filled with the treasures found at numerous ancient sites dotted around Tunisia.

The Sahara Desert crosses every country in North Africa, and stone forts and fortified granaries built into the desert mountains hundreds of years ago are fascinating to visit, in particular the Ksar Ouled Soltaine.

Cape Verde

The history of Cape Verde is typical and yet unique for its location. For three centuries, the islands were a setting for the transatlantic slave trade, exile for political prisoners of Portugal and a place of refuge for Jews and other victims of religious persecution during the Spanish-Portuguese Inquisition. Situated at the hub between Europe, America and the Indian Ocean, Cape Verde can now look back at a significant achievement - the birth of a completely new Creole culture and language, evolving from the blending of very diverse ethnic groups. The Creole people assumed a forerunner role in the independence movement of Africa in its seemingly never-ending battle against colonisation. Cape Verde has about 450,000 inhabitants today, with 236,000 of these living on the main island of Santiago.

There is a saying that the language reveals much about a country. This also applies to Cape Verde, where Creole (Crioulo) – in addition to the official national language of Portuguese – reflects its citizen’s unbelievable diversity that has been produced by centuries of migration.

Gambia

Gambia has unique qualities over many other regions. It is only six hours away from major European areas and it is a popular and affordable winter destination attracting tourists in search of sun, sand and cultural experiences of which this unique country has plenty. As far back as the time of Hannon the Carthaginian in 470 BC, the River Gambia has attracted visitors to its magnificent estuary and its meandering waterways.

There are many different excursions designed to give the tourist a good feel of The Gambia. Many of the excursions are conducted in the coastal area but others take place in rural Gambia. There are also round-trips to neighbouring Senegal.

Your trip to North Africa will not only be full of adventure, but as busy as you want to make it. There is so much to see and do and experience, you will remember this as a holiday with a difference.